The world has gotten much more dog-friendly in recent years, so the next time you head out on vacation or out of town for work, why not bring your favorite canine along? Whether you’re headed to a big city or a smaller town, there tend to be places to stay and things to do that will cater to your pup. Detroit, Michigan, in particular, is fairly friendly to our four-legged friends.
If you’re headed to Detroit soon with your dog, you can find many dog-friendly activities in the city. These include dog-friendly hotels, hiking trails, restaurants, shopping, events, and, of course, the perennial favorite—the dog park! We’re getting you started on making your vacation plans with this list of 25 dog-friendly activities in Detroit, so take a look and start planning today.
The 25 Dog-Friendly Places & Activities in Detroit
Hotels
Here are just a few of the dog-friendly hotels in Detroit you can stay in!
1. Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| ⭐ Star-rating: | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🕐 Open times: | Check-in 4 PM; Check-out 12 PM |
| 💲 Cost: | Pet fee is $50 per day; $150 max |
| 🐕 Off-leash area?: | No |
- Food bowl and dog bed provided upon request
- Pet welcome kit
- Hotel has an indoor pool and restaurant
- Off-site or valet parking
- Located centrally to popular attractions
2. The Residence Inn Detroit Novi – Marriott
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 27477 Cabaret Dr, Novi, MI 48377 |
| ⭐ Star-rating: | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🕐 Open times: | Check-in 3 PM; Check-out 12 PM |
| 💲 Cost: | Pet fee is $100 per stay |
| 🐕 Off-leash area?: | No |
- 2 dogs max per room
- Paid parking available
- Activities for children available
- Tons of restaurants nearby
3. The Sheraton Detroit Novi
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 21111 Haggerty Rd, Novi, MI 48375 |
| ⭐ Star-rating: | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🕐 Open times: | Check-in 4 PM; Check-out 11 AM |
| 💲 Cost: | Pet fee is $75 per stay |
| 🐕 Off-leash area?: | No |
- 1 dog max per room
- 50-lb weight limit for dogs
- Hotel has a bar, indoor pool, and restaurant
- Close to Twelve Oaks Mall
4. Trumbull and Porter
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1331 Trumbull STE 100, Detroit, MI 48216 |
| ⭐ Star-rating: | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🕐 Open times: | Check-in 3 PM; Check-out 11 AM |
| 💲 Cost: | Pet fee is $50 per night |
| 🐕 Off-leash area?: | No |
- 1 dog max per room; 50-lb weight limit
- Dog must be with you at all times
- Must sign pet agreement
- Artsy hotel located in Corktown
- Near RiverWalk
5. The Siren Hotel
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| ⭐ Star-rating: | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🕐 Open times: | Check-in 3 PM; Check-out 11 AM |
| 💲 Cost: | No pet fee |
| 🐕 Off-leash area?: | No |
- May be extra charges if dog damages something or extra cleaning is needed
- Cannot leave dog alone in room
- Hotel has a cocktail bar and piano karaoke room
- Has tons of amenities and guest services
Shopping
Ready to shop till you drop? Unfortunately, there’s only one truly dog-friendly place in Detroit to shop with your pet (other than pet stores), but this place is a mall, so you should be able to find whatever you need!
6. The Mall at Partridge Creek
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 17420 Hall Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48038 |
| 🕐 Open times: | M–Sat, 10 AM to 8 PM; Sunday, 12 PM to 6 PM |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- While mall is dog-friendly, not all stores will be
- Dog-friendly stores will have a sticker in the window
- Dog comfort stations set up throughout mall with water and waste bags
- Pups must be on leash or in carrier at all times
Food & Drink
Whether you want food and drink for yourself or your four-legged friend, these places should have you covered!
7. Bow Wow Baketique
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 20207 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 |
| 🕐 Open times: | Varies; Check the website for availability |
| 💲 Cost: | $ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Bakes organic and non-organic treats
- Also offers wheat and gluten-free options
- Has cookies and cupcakes
- Relatively small but popular
8. Dog and Pony Show Brewing
| 🗺️ Address: | |
| 🕐 Open times: |
Closed Mondays; T–Th, 4 PM to 10 PM; F & Sat, Noon to 11 PM; Sundays, Noon to 8 PM
|
| 💲 Cost: | $$ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Dogs only allowed in patio area
- Brewery is working to allow dogs inside
- Doesn’t serve food but has food trucks on-site
- Can bring own food if preferred
9. Detroit Shipping Company
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 474 Peterboro St, Detroit, MI 48201 |
| 🕐 Open times: |
Closed Mondays; T–Th, 4 PM to 10 PM; Friday, 4 PM to 11 PM; Saturday, Noon to 11 PM; Sunday, Noon to 10 PM
|
| 💲 Cost: | $ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Restaurant collective, so several restaurants to choose from
- Dogs allowed upstairs or in the courtyard
- Pups must stay leashed
- Often has events
10. Eastern Market Brewing Co.
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 2515 Riopelle St, Detroit, MI 48207 |
| 🕐 Open times: |
Closed Mondays; Tuesday, 11 AM to 6 PM; W–F, 4 PM to 10 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 10 PM; Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM
|
| 💲 Cost: | $ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Dogs allowed in patio area
- Doesn’t offer food, but you can bring your own
- Usually has food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays
- No reservation needed
Activities
Once you and your pup are done shopping and have refreshed yourself with some drinks and snacks, it’s time to head out to some nearby activities! Unfortunately, there are only a couple of activities that don’t involve dog parks or hiking trails.
11. Detroit Riverwalk
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1340 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207 |
| 🕐 Open times: | 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- 3 miles long
- Can walk or bike and take in the views
- Splash fountains and parks for kiddos
- Includes nature areas
12. Ford-Wyoming Drive-In
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126 |
| 🕐 Open times: | Varies; Contact for showtimes |
| 💲 Cost: | $-$$ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Five screens
- Nightly double features
- Dogs must stay leashed
- Must clean up after pup
Events
Detroit occasionally has dog-friendly events you and your pet can check out if you time your vacation right.
13. Dally in the Alley
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Cass Corridor, Detroit, MI 48201 |
| 🕐 Open times: | September 7th, 11 AM to 11 PM |
| 💲 Cost: | $ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Festival celebrating life
- Has a dog show
- Features music and vendors
- Also has stuff like yoga, spoken word, button-making, and more
14. Drinking With Dogs
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Various locations; check website |
| 🕐 Open times: | Various dates and times |
| 💲 Cost: | $ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Monthly free events
- Includes Drinking With Dogs and canine community walks
- Brings together pets and dog parents
- Do not need to be a Canine to Five client
15. Bark in the Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 |
| 🕐 Open times: |
April 30th, May 14th, September 10th, and September 25th
|
| 💲 Cost: | $$–$$$ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Watch a Detroit Tigers game with your pup
- Dogs receive fun goodies
- Water stations available for canines at the ballpark
- Must buy a ticket for your dog and yourself
- Up-to-date vaccinations required
16. Mutt March
| 🗺️ Address: | |
| 🕐 Open times: | May 18th, 8 AM to Noon |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Is a fundraiser for the Michigan Humane Society
- Stroll the scenic path at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
- Enjoy dog-focused activities and dog costumes
- Can fundraise if you want, but can also just attend
The Great Outdoors
Of course, most dog-friendly activities you and your furry friend can engage in will be outdoors. Here are some of the best trails to hit when you’re in the mood for a hike!
17. Polly Ann Trail
| 🗺️ Address: | |
| 🕐 Open times: | Daylight hours only, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Dogs should remain on a 6-ft leash
- Must clean up after the dog
- Trail in this area is flat, so it should be fairly easy
- 16.9 miles long in this area
18. Stony Creek Metropark
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 4300 Main Park Dr, Shelby Township, MI 48316 |
| 🕐 Open times: | 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | $10/vehicle |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | Yes |
- Dogs can enjoy an off-leash area in the Oak Grove Picnic Area
- Pups must be leashed outside this area
- Park consists of 4,435 acres featuring woodlands, wetlands, trails, events, and more
- Also contains a lake
19. Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48033 |
| 🕐 Open times: | Dawn to dusk, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- Closed until June 2024
- Pups must be leashed
- Park consists of 333 acres of dedicated natural area
- Has several walking trails
20. Belle Isle Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 99 Pleasure Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 |
| 🕐 Open times: | Varies |
| 💲 Cost: | Varies |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | No |
- 982-acre island with tons of stuff
- Has hiking trails
- Also has a conservatory, aquarium, museum, athletic fields, garden, fountain, nature center, and more
- Some attractions are free; some are not
- Some are dog-friendly; some are not
Dog Parks
Of course, you can’t leave Detroit without visiting one of its many dog parks! There are many to choose from, so why not hit several? However, some dog parks in the area require membership, so do your research before heading out.
21. Barkside
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 7960 Kercheval, Detroit, MI 48214 |
| 🕐 Open times: |
M–F, Noon to 9 PM; Saturday, 11 AM to 9 PM; Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM
|
| 💲 Cost: | $ |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | Yes |
- Off-leash dog park, bar, and coffee shop all-in-one
- Requires a day pass or membership
- Indoor and outdoor play areas
- Special menu for the pups
- Dogs must be 6 months or older, fixed, and up-to-date on vaccinations
22. Grand Circus Park Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 101-157 Witherell St, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| 🕐 Open times: | 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | Yes |
- Off-leash dog park in Grand Circus Park
- Must be on leash outside of dog park
- Grand Circus has historic fountains and holds tons of events
23. Midtown Detroit Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Canfield & Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 |
| 🕐 Open times: | 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | Yes |
- On the smaller side
- Has turf instead of grass, so you’ll have a cleaner pup
- Separate areas for small and large canines
- Has water fountains
24. Palmer Park Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1655 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48203 |
| 🕐 Open times: | Dawn to Dusk, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | Yes |
- Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered
- Dogs must wear ID
- Can only be off-leash in the dog park
- No parking on Seven Mile Rd
25. Riverside Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 3565 W Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48216 |
| 🕐 Open times: | Dawn to Dusk, 7 days a week |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-leash allowed?: | Yes |
- Largest dog park in Detroit
- Go for a stroll on the path while your pup plays
- Outside of the dog park, there is a playground, pavilion, skate park, and basketball court
Conclusion
Detroit is a pretty dog-friendly city, so if you and your pup are headed there, you should find plenty to do together. Of course, research before you head out anywhere, as rules and regulations change, and places sometimes shut down. But whether you want to shop till you drop or let your pet run their heart out, you should have no trouble locating something to do in Detroit!
Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
