Milwaukee takes its seasons seriously. This fear of missing out is definitely prevalent and the doggos eat it up as well when the weather is great. So why not take them with you, right?
Patio Pooches
The Roman Coin on Brady Street is one of the oldest operating bars in the city. And easily the first spot you think of when you want to grab a beer with man’s best friend. It’s better when you’re together–outside or inside!
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Camp Bar, with three locations in Shorewood, Tosa and the Third Ward offers a laid back, dog-friendly locale to wear your best flannel and enjoy an Old Fashioned or three. The dogs love finding freshly popped popcorn on the floor and smelling new friends. It is every dog owner’s go-to spot come fall and winter when you’re wanting the cozy cabin vibes from Up North.
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The Wicked Hop is a local staple for weekend brunch or happy hour. Also a great place for your pup to get lots of attention from passerbys. Enjoy their iconic Bloody Mary under heating lamps on the patio nearly year round. Even the pups can enjoy it.
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Breweries have adopted our pets as their own in the Milwaukee renaissance of craft brewing. MobCraft, Black Husky and Enlightened Brewery are just a few who welcome pups and in doing so, this will arguably make you the most popular patron in the bar. Same to be said about Beer Gardens. Because nothing goes with a stein and a giant pretzel like belly rubs.
Our parks can’t be beat
Sometimes your four-legged friend needs more than just a walk around the block. Let them run wild and free at the Milwaukee County Park system’s seven dog exercise parks.
With proper permits, you can have them socializing and exploring their surroundings off-leash. And recently, most parks and trails have started to offer many doggy bag stations, making it very easy to run out the door without having to remember a baggy.
There is nothing is more refreshing during humid Wisconsin summers than a dip in Lake Michigan. Milwaukee’s public beaches do not allow dogs, but a short drive north to Harrington State Park in Belgium, WI offers a great spot to practice chasing frisbees into the water. Just be respectful of others at South Beach and pick up after the good boy.
Pet-Friendly Lodging
If there’s a hotel, it’s likely dog-friendly. Over the years, Milwaukee has seen a sharp increase in hotels offering accommodations for our canine family members. The Iron Horse in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point offers an industrial feel with a cozy touch. The special treatment to all size dogs starts the moment they walk into the lobby.
The Pfister Hotel offers a luxurious stay for your best friend. The four-star level of service you’d receive as a human is equally matched for your pup. Your Rover-Night Package even includes a monetary donation to a local humane society to make sure those animals are taken care of before they find their forever home.
If a 4-star hotel is not in your budget, there are over 40 different hotels looking to make your dog feel at home while you’re in Milwaukee. Some range in cleaning fees and how they accommodate, but we’d like to think your dog will appreciate not being boarded back home.
It’s been a labor of love from city officials and establishment owners to accept our furry friends in their businesses, so you won’t see too many options outside of city limits, but with time, like most things, we see this changing.
