Looking for places to go and things to do with your pup in Baltimore? With many dog-friendly parks, trails, beaches, bars and more, this town welcomes pups with open paws. Here’s where your best friend can tag along in Charm City!

Dog-friendly activities in Baltimore 

There’s no need to leave your pooch at home for these activities around the city!

Watermark Cruises

See Baltimore from the water with your furry friend—well-behaved dogs are welcome on Watermark’s regularly scheduled cruises on the Chesapeake Bay, including the 45-minute, narrated Baltimore Harbor Cruise. Your pup must stay leashed, and you’re expected to clean up after them, but canine passengers get to ride for free!

Fort McHenry

Dogs are allowed in certain areas of the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, also known as the birthplace of the national anthem. Brush up on US history while your pup takes in new sights and smells as you explore this historic site together. 

Baltimore Ghost Tours

Spend a spooky evening exploring the city’s most haunted spots with Baltimore Ghost Tours. Leashed dogs are allowed to join on the walking tours, including the Mount Vernon Ghost Walk and the award-winning Original Fells Point Ghost Walk, which has been running since 2001!

Dog-friendly event in Baltimore

BARCStoberfest

BARCStoberfest is an annual festival and fundraiser benefiting Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), the city’s only open-admission shelter. Human and canine attendees are in for tons of fun activities, including the yearly “Ready, Set, SNIFF!” 5K Race and 1-Mile Walk and the popular Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest. Pet parents and their furbabies can hang out in the beer garden, join a yoga class, and support local food trucks and pet vendors. There will also be an adoption tent with adoptable animals from local rescues! 

The 19th annual BARCStoberfest is happening on October 28, 2023 at Patterson Park. For more information on the festival and to register for the race, check out the BARCStoberfest website! 

Dog-friendly breweries in Baltimore

Most Charm City breweries welcome canine patrons, and these places even allow them inside!

Ministry of Brewing

Located in a former Catholic church, this brewery boasts 32 rotating taps that range from classic lagers and IPAs to seasonal drinks. Ministry is both family-friendly and dog-friendly, and four-legged customers can get water bowls and treats at the bar for free. 

Checkerspot Brewing

Named after Maryland’s state butterfly, Checkerspot offers an array of gluten-reduced beers crafted in small batches. Dogs can join their humans outside and inside on the first floor, and the brewery often hosts events that benefit dogs in need. 

Monument City Brewing

This family-owned brewery prides itself on producing some of the finest ales and lagers the state has to offer. Furry friends are welcome outside and inside the taproom, and water bowls are provided as well. 

Where to take pics of your dog in Baltimore

Here’s where you can take Instagram-worthy photos of your pup in Charm City!

Dear Baltimore Murals

These colorful murals were created by artist Jessica Langley to spread positivity and city pride. You can find two of them in Charles Village, and while they might be out of the way as they’re in residential areas, they’re definitely worth a visit!

Nipper the RCA Dog Statue

A giant statue of a dog will always make for interesting photos, but this isn’t just any dog. Nipper, the iconic and beloved mascot of the RCA company, sits on top of the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Don’t miss this cute photo spot when you’re in Mount Vernon!

Cylburn Arboretum

With beautiful gardens, wooded trails, and a historic mansion, this 200-acre urban oasis is a perfect location for taking photos of your pup. There are no fees to enter, and pet waste bags are even provided throughout the site—how cool is that!

Graffiti Alley

This L-shaped alley in Station North is the only place in Baltimore where graffiti is legal. With every square inch of wall and floor space covered in vibrant colors and the art constantly changing, there’s no shortage of photo opportunities at this hotspot for street art. 

Visit Baltimore Sculpture

Located outside the World Trade Center building in the Inner Harbor, the Visit Baltimore logo sculpture references a megaphone and was Inspired by the city’s working-class roots. Whether your pup is a proud local or an excited out-of-towner, a picture here is a must!

Animal shelter spotlight in Baltimore

Maryland SPCA

One of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the country, the Maryland SPCA was founded in 1869 to protect the city’s workhorses from abuse. Since then, the independent nonprofit has evolved to improve the lives of its community’s pets and people. In addition to helping dogs and cats find their forever homes, the Maryland SPCA offers assistance programs, humane education, and veterinary care. In 2021, 6,000 pets received spay and neuter surgeries, 1,200 received life-saving foster care, 15,300 received meals from the food pantry, and 740 received free vet care. In 2022, the organization facilitated 2,400 adoptions, maintaining its save rate of more than 90% since 2014.

Thinking of expanding your family? See the shelter’s adorable and adoptable animals on the Maryland SPCA website—adoption fees are waived for many of them!