Key West is extremely dog friendly. You will see them everywhere...and usualy they are very well behaved. Here are a few of our best places to enjoy the island with your pooch.
- Higgs Beach Dog Park : ~1000 Atlantic Blvd. Large fenced in dog park divided into two sections; one for large breeds and one for small dogs. There is a double-gated entry to prevent your furry friends from accidentally escaping. This park has doggie clean up stations stocked with bags to clean up after your pet...and most people are extremely good about using them. There is fresh drinking water available. Many toys have been 'donated', so just look around...you are sure to find a dozen or so tennis balls. There is free parking across the street at Higgs Beach as well as behind the park (near the cell tower...can't miss it). Tip: if nobody is there, just hang out a while. Many people drive by and only stop if they see someone else at the park. It is not unusual to be the first there and have about a dozen dogs there when you leave.
- Salute: 1000 Atlantic Blvd. This is within walking distance (and sight of )the Higgs Beach Dog Park. Pooches are allowed in the outdoor seating area overlooking the beach. It is common for them to bring your dog a 'Doggie Martini" (ice water in a dog bowl). They offer a selection of salads, sandwiches, etc. perfect for a light lunch at the beach.
- Outback Steak House: 3230 N Roosevelt Blvd. This one allows you to eat al fresco with your pooch! It is in a shopping strip mall, so there is plenty of free parking. Nice opportunity to grab a thick juicy steak with all the trimmings without having to drop the dog off at the house/condo/hotel.
- Damn Good Food To Go: 700 Front St., Key West Bight. Pooches welcome in outdoor seating area. Very reasonable prices and large portions. Tip on parking...if you park at the lot closest to the restaurant and tell the attendant you are dining there, they will not charge you to park - they just ask you to bring your receipt to show you ate there.
- Key West Ferry: This is not on the island, but can be used as a way to get to the island. The Key West Ferry leaves out of Ft. Myers, Marco Island and now Miami. When booking your reservation, be sure to notify them you will be traveling with a dog and get all of the information and costs from them. They will have to be in an airline approved kennel (your own...they do not provide kennels) and will have to remain inside the kennel for the entire length of the trip. If your dog is a barker or easily scared/upset by unusual circumstances or suffers from motion sickness, it would be best to not attempt this as it is a fairly long trip. (3 hours to Key West from Ft. Myers/or/ from Key West to Ft. Myers.
Hoping others will edit this to add more locations to the list.
Please remember a few *key* things when bringing your dog down to Key West.
- This is a priveledge that is not common in the USA. It is very important to not abuse it by allowing your dog to misbehave or to cause damage to any property.
- If you are bringing your pooch, please remember to bring doggie poop bags with you everywhere to handle any accidents. Yes, even accidents on the beach or in the shrubbery are not permitted. Rain water washes EVERYTHING out to sea. Doggie Doo should be properly disposed of in a doggie poop bag and then thrown in a trash receptacle.
- The chickens and cats are full-time residents. It is NOT ok for your dog (or cat...or children) to harass them in any way.
- For the times you are going places that you prefer to leave your pet behind in your accomodations, it is important that they not disturb other guests also staying there. Remember, it is their vacation too! They do not want to listen to Rex howling because his humans left him in the room while they went on a boat ride.
Other than that, enjoy bringing your complete 'family' on vacation!
