Everybody is itchin’ to get out of the house these days, but it’s important to do so safely. How about some open-air dining fur two? Follow this guide to go on the ultimate date with your dog while supporting local businesses along the way.
Order Takeout from Bongos
It isn’t a dog picnic without some delicious noms. If you’re in the Green Lake area, RUN don’t walk to Bongos to get one of the best, most drool-worthy Caribbean sandwiches in town. Located right off the lake itself, Bongos is going out of their way to make sure their staff and customers are safe. Social distancing is maintained, masks are mandatory, and the outdoor seating area is open only at the state mandated capacity. If there’s no more seating available, grab your food to go and hop across the street to plop down on one of the many grassy knolls overlooking the lake. Blanket, pup, book, Cuban sandwich? Check, Check, Check, Check.
Walk Green Lake
Nothing like getting up and moving your body after a big meal, right? Plus – your four-legged friend has been so patiently waiting for you to be done…click on the leash and take a wonderful stroll around Green Lake, one of the most popular walks in the city. The approximately 2.3 mile loop hugs the lake itself and passes by a small community theater, rowing center, community center, beach, soccer fields, and many happy Seattleites soaking up the dog days of summer. Please keep puppo leashed, and make sure to follow the signs on the path for which side is “walking” and which is for “wheels”–bikers tend to get barking mad at those on the wrong side of the path! PPS: Menchies soft-serve is about halfway around the loop, just sayin’…
Play at Lower Woodland Off-Leash Area
You’ve been “walked,” but that was just a drop in the bucket for your ball-o-energy pup! Just southwest of Green Lake is Lower Woodland Park off-leash area, one of the most pawesome off-leash parks in the city (IMHO). Still open during the pandemic (thankfully!), there are no 6-foot rules between doggos. And yours can get the zoomies all around the one-acre, sloped, tree-covered park while you take a break on one of the many benches! Gentle reminder: dogs don’t have to wear masks or social distance right now, but you still do.
Finish the Outing with Revolutions Coffee
Ok, you and your dog are probably exhausted from all the playing (which is the goal, right?). On your way home, swing by Revolutions Coffee for a cup of their furbulous joe. Ask the baristas for some water for Fido, while you hydrate with some famous Herkimer Coffee (fun fact, Revolutions is Herkimer’s longest standing customer!). Too late in the day for caffeine? Revolutions serves up wine and beer in the afternoons/evenings as well, and even has the legendary Husky Deli Ice Cream in stock.
What’s your pal’s Green Lake must-do? Woof at us in the comments and be sure to tag #SidewalkDog in all those outdoorsy pics.
(Photo by Mabel Kwok)
Sidewalk Dog’s mission is to help dog parents spend more time with their puppers by discovering and sharing activities they can do and places they can go—together! Sniff out our award-winning newsletter and Instagram, then check us out on Facebook and Twitter.