Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Looking for the best dog-friendly activities in Manchester? We are here to help!
From scenic walks to pet-friendly bars and cafes, there are plenty of fun activities in Manchester you can do with a dog.
As dog owner myself and a Manchester local, I explore the city with my dogs all the time and can tell you everything you need to know about the best dog-friendly activities in Manchester.
When we think of dog-friendly, very often we think of restaurants and cafes and sure, there are a lot that allow dogs in Manchester but that’s not all you can do.
There are also a lot of fun activities in Manchester that allow dogs. So why leave your pooch at home when s/he can tag along and have fun too?
Here are the best things to do in Manchester with a dog.
1. Pedal boating in Heaton Park
Heaton Park is located in North Manchester, near Prestwich.
You can easily get there with the tram (which allows dogs now!) and explore the area.
Of course the obvious thing to do is to go for a walk. This is a great option especially since that’s the largest public park in Manchester and there are so many places to explore.
But the Manchester dog-friendly activity I have in store for you is a lot more fun! And it’s pedal boating.
See, if you head to the middle of the park, you will find Heaton Park boating lake.
It’s a very cute lake with a cafe (they have outdoor bubbles for afternoon tea which are very unique).
If you head to the desk of Heaton Park Boat Hire, you can hire a pedal boat. They have two types, normal ones and swan-shaped ones.
Both types are dog-friendly and you can hire them for 30 minutes or 1 hour.
If your dog is not too jumpy, that’s a great thing to do because it’s a very nice activity and you can go around the islands.
On a nice and sunny day, that’s a lot of fun.
It’s also important to note though that there are ducks and swans in the lake so keep an eye on them if you think your pooch would want to get too close.
2. Free walking tour of Manchester
Want to discover Manchester with your dog? You can do so with the free walking tour of Manchester!
The tour is run by locals and you can join it every day. It’s at 11am and it starts from Sackville Garden, near Manchester Piccadilly station and the Gay Village.
The founder, Josh, has a dog himself and sometimes even take him for the tour.
The tour lasts about 3 hours and will take you all around the city centre.
You will discover loads of interesting facts about Manchester including where the name comes from, the story of Vimto, the suffragette and more.
You will also get to see a lot of landmarks such as Central Library, the Midland Hotel, the Gay Village and more.
You can easily book your tour for free online but make sure to have some cash as well so you can tip your guide.
3. Ping Pong at Pong and Puck
Pong and Puck is a popular activity bar in Manchester.
It’s located in Deansgate, by the Great Northern Warehouse and offers different kind of games.
It has a great atmosphere with plenty of tables to play some ping pong with your friends but also shuffleboard and beer pong.
It gets a bit busy in the evening so that might not be the moment you want to visit with your pooch but they are open during the day and usually quite quiet.
So if you want to go and play a bit of ping pong in a dog-friendly bar in Manchester, that’s the place for you!
4. Pub Quiz at Radcliffe Market
If you and your dog are looking for a more chilled-out evening activity, head to Radcliffe Market.
This is one of the best food markets in Greater Manchester and they have a pub quiz on thursday where you can go with your dog.
The entire market is dog-friendly so you can go with your dog and just sit where you want.
You’ll find loads of food stalls serving delicious burgers, pizza, burritos and more.
There is also a bar in the middle where you can order some drinks.
At 7PM, the pub quiz starts. It consists of 4 rounds of questions.
You will have to pay £2 per person to enter but it’s very good fun and a nice thing to do in Manchester with your dog at night.
5. Going to Freight Island
Freight Island is a brand-new development in Manchester and it’s one of the dog-friendliest places in the city.
It’s located in Depot Mayfield, near Piccadilly Station and allows dogs inside and outside all year round.
Freight Island is the ultimate place to get some food and have some fun in Manchester.
Here you will find loads of food stands serving delicious cheap eats such as pizza, Cuban sandwiches, bao buns and more.
There is also a great outdoor area with plenty of benches, tables and of course a bar. In terms of seating, you will also find stairs covered in artificial grass where you can stay and enjoy your drink.
And the best part? It’s dog-friendly so your pooch can join in on the fun too!
Dogs are allowed everywhere so it’s up to you where you want to go!
It’s important to note that it can get quite busy, especially at the weekend so if your dog doesn’t like busy places or people, it might not the best spot but otherwise, it’s great.
So if you’re looking for a lunch spot or evening hangout, Freight Island is definitely worth checking out.
6. River and canal cruise
Want to explore Manchester with your dog in an unusual way? Try the river and canal cruise with your pup!
It’s a great activity and one of the only of its kind that allows dogs. You can book it online here.
You can either board from the city centre or from Salford Quays.
Either way, the tour lasts a bit over 1 hour and will take you on the famous Manchester Ship Canal and the River Irwell.
It’s quite a cool (and cheap) thing to do in Manchester for visitors as well as locals.
You will discover famous landmarks such as Manchester United’s home ground, Media City, Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge and more.
And it’s also nice to get to do something like that with your dog.
Please note that only well behaved dogs are allowed though but that’s normal.
7. Dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Manchester
There are plenty of dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Manchester so if you’d like to go for a meal or drink with your friends with your pooch, that’s definitely an option!
Some of the best dog-friendly cafes in Manchester include Ezra & Gil (popular brunch spot), 19 cafe bar and Foundation Coffee.
If you’d rather a food market, Mackie Mayor, Freight Island and Radcliffe Market will be perfect for you.
In terms of pubs and bars, you can go to The Wharf in Castlefield, The Refuge or Seven Brothers Beerhouse.
8. Canal walk with your dog
If you’re looking for a nice and relaxing activity with your pooch, why not go on a canal walk?
Manchester has some beautiful canals and they make the perfect spot to take your dog out.
There are many routes you can choose from including along the Bridgewater Canal, the Rochdale Canal or around Castlefield.
You can also head to Salford Quays and take a stroll along the waterfront and make sure to check out The Lowry Art Gallery too.
The canal walks in Manchester are usually quite peaceful so it’s a great way for your dog to get some exercise, fresh air and explore new sights.
9. Bowling at Dog Bowl
Looking for a more active dog-friendly activity in Manchester, why not head to Dog Bowl?
Yes, you read that right, there is a dog-friendly bowling alley in Manchester!
It’s located on Whitworth St which is close to Oxford Road station.
Your four-legged friend is allowed to come inside with you while you play and have fun!
It’s a New York inspired bowling alley so it looks very cool and you can also find some arcade games.
They serve food and also have a wide range of cocktails available.
10. Park walks with your dog
This is a bit of an obvious one but with so many lovely parks and gardens in Manchester where you can take your pooch for a walk, we had to mention it.
You can find dog-friendly parks all around the city.
In the city centre, you will be a bit more limited but there are still a few nice ones such as Cotton Field Park and Mayfield Park.
If you’re up for a bit of travelling around Greater Manchester then head to Heaton Park or Platt Fields.
They are much larger parks so you can go on long walks. Also, Heaton Park offers many other dog-friendly activities.
11. Salford Quays Guided Walking Tour
Would you like to learn more about Manchester while enjoying some time with your pup? Then there is another dog-friendly walking tour in Manchester you can take, the one of Salford Quays.
This tour takes place in Salford and Media City and lasts around 2 hours.
The guide will take you around the Quays, Manchester Ship Canal and Media City and explain some of the history behind the area.
They will also share with you little-known facts and give you insider tips.
It’s quite a cool thing to do because while exploring the city centre is something we all do all the time, we often don’t know as much about Salford and it’s a very interesting place in terms of history and culture.
Since it is a walking tour and you won’t be walking in any non dog-friendly places, pooches are welcome on the tour.
12. Eating street food at the Mackie Mayor
The Mackie Mayor is one of the most popular and beautiful food markets in Manchester.
It’s located in the Northern Quarter and is housed in an old Victorian market hall.
It’s absolutely stunning and such a great place to go to.
It offers some of the best street food around with plenty of options to choose from such as fish tacos, wood-fired pizzas, burgers and more.
Your furry friend will be welcome here too.
So if you’re looking for a great spot to eat with your pup in Manchester, this is it!
You do not need to book, you can simply go and look at the menus from the different stalls and get something.
It is worth mentioning though that it can get quite busy, so it’s better to go a bit before lunch or dinner time so your dog doesn’t get too overwhelmed.
13. Going to Lyme Park
If you’re looking for a great day out in Manchester with your dog, why not head to Lyme Park in Stockport?
It’s about an 45 minutes drive from Manchester city centre but it’s totally worth it.
It is a National Trust property which includes a country park, the mansion and gardens.
Dogs are allowed everywhere in the park and gardens so you can go on plenty of nice walks.
As you can expect, dogs are not allowed in the mansion but it’s not really an issue since there is plenty to do outside.
There are so many options when it comes to walking trails, you can easily spend the day exploring here.
There are also a lot of picnic tables so you can bring your lunch and make a full day out of it.
14. Going to a dog shop
If you love spoiling your dog as much as we do, chances are that you will want to get your pooch a little treat while exploring Manchester.
You can find lots of dog-friendly pet shops in Manchester.
Our favourites are Betty & Butch, The Barkside and B&V Trading.
15. Dog-friendly brunch in Manchester
Manchester has plenty of great brunch spots for you and your pup such as Ezra & Gil, Ancoats Coffee Co, North Tea Power and 19 Cafe.
These places are all known for their amazing brunch and they are dog-friendly too, so it’s a win-win!
16. Northern Quarter Street Art Walking Tour
Who says Northern Quarter says Street Art! This is the ultimate neighbourhood in Manchester to see beautiful murals.
As Mancunians, we know it, we love seeing the new murals but if you’d like to learn more about it and the local artists, going on the Northern Quarter Street Art Walking Tour could be the perfect thing for you.
The best part? Dogs are welcome on the tour!
So if you and your pup would like to learn a bit more about Manchester’s art scene, this is definitely an activity to consider.
The guide will show you all around the Northern Quarter and explain the meaning of each piece of art as well as giving you some background about the artists.
The tour lasts around 2 hours and is also pretty affordable.
17. Shopping at Afflecks
Afflecks is one of the most unique places for shopping in Manchester and it is, yes, dog-friendly!
It’s a shopping mall full of independent boutiques, cafes and vintage stores located in the Northern Quarter.
It’s an amazing place to discover unique items and it’s also very dog-friendly!
This is a great place if you are looking for unique gifts, souvenirs or quirky places for food and drinks (Manchester’s only anime maid café is located in Afflecks).
Dogs are allowed in Afflecks as long as they are well behaved so you can go there to run some errands or simply because you’re curious.
PRO TIP: Afflecks is also home to Manchester’s best ice cream parlour, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, so if you fancy a sweet treat, that’s the place for you!
18. Going to Tatton Park
Tatton Park is a beautiful Historic Estate about 45 minutes from Manchester City Centre.
This is a National Trust property home to a beautiful mansion, gardens, a deer park and more.
Dogs are allowed almost everywhere in the estate (except for inside the mansion and the garden) so you can go on long walks and explore the area.
The perfect day out!
There is also a café and shops where you can stop for food and drinks.
It’s also important to note that Tatton Park hosts Dog Fest every year so you can take your pooch there.
They also have a lot of dog-friendly festivals such as the Food festival and more.
Please note that if you are walking in the deer park, you need to keep your dog on the leash near the deer. There have been some issues in the past and we all want to keep all animals safe.
19. Manchester Treasure Hunt
One of the best ways to explore Manchester is by doing a self-guided city sightseeing treasure hunt.
It’s perfect for you and your pup, as it will take you around some of the most beautiful places in Manchester while also giving you clues to solve.
You can do that by yourself or with your friends. There is no time limit so you can take your time and you won’t need to go anywhere that is not dog-friendly so your pooch can be your Winston to your Sherlock!
20. The Donkey Sanctuary
Located in Abbey Hey / Gorton, the Donkey Sanctuary is an excellent place to visit if you were looking for a dog-friendly place with animals in Manchester.
As you may already know, the Donkey Sanctuary is a charity devoted to the welfare of donkeys.
They have several locations across the UK including one in Manchester.
It’s set on seven acres of land and is open to the public. Dogs are allowed on site but they must be kept on lead at all times.
You can go everywhere with your dog except in the refreshment serving area.
The Donkey Sanctuary is open to the public on saturdays and on the first sunday of the month.
It is free to visit but you need to book your ticket online in advance.
21. The Turkey Shed
Address: Delph, Oldham OL3 5RQ
f you fancy going on a bit of a day out near Oldham, then the Turkey Shed is a great place to visit with your dog.
It’s set on Albion Farm which is a local farm with a shop and a rustic bar in a shed. It’s super cute and they serve great food. The menu only has a couple of items but they are all super good.
I personally got the cheese and onion pie last time and absolutely loved it.
They also have a little stage for live music at the weekend.
They are dog-friendly so you can take your fur baby with you in the bar / restaurant and if you want to explore the area a bit more, you can head to Dovestone reservoir for a nice walk.
Now that you know everything about the best things to do in Manchester with a dog, what are you waiting for?
Grab your pup and explore the city!
You may also be interested in:
