Like many of my friends this past year, my family adopted a puppy. Because, life wasn’t unpredictable enough, was it? So now we have this puppy, as well as one grouchy French bulldog. The puppy loves going places, which led me to create this list of dog-friendly places in Omaha.
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Omaha dog parks
Omaha is slowly starting to become an awesome place to raise an active and well-socialized dog. I say slowly because I still have to drive a ways to get to a quality dog park, but it’s totally worth it.
One tip for all of these dog parks: Bring your own water and bowl. Most parks do not have a water fountain and/or bowls.
Also, know that most places are open from dawn to dusk.
My favorite: Dewey Dog Park at 550 Turner Blvd. There are two separated areas for play, one for small dogs and one for all dogs. It’s Astroturf so there are no muddy paws to contend with and there’s a good amount of shade. The only downside is that it is a rather small area, so it can start to feel crowded.
Other dog parks around town:
- Hanscom Dog Park – The big draw of this place is that it’s HUGE. If your dog is a runner, bring him here. There are two separate areas, one for small dogs and one for all dogs. The downside is that it’s grass (ie. muddy) and there isn’t much shade. Address: 3201 Woolworth Ave.
- Canine Courtyard Bark Park – You need to time your visit here, especially on cold days, because once the sun sets behind the buildings at Aksarben Village, it’s shady and cold in the dog park area. And I imagine in the summer, it’s going to get super hot when the sun isn’t blocked. There are two separated, grassy dog areas. They aren’t too large, but large enough. There are a few benches. Address: 6515 Shirley St.
- Chalco Hills Dog Exercise Area – This one is not a favorite since it isn’t entirely fenced in. Its an unleashed dog area in a large park. If you have a dog who listens to commands, it’s great to let them run around, but I’ve always worried about my pup taking off and never coming back. Address: Northeast corner of Chalco Hills Recreation Area, 8901 S. 154th St.
- Hefflinger Dog Park – There is plenty of room to run on the grass here, especially the All-Dog Area that’s 5 acres. It was the city’s first dog park. Address: North 112th St.
- Miller Dog Park – One of the smaller dog parks in the city, Miller Dog Park is divided into two areas, one for small dogs and one for all dogs. There are obstacles, shade, and some water features. Address: 2707 Redick Ave.
- Jewell Dog Park in Bellevue – A simple patch of fenced in grass gets the job done here. Address: 600-624 Combs Road, Bellevue, Neb.
Self-serve dog washes in Omaha
There are groomers, sure, but when you rather do it yourself, there’s the dog wash. I have two dogs, one who behaves in the bath, and one who is a terror. The “terror” (known as Stanely) goes to That Dog Wash for his baths, where there is a tub that raises and lowers, as well as a leash holder, scrubbers, a variety of shampoos, and towels.
Stanley had a bit of a moment the first time we went and the woman working there was quick to bring over some treats to distract him.
The best part is that you don’t have to deal with all the fur after it’s all over. That Dog Wash is at 1401 Jackson St., and you don’t need an appointment. It’s $18.50 and they have a frequent visitor program.
Other dog washes:
- The Green Spot, 1110 S. 71st St. K ($15, by appointment)
- PetsEarth, 1529 S. 203rd St. and 8410 S. 73rd Plaza, Papillion, Neb. (basic package starts at $15)
Dog-friendly restaurants/patios
Know that most places in this section request that you puppy pal stay on a leash. There’s even a bar just for dogs and their 21 and older human — Dog Bar at 1231 S. 14th St.
Other dog-friendly restaurants and bars:
- Brickway Brewery & Distillery patio, 1116 Jackson St. The brewery’s location in the Old Market makes its patio a prime people watching spot.
- Corkscrew Wine & Cheese Blackstone back patio, 3908 Farnam St. The patio at Corkscrew is a bit hidden.
- Dante Ristorante Pizzeria patio, 16901 Wright Plaza, suite 173. I love that Dante is dog-friendly. It’s one of the best restaurants in West Omaha.
- Dundee Cork & Bottle, 614 N. 50th St. The Cork & Bottle loves dogs so much, there’s usually a treat for them.
- Nite Owl, 3902 Farnam St. Nite Owl has a patio perfect for you and your dog.
- Soaring Wings Vineyard & Brewing, 17111 S. 138th St., Springfield, Neb. The winery has a patio and expansive lawn. Just make sure your pup is leashed and you pick up after him.
Note: We talk about dog-friendly Omaha on the podcast episode with Rachel Drietz from the Omaha Corgi Crew. Give it a listen for more ideas!
Dog-friendly hotels in Omaha
Visiting Omaha with your four-legged friend? Here are some of the highest-rated Omaha hotels that are also pet-friendly:
- Element Omaha Midtown Crossing, 3253 Dodge St. (8.0 Booking.com rating)
- Magnolia Hotel Omaha, 1615 Howard St. (8.3 Booking.com rating)
- Residence Inn by Marriott at Aksarben Village, 1717 S. 67th St. (8.6 Booking.com rating)
- Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, 302 S. 36th St. (8.8 Booking.com rating)
- Cambria Hotel Omaha Downtown, 740 N. 14th St. (extra charge; 9.0 Booking.com rating)
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market, 555 S. 10th St. (7.9 Booking.com rating)
See all 40+ pet-friendly hotels here.
Dog daycare
We adopted a puppy during the pandemic and when it was time to return to the office, he did not take his new-found alone time well. Stanley A LOT of important things. So, we took the hint and found him some friends at doggy daycare.
If you need a place for your pooch during the day, here are some options:
- Bark Avenue, 13706 C St.
- Come Sit Stay, 7001 S. 181st St.
- Downtown Hound, 1513 Leavenworth St.
- F Street Hound, 7824 F St.
- The Paw Spa Resort, 16912 Audrey St.
- Waggin’ Tailz Ranch, 11819 Stonegate Drive
Bakeries for dogs
Sometimes, a boxed dog treat just isn’t sufficient when it comes to spoiling your dog. Luckily, a few Omaha bakers make dog-friendly treats for you to order (some even do customization):
Find some fresh baked goods at the following shops:
- The Green Spot at 1110 S 71st St. K has a bakery of fresh dog treats and cakes.
- The Loveland location of Long Dog Fat Cat at 2501 S. 90th St., suite 123 has custom-made and pre-made baked goods, like pupcakes. I’m sure the other Long Dog Fat Cat locations have treats, too.
