No matter your age, interests or budget, you’ll find something fun to do in St. Louis this weekend.
Do you go everywhere – including on vacation – with your pet? St. Louis should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
With picturesque places to roam – from off-the-beaten-path parks such as Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park, Rockwoods Reservation and Route 66 State Park to urban outdoor areas such as Citygarden, Gateway Arch National Park and Laumeier Sculpture Park – your pets will never run out of places to explore in St. Louis.
Founded in St. Louis in 1894, Purina is also passionate about pets, and from mid-April to October, Purina Farms is open to the public. Visiting pets will love walking around the 300-plus acres of rolling hills and playing in the hayloft. At the Visitor Center, ask for their welcome package with treats, clean-up bags, a water bowl and a bandana.
While you’re at Purina Farms, watch one of the daily shows in the Incredible Dog Arena where the Purina Incredible Dog Team demonstrate their skills such as catching flying discs, jumping into a 50-foot heated pool and maneuvering through a series of obstacles. You can also explore the Pet Training & Enrichment Center where dozens of dogs and cats live, the Better with Pets exhibit that proves people and pets are hardwired to be together and the Barn and Play Area where both children and adults can interact with a variety of farm animals. Oink! Oink!
For even more adventure, board a paddleboat with your pet. The Boathouse at Forest Park rents paddleboats, along with canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, by the hour, giving you the opportunity to float along the 22 acres of waterways that traverse the best city park in the U.S.
Bar K is another unique destination for families with fur babies. The St. Louis location features a modern bar, restaurant and event space, along with a 2-acre outdoor dog park and a 10,000-square-foot indoor dog park – both of which are fully staffed with trained dog handlers (known as “dogtenders”).
If you’re looking for other places to dine and drink with your pet, St. Louis has restaurants and bars that happily welcome four-legged friends. Open-air patios are great spots to stop if you’re romping around town on a warm day, and Broadway Oyster Bar, Molly’s in Soulard, Rooster on South Grand, Salt + Smoke on Hampton Ave. and Westport Social have some of our favorites.
A number of establishments offer water bowls, and some even have treats for your pet. Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery serves artisan pup cups in a variety of lactose-free flavors, while multiple locations of Schlafly Beer and Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. offer Crafted Bone treats.
There are also plenty of places to stay with your pet. Angad Arts Hotel, Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Forest Park, Element St. Louis Midtown, Magnolia Hotel St. Louis, Moonrise Hotel, The Last Hotel and more make special accommodations for pets.
We’ve only scratched the surface. Continue to explore St. Louis with your pet at the following places.
