Manchester, NH: Residents Love This Dog-Friendly City
Thanks to its dog parks, pet-friendly patios and dog-centric shops and events, dog owners can take their pups just about anywhere in Manchester, NH.
Molly McGee, a marketing professional who grew up in Manchester, has had her goldendoodle, Oscar, since 2021, and she says he’s a fixture downtown.
“People who definitely don’t know my name know Oscar’s name and will say hi to him,” she says. “Every day when we take our walks, he has several businesses he likes to go into to get treats. It’s adorable.”
Heather Jackman and Nick Carnes also own a three-year-old goldendoodle named Frank, and he’s also a well-known pup around the city. The couple lives in the heart of downtown, where they say they can bring Frank anywhere.
“It’s safe, clean and we feel welcome there,” Jackman says. “We can sit out on literally any patio with our dog. There are doggie day cares and grooming places that are opening, lots of events – it’s a time where people are having fewer kids and more animals, and there are dogs everywhere.”
Ahead, find out where these Manchester, NH, dog owners like to take their furry pals.
In This Article
Parks and Green Spaces
Manchester, NH, is home to Manchester Dog Park, an off-leash area where dogs and their owners can play and socialize. It’s a 10,000-square-foot fenced-in area with gated entries and a filtered water system for dogs to stay hydrated. Manchester Dog Park is operated by the Manchester Dog Park Association, and membership is required for those who want to use the park.
Manchester is home to public parks where people can walk their dogs on a leash, as well, like Livingston Park, Stark Park and Arms Park.
“We’ve always gone to Arms Park, which has a small grassy area that is right by the river and has a paved walking route through the Millyard and space for us to play fetch,” McGee says. “Livingston has a great 1-mile loop around a pond that is very well maintained. I’ll actually bring Oscar there if we’re doing training because there are always so many dogs being walked there, so it’s great if we’re working on avoiding distractions.”
Manchester, NH, also has plenty of places to take your dog hiking, like the 6.1-mile Heritage Trail and other nearby wild spaces. The Heritage Trail can be accessed from Stark Park, Arms Park and River Road.
“I take Frank out at least once a week for a nature walk at Massabesic Lake, where it’s very safe to walk,” Jackman says. “I love that greater Manchester has so much access to good hiking.”
Pet-Friendly Patios
Countless Manchester restaurants have outdoor dining areas where owners can bring their pups.
“Nick’s coffee shop, The Moka Pot, has a little patio and is very dog friendly,” Jackman says. “His business partner owns Industry East, a craft cocktail bar that’s extremely dog friendly. They always have water bowls out, and there is at least one dog on the patio when you walk by.”
Other popular dog-friendly restaurants include Backyard Brewery and Kitchen, Firefly American Bistro & Bar, Stark Brewing Co., Thirsty Moose Taphouse, The Gyro Spot, Murphy’s Taproom, The Goat, Goldenrod Restaurant, Campo Enoteca, Jerome’s Deli, Great North Aleworks and The Bridge Café on Elm.
“Industry East is known for its hot dogs, and they’ll make one for your dog, which, of course, Oscar loves,” McGee says. “Restoration Cafe has a nice patio, and we’ve had brunch there. It has several umbrellas and is shaded and cool. We go to Strange Brew Tavern a lot and sit on their patio, too.”
Dog-Friendly Events
The Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter are behind Mutt Strutt, an annual fundraising event held at Livingston Park that features pet-friendly activities, vendors and a walk. They host various events throughout the year, including a masquerade ball, dog-centric splash events and adoption fairs.
Supplies and Resources
Manchester is home to several businesses created for pets, from supply stores to doggy day cares. Places like Bark City, All Dogs Gym & Inn and Kamp K-9 in Manchester, NH, offer boarding and training options.
“Bark City is really convenient for people who live downtown,” McGee says. “It’s walking distance for me. It’s very popular, and it’s always a full house, which Oscar always likes. The other is called All Dogs Gym, and it is a little farther away from us, but he did his training there as a puppy, and I can board him there if I need to, but it does fill up quickly.”
Dog-focused shops have become popular in the Manchester, NH, area, too, including Food for Pets and Pawfectly Raw New England. Food for Pets has been supplying locals with food and other pet items for more than 40 years, while Pawfectly Raw New England focuses on making fresh pet food that’s free of fillers.
This article was sponsored by the Manchester Economic Development Office.
