Central Park
Manhattan843 acres with 23 dog-friendly areas. There are no enclosed runs — dogs go off-leash in designated spots during the morning and late-evening windows, and stay leashed elsewhere.
Off-leash 6–9 AMSubway: 72 St
Paw Places · New York
Dog-Friendly New York
The best parks, dog runs, café patios and pet-friendly stays across the five boroughs — with the rules that actually matter, from off-leash hours to the subway's carry-on policy. Explore the city with your best friend, then turn your favorite memory into a custom New York Pawtrait.
843Acres in Central Park
23Dog-friendly zones in Central Park
6–9 AMCitywide off-leash hours
341+Pet-friendly places to stay
Plan your day
Build your dog's perfect New York day
Tell us the area, how long you've got, and your dog's energy — we'll plot a walk, a coffee stop and a photo spot you can follow, then help you turn it into a keepsake.
Numbers show the order of your day. The dashed line is the route order, not turn-by-turn directions.
Capture the day
Snap your favorite moment, then turn it into a custom New York Pawtrait in seconds.
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Where to walk
New York's best parks & dog runs
The catch worth knowing: most parks only allow off-leash play in designated areas before 9 AM and after 9 PM. Here's where to go, plus the nearest run and subway for each.
Prospect Park
Brooklyn"Brooklyn's Central Park." Off-leash at the Long Meadow, Nethermead and Peninsula during designated hours — plus a roped-off Dog Beach for a summer swim.
Dog BeachOff-leash hoursSubway: Grand Army Plaza
Tompkins Square
East VillageThe original — New York's first dog run, opened in 1990. Fenced, with separate areas for big and small dogs, and home to the much-loved Halloween Dog Parade each October.
Fenced runBig & small areasSubway: 1 Av
Riverside Park
Upper West SideA tree-lined promenade along the Hudson with several dog runs (72nd, 87th and 105th Streets) and off-leash hours in between — right beside the river path.
Hudson viewsMultiple runsSubway: 79 St
Brooklyn Bridge Park
DUMBOQuite possibly the best skyline views in the city, strung along the East River — with two waterfront dog runs and easy access to the bridge itself.
Skyline viewsTwo dog runsSubway: York St
Fort Tryon Park
Upper ManhattanHome to Sir William's Dog Run — over an acre, Manhattan's largest off-leash space — with Hudson and Palisades views and the Cloisters a short walk away.
Largest runRiver viewsSubway: 190 St
Refuel
Dog-friendly cafés, patios & restaurants
New York makes this easy — state law lets dogs join you on most restaurant patios, and a handful of spots welcome them right inside. A few favorites to start with.
Café
Boris & Horton
The East Village original and NYC's first dog-friendly café, with an indoor Dog Dining Room where your pup is welcome alongside coffee, cocktails and a full menu.
- Indoor dog dining room
- Coffee & cocktails
- Treats for pups
Patios
Outdoor dining
Thanks to NY State law, dogs can sit with you on most restaurant patios. Spots like Jacob's Pickles on the Upper West Side pair beer flights with plenty of outdoor seating.
- Sidewalk & patio seating
- Water bowls
- All over the city
Dog menus
Dining with a dog menu
A few go further. The Wilson in Chelsea and Fred's on the Upper West Side — named after a beloved black Lab — lay on dishes just for dogs.
- Canine menus
- Dogs inside & out
- Comfort-food classics
Know a hidden gem?
Help us build the best collection of dog-friendly places in New York — tell us about your favorite café, patio or restaurant.
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Stay over
Dog-friendly hotels in New York
From Fifth Avenue icons to no-fee boutiques — these three roll out a real welcome with beds, bowls, dog menus and concierge teams who know the nearest runs.
Fifth Avenue · by Central Park
The Plaza
Welcoming dogs since 1907. Its "Pampered Pup Package" runs to plush beds, dog macarons and matching hotel bathrobes — with no size limit and Central Park at the door.
Pup packageDog macaronsNo size limit
NoMad · no pet fee
Kimpton Hotel Eventi
Kimpton famously charges no pet fee — no size, weight or number limit — with beds, bowls and treats for all, plus a nightly wine hour your pup can join. Madison Square Park is four blocks away.
No pet feeAny sizeNear Madison Sq Park
Central Park South · eco-luxe
1 Hotel Central Park
A block from the park, with a "Bark Box" of treats and toys and pet beds on request — all wrapped in the brand's natural, sustainable design.
Bark Box treatsPet bedsOne block to the park
Pet policies, fees and weight limits vary — confirm the current terms with each hotel when you book.
Traveling with your dog?
Bookmark this guide, then turn a favorite trip photo into a custom New York Pawtrait.
Picture-perfect
New York's most Pawtrait-worthy photo spots
The backdrops worth the detour — then transform your favorite shot into a custom portrait of your dog.
Waterfront
Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO
The skyline framed by the bridge — best from Washington Street.
Icon
Central Park
Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace during morning off-leash hours.
Golden hour
Domino Park
Manhattan skyline and the Williamsburg Bridge at dusk.
Streets
West Village
Leafy brownstone blocks and that classic Village charm.
On the map
Explore dog-friendly New York
Every park, run, hotel and landmark in this guide, pinned across the boroughs. Tap a marker for the quick details, then plan your route.
Parks & runs
Hotels
Photo spots
Good to know
Dog-friendly New York, answered
The practical questions visitors and locals ask most before a day out with their dog.
Is New York a dog-friendly city?
Very — it's among the most dog-friendly cities in the country, with hundreds of parks, dedicated dog runs, café patios and pet-welcoming hotels spread across all five boroughs.
Can dogs ride the subway?
Only in a carrier. MTA rules require dogs to be carried in a bag or enclosed carrier (service dogs excepted) — the well-known "fits in a bag" rule. For a larger dog, walk, hail a cab, or use a rideshare (drivers can decline, so ask first).
What are the off-leash rules?
Most parks allow off-leash play only in designated areas before 9 AM and after 9 PM — Central Park runs 6–9 AM and 9 PM–1 AM, with Prospect Park similar. Dogs must be leashed at all other times, and NYC requires a dog license and rabies vaccination.
Are dogs allowed in restaurants?
Inside, generally not — but New York State law lets dogs join you on most outdoor patios, and a few cafés like Boris & Horton welcome them indoors in a dedicated dog area.
Can I create a New York-themed portrait of my dog?
Absolutely. Upload your favorite NYC photo to Pawtrait and preview a personalized, New York-inspired portrait of your dog before you order.
