Patios & Pubs
Lake at Gaslight Gardens
Gaslight Gardens
Gaslight Gardens is an all-around cool place to hang out. It's the coziest little tavern around with a private beer garden. Live music is hosted on the weekends, usually of the acoustic or bluegrass variety, and they've got creative cocktails and a unique beer selection. I appreciated the big umbrellas that provided shade even on a hot summer day, as well as the string lights wrapped around trees that provided ambiance in the evening. When asked whether they are a dog-friendly establishment, they'll be quick to respond: "Proudly!"
Batman at The Sandbar
The Sandbar
At The Sandbar, you'll always find good vibes, fun drinks, and an all-around funky vibe. Everyone has to order their signature Shark Attack cocktail at least once in their lives. It's been a Sandbar staple since it was introduced in 2003. Dump a plastic shark toy filled with grenadine into the ocean-blue cocktail and take a sip. It's super refreshing, and yes, you get to keep the shark. While you're there, be sure to make some friends. I recommend Sandbar regular Batman (pictured above), but the people are pretty great company too.
Raffi, the blog author's dog, at Lawrence Beer Company
Lawrence Beer Company
With a logo depicting a sweet pup balancing a beer on its nose, it's no surprise that Lawrence Beer Company is as dog-friendly as can be. While certain county regulations require dogs to be separate from the main dining and food service area, LBC created a separate dog-friendly area just below the main patio. It's always hopping in the afternoons and evenings, and lots of folks who live in the surrounding neighborhood stop for a cold one while out walking their dogs.
Scarlet at 23rd Street Brewery
23rd Street Brewery
Lawrence's breweries definitely love dogs! Similar to Lawrence Beer Co, 23rd Street Brewery has its own special dog-friendly patio. This one even comes with an adorable sign that makes for a pretty cute photo-op, if you ask me. Check out their Happy Hour from 3-6 PM Monday through Friday for some great food and beverage deals.
Shops
Sugar at Lucky Dog
Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery
In terms of pet stores, Lucky Dog is as cute as it gets. They have all the usual stuff you need when you own a pet, as well as fun bandanas, novelty items, and a full bakery catered to pets. I buy my dog's birthday cake there every year, often stop and buy him a cookie while we're out and about, and you can even pre-order personalized bakery items. Don't forget to take a photo in front of their photo wall! It's always decorated seasonally and makes for adorable portraits.
A sweet pup waiting in line for tacos at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market
Cottin's Hardware & Rental
While we locals said an emotional goodbye earlier this year to Khan, Cottin's Hardware's gentle giant of a resident pup, Cottin's Hardware remains a wonderful place to shop with your pets. They've got a great little pet section, plenty of air conditioning, and often host donation drives or adoption specials with the Lawrence Humane Society. Be sure to check out their dog-friendly weekly Farmers Market, every Thursday in the back parking lot from 4-6:30 PM.
Raffi at Pet World
Pet World
So much more than just a pet store, Pet World is, as they say, an experience. Not only do they sell everything pet-related you can imagine, they also operate their exotic animal rescue and animal re-homing service right in-store. They offer camps, parties, educational programs, and a whole lot more, and it's clear to everyone who steps through the doors that they care deeply about animals. While their rescued giant sulcata tortoises (pictured above) live happily on a farm for the warmer months of the year, you can catch them in-store during the winter season. My pup, Raffi, wasn't quite sure what to make of them, but he sure was interested.
Hammy at the Lawrence Farmers Market
Lawrence Farmers Market
If you're in town on a weekend, don't miss the Saturday Lawrence Farmers Market! You'll find the market and Downtown Lawrence abuzz early Saturday morning with shoppers, strollers, and dogs galore. From my experience, your pup will likely pull you directly to the Flory Family Farms stall, where breakfast sausage patties sizzle on the grill before being tucked into a soft, freshly baked biscuit.
Parks & Trails
Dean at Mutt Run Dog Park
Mutt Run Off-Leash Dog Park
Mutt Run is a really extensive and beautiful dog park just east of Clinton Lake. Just off the main parking lot you'll find a few wooden agility-course features and a special fenced-in area for small dogs and/or dogs who are working on their recall. There are always a bunch of dogs by the parking lot area, so if your dog is a little shy, I recommend parking at the Lawrence Arboretum and walking down the Lawrence Loop trail to enter the Dog Park from the back. There, you'll find open fields for plenty of ecstatic zoomies. Mutt Run also sits next to the river, and if you follow the trails, you can find a small waterfall and shallow river that dogs love to play in. Be sure to bring a towel for your car seat!
Raffi at the wetlands
Haskell Baker Wetlands
The wetlands south of Lawrence are hands down my favorite place to walk with my dog. The trails are extensive but packed with wildlife. I love to look at the birds (especially during migration season!), and Raffi LOVES to smell all the smells. The Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center recently installed waste stations in several locations around the wetlands, so it's easy to pick up after your pup. While the parking lot closes after dark, I highly recommend an evening walk around the wetlands as the sun is setting.
Frankie walks the Lawrence Loop
Lawrence Loop
The Lawrence Loop is a series of connected trails that, when completed, will provide a continuous urban greenway over 22 miles long around the city of Lawrence. A majority of it has already been constructed, and it's a great way to see Lawrence walking, wheeling, or biking with your pup. I really like the segment near Clinton Lake and the dog park, but there is a lot of undiscovered trail out there for me, so I look forward to seeing more.
Olive at Grinter's Sunflower Farm. Photo by Fally Afani/Sunflower Publishing
Grinter's Sunflower Farm
While the sunflowers won't be blooming for another few weeks, now is a good time to make your plans! Grinter's Sunflower Farm is an exceptional, if fleeting, attraction for Lawrence each fall. The 40-acres of sunflowers that the Grinter family plant each year usually bloom around Labor Day (check their Facebook page for updates), and you have to see it to believe it. It also happens to make for the very best photo ops, though I must confess that this is where small dogs like Olive, pictured above, probably shine the brightest. Dachshunds are much easier to lift to sunflower level than my 70-pound pooch proved to be. Be sure to pick up after your dog (and take any waste with you!) to be respectful to the farmers and other visitors, and if it's in your budget, I highly recommend leaving a donation as appreciation for the Grinter family's hard work.
Need a new best friend?
Did you read through this blog and think, "I sure wish I had a furry best friend to visit all these places with"? If so, I highly recommend adopting from the Lawrence Humane Society. They work really hard to help dogs, cats, and other animals find a forever home here in Lawrence. Check out their list of adoptable pets.
