If you have a dog and you both like to walk daily in the area, be prepared for a variety of weather. Winters can be cold and snowy so you, and your maybe even your pup, will need warm, dry outerwear. Spring is often rainy with thunderstorms and weather systems moving in from the Atlantic that can bring in some humidity. Summers are hot which is great if you and your pup love the heat. However, remember to take water with you and to stay hydrated. Don't forget some for your canine buddy, too!
There is lots of traffic in the region and streets in the area are busy, so be aware of noise and traffic when walking your dog downtown. The sidewalks are wide and tree-lined, making this is a pedestrian-friendly area. There is a set of train tracks bordering the region on the south and Green Brook runs along the northern side of the area. Both tracks and waterway can only be crossed at certain pedestrian and vehicle crossing locations if you are traveling out of the area on foot.
If you want your dog to enjoy some off-leash fun, you can travel west to the Central Bark Park for a safe, enclosed off-leash play area.
A short drive west, the Washington Rock State Park is a 52-acre state park with scenic outlooks and greenways you and your dog can explore. Also west of the district and requiring a short drive is the Green Brook Park which is a long, narrow park with a brook, ponds, picnic spots, athletic fields, and recreational facilities. Some people even fish in this park, so watch out for fishing lines and hooks when near the water while walking with your pup.