Dog-Friendly Places Around Rochester

People often ask me about dog-friendly places in Rochester, like parks, breweries, restaurants, swimming areas, and more. My dog, Isabella (a beagle–dachshund mix), passed away several years ago in her elderly years, so we didn’t go to many places with her.

However, I’ve loved pulling together this guide, compiled from community recommendations on Facebook and Instagram, to help those of you who are adventuring with your pups today.

Where do you enjoy walking and playing with your fur babies? Which businesses welcome dogs as part of the family experience—offering special treats like ice cream and biscuits? Share in the comments below! I’ll continue to update this guide as I hear of new places or learn that policies have changed.

Enjoy exploring dog-friendly Rochester with your furry companion. And as always, call ahead or check a business’s website before visiting—policies may change. Also, check BringFido and this article on exploregeneseevalley.com.

Venues

Many restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs to join you. Check with local establishments in your area for dog-friendly options. Call ahead or check a business’s website before visiting.

Beer & Cider

City of Rochester

• Fattey Beer
• Swiftwater Brewing
• Heroes Brewing Company
• Three Heads Brewing
• Nine Spot Brewing

Monroe County

• Brindle Haus Brewing Company (Spencerport)
• Irondequoit Beer Company (Irondequoit)
• Griffs Brewery (Spencerport)

Greater Rochester

• Rising Storm Brewing (Avon)
• No BS Brewing (Victor)
• Star Cider (Canandaigua)
• OBS Ciderworks (Lakeville)
• Mortalis Brewing (Avon)

Wine

Greater Rochester

Community members note: “We have found that a large number of the Finger Lakes wineries are dog-friendly.” Some popular choices include Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards (Hector), Ventosa Vineyards (Geneva), and Three Brothers Wineries & Estates (Geneva).

Coffee

• Dunkin’ Donuts – Pup cup: whipped cream with a donut hole
• Starbucks – Pup cup: small cup of whipped cream

City of Rochester

• Melo Coffee & Kitchen
• Neutral Ground Coffeehouse
• Mercantile on Main

Monroe County

• Neutral Ground Coffeehouse (Pittsford)

Restaurants

City of Rochester

• Magnolia’s Deli & Café
• Pelican’s Nest

Monroe County

• 58 Main BBQ & Brew (Brockport)

Greater Rochester

• Gateway Grille (Canandaigua)

Other

City of Rochester

• Better Together Dog Park Bar
• Bones Dog Bakery

Monroe County

• Fizzy Bombz (Fairport)

Ice Cream

Monroe County

• Abbott’s Frozen Custard (multiple)
• Bruster’s (multiple)
• Scoop & Twist (Rochester)
• Pittsford Dairy (multiple)
• Pinkie’s Ice Cream (Henrietta)
• What’s Ur Scoop? (Penfield)

Greater Rochester

• Shark’s Ice Cream (Bloomfield)
• Circle R Fruit Farm (Gasport)

Dog Parks

Many cities and towns have designated dog parks where dogs can play off-leash in enclosed areas. And most require pre-registration to ensure all dogs are properly vaccinated for rabies.

City of Rochester

• Cobb’s Hill Dog Park

Monroe County

• Ellison Park Dog Park – several acres of grass, trees, and a gravel path encircling a pond; registration required
• Greece Canal Dog Park – registration required
• Henrietta Dog Park – popular with locals, fully fenced
• Spring Lake Park Dog Park – large field and wooded area with a creek; no registration required, though it is not fully enclosed

Wide Open Spaces, Parks

City of Rochester

• Seneca Park Trails – wooded trails below the zoo
• Durand Eastman Park – trails along the lake and wooded ridges
• Turning Point Park – riverside boardwalk and trails
• Highland Park – rolling paths among the gardens

Monroe County

• Oatka Creek Park (Scottsville)
• Black Creek Park (Chili)
• Sawyer Park (Greece)
• Webster Park (Webster)
• Mendon Ponds Park (Mendon) – extensive trail system

Swimming

• Hamlin Beach State Park – Areas One and Five allow dogs to swim (humans may not)
• In the off-season, some owners take dogs to unguarded stretches of Durand Eastman Beach.
• Irondequoit Creek through Powder Mills Park, Spring Lake Park, and Channing H. Philbrick Park

Events

• Dachshund Parade – Annual community parade (May) in Washington Square Park, celebrating Rochester’s many dachshunds and their families.
• The Fast & The Furriest® – Hosted by City of Rochester Animal Services at Brown Square Park (June). Includes 5K/10K race, dog walk, kids’ run, pet festival, free vaccine clinic, and pet contests.
• Barktober Fest – Rochester’s largest dog-friendly festival, hosted by Lollypop Farm at Innovative Field (September). Features a fundraising walk, contests, vendors, raffles, and music.

Helpful Information

Bring Fido App

The BringFido app is an excellent resource for finding dog-friendly businesses, hotels, and restaurants across the nation.

Health & Safety

Tick Prevention

Ticks are active in our region from spring through late fall. Protect yourself and your dog by:

• Checking dogs and people thoroughly after time outdoors
• Using tick repellent on clothing and gear (permethrin-treated is most effective)
• Applying vet-approved flea and tick prevention on pets
• Staying in the center of trails, away from tall grasses and brush

Heat & Hydration

• Bring portable water bowls for your pup—many breweries and parks offer water stations, but not all do.

From sipping a craft beer on a shaded patio to exploring trails through a park, Rochester is full of opportunities to enjoy the day with your four-legged companion. With a mix of dog parks, ice cream stands, swimming areas, and dog-centric festivals, there’s always a new spot to explore together.

Where’s your dog’s favorite place around Rochester?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.