Dog Days of Summer
Grab a leash and a portable water bowl! InTheBurg is exploring everything your dog will love across Spartanburg County— dog parks, trails, pet-friendly restaurants and bars, new vets, local resource centers and nonprofits, dog-themed ballgames, (and maybe even a few hot dogs.)
Room to Roam
While the hottest days of summer might not be the most ideal time for outdoor exercise, dog parks a great way to combine exercise and socialization for your pup (without hot asphalt on their paws.) Check out Rail Tail Dog Park off the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail (827 Union St,) the Bark Park in Lyman (59 Groce Rd,) Tyger Run Park at Tyger River Park (179 Dillard Rd,) and Landrum Community Dog Park with size-separated enclosures (1522 East Rutherford St.)
Looking for even more space to roam? Croft State Park offers kayak rentals and small-scale boating on Lake Craig, equestrian recreation, camping, and 50+ miles of trails to explore.
Bandanas & Bones
Whether dressing, washing, treating or feeding your pups, there’s several locally-owned boutique retailers to fill your shopping cart.
Paisley Paw pet boutique in Downtown Spartanburg (155 East Broad St) offers a full array of toys and treats, pet food, health products, accessories and more! In addition to in-house grooming services, DIY dog washes are available on a pet weight scale, with first-come-first-wash Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturdays.
Traveling up I-26, visit one of Downtown Inman’s newest businesses, Big Head Barkery! The bakery specializes in gourmet and natural dog treats, with obedience training, toys and accessories, and self-washing tub stations for your pets in-store (25 North Main St.)
Next stop: Landrum! The Southern Pet (118 East Rutherford St) has a new storefront downtown, catering to both cats and dogs with a variety of natural health and wellness products, treats and supplements, sustainably-sourced fresh food, accessories, and toys.
Sniffing Out a Good Meal
After a long day around town with your dog, it’s time for some refreshments! While most restaurants can accommodate outdoor seating with pets, there’s several that offer ample options.
Downtown Spartanburg:
Bond Street Wines (145 West Main St) offers ample outdoor seating on both Morgan Square and Wall Street— just far enough away from events on the square to feel calmer for your pets.
FR8yard, aka downtown’s premiere biergarten (125 East Main St) is the perfect open-air venue to enjoy live music, burgers and brats, and cold cocktails and beer with your dogs. Note: gravel ground can be difficult for some paws.
Rockers Brewing Co. (226 West Main St) is dog-friendly! Order food and drinks in the taproom, with water bowls, fans and garage doors, and cool concrete floors for your dogs to lounge on.
Trailside:
Enjoy lunch and dinner, cocktails and wine, live music, tables, and firepit couches on the patio at Dray Bar + Grill near the Upper and Lower Drayton Trails (1800 Drayton Rd.)
In one dynamic location, enjoy Little River Roasting coffee and free pup cups, lunch, markets and live music at Fretwell Spartanburg off the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail (101 Fretwell St.)
Turn up the heat, with hot chicken and cold beer at Flock Shop, also located on the Rail Trail with outdoor picnic tables on the back patio (970 South Pine St.)
Eastside Refreshments: The Beerded Cork Taproom (2601 East Main St) is one of Spartanburg’s newest venues, serving an extensive list of craft drafts. In addition to colorful dog-themed murals by Dooga Royall, both you and your animal friends will enjoy a variety of indoor couches and tables, outdoor firepit couches, picnic benches, and proximity to a shared lawn with Burrito Hub, Milltown Coffee Co., and Thai Basil.
A Cool Classic: Did you know that Spartanburg’s first Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (100 Peachshed Rd) is family-owned? Treat yourself to a waffle cone or sundae, and treat your dog to a free pup cup with ice cream and milk bones!
Paws for a Cause
Spartanburg County is home to numerous animal rescues, dog- and/or cat-focused nonprofits and volunteer groups. Whether looking for a furry friend to adopt or foster, affordable vaccines and tests, or somewhere to volunteer your time or funds, check out Spartanburg Humane Society and Foothills Humane Society.
Hub City Animal Project is another local nonprofit supporting animal welfare groups and municipalities, to reduce animal homelessness and shelter intakes. HCAP hosts multiple fundraiser events throughout the year, including “Painting for Paws” youth art shows and “Rescue Brew” collaboration with Rockers Brewing Co.
Rescue Brew Bash at Rockers Brewing Co.
Spartanburg County’s Pet Resource Center (1591 Southport Rd) is officially open for adoptions! The full facility will offer clinic space with surgery and exam rooms, a pet food pantry, fenced yards and more. Browse adoptable pets ($50,) open 11am-6pm Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday.
Waggy Wednesday
Does your dog handle crowds and loud noises well? The Hub City Spartanburgers host “Waggy Wednesday” Minor League Baseball games each homestand at Fifth Third Park! Crowd-friendly, sociable, and leashed pups are welcome to join their owners at the big game; onlinedog waivers are required in advance to attend.
Doggone Good Hot Dogs
If you’ve read this far, you’ve earned a hot dog! Whether you top your meal with chili, relish, ketchup, mustard, cheese, or a combo of all these garnishes and more, the hot dog is a classic- and one that generates many opinions for something so seemingly simple.
