Exploring St. Charles by yourself is fun, but having your furry friend by your side makes it even better. There are numerous things to do around the city that are dog-friendly, so don't feel like you have to leave man's best friend at home. Here are some of our favorite activities you can do with your dog that will make for some unforgettable memories!
Spend an Afternoon at Global Brew Tap House
Photos Courtesy of Global Brew Tap House
An extensive beer selection, pinball machines, and a dog-friendly establishment are all characteristics of Global Brew Tap House. Next time you're looking to try a brand new craft beer, or revisit an old favorite, bring your pup along so you can enjoy your drink side by side with your best pal. Plus, Global Brew Tap House is now serving pizzas, too! So you can pair your libation along with all that cheesy goodness.
Take a Walk on the Trails
Photos Courtesy of @murphy_thegoldenboy_, @luna_the_siberianhusky_, and @aborkonnamedbagel
Traveling down one of the many trails in St. Charles is a perfect way to spend the day with your pup. St. Charles has beautiful paths that highlight the Fox River, the woods, and the prairies. Check out one of our favorite trails here, and browse the many others listed on the Travel St. Charles app. There are superb views of nature for you and your dog to enjoy on your walk. Plus, it's paw-sible that your canine companion may even make some friends with other dogs and their owners that had the same idea for the day.
Go Shopping at Magnolia Soap and Bath Co.
Photos Courtesy of Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. and @murphy_thegoldenboy_
Head over to Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. to check out all the plant-based soaps, shower oils, bath bombs, and much more. You can go pick out some great smelling soaps for yourself, as they have an extensive amount of aromas that they offer. You aren't shopping alone, however, so you have to grab something for your fur-baby. Fur-tunately, Magnolia offers pet soaps and sprays so that your dog smells good, and their coats stay clean and soft.
Exercise at the James O. Breen Dog Park
Photos Courtesy of @murphy_thegoldenboy_
The James O. Breen Dog Park is a paw-some place for your pal to blow off some energy and to make friends with other canines. It's the biggest dog park in St. Charles, spanning 2.56 acres, and its filled with dog-friendly equipment. Your pup is sure to work up a pant playing here! Before you go, stop by the doggy water fountain so that your dog can stay hydrated from having so much fun.
Enjoy the Outdoor Patios
Photos Courtesy of @murphy_thegoldenboy_, and @dawn_of_dagr
Looking to grab some food or drinks but would like for your pooch to be able to tag along? Well, there's no need to put a paws on your dinner date night with your furry friend. There's a good handful of restaurants and breweries in St. Charles that have outdoor patios where your dog can stay by your side. So, soak in the outdoors and indulge in some fantastic cuisine with your pal.
Get Some Sweets at Smallcakes
Photos Courtesy of @murphy_thegoldenboy_ and Smallcakes
Every good pup deserves a treat. Go over to Smallcakes where they are creating some fantastic cupcakes that are baked on-site daily. They offer a variety of different cupcakes that will make you drool (just like Murphy in the photo above). Don't forget to grab a treat for your pal! Smallcakes offers mini "pupcakes", which is a carrot cake cupcake that's topped with peanut butter cream cheese. Grab a "pupcake" and a cupcake, and enjoy the delectable treat with your dog. Bone-appetite!
Kayak at Pottawatomie Park
Photos Courtesy of @mermaidhairmandy, and @treewalt
Kayaking on the Fox River is an awesome activity that will give you and your pup a di-fur-rent view of the nature in St. Charles. Head down to Pottawatomie Park where you can rent kayaks by the hour. To find more information on this, please click here. You and your dog will have a blast getting a nice workout on the water, even if you find that you're the one doing most of the paddling.
Clean Up at Clean as a Whisker
Photos Courtesy of Clean as a Whisker
Does your pooch need to freshen up? Take them over to Clean as a Whisker so that they can get groomed to look their best before a day out downtown. Whether your dog needs a full haircut, or just a trim of the nails, Clean as a Whisker is the perfect place to make sure that they are looking sharp. And trust us, your dog will thank you furry much.
Attend an Event
Photos Courtesy of the St. Charles Business Alliance
There are many wonder-fur events that take place around St. Charles all year-round, but there's no need to keep all the fun to yourself. Many of the events in St. Charles are pet-friendly, so bring your furry friend with! Whether it be Scarecrow Weekend, St. Patrick's Day Parade, or any of the other many events, your dog is going to have a blast seeing new faces and getting in on all the fun!
Have a Photoshoot Downtown
Photos Courtesy of @enzo.the.pomsky, @murphy_thegoldenboy_, @blaze.the.great.dane, and @flynn_the_porgi
Everyone always loves looking at photos of pets, so why not pretend your'e the paw-parazzi and get some shots! St. Charles is filled with Instagrammable sites, so this is a great chance to get some material for Instagram. Check out our Instagrammable Spots Tour on the St. Charles Travel App to get some ideas for your fur-babies photoshoot.
Cool Off at Kimmer's Ice Cream
Photos Courtesy of the St. Charles Business Alliance, and @murphy_thegoldenboy_
You can never have too many treats, and we're sure your pooch will agree. So, walk over to Kimmer's Ice Cream after dinner. The ice cream they serve up is outstanding and is homemade daily. They have over 200 rotating flavors, so there is frequently something new to try. Kimmer's has free "pup cones" for dogs, so that you can enjoy a cold treat together. If you really want to have a paw-ty, Kimmer's has dog cakes that you can purchase, as well.
Reflect at Timeless Tags
Photo Courtesy of artinpublicplacesstc.com
Located in Delnor Woods Park is the Timeless Tags sculpture. This sculpture is dedicated to memorializing the loss of pets. You can hang the tag of your late pet here, and contribute to the growth of the sculpture's coat. This is a fantastic way to remember a former pet, and to keep their memory alive. Hanging a tag is free, and those interested in purchasing a memorial plaque can find information here.