Photo courtesy of Bobby Talley.
Paws at the River 2017. Photo courtesy of Visit Williamsburg.
If your usual date has four paws and a wagging tail, you likely have a lot of fun with no regrets, and every kiss is always sincere. Maybe you’re a Williamsburg newcomer or planning a weekend getaway for just you and your furry best friend; if so, the ‘Burg always provides a doggone good time. It’s one of the most dog-friendly destinations around, but It’s always a good idea to check websites for current guidelines before finalizing plans for your outing.
Colonial Williamsburg’s main street is a dog lover’s delight. Duke of Gloucester (known as DoG Street, of course!) is a road that bisects the restored area from William & Mary’s campus to the Colonial Capitol building, running nearly a mile. Its entire length is closed to automobile traffic, but the pedestrian count can approach congestion level when the weather brings out locals and their canine companions as well as visitors from around the world. The restored area welcomes walkers, and since all dogs except service dogs are restricted from entering the buildings, it’s nice to know it’s still possible to bask in the ambience of eighteenth-century Williamsburg.
Photo courtesy of Visit Williamsburg.
At recurring festivals such as An Occasion for the Arts, Second Sundays, or seasonal Saturday morning Farmer’s Markets, Merchant’s Square is typically chock full of people and pets strolling together and stopping to chat with other dog lovers. Enjoy a coffee and a puppaccino (a cup of whipped cream) together while interacting with like-minded folks. It’s a social hub where dogs exchange personal info via the olfactory method. What better place to make new friends?
Paws at the River 2017. Photo courtesy of Visit Williamsburg.
A well-socialized dog on a leash is always welcomed with enthusiasm on the patio at nearby A Hound’s Tale. It’s a gastro pub on Prince George Street with doggy decor, where elegant human appetizers are sometimes served in squeaky-clean metal dog bowls. Several doors down is its sister company, The Corner BARkery, where you can bring your dog inside and buy clever gifts and adult milkshakes for yourself, as well as nonalcoholic faux beer or wine made just for your pup. Also on Prince George, Aromas is a popular coffee shop and cafe hangout for locals and W&M students. It has a bowl of fresh water waiting for canine customers in the outdoor areas front and back, as do Blue Talon Bistro and others. This street is a great place with many options to hang out, share an ice cream cone with Fido, and just watch the world go by.
DoG Street Pub, The Cheese Shoppe, and the European-style illy Caffé Williamsburg have excellent outdoors dining options that overlook the action in Merchant’s Square. Some areas even sport portable heaters for chilly evenings, an important amenity for those of us lacking our own personal fur coat.
Photo courtesy of Bobby Talley.
Photo courtesy of Linda Phelps.
Oh, yes, Williamsburgers love their dogs, and many turn out for special events such as the annual DoG Street Strut normally held in April. Not your typical race, it’s a community dog-walk sponsored by Heritage Humane Society to benefit homeless pets. The walk starts in Merchant’s Square in front of Barnes & Noble and proceeds to the Capitol and back, for a total of two miles. Worried that your old friend won’t be up to that distance? Not a problem, since there’s a Senior Walk down to the CW garden and back, for an easy 1/8-mile trek. The $25 registration fee includes a goody bag, a doggy bandanna, and for their humans, a tee shirt.
But perhaps your idea of fun with Fido is a little more active. Hiking Greater Williamsburg’s woodland trails is extremely popular. One of many attractive trail hiking options with some challenging hills can be found at Waller Mill Park on Airport Road between I-64 and Rt. 60 West. Its six-plus miles of trails wind through the woods and feature peaceful views of the picture-perfect 360-acre lake. A short hike along the paved bike trail will lead you to Lookout Tower and a panoramic view of lake and woods. Be prepared to bag any doggie deposits anywhere, since the park rules state that owners must always clean up after their pets. This park is also home to the area’s only public off-leash dog park, which makes it quite a popular destination. The daily rate is $2 per dog, and you must provide proof of vaccination and licensing. If you try it and love it, a reasonable yearly rate is available.
Waller Mill College Landing Dogs. Photo courtesy of Kathy Kirby.
Photo courtesy of Kathy Kirby.
Still, some prefer walking at a leisurely pace, and there are plenty of destinations for that. One paved multi-use trail that’s fairly level and ADA accessible is located at Veterans Park (formerly known as Mid County Park) at 3793 Ironbound Road. The path loops around 19 acres of grassy fields, lighted basketball and tennis courts, and the newly renovated Kidsburg, a children’s playground with 30,000 square feet of fun. If your outing is more of a family affair than a play date with your bestie, this place has it all, including picnic shelters and bathrooms.
There’s so much to do in the ‘Burg that your best bet for curating your experience might just be booking an overnight stay with the assistance of the bringfido.com app. BringFido offers a canine concierge service, with lists of all the hotels and B&Bs that welcome pets and includes information about which ones will accept larger or multiple dogs. If there’s an additional fee for pets, that is also noted. The website has information on shopping places that allow leashed dogs, including some surprising locations such as Barnes & Noble, in addition to the better-known Lowe’s. Williamsburg’s Home Depot, which used to allow dogs, has recently changed its policy.
Photo courtesy of Visit Williamsburg.
Photo courtesy of Bobby Talley.
If you and your furry companion want to soak in even more history, give Historic Jamestowne a try. It’s a national park marking the site of the original 1607 landing and settlement on the banks of the James River. Ongoing archeological work continues to uncover important discoveries about our nation’s beginnings. Fluffy is welcome everywhere but inside the church and museum, and docent-led tours make the $20 entrance fee worthwhile. This includes admission to the Yorktown Battlefield, a beautiful, leisurely drive away down the Colonial Parkway. You can roll the windows down, turn the radio up, and cruise.
We all missed the “paw-ty” this year, but do plan ahead for next year’s FidoFest at Jamestown Beach Event Park, located at the foot of Rt. 31, or Jamestown Road. James City County Parks and Recreation hosts this family festival held in March and featuring dog-friendly activities, games, and contests such as a Fido Fashion Show. Best Trick and Best Photo are also awarded prizes. The beach park has undergone a grand facelift recently, and the small, seasonal entry fee of $4 ($7 for weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, although always free for JCC residents) is a bargain for those who like to swim with their pups. Stone jetties protect the calm water, and the depth is quite shallow for long stretches. It’s fully accessible, too, with a ramp across the sand down to the river’s edge and a floating wheelchair available to reserve onsite. It’s a favorite spot for paddle crafters as well as families with young children, due to its convenient picnic tables and grills under tall pines, snack bar, and actual bathrooms.
Photo courtesy of Visit Williamsburg.
While in the vicinity, why not cap off your day with a boat ride? The Jamestown-Scotland ferry plies the James River, every half-hour around the clock. It’s a bargain yacht trip, since it’s totally free! Once the ferry has left the Jamestown dock, you and your doggy date can proceed to the bow to enjoy the river rushing by and unfettered views. There are amazing fresh scents wafting on a breeze that blows through your hair...or fur, as the case may be. Eagles, ospreys, and seabirds circle overhead, searching for random fish within the ferry’s churning wake. Cue the romantic violins and fade out as the sun sets on the river. It’s a joyous way to end an extra-special day with your best friend.