5 Activities for You and Your Dog this Summer
Ah, finally! Spring at last. It feels so good to trade in our knit caps and gloves for short shorts and suntan lotion. This time of year means one thing: spending as much time outside as possible before December comes and we go back into hibernation. BBQ’s, road trips, long walks on the beach, you name it. But often we forget our best buddies who have also been cooped up in our apartments with us, just waiting for the snow to melt so they can try to find their favorite tennis ball that went missing during that Snowpocalypse last January.
Here is a list of 5 different activities you and your dog can enjoy during these warmer months that don’t involve sitting on the couch watching endless hours of “Friends” on Netflix:
1. Take a Hike!
One of the best ways to enjoy the summer is to strap on a pair of boots and get outdoors. Why not bring your dog with you? They will have a field day playing in the dirt and sniffing at things they never knew existed! One great hiking spot is the Palisades Interstate Park, located in Alpine, N.J., about an hour drive from Hoboken. They offer hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging, and are completely dog-friendly! Just remember to keep your pooch on a leash at all times and make sure you bring enough water to keep them hydrated.
2. A Day At The Beach
There’s possibly nothing more relaxing than sitting with your toes in the sand and a frozen drink in your hand, listening to the roar of the ocean as you pick your head up from your favorite book. Why not share that experience with your favorite four-legged friend? They will be beside themselves as they frolic through the sand, take a refreshing dip in the ocean, and snuggle next to you under the shade of your umbrella. While many beaches require your dog to stay on a leash, one beach in particular, Longport Dog Beach, in Somers Point, N.J., is open year round and is off-leash friendly, giving your dog the complete freedom every beach-goer deserves.
3. Treat Yo Self
On those 100+ degree summer days where you can barely muster the energy to step outside, every girls’ favorite activity involves a little retail therapy. Strolling through air conditioned aisles and perusing through cute outfits and handbags and jewelry and the list goes on… it seems like we could spend all day in Anthropologie, for God’s sake. Why not let your dog get in on the fun? Take them on a shopping spree to one of the many cute doggy boutiques Hoboken has to offer. I’m sure they’ll thank you when you get back to your air conditioned apartment and they have a blast trying to tear a stuffed duck’s head off for the rest of the day.
4. Puppy Happy Hour?!
I know this one sounds crazy, but come on… how cool is this?? Located on the world famous Asbury Park Boardwalk, every Thursday from 5-8 pm, the Wonder Bar hosts its weekly “Yappy Hour”. They have a huge fenced in area on the back deck, equipped with kiddie pools and toys to keep your pup happy and entertained while you chat with fellow dog lovers and enjoy a few cocktails.
5. Stranded In Hoboken…
I know some of these activities require access to a car, and in a city like Hoboken that’s just not always the easiest thing to have. Unless your dog is small enough to carry in a bag, NJ Transit want’s nothing to do with your furry friend, and we’re all aware of how trying to rent a Zip Car can go. Fear not! There are plenty of things right in town that you and your pup can enjoy. The Elysian Park Dog Run, Stevens Park Dog Run, and Church Square Park Dog Run are all great places to let your pooch get some energy out. However, my favorite is the Shipyard Dog Park, located near 13th Street and Sinatra Drive, this small dog park offers a beautiful view of the river and the nearby New York City skyline while they enjoy a romp around with some new friends. Perhaps even a walk down to the ‘beach’ area near Maxwell’s Place to watch the geese with Morizt.
