Doggie Scoop

Asheville, North Carolina Is Dog Friendly

Dog Parks:
French Broad River Park -180 Amboy Rd & Lyman Ave. – 10 to 15 minute drive from the Inn
Hours: Daylight Cost: Free
One of Asheville’s most beautiful parks, the park meanders alongside the French Broad River and features a vast area of open green space with old trees, a wildflower garden, a paved trail, a gazebo, picnic tables and grills, an observation deck, and a small playground. The Dog Park features a large fenced-in area made for exercising and socializing your pooch! It features a fenced in one acre lot with wood chips, fresh water, dog waste bags and disposal, and it’s leash-less. There is a new separate area for small and large dog separation (although my 9- and 14-lb dogs did just fine with the big boys). There is a great trail system, picnic facilities, and wonderful access to the river for doggy swimming!

Azalea Park Dog Park – 498 Azalea Rd – 20-25 minute drive from the Inn
Hours: Daylight Cost: Free
This 155-acre park has been developed as one of Asheville’s top parks. The John B. Lewis Soccer complex (4 soccer fields) is open with lots more special features to come including trails, picnic areas, disc golf, lakes, a retreat center, the historic Thomas Wolfe cabin, and much more. The Dog Park features two separate fenced area, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. Separate parking for pet owners. There is a gazebo in the large dog area.

Doggie Daycare/Boarding/Groomers:

542 Short McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28803   Phone: 828.254.5772

2145 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher, NC 28732  Phone: 828.628.8510

5 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704 Phone: 828.527.4080

677A Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806 Phone: 828.665.1010

Pet Sitter/Pet Walker:

  • The Innkeeper or Assistant Innkeeper are happy to walk your dog(s) while you are out. We will walk your dog(s) around Jake Rusher Park next to the Inn. Walks usually last between 15-25 minutes. Cost is $10 per walk.

Shopping with your pet:

  • Woof Gang Bakery—South Asheville—in the Biltmore Town Square off I-26—5 minutes from Blake House

33 Town Square Blvd., Suite 140, Asheville, NC 28803 Phone: 828-650-9950

Gourmet dog treats made with love

1020 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC Phone: 828-271-4741

They offer grooming a retail store and pet photography

30 Battery Park Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828-253-2850

They specialize in designer collars and leashes, plus one-of-a-kind dog clothes, accessories, and beds. They offer holistic dog treats and unique pet gifts.

21 Battery Park, Suite 103, Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828-252-1818

Fresh-baked dog treats, gift baskets, and specialty items and gifts for your pet.

Dining with Your Pet:
While Asheville is certainly a dog-friendly city, there are health code restrictions that bar them from eating inside (bummer). But, since Asheville is also an outdoorsy type of place, there are quite a few restaurants all over the area that offer outdoor seating, and in many cases, they allow you to bring Fido to dine with you outside.  Each restaurant has their own policy on where your dog can be, so check in advance to make sure where the dog sits and where you sit are together.  Here are a few of my favorite places:

  • Frankie Bones Restaurant & Lounge – located a very short 5 minutes from the Inn – they love pets and have a spacious outdoor eating area.
  • Earthfare (South Asheville) – also located 5 minutes from the Inn – they have a small outdoor eating area that is covered in case it rains. Because the area is small, I would not advise bringing high-strung or more than a couple of dogs. While Earthfare is a grocery store, they have an incredible deli bar, hot bar, salad bar, bakery, and smoothie bar.
  • Bistro 1896 – on the corner of Pack Square – this place offers one of the best views of downtown Asheville and for some great people watching. Many times, there are street performers on the sidewalk outside the restaurant providing all sorts of entertainment. Dogs will have to be leashed to the railing, so be prepared to wait a little if the restaurant is busy.
  • Laughing Seed Cafe - THE premier vegetarian restaurant in Asheville. People come from far and wide to eat at this restaurant and they do have a nice, spacious outdoor seating area, although, tables for pets are probably segregated to the front where the wall/railing is located.

There are many more dog-friendly options around the city of Asheville, North Carolina. If you come upon a restaurant with outdoor seating, it doesn’t hurt to ask.









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