Looking for things to do and places to go with your pup in Music City? Nashville is teeming with dog-friendly spots and activities—here are some of them!
Dog-friendly restaurants in Nashville
Here’s where you can grab a drink or bite to eat with your furry pal in Music City!
Diskin Cider
Situated in an old semi-truck garage in Wedgewood-Houston, Diskin Cider is Nashville’s first craft cidery. This dog-friendly spot offers ciders on tap and a food menu. Your pooch can join you on the patio while you relax with a few pints of locally made cider.
AVO
AVO is a plant-based restaurant located at oneC1TY in Midtown. Its food and atmosphere have been praised by vegans and non-vegans alike, and furry patrons are always allowed on the patio. While waiting for your food, you can go around the back and take a picture of your pup in front of the cute avocado mural.
Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen
Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen in
Germantown welcomes pups on its covered patio and open-air beer garden. This eatery has one of the largest outdoor spaces in the city as well as extensive beer and food menus, making it a great place to hang out.
Dog-friendly event in Nashville
Unleashed: Dinner With Your Dog
Voted the “Best Charity Event” of 2020 and 2021 by readers of Nashville Scene, Unleashed: Dinner With Your Dog is back for its 14th year! Organized by the Nashville Humane Association (NHA), this dog-friendly fundraising event benefits homeless and adoptable shelter pets. The gala will open with a cocktail hour with treats for two- and four-legged attendees before moving on to a silent auction, plant-based dinner, and fun-filled program. Volunteers will be on standby to take canine guests on potty breaks if needed so you don’t miss any of the show.
Unleashed: Dinner With Your Dog is happening on July 22, 2023 at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. This year’s dress code is sporty, and tickets are now on sale at the
NHA website. Tickets for humans start at $150, while dog tickets are $5.
Where to take pics of your dog in Nashville
Where can you take photos of your furry friend in Nashville? A lot of places! Check out these spots.
12 South
There’s no shortage of murals in Music City, and the neighborhood of
12 South is home to some of the most iconic. A stroll along 12th Avenue South will lead you and your canine companion to the I Believe in Nashville and Nashville Looks Good on You murals, among others. Many businesses also have their own murals—don’t miss Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar’s where your pooch can sit on a giant spoon!
Printers Alley
Tucked between 3rd and 4th Avenues in
Downtown, Printers Alley used to be the center of Nashville's printing industry. What was once the location of two of the city’s largest newspapers, The Tennessean and The Nashville Banner, is now a thriving nightlife and entertainment district. Stop by with your pup during the day for photos with the colorful signage, including the arch at the alley’s entrance.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon in
Centennial Park is the world’s only full-scale replica of the ancient temple in Athens, Greece. Originally built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, it now serves as an art museum as well. While dogs are not allowed inside the building, it’s still worth visiting with your pup; you can take pictures outside and explore the rest of the park together.
Percy and Edwin Warner Parks
The Percy and Edwin Warner Parks are excellent spots for snapping pics of your canine BFF. From the cascading limestone steps to the 200-year-old walls, there are photo ops at every turn. There are also
trails and a fenced-in
dog park, making these adjacent parks well worth a visit.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
For photos of your pup in front of the Nashville skyline, make your way to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Spanning over the Cumberland River, it is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and offers “furrific” views from all angles, as well as some unique art.
Dog-friendly activities in Nashville
Nashville is a very dog-friendly city, which means your pooch can tag along to many activities!
Pins Mechanical Company
Pins Mechanical Company is an old-school entertainment hangout located in the heart of the Gulch. If you’re meeting with friends for a few games of duckpin, pinball, or foosball, there’s no need to leave Fido at home as four-legged visitors are welcome inside and outside the building.
Tail Waggin’ Tuesday
Every Tail Waggin’ Tuesday, pet parents can watch the Sounds baseball game at First Horizon Park with their pups in tow. This is the only time dogs are allowed at the ballpark, so get your tickets before the season ends! All dog ticket proceeds will benefit a local animal non-profit.
Wedgewood Houston Farmers’ Market
The Wedgewood Houston Farmers’ Market is a great place to discover local farmers, food trucks, makers, and more. Your canine companion is welcome to join you at this seasonal market as you peruse the wide array of local food and international cuisines.
Animal rescue spotlight in Nashville
Agape Animal Rescue & Training Center
Agape Animal Rescue & Training Center is a non-profit rescue serving Nashville and the rest of Middle Tennessee. In addition to finding forever homes for abandoned and displaced dogs, Agape strives to cultivate better communities through dog training, pet parent education, and outreach programs. Its programs include Forever Foster, which supports dogs who are unlikely to be adopted due to age or medical needs; Seniors for Seniors, which waives adoption fees for older adopters and older dogs; and Community Kibble, which temporarily provides families facing financial hardships with pet food.
In 2022, Agape helped more than 40 dogs find their forever homes, offered nearly 100 training classes, and maintained its 99% adoption retention rate. To see the adorable adoptable dogs of Agape, check out their
website,
Facebook, or
Instagram!