If you live in Seattle it’s almost a given that you own a dog, big or small, this is a dog city. People will love you for it. Hopefully you love four-legged, big mouthed, slobbering friends. If not, avoid dog bars. Dogs don’t usually drink at these bars, but they are allowed in with their human pets.

During winter cold snaps and the rainy months, it’s nice to have an alternative to an outdoor dog park where you can take your cooped-up friends to run out some energy. Each location has rules, most of which involve dogs to be spayed or neutered if they’re over the age of six months. They also must be well behaved and socialized, with up to date vaccinations and flea less.

A city of dog lovers brings wonderful dog parks inside and out. Here is a short list of the best places for your pooches to play, not in this order.

Inside Bark and Play Ideas:

1. Dogwood Play Park Lake City, Dogwood has an indoor and outdoor space for your dogs to run wild. A large concrete room is open for pooches to play, with arches and tunnels, to jump and crawl through, giant tires provide hiding places. There are two spaces, one for shy little dogs and another for the large and rambunctious. A beer for you and a Barkery treat for your friend, freshly made on the premises. Private rentals are available for your dog to invite all of her favorite friends to her birthday party. Before coming, email proof of rabies, Bordetella & DHPP before you come. Membership or door fees are required for your dog or dogs. Open M-F 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
2. House of Ruff Lounge Seattle, concrete floors, exposed brick walls and industrial plumbing over-head make up the indoor doggie play area. For only $40 your first year of visiting the Ruff Lounge is covered. Local beer and cider are available with a large screen TV. You’ll never know what to expect on it. The staff gets to choose corny old movies or football games, so come with an open mind. Call for an initial meet and greet where your dog’s temperament will be evaluated. If your puppy is over six months he must be spay or neutered, flea treatments and vaccinations will be checked initially, open M-F 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sat 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sun 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
3. Voff Bark and Brew Seattle, is a low-key indoor, outdoor space with a bark play area (no pun intended) it’s actually covered in bark keeping your dog’s paws mud free, and offering a heated, enclosed patio. Come to be entertained by Trivia Tuesdays, outdoor movies and sports. Be aware that Voff isn’t as stringent on the rules as some of the other dog friendly spaces. It’s possible that some dogs might not be vaccinated, but no one checks vaccinations at a dog park either, so there’s that.
4. Pawz n Play Woodinville, come enjoy an indoor swimming pool with your dog! You can coax them in from the stairs. If you’re dog has a fear of water, this is a stress-free place to let them test it out before jumping right in. Pawz n Play has an outdoor agility course for experienced agility pet parents and a green grassy, private dog park for those who aren’t. Play and swim times must be reserved and scheduled a head of time with an orientation swim for first timers.

For Outdoor Days, when the sun is shining and it’s not too rainy there are dozens of parks to take your little one, below are some of the best.

5. Martha Washington Park Seattle, this is an unofficial wink, wink off-leash dog park. Bring your paddle boat or board for your pup to float on. He’ll enjoy 50 feet of shoreline to swim off and you’ll enjoy views of Mt. Rainer, Lake Washington and happy doggie smiles.
6. Seward Park Seattle, 300 acres of land jut out into lake Washington on the Bailey Peninsula. A 2.4-mile paved loop for dogs, bikes, skateboards etcetera loops through the park. Hiking trails and beaches create an outdoor playground oasis for you and your pup.
7. Westcrest Park Seattle, has a huge off leash area set aside for your darlings. The dog park is fenced off and contains an obstacle course. Dogs can run through large concrete tubes and climb on wood bridges and tunnels. Trails and concrete paths run through the park to tire out your furry friends. If you have children of the two-legged variety a playground will keep them happy too.
8. Marymoor Park Redmond, is arguably one of the best dog parks in the world. 40 acres of off leash play is had here allowing your dogs to come home wet, muddy and happy. Hundreds of dogs play every day, it’s a mucky, messy version of Westminster. Shoreline opens to the river allowing dogs to retrieve and play in the water, large open spaces allow for fetch and smelling butts. Marymoor has so much space you’ll forget you’re right in the middle of a city.
9. Jose Rizal Park Seattle, Rizal Park has the best view in the city. A phenomenal lookout and four acres of park land with a large off-leash dog area. You’ll appreciate spectacular downtown and Puget Sound views with colorful sunsets over the water. Look at the freeway below and revel in the fact that you aren’t sitting in the traffic with the rest of them. But be aware, there are sometimes people living here in tents, and dog parents aren’t as vigilant about cleaning up after their dogs as they are at most Seattle Parks. That being said, it is the prettiest lookout in town.
10. Warren G. Magnuson Off-Leash Dog Park Seattle, Magnuson has a massive, 8.6 acres of an off-leash dog park. A covered enclosure keeps your dogs dry on rainy days. A small dog area for shy pups is available and generally dog owners are clean and courteous, picking up after their dogs. Multiple shoreline access points are available for your dogs to jump in and cool off. Gravel paths create a nice, clean space to run with doggie pick-up stations along the way.

No matter what size pup you have in Seattle there is a place for him here. Dogs are an easy ice breaker if you’re new to town. They come complete with a community of other dog lovers and friends. Try out a new space and in the mean-time, you might find they’re people parks too.