Dog-Friendly Attractions in Chicago

Chicago's signature 10-hectare downtown park, with the polished steel Cloud Gate sculpture by Anish Kapoor (universally known as 'The Bean'), the 15 m glass Crown Fountain with its rotating projected faces, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion bandshell by Frank Gehry, and the Lurie Garden. All outdoor sections welcome leashed dogs free of charge during daylight hours; the BP Pedestrian Bridge crosses Columbus Drive into Maggie Daley Park, doubling the green space. Photo around 'The Bean' is one of the iconic Chicago dog photos.

A 2 km pedestrian promenade along the Main Branch of the Chicago River between Lake Shore Drive and Lake Street, opened in full in 2016, with riverfront restaurants and bars, kayak rentals, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and dramatic skyscraper canyon views. Leashed dogs welcome along the entire path and on most riverside patios (City Winery Riverwalk, Tiny Lounge, Beat Kitchen Riverwalk). One of the best downtown dog walks, fully flat and largely shaded in the afternoon.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of only a handful of free major US zoos, founded in 1868, and its perimeter paths through Lincoln Park welcome leashed dogs (the animal exhibit interior sections do not, only service animals). The full zoo loop combined with the surrounding Lincoln Park lagoons makes a 3 km flat dog walk that includes views of zebras, flamingos and the lion-house facade from outside. Combine with the Wiggly Field DFA at the south end of the park for the full Lincoln Park dog morning.