Dog-friendly restaurants with “drool-worthy” food, a trip back to Colonial times, and a walking ghost tour are just three of the unique experiences my dogs had in pet-friendly Williamsburg. With more travelers opting for car travel due to social distancing and recent health guidelines, it’s the perfect time to bring your fur baby on vacation. Continue reading to learn about some of my favorite dog-friendly restaurants and experiences in the Williamsburg area.
Dog-Friendly Eating
Breakfast at Aromas Coffeehouse: Start your day with breakfast and specialty coffee at Aromas Coffeehouse, Bakeshop & Cafe, a local must-eat steps off Duke of Gloucester (DoG) Street, which provides dog-friendly patio seating. We enjoyed the Snickers latte and Huevo Rancheros Scramble on the peaceful and quiet back patio.
The Hound's Tale and Corner BARKery: Visit the unique dog shop and bistro/bar combination to find the perfect dog-themed gift or exotic dog treat, such as a dog “cigar,” while enjoying a specialty cocktail and tasty bite to eat. Well-behaved dogs can walk through the shop and relax on the patio. Koa and Lily convinced us to get a beer-shaped dog cookie and the aforementioned “cigar,” which they both rated 11/10 stars.
Lunch with the dogs at Billsburg Brewery: Drive down the road to historic Jamestown and take in the water views while enjoying a variety of beer and food trucks. Enjoy your favorite childhood foods like grilled cheese sandwiches from The Hungry Pug food truck and sample beers on tap. Sit on the dog-friendly patio, picnic tables, or picnic on the lawn.
Dinner at Berret's Seafood: When in Williamsburg, do as the locals do by saving room for seafood at Berret’s, a local favorite just steps from DoG Street with a dog-friendly patio. Dine alfresco at a high top to avoid drooling dogs (like us!) while enjoying live music by local musicians. We indulged in the Baked Brie Cheese in Puff Pastry with Grilled Shrimp, Red, White & Blue Plate, and the mouth-watering Molten Chocolate Lava Cake, all without having dogs drool on our laps!
Dessert at Kilwins: Don’t forget to treat your furry friend (and yourself!) to ice cream at Kilwins; enjoy the Williamsburg experience as your pet devours their special treat in a split second (we usually choose vanilla ice cream cones).
Dog-Friendly Experiences
History Stroll at Colonial Williamsburg: One of my favorite activities is walking the dog-friendly streets of Colonial Williamsburg. Dogs are even permitted on Colonial Williamsburg's shuttle buses and are allowed to tour the Visitor Center. We like to walk up and down DoG Street to people watch and relax on the Palace Green lawn.
Hiking at Waller Mill Park: Hike the trails at Waller Mill Park or rent a kayak or canoe on the lake with your pup in tow. If your dog likes to socialize, there’s a large dog park near the park's entrance where they can play unleashed. Since Lily and Koa are forever in “kayak training mode,” we opted for the shaded Lookout Tower Trail.
Colonial Ghost Walking Tour: End your day with a dog-friendly walking ghost tour of haunted Colonial Williamsburg. With over 400 years of colonial history, this tour will shed light on unexplainable and spooky stories from the area. You may never look at the buildings the same way again! These are just a few of the dog-friendly activities you can enjoy in the Williamsburg area. We’re counting down the days to our next adventure to enjoy what the city has to offer.
