Elphie loves a good local road trip. Hop in the car, get the windows down, and sniff, sniff, sniff. Madison has exploded with dog-friendly restaurants and shops in the past ten years. I remember when I moved back from New York and was shocked that I couldn't take my dog everywhere - even the city parks didn't allow dogs! Thankfully, much has changed, and here are some of our favorite destinations:
In their great new spot on W. Main St. in downtown Stoughton, The Crazy Dog Mom has the cutest toys, treats, and apparel for all the dog moms and dads. Owner Amanda curates and creates the products and also puts on the sweetest events - such as the upcoming Friendship Day Brunch on Sunday, August 6, 9:00-10:00 am. Mimosa bar, snacks, and make best friend charms for you and your dog! See you there?
Grasshopper Goods, on the same block as The Crazy Dog Mom on W. Main St., loves dogs! They have the cutest things for the pups, too - the bandanas with cute sayings like "arm candy" are my fave. Pop in with your pup and do some back-to-school shopping!
Viking Dog Park (you know I had to include Stoughton's dog park in the list) is huge and so fun for a jaunt with the pup. It runs along the Yahara River, so there are multiple spots where the dogs can swim and cool off. It's a large dog park, with hidden trails to make it more interesting for the humans. If you exhaust your time in the park, you can take your pup for a walk on leash through the trails in the main park, which connect to Historic Downtown Stoughton and a great frisbee golf course.
Here are some great dog-friendly restaurants for the remaining summer nights out:
Ziggy's BBQ & Ice Cream Parlor in Oregon has a beautiful outdoor patio where you can enjoy some smoked or icy goodness with your pup!
McFarland House Cafe in McFarland offers coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Doggie water bowls welcome the pups to cool off and relax on the patio while you enjoy your food and beverage.
Ollie's in Fitchburg (in the former Liliana's location) offers a brand new menu and a dog-friendly porch! Deep-dish pizzas are calling my name!
There's always a furry friend on the front patio of Madison Sourdough on Willy St. It's one of my favorite summer spots to stop for lunch with a friend and our pups!
Doundrin's in Cottage Grove has to be one of the best places to take your dog in Madison. They have a HUGE cocktail garden where you can sip with your dog in tow. They have tables, but you can also bring your own camping chairs, etc., and park out anywhere on the lawn. They also have lots of events, including live music, classes, yoga, trivia, food trucks, and more. They allow food to be carried in or delivered to!
A similar vibe on the other side of town, Wisconsin Brewing Co. is another great spot to sip and enjoy an evening of live music, yard games, and great beer. You can also order food in from Sugar River Pizza or North and South Seafood & Smokehouse just down the street!
