Murphey Candler

Historic Brookhaven

At the edge of Historic Brookhaven, the old Atlanta neighborhood that donated its name to the new city of Brookhaven, lovely Brookhaven Park offers both on- and off-leash fun. You’ll find a trail and walking area for the more reserved pups in your pack. But, the Brookhaven Dog Park provides an off-leash fenced play area for pups who are eager to make new friends. The park’s neighbors get (justifiably) grumpy about left-over messes, so be sure to clean up. After some play time, it’s an easy walk to the Peachtree Rd. branch of Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, a homegrown Atlanta-based chain with its own funky style where your furry friends are welcome on the patio.  

East Dunwoody

Dunwoody, just 15 minutes north of Brookhaven, is home to the Brook Run Dog Park inside the Liane Levitan Park at Brook Run. The two fenced areas for off-leash frolicking have waste stations available. The park is maintained by volunteers who ask you to please clean up after your friends; if you're willing to pitch in, sign up to volunteer on the park's webpage. You and your fuzz-buddies can explore the rest of the 102-acre park on-leash, and at the southwestern corner, you'll find the trailhead for the Dunwoody Trailway. This mixed-use trail winds past the sports facilities and benches at Park at Pernoshal Court to the green space of Georgetown Park.

North Springs

The community of Sandy Springs has lots of shopping and dining options, but if you pass through to the north end of town, the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries make for some stunning scenery.  The Big Trees Forest Preserve offers 30 acres of nature trails open for on-leash exploration, with streams and creeks to ford as you forget how close you are to the big city. A few miles farther along are the Morgan Falls Overlook Park and Morgan Falls River Park, with two beautiful views of the river. The Overlook Park has walking trails for on-leash exploration, plus playground and picnic areas for your other family members. The River Park has views of the historic Morgan Falls Dam from a fenced dog park for some serious off-leash play.

Buckhead Village

The dog-friendly dining options around Buckhead Village, just 10 minutes south of Brookhaven, are plentiful indeed. Whether you want to savor some noodles on the lovely patio at Bangkok Station, down some pizza and beer and Blue Moon Pizza, or spice it up at Red Pepper Taqueria, your pups can join you at the outdoor seating. Then, walk it all off around the lawns and ballfields of Frankie Allen Park. You can follow the creek down to Sunnybrook Park, Garden Hills Park, and the larger Alexander Park with its wide paved paths. As you explore the city, though, keep your fur baby close: local police will issue tickets for any dogs spotted off-leash.