July 11 is All American Pet Photo Day, designed to encourage people to share pics of their four-legged pals.
Atlanta has some of the best dog parks, pet-friendly hotels, paths and patios right at its paws. It should be easy to get a new photo of your dog happily roaming the city enjoying everything from walks on a nature trail to bowls of water at the coffee shop.
»RELATED: 7 spots where your pooch can splash, wade and swim in Atlanta
Here are some of Atlanta's best beyond-the-park spots for a dog-friendly outing:
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
Watering holes and bites
Atlanta pooches and their owners are pretty spoiled when it comes to dining options in the city. From breweries (Monday Night Garage, Steady Hand) to pizza (Antico, Nina & Rafi) and everything in between, having your fur-baby at your side makes dining out that much more enjoyable.
Lucky's Burger and Brew Brookhaven, 305 Brookhaven Ave., #1250, Brookhaven, 678-705-1713
Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall, 684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta, 404-458-6838
Fetch Park & Ice House, 520 Daniel St. SE, Atlanta
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
More caffeine, please
Whether you like your coffee cold pressed, iced with almond milk, sweetened with locally-sourced honey or just black, coffee shops are still the place to be. A few local coffee shops take it further still, offering up dog-friendly places to work and play.
Dancing Goats Coffee Bar, 650 North Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-874-0370
ParkGrounds, 142 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, 678-528-9901
Dairies Coffeehouse & Cold Brew Bar, 777 Memorial Dr. SE, Suite 103A, Atlanta, 404-855-5190
Adventure pups
Cats can't have all the fun, dogs need adventure too. And there's nothing dogs love more than a walk in the wild. Grab a leash and hit the trails, one with a waterfall if you really want to impress your pooch. And don't forget to check these safety tips before you head out.
Murphey Candler Park, 1551 W. Nancy Creek Dr., Brookhaven
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr., Kennesaw, 770-427-4686
Sweetwater Creek State Park, 1750 Mount Vernon Rd., Lithia Springs, 770-732-5871
Unusual spots
Not every pooch can handle walks on the BeltLine. If you want to explore the city but need more space to roam, a stroll through Oakland Cemetery is perfect. You can even buy a Self-Guided Tour Map from the Visitor's Center and Museum Shop. Another place worth checking out is Atlanta Dog Paddle, where you can find out the many ways your beloved canine friend can benefit from swimming.
Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta, 404-688-2107
Atlanta Dog Paddle, 610 Gresham Ave. SE, Atlanta, 404-627-7447
If you don't have a pet but want to get in on the photo fun, head over to Java Cats Cafe. You can get coffee and play with the purring residents. Snap a pic and pretend it's your pet when you post it.
About the Author
