9 Things To Do With Your Dog This Summer In Austin

Calling fellow dog moms and dads of Austin! With summer in full swing — who am I kidding, summer last half of the year here — it’s the perfect time to spend quality time with your dogs. We’ve compiled the best summer activities to do with your pooch — all tried and tested by @greatgoldenweenie.

Hike the Green Belt

The greenbelt is one of the most beautiful spots in the entire city. With various entry points, different hiking difficulties and cool, flowing water, it’s truly a must-see spot. During the summer, we recommend getting there early to avoid not only the crowds but the heat as well. It’s important to remember that dogs are required to be on-leash at all times … you will face a hefty fine otherwise. 

Ps. Remember this is the outdoors. Keep en eye out for wildlife such as snakes and poisonous insects on your hike and while swimming. 

Go Paddle Boarding

This is easily one of our favorite summertime activities — not only are you getting some exercise with some great views, but you’re also literally on water. And we all know water is the only way to stay cool around here.  Town Lake (or Lady Bird Lake for the newbies) is the most popular place to SUP in Austin, with various different locations offering special boards for those with dogs. Cooper loves the water and spends most of our SUPping sessions swimming next to me. Brooklyn, on the other hand, hates swimming but loves sitting at the front of the board with the breeze in her face. It’s a win-win for everyone!

If your dog isn’t a great swimmer or has never been in water before, make sure they are wearing a life vest. Most dog-friendly rental spots will offer ones made for dogs or you can buy one on Amazon.

Swim at Barkin’ Springs

Everyone in Austin should know what Barton Springs is by now — the perfect place to cool down during the heat of summer. A natural spring pool, it stays at a constant 71 degrees year-round. What a lot of people don’t know is that on the downstream side of the pool is what we dog people call “Barkin’ Springs”. This is the (free) area where the springs flow over the dam, making it a popular spot to swim with your dogs in the beautifully clear and cold water. 

Keep in mind, since this area is free and just as enjoyable as the paid version, oftentimes families will camp out all day to beat the heat. So, if you’re wanting your pup to have more room to swim, we recommend going early in the morning before the crowds show up.

Go Shopping at The Domain

You may be thinking: “Shopping? With my dog?”. Well, yes. Not only is the domain a fantastic spot to get your shopping done, but most of the stores are dog-friendly. You heard me right, most of the stores not only allow dogs inside but encourage you to bring your pup inside! The biggest telltale sign that a store is pet-friendly is whether or not they have a water bowl up front. But, if you aren’t sure, it never hurts to ask! Austin is so dog-friendly that 9 times out of 10 the employee will be happier to see your dog than you walk into the store.

Enjoy the Live Music at “Blues On The Green”

“Blues On The Green” is the free summertime concert series that takes place at Zilker Park once a month. Each concert features one popular headliner and opening act and it is 100% free. Music starts at 8, but plan on getting there early if you want a good spot as this is one of the most popular summer events in town. We recommend bringing a blanket, a cooler with drinks and snacks, and of course, your dog. There are plenty of vendors set up around the park offering food options and freebies —Tomlinson’s Feed often brings doggy-pools to help keep pups cool. 

Keep in mind that summer temperatures are still a huge factor, even at night. Make sure you bring plenty of water to help keep your dog hydrated and don’t be afraid to leave them home if you’re worried about the heat.

The next two Blues On The Green are:
July 17th
August 7th

Hit Up the Auditorium Shores Dog Park

Whether your pup enjoys swimming, dock jumping, playing with friends or simply lounging around, Auditorium Shores is the perfect place to go. There is a semi-fenced, off-leash area where dogs congregate for a doggone good time (sorry, we had to). Not only will your dog wear himself/herself out, but you’ll get to watch them do so with the Austin skyline as the backdrop. There’s no better view in town.

If your dog is not great off-leash, we do not recommend bringing them here. There is not a complete fence around the park allowing dogs to slip through and potentially run onto a busy road.

Visit Your Favorite Dog-Friendly Patios

As we mentioned in our “Top Dog-Friendly Restaurants, Breweries and Bars” post, Austin is the city to be in if you enjoy sitting at a patio with your dog. With most restaurants in town having a dog-friendly patio, there is no one excuse to not bring your dog along with you when grabbing a bite to eat or a cold beer. However, do make sure there is plenty of shade and water for your pooch to stay cool. 

Romp Around Red Bud Isle

Are you even surprised that water is involved in yet another one of our favorite activities? It truly is the best way to stay cool during the dog days of summer. Red Bud Isle is an off-leash “island” perfect for dogs of all types. The area is heavily shaded by trees and therefore stays pretty cool for most of the day. Plus, there are various ports-of-entry for dogs to get into the water so it hardly ever feels overcrowded. 

As with most other locations, be on the lookout for any wildlife that could be a threat to you or your dog.

Brunch on Rainey Street

While Austin has a gazillion different options for the most exciting meal of the day (brunch), Rainey Street is one of our favorite places. Do you enjoy live music, sausages and champagne? Hit up Bangers. Are you more into pizza and beer? Head inside Craft Pride and get a brunch pizza from Via313. Simply into day-drinking? Well, that’s Rainey Street’s motto. And the best part is, almost all of the bars are dog-friendly! What else could you ask for on a Sunday?!

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We cannot stress this enough, the most important thing about summer is making sure your pups stay safe. More often than not, the temperatures in Austin exceed 100 degrees, making it dangerous for most dogs to be outside. Here are some tips to ensure your best-friend stays safe this summer:

• If the activities involve being outside most of the time, avoid peak heat hours (between 12-4PM)

• If you can’t place the back of your hand on the concrete for more than 5 seconds, your dog’s paws won’t be able to handle it either. Avoid walks at this time

• Always carry a portable bowl and water for your pup if you plan on being outside

• If your pup is panting a lot or appears to be overheated, seek shade or a cool area and offer them some water as fast as possible. If your dog is unable to move, becomes disoriented or is having difficulty breathing, immediately take them to the closest veterinarian.

• Never, ever, leave your dog in the car. Even if you leave the car on, you always face the risk of the car automatically shutting off for any reason. Even a few minutes in a hot car can be deadly to any dog.