Dog-Friendly Social Distancing Activities in Orlando

When the COVID-19 quarantine began early this year, we pet parents were certainly thankful for the company of our furry friends. Many people brought home a new dog or cat for their companionship, giving animal shelters across the country record adoption numbers. Our pets have helped reduce our feelings of loneliness when we’ve been self-isolating, reminded us to stay active, and given us an outlet to snuggle and pet and laugh the stress away. 

Still, it can be monotonous for both you and your dog to see the same scenery day after day. Now that some health and safety restrictions have been lightened, we have the opportunity to take part in a few different public activities. Your health and safety is of the utmost importance, so if you do choose to participate in any activities, be sure to follow all of their stated safety rules, maintain a 6’ distance from other people at all times, and keep hand sanitizer and masks handy. With that in mind, here are some of our favorite dog-friendly social distancing activities in Orlando. 

Parks

Many dog parks around Orlando have reopened. Lake Baldwin Park is one of our favorites; it’s big enough to give everyone plenty of room to stay distant and offers lots of different activities in one place. Lake Baldwin Park is famous for its dog beach, but it also has a wooded trail area and lots of open grassy areas for dogs who love to fetch. 

Other parks that aren’t specifically dog parks offer a breath of fresh air for you and your dogs. Take a stroll around Lake Eola with your dog now that the temperature is finally starting to cool off. Or you can head to one of our frequent stops at Cranes’ Roost park near Altamonte Springs. Both offer opportunities for walking, playing, and relaxing safely.

Shopping

Nothing beats a morning of open-air shopping with your dog! Head over to Park Avenue in Winter Park to take in a little window shopping; many of the restaurants and stores in that area are dog-friendly. Farmers’ markets are another great option, and a handful of markets have resumed their normal operation with extra safety precautions in place. Pawsitively Pure has a booth at the Lake Mary Farmers’ Market every Saturday Morning at 9 AM. Friendly leashed dogs are always welcome. To keep everyone safe, booths have been spread out and all vendors wear masks.

Restaurants

If your dog loves coming with you to grab lunch, Orlando has plenty of options available with social distancing rules in place. Areas like Thornton Park, Mills50, and the Milk District have wonderful restaurants that serve everything from sandwiches to tacos. Best of all, many of these restaurants offer outdoor seating or takeout options so you and your dog can enjoy your favorites in a safe space. 

Rule number one for when you and your dog venture outside of the house: be smart! Following posted instructions and all possible safety precautions not only keeps you safe, it also helps keep those around you safe. In any new situation, it’s a great idea to keep some tasty treats handy for training and reward purposes. If you want to bring some extra special treats along with you, head over to our store and pick out your dog’s favorite flavors.