1. Vinoy Park
Start the day with a walk around Vinoy Park, while the sun is still low and the temperature are cooler. Be prepared to meet many other dogs, as this is a very popular dog walking spot in the morning. Vinoy Park offers beautiful views of the water and the harbor. Max even went for a swim down by the volleyball beach. There is also a fenced- in dog park here if you’re into that kind of thing.
2. Fort De Soto Dog Beach
The Dog Park Beach at Fort De Soto has a large and small dog fenced-in park with a water/washing station, in addition to a dog-friendly section of beach. Dogs can be off leash on the designated beach area here, although I kept Max on his leash because there is a road close by and he can be a wanderer. For a $5 parking fee, you have access to the dog park and the beach. Max made new friends at the beach and all the dogs there were very well behaved and seemed to stay right by their owners.
3. Love My Dog Splashpad
This is one of St. Pete’s hidden gems! Love My Dog is a dog boarding/daycare facility that has a waterpark in it. And get this: you can rent the water park out for just your dog in thirty-minute intervals! For just $15 Max got the splashpad all to himself for a half hour! Generously, the staff there did offer to bring some dogs out if Max wanted some furry friends to play with! They even gave him a water bowl. Although Max was not as enthused with the waterpark as he is with swimming, it was a great experience and it did cool him off from the Florida heat.
4. Mutts and Martinis
Admittedly, I ran out of time to check out Mutts and Martinis. However, I think it is worth a mention in this blog because it looks like an absolutely incredible dog-friendly place to drink, eat, and play. Mutts and Martinis is a sports bar that also has a waterpark for the dogs! There are even pool attendants to make sure all the dogs get along and are safe. The bar offers four off-leash play zones, a dry off area, and a dog menu that includes a burger, frozen yogurt, and a pup cup. I am so bummed we didn’t have time to check it out because I know Max would have loved it, but Mutts and Martinis should make it on your dog-friendly St. Pete itinerary!
