Dog-Friendly Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg is the perfect place to bring your dog on vacation, with walkable downtown streets and over 10 pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and breweries. Your dog can walk, sniff and explore the streets of Harrisonburg’s historic downtown shopping district and sample sumptuous treats at one of Harrisonburg’s independently-owned pet stores. Frolic through the fields of the Smithland Road Dog Park or explore lush forests and cold mountain streams in Shenandoah National Park or the George Washington National Forest. Dine al fresco under shaded patios and relax with your pup over handmade ice cream and a much deserved pup cup.

Dog-Friendly Lodging

• Candlewood Inn & Suites | 540.437.1400
• Clarion Pointe | 540.217.4550
• Comfort Inn & Suites | 540.534.0060
• Hotel Madison | 540.564.0200
• Howard Johnson by Wyndham | 540.217.6143
• Microtel Inn and Suites | 540.437.3777
• Quality Inn | 540.442.1515
• Ramada Inn | 540.434.9981
• Residence Inn by Marriott | 540.437.7426
• Sleep Inn & Suites | 540.433.7100
• Super 8 Motel | 540.433.8888
• Tru By Hilton | 540.385.0222

Bring-your-Dog Dining

• Coffee Hound
• Clementine Café
• Drifters Cafe
• Feel the Rain Brothers Brew Co.
• Heritage Bakery & Cafe
• Illyria
• Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint
• Kline’s Dairy Bar
• Magpie Diner
• Pale Fire Brewing Co.
• Restless Moons Brewing
• Rocktown Kitchen
• Sage Bird
• Rootstock Wine Bar & Provisions
• And more!

Canine-Friendly Downtown Guide

Planning a visit to Downtown Harrisonburg with your pup? The Dog-Friendly Downtown Guide is your go-to resource for finding pet-friendly patios, dog-welcoming businesses, local spots offering treats and pet supplies, and events that welcome four-legged friends. It also includes practical tips to help keep pets, pedestrians, and fellow downtown visitors safe and comfortable. Plan your next outing with your best friend by your side.

Take a closer look at planning a pup-friendly visit—from pet-welcoming lodging and downtown patios to local breweries, pet shops, Smithland Road Dog Park, and nearby trails. Find ideas for where to stay, dine, play, and explore with your four-legged travel companion.

Congrats to Opal, Downtown Harrisonburg’s first-ever elected Dog Mayor! Opal earned the top spot with the most social media likes and donations, campaigning for a paw-sitive future for Harrisonburg dogs fur-ever.

The Harrisonburg Hound program celebrates the many pet-friendly places that make our city a welcoming destination for visitors traveling with four-legged companions. From patios and parks to local shops and places to stay, Harrisonburg offers plenty of ways to explore the Shenandoah Valley with your dog by your side.

It’s no surprise that a city with a Dog Mayor is dog-friendly—but don’t just take Opal’s word for it. Come experience Harrisonburg with your hound.

• Please be mindful of bicycles, scooters, joggers, strollers, and other park users. Keeping pets on a short leash helps prevent sudden interactions.
• Respect people’s space. Not everyone is comfortable around animals, so please keep pets close and avoid allowing them to approach others without permission.
• Bring high-value treats to quickly get your pet’s attention when needed—especially around distractions.
• Clean up after your pets and properly dispose of waste in designated trash receptacles.
• Make sure collars, harnesses, and leashes are secure before heading out. Including current identification tags and keep microchip information up to date.
• Watch for signs that your pet is stressed, overheated, tired, or overstimulated. Give them space, water, and a break as needed.

Harrisonburg is your pup-friendly home base for exploring the Shenandoah Valley. Snap a photo at the LOVEworks sign, stroll Downtown Harrisonburg, settle in on a dog-friendly patio, and find plenty of room to roam—from local parks to nearby trails. Bring the leash, pack the treats, and make your next Virginia getaway one you can both enjoy.

Traveling with your pup? 🐾 Check out these Instagram videos for dog-friendly places to explore, stay, dine, and play.