Best dog walkers in Hyde Park
One of the most dog friendly neighborhoods in Chicago. Instantly book and meet an exceptional dog walker in Hyde Park today.
Thoroughly-vetted
Each walker with Wag! has been through a comprehensive screening, including a background check and competency quiz.
Fully insured dog walkers
Services booked on the Wag! platform may be protected with up to $1M property damage protection.
Wag! Guaranteed
400K+ Pet Caregivers with Wag! have a trusted record of experience with over 12 million pet care services, including Sitting, Walking, Boarding & Training, across 5,300+ cities in all 50 U.S. states.
Top dog walkers in Hyde Park
See the full listSee the full list
Wag! Walkers know Hyde Park
Even though it's home to the esteemed University of Chicago and former President Barack Obama, Hyde Park can be overlooked during a Chicago tourist's first tour around the city. With a university, local public and private schools, and quiet, manicured neighborhoods, this region is popular with students, young families, and retirees. Despite its suburban feel, there's plenty to do and see in Chicago's quaint South Side community.
Whether you bike, drive or take public transportation, you can be in central Chicago in less than 45 minutes, making the South Side Hyde Park neighborhood a great place for those looking to be close to the action but not in the thick of it.
History buffs, bookworms, fans of architecture, and science geeks will all enjoy Hyde Park's best attractions: historical monuments, a plethora of locally-owned bookstores, historic, beautifully crafted homes and buildings, and, perhaps the biggest draw, The Museum of Science and Industry, which, makes many "top" and "best" lists when stacked against other museums in the nation.
What is the terrain like in Hyde Park?
During the 1893 World's Fair, Chicago prepared to host millions of visitors. Part of that preparation was "beautifying" the neighborhoods. It was during this time that many of Chicago's parks were created. Many of these parks call Hyde Park home, making the area feel like a collection of green public spaces, grassy plazas, lush gardens, and sprawling grounds. A historic neighborhood, Hyde Park is well-known for its antiquated houses: Chicago greystones, 1920's bungalows, and tall, thin, two-story homes with Victorian details all line the blocks. All of this equates to dog walks that are surrounded by a charming landscape.
Roads and sidewalks in the Hyde Park area are well-maintained, though you may find some pot-holes and cracks, which are unavoidable in a region that receives annual snowfall. Due to the proximity of the University of Chicago, there is a large body of students traveling to and from class on foot. This means that there are plenty of pedestrian-friendly walkways and crosswalks, that are also well-lit at night, keeping you and Fido feeling safe during late evening strolls.
How many greenways are there in Hyde Park?
Although Washington Park acts as a border of Hyde Park, it's so close, you could walk to this roomy park within ten minutes or less. Washington Park, named after the former president, was home to exhibitions in the famed Chicago's Worlds Fair in 1893 (also called The World's Columbian Exposition). Today it boasts multiple gyms, studios, courts, playgrounds, and fields all reserved for recreational pursuits. There's even a museum, arboretum, lagoon, and an island located on the 366.84 acres of public space.
Ray Bixler Park is nestled between student-friendly eateries, apartments, and an elementary school. Perhaps not as impressive as Washington Park where size is concerned, Bixler is a great pit-stop on a walk through the neighborhood, with bench seating and paved walkways.
While typically a place of learning, the University of Chicago also offers beautiful public spaces for Hyde Park visitors and residents. On warm spring afternoons and breezy fall days, you're likely to find students splayed out on the grass and under oak trees, socializing or cramming before an exam. If you plan a walk with your pup to the campus, be courteous to others: your dog must be leashed and you must clean up after them. Any of these destinations are great for a leisurely ramble and quiet sit-down:
While typically a place of learning, the University of Chicago also offers beautiful public spaces for Hyde Park visitors and residents. On warm spring afternoons and breezy fall days, you're likely to find students splayed out on the grass and under oak trees, socializing or cramming before an exam. If you plan a walk with your pup to the campus, be courteous to others: your dog must be leashed and you must clean up after them. Any of these destinations are great for a leisurely ramble and quiet sit-down:
- Botany Pond
- Snell-Hitchcock Quad
- Harper Quadrangle
An unofficial dog park, Florence Stout Park is great for a well-trained, non-reactive pet to frolic. A large, open green lot gives a dog plenty of space to run or fetch. And a small hill makes for opportune sledding in the winter.
Over 10 acres of structured gardens and open, grassy lots, Nichols Park is a local favorite. Although there are no designated off-leash areas, Nichols, due to its size, offers a lot of space to any dog owners who enjoy jogging with their pet. This vast green space also has community flower and vegetable gardens, as well as a wildflower field.
Just northwest of Nichols Park is Elm Park. Pocket-sized and petite, this public space blooms with colorful tulips in early spring and sometimes is host to neighborhood concerts.
Along the bank of Lake Michigan is Promontory Point, located in East Hyde Park within Burnham Park. Burnham Park spans a 600-acre distance, tracing the coast of Lake Michigan, offering great paths for walking, jogging, skating, and biking. It also has multiple access points to beaches. Leashed pets are permitted in the park and on its beaches as long as they're up to date on vaccinations and have the tags to prove so.
Like a long, extended arm, Midway Plaisance Park reaches east as if trying to touch the Chicago coastline. Protruding from Washinton Park, this additional limb of recreational space is known for its winter activities, specifically its ice skating. Its most notable attractions are:
- Ice Rink
- North and South Winter Parks
- Readers' Garden
- Jackman Field
Midway Plaisance has stretches of paved footpaths, bench seating, statues, and public art, making it a beautiful destination for dogs and their owners. The University of Chicago, in all its Gothic glory, peeks playfully over the hedges of the park adding to the picturesque scenery of the area, giving you and your furry companion a walk worth taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dog walk cost in Hyde Park, Chicago?
How do I find and choose a dog walker in Hyde Park, Chicago?
How long does a dog walk last in Hyde Park, Chicago?
How to book a dog walk in Hyde Park, Chicago?
Is hiring a dog walker in Hyde Park, Chicago safe?
How to hire a dog walker in Hyde Park, Chicago?
How much do dog walkers charge in Hyde Park, Chicago?