Dog-Friendly Portland
With historic cobblestone streets, funky independent shops, and all kinds of great restaurants crammed within its tiny downtown area, there’s a lot to love about Portland, Maine. But one of the city’s best features is its love for all things dog. Walking down by the harbor, it’s rare that you won’t see a few furry friends, and Portland has a variety of shops to cater to them — there are also quite a few restaurants that welcome dogs to dine with you (on the patio, of course), and numerous B&Bs and hotels that welcome pets with open arms. Here are some of Portland’s best places to bring your four-legged friend.
Photo by Eva Marieville
The coolest canine-related shop in town has got to be Planet Dog on Marginal Way. This stylish store features their own line of doggie goods, with everything from recyclable bones to designer beds. They also carry all kinds of all-natural, gourmet treats and food, so you can keep your dog happy and healthy. If he’s in need of a haircut, just bring him on back to Planet Dog’s grooming room, and he’ll be looking spiffy again in no time. Planet Dog also offers puppy play dates, obedience classes, and plenty of other fun stuff for you and your pup.
Planet Dog
211 Marginal Way
Portland, ME
(207) 347-5139
www.planetdog.com
Down in the heart of the Old Port, Fetch has a great selection of products for both dogs and cats. Their dog supplies include plenty of great treats, bones, toys, balls, and everything else to fulfill your favorite pet’s every need — plus lots of cool stuff for the feline fans among us. It goes without saying that your four-legged friends are welcome to come along for the shopping sprees at both these great stores.
Fetch
195 Commercial Street
Portland, ME
(207) 773-5450
www.fetchportland.com
After you’re done shopping, you and your dog might want to stop for a bite to eat. Several upscale restaurants offer outdoor seating and don’t mind if you’ve got a dog sitting at your feet, but for good, casual fare, the best place to go is Gritty McDuff’s. Gritty’s has a large outdoor patio, a selection of beers from their own brewery, and a large menu featuring nachos, burgers, and all the classic favorites. If you want, you can even pass a sample along to your dog — he’s sure to love the food as much as you do.
Gritty McDuff’s Portland Brew Pub
396 Fore Street
Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 772-BREW
www.grittys.com
If you and your dog need a place to rest your heads at night, there are plenty of places that will welcome you both. For a budget option in the city, there’s The Inn at St. John; for an ultra-luxury beachside stay, you can set up at the Inn By the Sea in Cape Elizabeth (link to the luxury B&B post when you put it up)— both of these were covered more thoroughly in previous articles, so feel free to check the linked posts out for details. For more pet-friendly accommodation in Portland, there’s the beautiful Eastland Park Hotel on High Street, which provides your dog with a gourmet treat and a toy on check-in. Most of the chains just outside the city are also dog-friendly — Holiday Inn, Embassy Suites, and Howard Johnson, among others, all allow pets for a small additional fee.
The Eastland Park Hotel
157 High Street,
Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 775.5411
www.eastlandparkhotel.com
Your dog will also love the opportunity to explore the beautiful wilderness all around Portland, and there are lots of parks and beaches where he’s welcome to play. For details on some great off-leash dog parks and beaches in and around the city, visit: Dog Friendly Portland
Written by Kathy Hawkins on July 26, 2007
Filed Under Maine, Portland, Food, Animals
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