Best Doggy Destinations: Cincinnati

Welcome to Best Doggy Destinations! Every week we feature a city with dog-friendly places worth checking out.

This week we are featuring awesome dog friendly places in Cincinnati, Ohio! If you and Fido need to get out of the house for lunch, a late afternoon stroll, or a drink with friends both of you will be welcomed with open arms at these five locations.

1. Braxton Brewing Company – Starting in the family’s garage, founder Evan, has kept the mellow mood throughout the transition from basement to full blown brewery. Head of Marketing Jonathan Gandalf shared that one day, a customer decided to bring their dog inside the establishment. The dog loving crew went with it and made the place dog friendly! The bar boasts an impressive selection of craft beers on tap, coffee, and provides menus for a few restaurants in the surrounding area.  If that wasn’t enough to get you salivating, they also offer Brewhaus Dog Bones, made by a non-profit to help learning disabled children, demonstrating that those who care most about their fellow man first show love and kindness to their four-legged friends.
2. Idlewild Frisbee Golf Course and Dog Park – This park is a combination of meadows and thickets that meander through a lovely range in elevation. The paths are paved throughout the course and many of the walking trails.  The dog park adjacent to the golf course has a doggy obstacle course for when you are done playing but your pup is not.  It is a great spot to let your dog stretch their legs off-leash within the fenced in area.  The dog park was funded by the Boone County Animal Shelter to help reduce the behavior issues of dogs with small or non-existent yards.  For a list of other dog parks in Cincinnati, visit this website.
3. The Lucky Dog Grille – With an impressive “people food” menu, they have an additional menu exclusively for K9 cravings. With options like chicken, steak, and even doggy yogurt Lucky Dog Grille is sure to satisfy all appetites. Originally featuring a dog night on Thursdays, the tradition for man’s best friend is no longer just one night a week.  Patrons can bring along their furry friends any night they please and enjoy the wonderful food on the patio.
4. Eden Park – Named after the biblical garden, Eden Park is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Playhouse, and Krohn Conservatory. Unlike the original garden, reptiles are welcome and have been displayed during special events in the Conservatory.  There is rock climbing up the sides of an old quarry, botanical gardens, Segway tours, and enough trails to keep you wandering the park for hours past duck ponds, fountains, and views of the city.  Don’t hesitate to bring along your dog either, as they are welcome on the winding paths of this beautiful park.
5. Famous Neon’s Unplugged – Neon’s is the most well-known dog friendly place in the city. The resident dog Moerlein (named after a local brewery) is there to greet patrons of all species every day. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon drinking cocktails, playing giant jenga, bocce ball, and hanging with your best bud on the beautiful fenced in patio, complete with fire pits. What makes the Famous Neon’s Unplugged a real contender on this list is not its ten rotating draft beers and upwards of seventy-five different whiskeys, but its history of activity in the doggy adoption community.  Teaming up with local rescues and shelters to raise money and help some loving dogs find furever homes Neon’s has long been a business supporting the union of community and man’s best friend.

Do you know of a great place in Cincinnati to bring your pooch?  Share your experiences in the comments!