Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Pet lovers are crazy about their animal companions and spend more than $40 billion a year in the U.S. on pet services and accoutrements to prove it. For those who love to spoil their pet but hate to leave him behind while traveling, the Philadelphia region proves to be the “purr-fect” getaway. Pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and retail shops welcome visitors and their animal companions in all sections of the city and its suburbs. From canine-friendly parks to Very Important Pet (VIP) hotel programs, the Philadelphia region makes it easy for visitors to bring their furry friends along for the ride. Here’s how:

Four-“Bone” Hotels:

• At the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, dogs or cats weighing 15 pounds or less can bed down for the night at no extra charge. The hotel provides dog treats at check-in and requests that pets are caged when left unattended. 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, fourseasons.com
• Animals get the royal treatment at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel with its Loews Loves Pets program and Very Important Pet (VIP) menu of services. Not only does the hotel provide dogs and cats with loaner beds, bowls, leashes and collars, but they also offer a map of dog walking routes, veterinarians, pet shops and other resources. The cost is $25 per reservation, with pet-friendly rooms located on the sixth and seventh floors. Pet walking and sitting services are available for an extra fee. 1200 Market Street, (215) 627-1200, loewshotels.com/philadelphia
• The Residence Inn Center City welcomes pets, with no size or weight restrictions; however, the property does require that owners keep pets leashed while on the premises. Guests must pay a $75 non-refundable fee to cover the cost of an outside cleaning service. Pet sitting and walking can be arranged upon request. Market & Juniper Streets, (215) 557-0005, marriott.com/residenceinn
• At The Rittenhouse Hotel, pets of all shapes and sizes are invited to stay. While they cannot be left unattended, the concierge is happy to make arrangements for a sitter for $15 per hour for one pet, $20 per hour for two. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 546-9000, rittenhousehotel.com
• Opening October 15, 2009, the new luxury Palomar Philadelphia, a Kimpton Hotel, welcomes pets of all kinds, with no limit on size or weight. Animals are offered a Very Important Pet amenity upon arrival, bowls and beds in the room and pet sitting, walking and grooming services as needed. 117 S. 17^th Street, (215) 563-5006, hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com
• Pets can put on the ritz at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, where animals of any size can make themselves right at home for a non-refundable fee of $75 per pet, per reservation. The hotel asks that guests provide advance notice that a pet will be joining them on their trip. And, while on the premises, animals must be accompanied by their human companions at all times. 10 Avenue of the Arts, (215) 523-8000, ritzcarlton.com/hotels/Philadelphia
• The Sheraton Society Hill Hotel welcomes pets weighing less than 85 pounds at no extra charge. Conveniently located close to walking paths along the Delaware River, the property offers Suite Sleeper dog beds. 1 Dock Street, (215) 238-6000, sheraton.com
• The Sofitel Philadelphia stays true to its French roots by allowing “chiens” (that’s French for dogs) to stay for no additional fee. There is a policy of no more than two pets per room. 120 S. 17^th Street, (215) 569-8300, sofitel.com
• The Westin Philadelphia welcomes canine companions as long as the pet weighs 40 pounds or less, with no extra fee. Pillows and doggy bowls provided upon check-in. 99 S. 17^th Street, (215) 563-1600, westin.com
• Delaware County’s Brandywine River Hotel welcomes dogs for a $20 per dog/per night fee. Dogs must be crated when guests are not in the room. Route 1, Chadds Ford, (610) 388-1200, brandywineriverhotel.com
• In Chester County, dogs and their owners are welcome to stay overnight at the Days Inn for a $10 fee per night. 29 W. High Street, Pottstown, (610) 970-1101, daysinn.com

Chow Time:

• Q BBQ & Tequila is just one of many Old City restaurants with outdoor seating open to leashed pets. Fork and the Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar also sport pet-friendly outdoor cafes. Q, 207 Chestnut Street, (215) 625-8605, qoldcity.com; Fork, 306 Market Street, (215) 625-9425, forkrestaurant.com; Continental, 138 Market Street, (215) 923-6069, continentalmartinibar.com
• At Rouge, right across from dog-friendly Rittenhouse Square, a bowl of water and a treat are served to four-legged friends, while their human companions enjoy upscale bistro fare—and some of the best burgers in town. 205 S. 18^th Street, (215) 732-6622, rouge98.com
• Tavern 17, off Rittenhouse Square, offers a “yappy hour” every Thursday from 5:00-7:00 p.m., featuring alfresco dining and a canine menu ($1 beef-stock cocktails and $2.50 yappetizers of cubed hot dogs and ground beef). 220 S. 17^th Street, (215) 790-1799, tavern17restaurant.com
• There’s room for more than just students in University City, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Pets and their human friends can dine alfresco at Intermezzo Cafe & Lounge, La Terrasse and, most appropriately, at the White Dog Cafe. There’s also the 36^th Street Plaza, a public green space and brick plaza located between Sansom and Walnut Streets. Here, diners can get comfy at a table and feast on food from any of the area’s restaurants. Intermezzo, 3131 Walnut Street, (215) 222-4300, intermezzocafe.com; La Terrasse, 3432 Sansom Street, (215) 386-5000, laterrasserestaurant.com; White Dog, 3420 Sansom Street, (215) 386-9224, whitedog.com
• Along happening East Passyunk Avenue, South Philly’s own restaurant row, the Italian eatery Paradiso and sushi spot Izumi offer outdoor seating and provide tableside water bowls for pets. Paradiso, 1627 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-2066, paradisophilly.com; Izumi, 1601 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-1222, izumiphilly.com
• In leafy Fairmount Park, heaven for dogs and humans alike, the Valley Green Inn is a way station for dog walkers, bikers and pet owners, with plenty of outdoor seating available. Water bowls are available for dogs. Valley Green & Wissahickon Road, (215) 247-1730, valleygreeninn.com
• In Manayunk, just west of Center City, dogs and their owners are always strolling along Main Street, lined with chic cafes, upscale boutiques and funky galleries. Cooper’s Brick Oven Wine Bar, Winnie’s Le Bus Manayunk and Derek’s are just three of the local eateries that provide a range of casual cuisine and bowls of water for Fido. Cooper’s, 4367 Main Street, (215) 483-2750, jakesrestaurant.com; Le Bus, 4266 Main Street, (215) 487-2663, lebusmanayunk.com; Derek’s, 4411 Main Street, (215) 483-9400, dereksrestaurant.com
• At West Chester’s Teca pets are welcome to belly up to the water bowl outside along busy Gay Street, while owners enjoy tasty sandwiches and other Italian fare. 38 E. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 738-8244, tecawine.com
• The American Bar & Grill offers fine and casual patio dining, with outdoor seating available from spring until fall. Ask for table 101, which is earmarked for pet lovers. 499 E. Uwchlan Avenue, Chester Springs, (610) 280-0800, americabargrill.com

See Spot Sparkle:

• Bonejour, Old City’s premier pet boutique, caters to dogs and cats of all kinds. The boutique offers a wall full of fashions for Spot from the Canine Couture Collection. They carry a slew of far more practical items too, including food, leashes and carrying cases, along with natural and holistic foods and remedies. 14 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 574-1225, bonejourpetsupply.com
• Chic Petique, just off of South Street, may be small, but the offerings are big with beds, bowls, carrying cases, toys, leashes and collars for pets of all shapes and sizes. There are pet snacks shaped like pizza, sushi, meatloaf and many other human foods. And, for the truly pet-obsessed, Chic Petique carries a large selection of pet fashions. 616 S. 3^rd Street, (215) 629-1733
• With six locations around town, Doggie Style is a busy place, geared to pampering the indulged pooch and feline. Dog training and doggie day care are also available. 315 Market Street, (215) 923-4333; 114 S. 13^th Street, (215) 545-4100; 1635 Spruce Street, (215) 545-5900; 2015 Walnut Street, (215) 587-0707; 1700 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-5200; 4361 Main Street, (215) 508-1149, doggiestyle2.com
• For eco-friendly pet shampoos and coat treatments, check out Duross & Langel, the vegan soap maker in Midtown Village. 117 S. 13^th Street, (215) 592-7627, durossandlangel.com
• In Bucks County, Bow-Wow features a gourmet line of doggie pastries, cookies and treats. 102C S. Main Street, New Hope, (215) 862-9871
• In Chester County, The Frazer Zoo is a family-owned and -operated pet emporium, carrying supplies for all kinds of animals, as well as puppies, kittens and other small animals waiting for a home. 235 Lancaster Avenue, (610) 644-4492, frazerzoo.com
• Braxton’s Animal Works in Delaware County offers a huge selection of pet supplies and treats, including flotation devices for “bow wows” with a penchant for boating. 620 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, (610) 688-0769, braxtons.com
• Buzzy’s Bow Wow Meow in Montgomery County specializes in all-natural pet food and eco-friendly toys and bedding. Buzzy’s works with area shelters for dog and cat adoptions and even features a “meow cam” for live streaming video of kittens in need of a home. 701 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth, (610) 617-3300, buzzysbowwowmeow.com

Pooch Play:

• Rittenhouse Square, bounded by Walnut Street, Rittenhouse Square Street and 18^th Street, is where all the downtown dogs go to sniff and be seen. The Center City Dog Park, located at 25^th Street between Locust and Delancey Streets, is enclosed and a safe and social place for dogs to run off their leashes. The Front & Chestnut Dog Park—its name is its address—isn’t completely enclosed but still attracts some informal romping. In Manayunk, the two-mile towpath along the canal is ideal for dog walking. There are numerous access points along Main Street, including Canal Park, Lock Street, Rector Street and Green Lane.
• Chester County is known for its open spaces, including French Creek State Park, nearly 7,400 acres of well-marked hiking trails and two lakes—truly a canine paradise. Leashed dogs are also welcome at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, a restored iron plantation with 848 acres of hiking trails and paths. French Creek, 843 Park Road, Birdsboro, (610) 582-9680; Hopewell Furnace, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, (610) 582-8773, nps.gov/hofu
• Dogs are allowed on leashes throughout the Haverford College campus in Delaware County, a beautiful setting with nature trails and a duck pond, while Smedley Park encompasses 120 pet-friendly acres of nature trials and picnic areas. Haverford College, 370 W. Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, (610) 896-1037, haverford.edu; Smedley Park, 521 Avondale Road, Wallingford, (610) 566-6365, co.delaware.pa.us/depts/smedley.html
• Outside of the city, parks for dog walking abound. Leashed pets are welcome at Valley Forge National Historical Park, a 3,500-acre park that was home to Washington’s winter encampment in 1777. Washington and his troops first visited the site of Fort Washington State Park, where walking paths and a 3 1/2-mile hiking trail are open to leashed pets. Animals are not permitted in the campgrounds overnight, however. Valley Forge, N. Gulph Road & Route 23, Valley Forge, (610) 783-1077, nps.gov/vafo; Fort Washington, 500 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, (888) PA-PARKS, dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/fortwashington.aspx

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to Hear Philly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Contact(s):

• Cara Schneider, (215) 599-0789
• Donna Schorr, (215) 599-0782