Summer is finally here! The sun is shining (most of the time, it is eastern Washington after all), the weather is warmer, and it’s the perfect time to get outside with your furry friend. Here are 10 things to do in the Des Moines and Seattle area with your dog this summer:
- Go for a hike: There’s no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than with a beautiful hike and in Washington, you don't have to go far to find a trail. Your dog will love exploring new sights and smells, and you’ll get some exercise too! Some great places to go for a walk or hike in the area are: Discovery Park, The Green River Trail and the Washington Park Arboretum. Check out this article on 9 dog-friendly hikes from Rover.com.
- Go for a swim: During the hot summer months, there’s nothing better than a cool and refreshing dip in Puget Sound or a lake. If your dog loves water, take them for a swim or play fetch in the water. Just make sure to supervise them at all times and keep them safe. There are plenty of places in and around Des Moines to take your dog swimming, including: Des Moines Beach Park, Saltwater State Park, Redondo Beach, Dash Point State Park.
- Visit the Seattle Barkery Treat Trailer at Magnuson Park. Not only will your dog love all the delicious goodies the Treat Trailer has to offer, but there is also an off-leash dog park there. If dog parks aren't your thing, Magnuson Park has more than four miles of trails along the shores of Lake Washington.
- Have a drink while watching the sunset over the Puget Sound and Des Moines marina with your furry friend. The Quarterdeck is a small café bar located on the water in Des Moines, WA where the locals gather for drinks, snacks and even live music during the summer. Their seating is outdoor so there is no bad view and during the winter, they put up tents with heaters.
- Go boating. The Center for Wooden Boats on Lake Union in Seattle has dog-friendly wooden rowboats for rent for self-guided tours of the lake. You can rent the boats by the hour.
- Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island. WSDOT allows pets on the Washington State Ferries. There are rules for where uncrated pets can go on the boats so be sure to check out the WSDOT Ferries Pet webpage for more info.
- Go camping: If you love the great outdoors, you might want to take your dog camping. There are many dog-friendly campsites around the state of Washington where you can enjoy hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities with your pup.
- Attend a dog-friendly event: Many cities have dog-friendly events during the summer, such as festivals or concerts like the Pooch Paw-ty in Puyallup in June. The Kirkland Uncorked wine festival in July benefits the Homeward Pet Adoption organization. To find more pet friendly events in the area check out the website BringFido.com
- Have a meal at a pet-friendly restaurant like Pub 70 which is located on the waterfront in Seattle. They not only allow dogs both inside and outside but they also have menu items just for the K9s like Doggy Meatloaf and Chicken & Rice.
- Book a professional photo shoot for your pooch. The summer is a great time for either an indoor or outdoor session. Here is Washington it rains a lot less, there are beautiful flowers everywhere and the sunsets are amazing!! While indoor photo shoots can be done anytime of the year, the summer tends to be less busy so you'll have more options when it comes to choosing a day and time.
