Even our four-legged friends deserve a taste of the good life.
Guest blogger Archer shares his experience at Archer Hotel New York — penned by his human, Mary Anne Bargen. From sniffing out the city’s top dog-friendly spots to lounging in style, Archer’s blog delves into the ultimate dog-friendly experiences in the Big Apple.
Learn more about Archer Hotel New York's Pups Welcome Program.
Just a Dog That Loves Adventure
To paraphrase Taylor Swift: Welcome to [Archer Hotel] New York, it’s been waitin' for you! Before I introduce you to Midtown Manhattan and some of the coolest dog-friendly places and things it has to offer, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Archer (JUST LIKE THE HOTEL!). I’m an eight-year-old chihuahua mix rescue and a big fan of adventuring with my human. When we found out there was a boutique hotel collection that shared my name with a location in the heart of NYC, we knew it was the perfect spot to set up base camp as we explored the island.
From the moment the hosts said hello, the pampering began — for both of us. Everyone was “we’re glad you’re here!” about ME. Like I was some sort of celebrity. (IYKYK that’s not always the case.) When we got to our room, there was a fluffy bed waiting for me with treats and a tennis ball, and I immediately felt at home. So much so that I wanted to nap, but we had places to go and people to see! My human also got treats and a robe and slippers, and if she had a tail it probably would have been wagging too - the room was chic, her bed was puffy like a cloud, and the view was unforgettable.
Bryant Park is SO close and a delightful place to spend some time (and find some greenery if you’re not used to the concrete part of the jungle where dreams are made of). There are activities year-round, so we were able to rest our legs after a long day in the city with a movie night.
Central Park is just a 20-minute train ride (or 35-minute walk) from Archer and offers 26 MILES of paths to explore. Dogs can be off leash before 9am and after 9pm. There are water features, places to rest and run and, of course, the Balto statue — a perfect photo op. News you can use: dogs are welcome at the tables for the to-go window at the park’s iconic restaurant Tavern on the Green.
Honorable mentions for other spots to stretch your legs include Jemmy’s Dog Run in Madison Square Park (a 20 minute walk and the location of the original Shake Shack) and the Dog Run at Tompkins Square Park, which is the city’s oldest and largest dog run.
Getting Around Town
Walking is the best way to experience a city, but the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority DOES let dogs ride on buses and subways as long as they can fit in a bag (no specifics about the size of bag) and “are carried in a way that doesn’t annoy other riders.” Pups are also allowed in cabs and shared rides as long as the driver is OK with it.
While we’re talking transportation, one of the best dog-friendly tourist tricks we found was the Staten Island ferry. It’s a less than 30-minute train ride from the hotel, dogs on leashes are welcome, you get a great view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, AND it’s free! We rode over to Staten Island, disembarked, walked through the station and immediately caught a return ride, and it was SO easy. HIGHLY recommend it.
I bet you’ve worked up an appetite by now. The good news is dogs are welcome at nearly all restaurants with outdoor tables. But we have to shout out Barking Dog in Hell’s Kitchen, where pups are welcome INSIDE too, AND you get 50% off drinks when you bring your furry friend. Other highly recommended places include:
- Avoca
- Bar Primi
- Judy Z’s
- Mom’s Kitchen and Bar (for brunch ALL DAY).
Also, do NOT let your favorite human sleep on grabbing drinks and dessert while checking out the view at Archer’s Spyglass Rooftop Bar. The Exotic Bomba IS A MUST.
We love to say yes to new adventures, and there’s plenty of dog-friendly activities in New York City. We went to a fun open-mic night at Boris & Horton, a dog cafe catering to both two and four-legged friends (the two-legged variety were the ones doing standup the night we went). If you’re into a more introverted night, perhaps a reading party is more your speed. Finally, if you happen to be in town on a Saturday, seek out Ben Lenovitz at the back of Fishs Eddy for a souvenir that says you hearted NYC more than any t-shirt or mug can.
Boris & Horton
Times Square
Barking Dog
With so much to see, do, and eat, a tip we love to use when we travel: ask fellow humans/dog owners where to go (and avoid), and then return the favor by recommending they visit Spyglass to watch the Empire State Building sparkle. It’s a cinematic experience and quite the treat. I hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did.
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