Pet Friendly Places in Newark

Dog owners and their pets can find many dog-friendly places to walk, play, and even dine and stay in Newark and nearby.

Military Park allows owners to bring dogs, “providing you leash it, keep it from watering trees and plants, and clean up after it,” according to the park’s website. Dogs are not permitted on the lawns. The park in downtown Newark is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.  

Branch Brook Park in Newark is known as one of the most dog-friendly parks in the region, according to the website dogfriendly.com.  While it does not have an off-leash dog park, Branch Brook does have green open spaces perfect for running and catching a Frisbee or a stick, trails and pedestrian bridges. Dogs are welcome on the trails and throughout the park, but not in its buildings. Canines are required to be well-mannered and leashed at all times.

The Essex County Parks system requires that dogs be leashed in all its parks, according to Essex County spokesman Anthony Puglisi. In addition to Branch Brook, county parks in Newark include Weequahic Park, Riverbank Park and Riverfront Park. The county does have three off-leash dog areas within Watsessing Park in Bloomfield, South Mountain Reservation in West Orange and Brookdale Park in Montclair, all close to Newark. 

If you’re visiting Newark and can’t bear to leave your pet home, the Hotel Indigo Newark Downtown (810 Broad Street, 973- 242-0065) allows guests to bring a dog under 80 pounds or a cat for a nonrefundable fee of $75. According to the hotel website, pets must be kept in a crate or carrier when they are left alone in the room, and must be on a leash at all times when outside the guest room.

The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel at Newark Airport (128 Frontage Road, 973-690-5500) welcomes two pets of any size for an additional fee of $100 per pet, per stay.

After a day in the park with your pooch, you may be craving something to eat. Some restaurants that provide outdoor seating in warm weather will allow you to dine al fresco and bring your best friend with you – if he’s leashed, well-behaved, and will sit quietly at your feet. If the weather is bad, however, take your dog home first. It’s a good idea to call ahead, in any case, to make sure you and your pet won’t be turned away.

Iberia Tavern & Restaurant (80-84 Ferry Street, 973-344-7603 and 973-344-6117) allows dogs in its outdoor seating area when it is open during warm weather and will get water bowls for them.

Fornos of Spain (47 Ferry Street, 973-589-4767) and Paleio Portuguese Bistro (376 Ferry Street, 973-344-3784) both permit dogs at their outdoor seating areas. Dario’s Restaurant (20 Academy Street, 973-741-1106), which serves Mexican cuisine, also allows docile dogs in its outdoor seating section.

Story By: Allison Freeman