Pups and Their People Get A-List Treatment in Asheville
Sit, stay and enjoy dog-friendly Asheville.
With fresh mountain air, restaurants, bars and breweries fitted with outdoor patios, and plenty of hiking trails to explore, Asheville is known as one of the best dog-friendly cities in America. There’s even a dog welcome center in downtown called Dog City, USA, and several parks where pups of all sizes can romp and run free. Just remember (unless at a dog park), by law, dogs must be on a leash.
In This Article
Restaurants & Bars
With Asheville’s welcoming attitude toward dogs, well-behaved pups on leashes can join their owners at many restaurants, bars and breweries. That means having a craft beer with your best bud inside a brewery taproom, sharing a nice meal on a lively outdoor patio, and some spots even cater to dogs with water bowls, doggie goodies and curated menus.
- All Day Darling, Montford
- Bhramari Brewhouse
- Biscuit Head, West Asheville
- Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar, Downtown
- Laughing Seed Cafe, Downtown
- 131 Main, South Asheville/Biltmore Park Town Square
- Posana, Downtown
- Sunny Point Cafe, West Asheville
- Twisted Laurel, Downtown
- White Duck Taco, Multiple locations
- Wicked Weed Brewing, Downtown
Shops
Like restaurants, many shop owners in Asheville, especially downtown, are cool with pet owners wandering their stores with well-behaved dogs on leashes. Some will even give out free pats, belly rubs and maybe a tasty treat if your dog’s lucky.
- Ariel Gallery, Downtown
- Asheville Bee Charmer, Downtown
- Asheville Outlets
- Frugal Backpacker, West Asheville
- Marthaler Jewelers, South Asheville/Biltmore Park Town Square
- Tops for Shoes, Downtown
Dog Parks & Trails
What’s better than fresh air, exercise and bonding? If you’re looking for parks with wide-open spaces for your dog to run free and romp with other friendly pups, or winding trails to explore nature and picnic together, Asheville and its surrounding areas offer plenty of outdoor adventure. In exchange for all the beauty, don’t forget to clean up after your pet!
- Biltmore Estate
- Carolina Mountain Trail
- North Carolina Arboretum
- Craggy Pinnacle Trail
- French Broad River Park
- Graveyard Fields Trail
There’s No Place Like Home
Of course, most people can’t live without their dogs, and Asheville’s apartment scene makes them feel right at home. Almost every area of Asheville offers pet-friendly rentals, many within walking distance of shops, restaurants and trails – and of course, they’ll have plenty of new neighbors to play with. Don’t forget to check for weight limits and the number of dogs allowed.
- The Aventine Asheville, South Asheville
- The District, Biltmore Village
- Greymont Village Apartments, West Asheville
- The Retreat at Hunt Hill, Downtown
Workplaces
Is your dog the boss of you? If you want to make taking your dog to work a daily affair, then try these places who allow dogs to run the joint – or at least sit quietly by as you work to pay for them to live their best life.