dog days in seattle southside

By Anne Erickson | Photos & Video by Capture.Share.Repeat

If your dog has been looking at you with those you-know-what-eyes lately, grab the leash and some treats and take your pal out for a spin around Seattle Southside. Plenty of dog-friendly places will make tails wag and pet parents want to sit and stay awhile. There are more than 50 dog friendly parks here, and countless trails for rambling and sniffing.

For sweet liberation from the leash, head to Crestview off-leash Dog Park (16200 42nd Ave. S. Tukwila) or Grandview off-leash Dog Park (3600 S. 228th St. SeaTac). The grand view is Mount Rainier on a clear day, and both are great spots to burn off some doggy energy.

Des Moines Beach Park (22030 Cliff Ave. S. Des Moines) is another good stop for both pups and their people, with plenty of paths, a pier, and lots of beach for salty dogs. If you and your dog are full-on seafaring types, Olympic Outdoor Center rents paddleboards and sit-on-top kayaks at Redondo Beach in the summer. Another dog walking spot that'll have your friends on social media wondering where you took those puppy pix is the Robert Morris Earthwork (21630 37th Place S, SeaTac). This grassy terraced hole in the ground is a former gravel pit turned public art. It's a cool place to grab a few photos and walk some trails.

Dogs need retail therapy too. For pet food, toys, or a fleece jacket (a dog’s gotta look local, after all) Mud Bay (148 SW 148th St. Burien) is a Northwest pet store chain that started in Olympia in 1988, pioneering natural pet care. Store associates, called ‘Muddies’, know what PNW pups need to stay healthy and happy. If you need a human treat after playing and shopping, Des Moines Dog House doesn’t just sell every kind of hot dog imaginable – they also make empanadas and you have the option of ordering your dog on an arepa (fried cornmeal dough, a Venezuelan specialty) instead of a bun. Outdoor dining options make this casual spot fido-friendly. Odin Brewing Co.* is another cool canine hang, the beer is brewed onsite and names are Nordic: try a Thor's Shadow Imperial Stout or an Asgard IPA. Food is pub fare with in-house smoked meats. Hounds may hang on the patio, but don't miss the light shades inside when you order - they are Viking helmets, complete with horns. *As of this writing, Odin Brewing Co. is currently closed because of Washington's COVID-19 restrictions but will soon offer online ordering. Be sure to check with them for current hours and offerings. 

If you’re in SeaTac with plans to fly with your furry friend, treat them to a hotel stay before they have to surrender to a crate and the belly of a jet. Cedarbrook Lodge’s ‘Puppy Paradise’ package includes a ground floor room for your dog’s ‘business trips’ as well as swag like dog treats, a Cedarbrook dog tag, and in-room amenities for pooch pleasure. And the lodge’s park-like setting is perfect for walks. 

Aloft Hotel in SeaTac is pet friendly, welcoming furry companions under 40 lbs. for no additional fee. Cool canines will love the modern vibe and the moderate price. Humans will like the WXYZ bar with an appy/happy hour, the fitness center and game room, the self-serve grab and go snacks, and the smart touches throughout this not-a-typical-airport-hotel-hotel.

After exploring the doggie delights of Seattle Southside, your pal will crash contentedly on their bed, paws twitching as they replay the day. And you’ll enjoy a break from the sad puppy eyes.