Pet parents rejoice! The Auburn and Opelika area offers a multitude of dog-friendly locations to spend time at. From parks and coffee shops to restaurants and entertainment centers, you can rest assured you and your dog will never run short on places to visit together while living in east Alabama. As experts in the best of what the area has to offer, here is our guide of what to check out with your dog:
Chewacla State Park
This scenic 696-acre state park has many trails you can bring your dog (on a leash up to six feet) along. The park features a playground, a modern campground, picnic areas with tables, grills, shelters, cabins, and plenty of mountain biking and hiking trails. You and your pet can also enjoy a swim in the 26-acre lake.
Samford Lawn on Auburn University Campus
The most classic place for a picnic in Auburn: Samford Lawn is a must-visit with your pup. Pets regularly run around on the grassy area and the view of Samford Hall provides the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot.
The Red Barn
One of the best spots to enjoy a beautiful Auburn sunset, the Red Barn at Agricultural Heritage Park has a swimming lake, spacious fields, and picnic tables for all to enjoy. Please note the park is not completely fenced off from the road, so dogs off-leash will need to be monitored.
Local Dog Parks
Auburn’s newest dog park, Good Dog Park & Bar, offers “a paradise of play for you & your pup!” Good Dog is a turfed, off-leash dog park that features dog pools, tunnels, TVs, a bar, and event nights for owners to enjoy. Humans enter for free but each dog must be paid for by a day pass or an annual membership. 1% of bar sales are donated to local animal charities: Lee County Humane Society and Storybook Farms. To ensure safety around unfamiliar dogs, children are not allowed in the park.
There are many other dog parks in the area that don’t require payment, including:
- Kiesel Park (Auburn)
- Floral Park (Opelika)
- Dinius Park (Auburn)
- Stern Dog Park (Opelika)
- Town Creek Park (Auburn)
Pet-Friendly Restaurants
Coffee Cat: At this Auburn staple, furry friends are welcome both inside and on the store’s patio. The register has a container of free dog treats so you can both enjoy a snack.
Red Clay Brewing Company: Named after the red clay found in Alabama, Red Clay brewery and taproom is located in the heart of Opelika and allows dogs inside and on their patio seating area.
Moe’s Original BBQ: At this award-winning bar and rib joint founded by Alabama residents, your dog doesn’t need to stay outside. While offering patio tables, Moe’s also allows well-behaved dogs indoors.
Here is a list of the many Auburn restaurants that allow dogs on their patio outdoor seating:
- Acre
- Tacorita
- Hamilton’s
- Amsterdam
- Live Oaks
- Jim ‘N Nick’s
- Five Guys
- Mellow Mushroom
- Little Italy’s Pizzeria
Here is a list of the many Opelika restaurants that have options for dog-friendly outdoor dining as well:
- Cook-Out
- Irish Bred Pub
- Full Moon BBQ
- Sonic Drive-In
- Newk’s Eatery
- Momma Goldberg’s Deli
Rock ‘N Roll Pinball
Pets are welcome inside Rock ‘N Roll Pinball, which provides over 30 high-end and vintage pinball machines, three video multi-cades playing 500+ games, and a video pinball machine that plays over 300 pinball games. No quarters are needed at this family-friendly game center, as all machines are set to free play once you buy a pass at the rate of $10 an hour or $20 for unlimited play until closing.
Making Your Home Dog-Friendly
While the Auburn-Opelika area is clearly a very dog-friendly place to live, check to make sure the place they’re spending most of their time — their home – feels just as comfortable. Follow these tips to make living and moving with your pet more seamless:
- Familiarize yourself with any pet regulations the landlord or homeowner may have. Ask yourself if your pet has enough space and outdoor area for exercise in your home.
- Pet-proofing your house is essential to ensure your space is safe and secure for your pet to explore. Tuck away loose wires and cords, use a trash can with a pet-proof lid in the kitchen, ensure you have pet-safe and non-toxic plants, and store away all cleaning supplies and chemicals. Keep chewable items out of reach and offer them toys and stuffed animals to make your furniture less enticing.
- Give your dog a space of its own. Just as you want your home to feel right for you, your pet wants a comfortable area with some of their favorite things.
How We Can Help
At the Talons group, we value our customers and work to help you find your dream home in Auburn and Opelika. The Talons Group is a boutique real estate and development firm established to introduce an elevated real estate experience to the area based on cutting-edge services and strategy, as well as a higher level of customer service. As one of the most reliable realty companies in the area, we would be passionate about finding you a pet-friendly home. Contact us today to learn more and build a relationship with our team!