Best Doggy Destinations: Minneapolis

Welcome to Best Doggy Destinations! This week we are featuring the amazing city of Minneapolis! Known for being the city of lakes, Minneapolis provides a plethora of wonderful outdoor activities for you and your pooch to enjoy, but there are also many great indoor options. If you’re in the Twin Cities and you’re looking for something fun to do with your dog, definitely check out these places:

1. Birchbark Books

If you’re like me, the idea of browsing books with your dog is the closest you can get to paradise. Birchbark Books is an independent bookstore in downtown Minneapolis that proudly sells Native American literature and art. The staff are all of Native-background and are all dog lovers! Their website has a dedicated section to the staff’s dogs (lovingly referred to as the Birchbarkers!) where they talk about their dogs’ favorite books. As they say, “In Ojibwe teachings, a dog walked beside the first human, and gave advice.”

If you have small children, they would love the Children’s nook, or “the hobbit hole,” where they can play while you and your dog shop!

2. Minnehaha Dog Park

This park is a favorite among locals. With 4.2 acres that run right alongside the Mississippi River, it’s the perfect place to take your dog for a swim. There’s a beach especially for your furry friends, but if you’re not looking to get in the water, there are also trails and large wooded areas to explore. This place is doggy heaven, but be prepared for both of you to come home a little muddy.

Minnehaha Dog Park is opened 6 am to Midnight, so you have plenty of time to make the trip. You can even make a day of it and grab lunch with your pooch at Seasalt Eatery, a seasonal fresh seafood restaurant right next to the park opened from April to October.

3. Moose & Sadie’s

In the mood for brunch? Moose & Sadie’s is a coffee shop located in the North Loop that makes fresh, handmade dishes and pastries. They have been in the same spot since it was the warehouse district and they are very proud of their history. Even Vice President Joe Biden has made a stop to enjoy brunch and sit down with local business women. Moose & Sadie’s offers a patio area that is dog friendly, so you can enjoy huevos rancheros and a cup of coffee (or ginger limeade!) with your dog at your side. They will even accommodate your puppy with bowls of water!

4. Vali-hi Drive-in

Another great option for doggy date night is this drive-in movie theater just a little outside the city in Lake Elmo. You can get three movies for the price of one and your dog gets in free! What could be better than that? You can bring lawn chairs or a blanket and your own radio if you prefer to sit outside your car to watch the movie or tune your car radio to the specified station to watch from within. Movies play seven days a week, rain or shine, so it’s the perfect last minute activity. They only accept cash, but there are ATMs available.

5. The Freehouse Brewery

If you’re in the mood for drinks and a night out, this place is perfect. Proudly serving everything from “breakfast to beer,” they are sure to have something you’ll enjoy. And with a huge patio that seats 80 people, your dog is sure to enjoy as well. The staff is very dog-friendly and is happy to accommodate you with water bowls and plenty of belly rubs! With a reputation for delicious food and a killer happy hour, what could be better than enjoying a craft brew with your best friend? The Freehouse Brewery has been known to host dog mixers for your dog to get in on the bar scene and mingle with other dogs, so be sure to check for events!