St. Louis Pet Lovers

The Gateway City is a top pet destination

If you’re a pet lover who diligently plans vacations so you can take your pet along, then St. Louis is a must-see vacation destination. Located in the heart of the country, St. Louis warmly welcomes pets and those who love them at museums, wineries, dog parks, gardens, hotels and outdoor restaurants.

Pet Friendly Accommodations
370 Lakeside Park RV Campground
Comfort Inn and Conference Center Westport
Comfort Inn Central West End
Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis – Clayton
Drury Inn & Suites Creve Coeur
Drury Inn & Suites Fenton
Drury Inn & Suites Southwest
Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Convention Center
Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Forest Park
Drury Inn & Suites Westport
Drury Inn St. Louis Airport
Drury Inn Union Station
Drury Plaza Hotel
Drury Plaza Hotel – Chesterfield
Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Holiday Inn Southwest & Viking Conference Center
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
La Quinta Inn – Hazelwood
Millennium Hotel St. Louis
Moonrise Hotel
Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel
Residence Inn by Marriott — Chesterfield
Residence Inn by Marriott — St. Louis/Downtown
The Parkway Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
The Westin St. Louis
St. Louis Union Station Marriott
The Cheshire

Pet Friendly Attractions
American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog
Apple of Your Eye
Gisele’s
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Lindwedel Jewelers
Six Flags St. Louis
The Silver Lady, LLC

Pet Friendly Restaurants
Anthonino’s Taverna
Cicero’s Restaurant and Entertainment Plex
Dr. Jazz Ice Cream Parlor & Diner
Flannery’s Pub
Hammerstone’s at 9th & Russell
Llywelyn’s Pub — Soulard
Llywelyn’s Pub — Winghaven
Park Avenue Coffee
Roxane

Pet Friendly Transportation
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Southwest Airlines

• Should you and your pet arrive in the Gateway City by plane, be sure to check out the new outdoor dog parks at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, where your dog can spend a few minutes playing off leash. If downtown St. Louis is your next stop, you can leisurely stroll with your favorite canine on the grounds of the Gateway Arch. St. Louis’ new Citygarden, a lush, two-block urban park with 24 modern sculptures and fountains, is just a short walk away.
• If your visit falls in the summer, it may coincide with Purina Pooches at the Ballpark, where dog lovers bring their dogs to a St. Louis Cardinals ballgame. Mardis Gras ushers in the Beggin’ Barkus Pet Parade, one of the largest pet parades in the world. Nearly 80,000 people and 8,000 dogs attend this tail-wagging affair.
• Outdoor adventurers can choose from more than 120 trails in the St. Louis area to go hiking with their dog. Some of the trails offer breathtaking views from bluffs along the Mississippi, Meramec and Missouri rivers. Laumeier Sculpture Park, an internationally recognized open-air museum just 20 minutes from downtown, is a memorable cultural experience to enjoy with your dog.
• Art lovers will appreciate the AKC Museum of the Dog in Queeny Park in west St. Louis County. The collection of more than 700 works is considered the world’s finest exhibition devoted exclusively to dogs. Dogs are allowed in the museum with their owners. After a museum tour, you may enjoy a jaunt with your dog on one of six trails in the 569-acre park.
• Wondering what to do with your pet during dinner? Fortunately, many St. Louis restaurants offer outdoor dining for people with dogs. At the Boathouse restaurant in Forest Park, for example, water and treats are provided for dogs on the outdoor patio. During the summer, the Boathouse hosts Yappy Hour the first Wednesday of the month. Dog lovers make a $5 donation to Forest Park Forever to bring their pets to socialize under the tent on the patio.
• Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country with 1,293 acres and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair, is a cultural destination with its many historic buildings, monuments, waterways, museums and trails. Ample opportunities await dog lovers in this famous park. If your visit is in July, you could catch the annual Paddle with Your Pooch event. This dog-and-master boat race is a fundraiser for Forest Park Forever.
• Pet lovers will want to take a scenic drive to Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Mo., about an hour from downtown St. Louis, where a stop at the Visitors Center will include a dog performance and cat show. Purebred dog lovers will enjoy the new Purina Event Center (opens in fall 2010). This state-of-the-art, 84,000-square-foot indoor facility is the first event center in the country custom-built for dog shows. Complementing existing outdoor venues for dog shows and sporting events at Purina Farms, the Event Center adds a new dimension to Purina’s longtime support of the dog fancy.
• Before departing, don’t forget to visit one of St. Louis’ retail shops to take a gift home for your pet. The gift shop at the Visitors Center at Purina Farms offers a wide variety of dog and cat items. Meanwhile, the Cat’s Meow, Four Muddy Paws, Just Dogs Gourmet, Three Dog Bakery, and Wolfgang’s Pet Stop are among several stores in the St. Louis area to choose from.

A pet-loving culture

St. Louis’ long history as a pet-loving community began in 1870 with the founding of the Humane Society of Missouri, followed by the Animal Protective Association in 1922. Both organizations were begun by animal lovers who believed that homeless animals deserved a second chance. Their inspirations have helped to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia, and have sparked a culture that offers unwavering support for animal welfare.

Ralston Purina – now Nestlé Purina PetCare – was founded in St. Louis in 1894. Originally a horse and mule feed business, the company expanded and became a pioneer leader in pet nutrition and care. Today, that tradition continues with Purina supporting programs that enrich pet adoptions, animal-assisted therapy, rescue animals and senior-to-senior adoptions. As an advocate for responsible pet care, Purina works to build a positive bond between people and pets.

In the spring of 2009, Nestlé Purina PetCare helped to organize the St. Louis Petlover Coalition with a shared focus on saving more animals. By raising awareness of pet welfare issues, this group promotes pet adoptions through community outreach programs. The Petlover Coalition includes animal rescue groups, shelters, veterinary organizations, and city and county health departments.

So, as you see, St. Louis offers many enjoyable opportunities for pet lovers. If you’re considering a vacation to the Gateway City, we invite you to come and please bring your pet. Our Midwestern pet-loving hospitality will make you glad you did.