Top Dog-Friendly Spots: Greater Nashville Edition
One of the many things I love about Nashville is how dog friendly this city is, and our mini golden doodle Lady couldn’t agree more! Dogs enjoy the simple things in life, but if they are anything like Lady, they like getting out of the house and seeing the world. I’ve already shared some of my favorite pup-friendly spots around West Nashville, and for part two I wanted to zoom out and share more places around this great city. Here are five spots around greater Nashville that any dog would love to explore!
The Hermitage
For history buffs, the home of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States, is a must visit. The Hermitage is host to a great museum, President Jackson’s 8,000 SF mansion, his tomb and his story, along with peaceful walking paths throughout the grounds of his estate. But another fun fact is that the grounds are pet friendly! While you can’t bring Fido into the museum or mansion, a Grounds Pass provides you and your pup access to beautiful trails across the property’s 1,250 acres and outdoor sites, complete with an audio tour – and half-priced wine to sip while you stroll – making this historic place a great and unique place to spend the day.
12 South
12 South will always have my heart. A fan favorite for residents and visitors alike, this bustling neighborhood seems to have new shops and restaurants popping up on an almost monthly basis. Every time I visit, I find something new! This walkable street is packed with the cutest shops, restaurants, bars, murals and photo opps – and it’s a great place to bring your dog. Almost every shop has a water bowl at the front door, and Draper James even greets pups with treats! Most restaurants have outdoor patios for pups (our favorite patios when we bring Lady are at Edley’s, 12th South Taproom and the Bottle Cap), and Sevier Park right down the road is a great place to take a walk through the trees and run around for a bit (they also host Farmer’s Markets in the park May through October). Lady’s favorite stores? White’s Mercantile & Draper James!
Franklin
Franklin has always felt like the quintessential All-American small town, making it my ultimate dream town. It’s also a place we love taking our Dood, and for good reason, as 90+ businesses around town are pet friendly! Much like 12 South, the heart of Downtown Franklin is the perfect place to shop, eat, experience the quaint Southern way of life, and bring your dog along for an afternoon stroll. My favorite events are the Franklin’s Street Festivals, which take place multiple times a year. Pro tip – if you want to bring your dog, you’ll be in good company, but be aware that the streets are packed with people. If your pup is a social butterfly, it’s the right spot for them! After a day of shopping, your pup might want to run free, and the K-9 Korral Dog Park is the perfect way to release their energy. It’s located within the Harlinsdale Farm, which has beautiful walking paths as well!
Radnor Lake State Park
If you’re in the mood to be away from the hustle and bustle and completely submersed in nature, Radnor Lake is the place for you! While pets are not permitted on the trails into the hills, the Otter Creek Road Trail is a calming one-mile paved path along the lake, where you may even catch a glimpse of one of the resident bald eagles. Radnor is beautiful every time of year, but I especially love visiting on cool crisp fall mornings. It’s a great place to reflect, enjoy God’s beauty and get your steps in with your furry pal!
Centennial Park
Centennial Park has a great mix of culture, action, and nature, right in the heart of the city! Less than ten minutes from downtown and right across the street from Vanderbilt, there’s a vibrant one-mile path around the lake with tons of green space, and gorgeous flowers on display, especially in the spring time! A word to the wise though, make sure your pup doesn’t try to take a dip in the lake. We turned around for one second, heard a splash, and Lady was in the lake (trying to chase a duck). It is about a foot of sludge, so while it was comical, it was a dirty, stinky ride home. We weren’t alone though. As we were walking back to our car, a bypasser looked at us and said, “My lab did the same thing last month!” If dog parks are more of your dog’s thing, Centennial has that, too. Another bonus tip (man, you are so lucky you found this post!) if you’re hungry, and you like hot chicken, Red’s 615 Kitchen is a MUST. Honestly it’s the best hot chicken I have ever tasted. If you are up for a potential 45-minute wait during the busy times, this would be the perfect start (or end!) to your trip to Centennial Park!
There you have it, five more great dog friendly spots in Music City! With all these great options, you and your pup will be tuckered out and ready for a cozy evening on the couch afterwards. I hope you enjoy!
