Dog-friendly Activities Near Madison & Milwaukee to Enjoy This Summer

After a long Wisconsin winter and short spring, the weather has heated up, and many outdoor patios are open for business again. While it’s great to let your dog out the back door to enjoy your underground fenced yard, sometimes both you and your dog need to shake up your routine by roaming new territories.

Check out this list of parks, dog-friendly restaurants, and activities you and your dog can enjoy together to get out of the house this summer.

Outdoor Adventures for Active Dogs

Try out a new park, dog exercise area, or walking trail every month to keep you and your pup happy and healthy.

Near Madison

The greater Madison area and nearby counties are packed with parks where your leashed dog is welcome, and still more recreational areas exclusively for dogs. Just check the rules of your state, county, and city parks to make sure your dog has the right permits and vaccinations before you go. Here are a few resources to make sure you’re good to go!

Madison, WI, Dog Parks and Walks

Viking Dog Park (Stoughton): This county park offers a fenced recreation area for dogs and two dog beaches on the Yahara River.
Warner Dog Park (Madison): 37 acres of fenced, off-leash dog park with a lagoon (note: the lagoon is not tested for safety, so it’s best to gauge the condition of the water before letting your dog take a dip)
Brittingham Park (Madison): Small, fenced, off-leash dog park near Monona Bay
Demetral Park (Madison): Half an acre of fenced, off-leash dog park on the East side of Madison
McCormick Park (Madison): Small, off-leash, fenced dog park on the East side of Madison
North Star Park (Madison): Two acres of fenced, off-leash dog park near Cottage Grove
Odana School Park (Madison): Almost three acres of fenced, off-leash dog park on the West side of Madison
Walnut Grove Park (Madison): More than one acre of fenced, off-leash dog park on the West side of Madison
Token Creek County Park (De Forest): This 427-acre county park offers small and large dog areas
Sunnyside Dog Park (Fitchburg): This 5.3-acre dog park in Fitchburg offers hydration stations, a rain garden, forest, and ADA-accessible trails.
MRD Dog Park (Middleton): This Middleton dog park offers a fenced area with trails.
Indian Lake County Park (Cross Plains): This 500+ acre county park provides an unfenced dog park beside a small lake
Prairie Moraine County Park (Verona): This county park offers a 79-acre off-leash dog park with trails through the oak savanna and woods as well as mowed spaces

Learn about more Madison area dog parks here.

Near Milwaukee

Milwaukee County offers six off-leash dog parks and multiple dog-friendly hiking trails to give you and your pup a breath of fresh air. Purchase a dog park pass to enjoy Milwaukee County parks with your furry friend all year. Plus, leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy hiking and snowshoeing trails in neighboring Waukesha County parks (except Retzer Nature Center). To learn more about dogs in Milwaukee area parks, check out these resources:

Milwaukee Dog Parks and Dog-friendly Walks

McKinley Marina (Milwaukee): Walk your dog on-leash along the lake at this dog-friendly park
Mitchell Park Off Leash Dog Park (Brookfield): This pet exercise area offers creek access, woods, lawn, and walking trails
Minooka Park Dog Exercise Area (Waukesha): This 19-acre park offers an off-leash, fenced area for small dogs, a separate area for large dogs to play, and hiking trails through the woods and prairie
Mukwonago Park Dog Exercise Area (Waukesha): This 34-acre park offers separate small and large breed areas, dog watering stations, and an exclusive “lazy bones” area for laid-back, disabled, and elderly dogs
Nashotah Park Dog Exercise Area (Waukesha): This 18-acre park offers separate large and small breed areas, dog watering stations, and hiking trails through the woods and prairie
Riverwalk (Milwaukee): Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lake through the Third Ward, Downtown, and Beerline B neighborhoods of Milwaukee with your leashed dog. Admire sculptures along the path and check out local galleries, theaters, and brews.

To learn about more dog-friendly parks and green spaces near Milwaukee, check out this post.

Social Activities for Hipster Dogs

Not every dog loves to run over hill and dale for hours. If your dog enjoys socializing and lounging on the patio, these dog-friendly urban activities are for you.

Activities Near Madison

Hilldale Farmers' Market: Take your dog with you to get your weekly fix of get fresh produce, baked goods, fresh flowers, and more at the farmer's market located behind Hilldale Shopping Center from 8 AM to 1 PM each Wednesday and Saturday from May through October. As a bonus, Gigi's Cupcakes, located in the shopping center, sells fresh dog treats and several restaurants there let you dine with your pup al fresco, including the aptly-named Great Dane Pub, Forage Kitchen, Blended, Shake Shack, and Cafe Hollander.
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US Ghost Adventures Madison: Love history and ghosts? Dogs are welcome on these manageable one-mile walking tours of Madison's spookiest spots.
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National Mustard Museum: Take your dog along to visit this quirky museum that boasts 6,090 mustards. You can take the tour, look at memorabilia, enjoy samples, and purchase condiments.

Activities Near Milwaukee

Dog Days at Lynden Sculpture Garden (Milwaukee): Every third Saturday of the month (except in November), you and your dog can stroll through a garden filled with sculptures from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. While you’re at it, bring a picnic lunch! Admission is free for your dog. Just be sure to follow the visitor guidelines.
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Dog Friendly Boats (Milwaukee): Tour the city and learn about its history from the deck of a dog-friendly boat on Milwaukee’s rivers and Lake Michigan. Or, for a more laid-back aquatic adventure with your small dog, rent a pet-friendly boat to enjoy two quiet lagoons near Discovery World.
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Milwaukee Scavenger Hunt (Milwaukee): Take your dog along on this app-lead walking tour to solve puzzles and discover local landmarks.

Dog friendly Breweries and Restaurants

Summer is here, and with it breezy, dog-friendly patios. Whether you want to get ice cream at Babcock Hall in Madison or enjoy a local brew at one of Milwaukee’s beer gardens, these local eateries are sure to delight.

Dog Friendly Restaurants, Breweries, and More Near Madison

The Boneyard: "Madison's first dog park biergarten" featuring a dog park, biergarten, dog grooming services, and indoor bar.
Wisconsin Brewing Company (Verona): Enjoy a lager with your leashed dog in this local brewery’s beer garden.
Babcock Hall (Madison): Grab a scoop of Madison’s classic Babcock ice cream and enjoy it at one of Babcock Hall’s outdoor tables with your dog, or walk along the lake.
Colectivo Coffee (Madison): Get breakfast and a cup of responsibly sourced coffee outside with your dog at this Wisconsin franchise.
Everly (Madison): This popular brunch spot allows leashed dogs on their patio.
State Line Distillery: Dogs are allowed inside and on the patio of this local spot offering cocktails made from its gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, and other spirits.
Sweet Home Wisconsin (Madison): Enjoy Wisconsin comfort food with your dog.
Great Dane Pub (Madison): Enjoy a pot pie or burger with your dog at the original Madison location of this local brewpub franchise.
Settle Down Tavern (Madison): Enjoy burgers, cheese curds, and brews with your dog.
Delta Beer Lab (Madison): Enjoy local brews with your dog in the patio area of this labratory-themed taproom or inside on Sundays.
Karben4 (Madison): Enjoy a Fantasy Factory beer at one of this taproom’s pet-friendly outdoor tables.
Vintage Brewing Co. Capital East (Madison): Enjoy top notch bar food and some of Madison's finest beer on the patio with your dog.
Hidden Cave Cidery (Middleton): Enjoy craft hard ciders while airing out your dog. Dogs are allowed both inside the tasting room and outside on the patio.
Alchemy (Madison): Enjoy a steak and mashed potatoes or blackened chicken on the patio with your dog.
Merchant (Madison): Enjoy craft cocktails with appetizers in their outdoor seating area with your dog.

Dog Friendly Restaurants, Taprooms, and Beer Gardens in Milwaukee

Black Husky Brewing Taproom (Milwaukee): Enjoy this brewery’s selection of pale ales, IPAs and other beers both inside the taproom and on the patio with your dog.
Broken Bat Brewing Company: Bring your pup inside this brewery where you can sample craft beer and watch sports.
Estabrook Beer Garden (Milwaukee): Enjoy Hofbrau Munchen Munich beer and a brat at the first public beer garden in the US with your leashed dog, then head over to the nearby dog park.
Twisted Path Distillery (Milwaukee): Enjoy organic house-made spirits inside their modern tasting room with your dog.
Sobelman’s Pub and Grill (Milwaukee): Enjoy burgers and Sobelman’s famous bloody mary on the patio with your pet.
Palomino (Milwaukee): Enjoy classic Southern comfort food from locally sourced ingredients or a slice of pie outside with your leashed dog.
Zarletti’s (Milwaukee): Enjoy Northern Italian cuisine at one of their 8 pet-friendly tables outside with your dog.
Cafe Benelux and Cafe Hollander (Milwaukee): Enjoy Belgian food in one of these cafes’ dog-friendly outdoor seating areas
Colectivo Coffee (Milwaukee): Get a cup of single-origin coffee and breakfast outside with your dog at one of the Milwaukee locations of this Wisconsin franchise
Riley's Social House and Sandwich Company (Milwaukee): owned by dog lovers, you can bring your dog inside this establishment or outdoors on the patio while you enjoy one of their massive sandwiches.
Harbor House (Milwaukee): Enjoy lakefront views and surf and turf cuisine on the patio with your dog.
Milwaukee Brat House (Milwaukee): enjoy the city's signature dish (plus classic appetizers like curds) at an outdoor table with your pup.
Vino Third Ward: This popular wine bar has a dog-friendly patio.
Salty Paws (Milwaukee): An ice cream and treats shop just for dogs featuring ice cream, cookies, donuts, cakes, and more.
The Hounds and Tap (Menomonee Falls): Treat your dog (and yourself) at this taproom, dog park, and pet care center.

We hope you’ll try out some of our dog-friendly spots this summer to keep you and your dog bright and fit.

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