Dog-Friendly Activities in New Jersey

Housed in Hangar 1 of Cape May Airport, the dog-friendly Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May, NJ houses aircraft, special exhibits, engines and interactive displays through which visitors can explore aviation, military history, New Jersey history and more. Leashed dogs welcome to explore the more than 90,000 square feet of hands-on fun with you. Admission fees apply and hours vary by season.

The Cape May Whale Watcher offers the largest and fastest whale and dolphin watching boats in New Jersey and they are dog friendly. The owners, Jeff and Mary Stewart have owned dogs their entire lives, and love having well behaved and leashed pups aboard ship. In business since 1993, the Cape May Whale Watcher guarantees marine mammal sightings of whales or dolphins or porpoise. Well behaved pooches ride for free!

Cold Spring Brewery is a dog-friendly, non-profit brewery housed in a restored 1804 English-style barn located in the historic Cold Spring Village of Cape May, NJ. They serve several varieties of beer like Cresse American Wheat, Dennisville Inn Porter, and Bradner Brown. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the indoor seating is temperature-controlled. There is an admission price to enter Cold Spring Village.

The Wildwood Dog Park & Beach is located between Glenwood and Maple Avenues in Wldwood, NJ. The dog park is open daily, and the dog beach is open from dawn to dusk. All rules for the Wildwood Dog Park & Beach are posted at entry and must be followed. Fresh water and clean up bags are available on site. Dogs on the beach must remain leashed, and leashes in the park are optional.

South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ is dog-friendly. This nature reserve coverers 2,112 acres in portions of Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange. The woodland park features a variety of hardwood trees, and tall hemlocks towering above streams, creeks and ponds. The west branch of the Rahway River flows through the valley, and a 25-foot waterfall at Hemlock Falls is a dramatic feature. It is also a Revolutionary War historic site. Leashed dogs are welcome on trails and the South Mountain Dog Park is located within the Reservation.

Ort Farms is a dog-friendly, family-owned farm located in Long Valley, NJ. Bring Fido for some family fun and fresh local produce. Dogs are also welcome in their seasonal pumpkin patch and at their fall festival. Dogs aren't permitted on the hayride to the pumpkin patch, but you can walk down to the patch. Dogs are also not permitted in any of the fruit or vegetable areas. Please ensure your pup is leashed at all times.

Pet-friendly Asbury Park Dog Beach in Asbury Park, NJ welcomes Fido all day long from September 15th to May 15th. From mid-September through mid-May, dogs are permitted in the evenings and early mornings from 6 PM to 8:30 AM only. Dogs must be licensed and supervised at all times and aren't permitted in the dunes. Fido must also be leashed unless in the designated off-leash area.

The dog-friendly Cape May Winery & Vineyard encompasses four different vineyards containing over 150 acres, from which 16 varieties of grapes are grown. Leashed pups are welcome to join you outside at the designated dog-permitted areas, but at no time are they allowed on the furniture. So bring your furry friend to see what makes the Cape May, NJ area a premier grape-growing region!

Visit the pet-friendly Holmdel Park in Holmdel, NJ. Walk the trail around the recreation area with your pup or go the opposite direction and discover the beautiful surrounding nature. Bring your pooch along on a leash, and don't forget to clean up any mess that's left behind.

Cape May Brewing Company's Brewtanical Garden in West Cape May, NJ is dog friendly. The garden is located behind the tasting room and features 12 taps of Cape May's award-winning craft brews. This space is open to the elements and hours of operation depend on the season. Please call before visiting with Fido. All seating is first come, first served. Well-behaved animals must remain on a leash at all times and the owner is responsible for cleaning up after their furry friend. Animals are not allowed inside the Tasting Room or Beer Garden.

Dog-friendly Icarus Brewing is a microbrewery in Brick, NJ, where Fido is welcome to join inside the taproom or at an outdoor table. They produce fresh, hand-crafted ales and lagers and serve them in pints and flights. Their beer garden has lots of seating with umbrella shaded tables and you're welcome to bring your own food to enjoy with your brew.

The Sperlak Gallery & Sculpture Gardens is a dog-friendly nature sanctuary in Cape May, NJ, where Fido can explore three miles of trails across 24 acres of fields and forests. Weekend self-guided visits are available Saturday and Sunday, for a fee, and include a map, water, and a quick orientation. Private tours with the owner can also be arranged by calling three days in advance. Be sure to pack snacks and beverages for your adventure.

Fido is welcome to join you on a tour at Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center, a pet-friendly ecotour company in Cape May, NJ. Enjoy whale, bird and dolphin watching on a tour led by experienced Captains and Marine Biologists. Be sure to book your trip in advance on their website!

The Gateway National Recreation Area in Highlands, NJ is pet friendly between certain dates. Dogs are not permitted on ocean-side beaches at Sandy Hook Unit from March 15 through September 15 due to piping plover season. Pets are permitted on bay-side beaches at Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove throughout the year, but must always be on a leash. Dog owners must carry out all trash, and make preparations for carrying out dog waste. Parking is $20 in the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Island Beach State Park is a pet-friendly island barrier on the coast of Seaside Park, NJ. Stretching 10 miles in total, the sand dunes offer a varied and interesting area for plants and animals to thrive. From Memorial Day weekend through the first of October, pets are not permitted on the ocean swimming beaches. Leashed pets are permitted south of these areas during this time period. Pets are not permitted on the Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail at any time. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that their pooches leave behind.

Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area in Manasquan, NJ is the last undeveloped tract on the Manasquan Inlet. The 55-acre site is a great place to fish, walk on the beach, or go sunbathing. Dogs are welcome at Eastern section of the beach, but they must be leashed at all times to preserve the delicate coastal habitat. Be mindful that the Western section of the beach doesn't allow pets.

The pet-friendly Working Dog Winery in Robbinsville, NJ, welcomes dogs to join their owners on the beautiful lawn area outside. Dozens of customers bring their pups with them to enjoy the vast grounds and spend quality time with their four-legged friends. They serve award-winning estate wines made right on stie! Guests are welcome to bring snacks.

Located in Ocean Township, NJ, Hot Sand is New Jersey's first pet-friendly public glass studio. You can bring Fido with you to enjoy a glass-blowing lesson, one of the dog parties on the weekends, and even some walk-in dog art. If you can't hang around too long in-store, you can grab a Hot Paws Kit to use at home. This do-it-yourself glass kit provides you with an impression of your pooches' paw that can easily be rendered at home, giving you a lasting memory of your beloved canine companion.

The Vernon Dog Park in Vernon, NJ occupies two acres of fenced grasslands. Visitors will find plenty of room for Fido to run and play, and shaded seating areas for pet owners.

Bell Works is a pet-friendly attraction in Holmdel, NJ. Your leashed pup is welcome to join you inside as you explore the reimagination of the historic former Bell Labs building. The building offers a one-of-a-kind destination for business and culture, technology, traditional offices, retail, and much more.