When the dog days of summer strike, there’s no better place to be with your pooch than Cape Cod!
Boasting some of the best beaches, an irresistible laid-back charm, and countless outdoor adventures, there’s many reasons Cape Cod has been a beloved summer destination for generations of New Englanders. From long walks on the beach to doggone delicious restaurants, read on for my top recommendations for things to do with your dog in dog friendly Cape Cod.
Dog Friendly Things to Do in Cape Cod
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Coast with your dog along the relatively flat and paved Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 25 mile bikeway that runs from South Yarmouth to Wellfleet. Take your time to enjoy the charming towns and beautiful natural scenery along the way. The trail conveniently converges right off of the main entrance of Nickerson State Park, where you can find bike rentals and camping.
Cape Cod National Seashore
National Seashore beaches allow dogs on leash, even during the summer, with some restrictions. Visit at the right time of year, and you can even spot a whale without ever leaving land!
Dog Friendly Restaurants & Bars in Cape Cod
Ice Cream Cafe, Orleans
Of course there’s plenty of places to stop for a scoop in this quintessential summer destination, but Ice Cream Cafe in Orleans has the best I’ve ever tasted. With the saying, “if it’s ice cream, we make it,” they offer homemade ice cream with endless flavors. They even have vegan and non-dairy options. And of course don’t forget a frozen treat for your pup. You can also visit their seasonal ice cream truck at Nauset Beach.
The Knack, Orleans
No visit to Cape Cod would be complete without a lobster roll. The Knack in Orleans is the perfect post-beach stop. With a walk-up counter and patio seating, it was super dog-friendly. Tthe employees took turns coming out to say hi to our pup and give him treats and water.
Provincetown Brewing Company, Provincetown
It’s well worth the trek to the tip of the cape to enjoy a brew with your dog at Provincetown Brewing Company. This socially conscious brewery has coined the term “draftism” as a way of pairing craft beer with giving back. So you can enjoy brews like “Love Conquers Ale” and “Power to the Pilsner” even more knowing that 15% of all profits are donated to causes like LGBTQ+ inclusion and environmental conservation. Your dog will love meeting their mascot Brewski, a boxer-pitbull rescue, who hangs out in a doghouse in the beer garden with a sign that reads “I bite racists.”
Get More: Dog Friendly Breweries in New England
The Shipwreck, Sandwich
Before crossing the Sagamore Bridge, make a detour to the little town of Sandwich. The Shipwreck welcomes leashed pets in the large yard with plenty of picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and lawn games. Hungry for a little more? Nearby Off the Grid serves up mouth-watering BBQ out of a funky, painted school bus.
Dog Friendly Places to Stay in Cape Cod
Nickerson State Park, brewster
Cape Cod is known for its long stretches of beaches along the seashore, but its hidden beauty lies inland. The vestige of glaciers thousands of years ago, the landscape is dotted with kettle ponds. Nickerson State Park in Brewster boasts eight of them. Clear and mostly shallow, these pleasantly warm waters tucked into the woods offer respite from the ocean waves and crowded beaches. Many of Nickerson’s campsites offer sweeping views of these ponds, and a network of hiking trails connects them. The park is family and dog-friendly, but also private and peaceful. Its central location places you conveniently close to the Cape Cod Rail Trail and National Seashore. But there’s so much to explore within the park itself, you may never want to leave.
Have you discovered other things to do with dogs in Cape Cod? Share them in the comments below!
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Camping is the best way to travel with dogs! Noting all your tips down. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Totally agree – most campsites are dog-friendly and it’s so much fun. Thanks for reading!
How fun to have a puppy to explore the area with!! I haven’t been to Cape Cod yet but would love to visit some day!
I hope you get the chance to! It really is beautiful. Thanks for reading and responding!
I literally can’t get over how cute your dog is! These tips are super helpful too – thanks so much!
He’s a cutie for sure! Thanks for taking the time to read!
What a cute puppy! Great to know you can visit all of those places with a dog in tow.
thank you! he is my favorite travel buddy 🙂
Your dog is so cute :-)! These tips are also amazing for someone who travels with their dog
Thank you, Lerato! He’s definitely my favorite travel buddy 🙂
Looking to take my pup on her first trip this year, so these tips are great! Will definitely pin these tips to go back to 🙂
Thanks, Olivia! Hope you have an amazing first trip with your pup, let me know how it goes 🙂
I can’t believe how cute your dog is!! Digging his own beach chair is simply adorable! I would love to visit Cape Cod, and this is a really helpful guide – thank you so much Megan! 🙂
Thanks so much for reading and responding, Laura! He is certainly resourceful 🙂 Hope you get the chance to visit Cape Cod soon!
Aw your pup is absolutely adorable, I love the pic of him in the sand. Thanks for this guide, it’s a fantastic reminder of how possible it is to travel with your dog along with you.
Yes, it is totally possible! It took a lot of work for us to be able to get there with him, but now we are so glad that we can bring him with on our adventures! Thanks for reading!
Your dog is adorable. I always felt traveling with pets would be difficult which is one of the reasons why I avoided getting one. I might actually stop quoting that as one of the reasons I’m not ready for one. Also love all the pictures and details you have here.
You should give it a try! I’m thinking of putting together a guide on how to travel with your dog, because it definitely takes work and preparation especially at first, but now we are SO glad we can bring him with us when we travel!