There’s plenty of summer left in New York, so if you haven’t taken your dog out for a dip at one of the city’s several dog-friendly swimming areas, you still have time! NYC boasts several dog beaches and at least one indoor dog pool where you can take your best buddy to cool off. These include Prospect Park, Pier 4 Beach, Water4Dogs, and Larchmont Doggie Beach. Before we get to the details, safety first: always supervise your pet closely when playing in or near the water. Obey leash laws. And bring fresh water along for your pets to prevent them from drinking what they’re swimming in—pools can contain chlorine and other chemicals, and beach water can harbor giardia.
Read on and explore our top picks for where to cool your heel(er)s…
4. Prospect Park | Long Meadow Dog Beach | Park Slope
Brooklyn’s Prospect Park is a dog’s dream, with huge expanses of grass and trees, and off-leash hours in the early mornings and late evenings. An already great park is even better in the summertime, when canines can cool off at the Long Meadow Dog Beach, accessible via the 9th Street entrance to the park. Note that the water at Dog Beach becomes deep fairly quickly; monitor your dog accordingly.
Hmm…Friends or food?
3. Brooklyn Bridge Park | Pier 4 Beach | Cobble Hill
Brooklyn Bridge Park continues to develop into a must-visit destination. Strut your mutt from DUMBO all the way down to Pier 5, making a stop at the Pier 4 Beach for Fido to cool his toes or dig for treasure in the sand. Humans aren’t allowed to swim or wade at this spot, but we’ve seen lots of dogs showing off their retrieving skills in the waves and tide pools. You may even catch Lucy and me there doing some birdwatching or just gazing at the incredible view of the lower Manhattan skyline.
2. Water4Dogs | 77 Worth Street | Tribeca
So much more than a swimming hole, Water 4 Dogs offers swimming hours for recreation and fitness as well as water therapy and rehabilitation. Need a safe, quiet place for your older dog to escape the hot sidewalks while soothing achy joints? How about a spot for a young dog to burn off some puppy energy when it’s too hot to stay out in the park for long? Water4Dogs may be just what you’re looking for.
1. Larchmont Doggie Beach | Beach Ave & Park Ave | Larchmont, NY
Willing to drive a little further afield? Try the dog beach in Larchmont, NY, about a 30-minute drive north of the city. Aim for low tide if you can; dogs have a greater expanse of beach to run on, and milder waves. Insider tip: locals report that parking is an issue, so keep that mind before heading there, or try off-peak times.
Image via OutdoorPaws
