Ultimate Dog Friendly Guide to Milwaukee’s North Shore
Milwaukee’s North Shore is full of places where families and their dogs can explore together. You’ll find fenced dog parks, wooded trails, pet-friendly patios, local boutiques, self-service dog washes and even a Lake Michigan beach reserved for pets just north of the North Shore.
Before heading out, remember that rules vary by location. Keep your dog leashed unless you are inside a designated off-leash area, carry waste bags and watch for posted restrictions. Patio policies, hours and seasonal operations can also change, so confirm details directly with the business when your visit depends on bringing your dog.
Dog-Friendly Milwaukee North Shore Map 🐾
Find off-leash parks, leashed walks, dog-friendly patios, swimming areas, pet stores, groomers and veterinary care. Search by name, community or feature.
Rules, business hours and pet policies can change. Check posted signs and confirm current details before visiting. UrgentVet provides urgent care but is not a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Dog-Friendly Patios, Cafés and Beer Gardens
Foxtown Brewing | Mequon
Foxtown Brewing at 6411 W. Mequon Road is one of the North Shore’s liveliest destinations for dogs and their people. Dogs are welcome in the brewery’s outdoor areas, where visitors can order Foxtown beer, burgers, sandwiches and other pub favorites.
Foxtown’s remaining 2026 Yappy Hour takes place Wednesday, September 9, from 4–9 p.m. The event features food, drinks, live music and plenty of friendly, leashed dogs. The earlier 2026 events were held June 10, July 8 and August 5.
Yappy Hour donations support animal-welfare organizations, with beneficiaries varying by date. Check the official Foxtown event calendar for the latest details.
Estabrook Beer Garden | Shorewood
Located inside Estabrook Park, Estabrook Beer Garden offers communal picnic tables, imported beer, bratwurst, hot dogs and giant pretzels in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Leashed dogs are welcome beside the outdoor tables. The beer garden is also close to the Estabrook Dog Exercise Area and Oak Leaf Trail, making it an easy post-walk stop. Because the beer garden operates seasonally and may close for inclement weather, check its website or social media before visiting.
Stone Creek Coffee | Shorewood
The Stone Creek Coffee Shorewood café at 4106 N. Oakland Avenue has a pet-friendly patio during the warmer months. Only service animals may enter the café, but dogs can join their people at the west- and south-facing outdoor seating.
This is an especially convenient stop for coffee or a snack before exploring Shorewood or taking a walk on the nearby Oak Leaf Trail.
Stone Creek Coffee | Whitefish Bay
The Whitefish Bay Café & Kitchen at 527 E. Silver Spring Drive also welcomes dogs on its outdoor patio. Pets are not permitted inside, but the east-facing patio is described as dog-friendly and remains available throughout the year when conditions permit.
The café offers coffee, pastries and a full breakfast-and-lunch kitchen, making it an easy Silver Spring outing for families.
Café Hollander | Mequon
Café Hollander’s Mequon location at 5900 W. Mequon Road has multiple outdoor dining areas near the Ozaukee Interurban Trail. Dogs have traditionally been welcomed at outdoor tables, but seating arrangements can vary between the ground-level patio, rooftop and seasonal winter domes.
Mention your dog when making a reservation or call the café before arriving so the staff can place you in an appropriate area.
Riley’s Sandwich Co. | Shorewood
Riley’s Sandwich Co. in Shorewood is still operating at 4473 N. Oakland Avenue, but its limited schedule and absence from the company’s primary locations page have understandably caused some confusion. As of August 2026, Riley’s live ordering page lists the Shorewood location as open:
Friday from 4–8 p.m.
Saturday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Closed Monday through Thursday
The Shorewood shop remains Riley’s original dog-friendly concept, combining takeout sandwiches with a small retail and pickup space where customers can bring their dogs. There is no traditional indoor dining room, so sandwiches are generally ordered online for pickup or delivery.
The company’s current website focuses primarily on its larger Third Ward and Bay View restaurants, but recent Riley’s social posts continue to reference the original Shorewood shop. Because its hours are limited and occasionally adjusted, check the live Shorewood ordering page or call 414-616-1811 before visiting.
Riley’s Third Ward Social House welcomes dogs inside, while the Bay View location allows dogs on its outdoor patio.
Off-Leash Dog Parks
Estabrook Dog Exercise Area | Shorewood
The Estabrook Dog Exercise Area is a three-acre, fully fenced dog park at 4400 N. Estabrook Drive. It includes separate areas for large and small dogs and sits near Estabrook Beer Garden and the Oak Leaf Trail.
Milwaukee County requires a daily or annual dog-park pass. Dogs must also be licensed and have current rabies vaccinations. Keep your dog leashed until you are safely inside the double-gated entrance.
Parking note: Milwaukee County reports that the service-yard parking lot off Capitol Drive is closed. Visitors should park along the parkway.
Katherine Kearney Carpenter Park | Mequon
Katherine Kearney Carpenter Park at 801 W. Zedler Lane is a 35-acre natural park where dogs can explore wooded paths and open areas off leash.
Unlike Estabrook, this is not a conventional fully fenced dog park. It is best for dogs with dependable recall and owners comfortable navigating a more natural environment. Bring water, remain aware of other trail users and keep a leash ready when approaching entrances, parking areas or unfamiliar dogs.
The City of Mequon lists all city parks as open from dawn to dusk.
Dog-Friendly Trails and Nature Walks
Mequon Nature Preserve | Mequon
Mequon Nature Preserve encompasses 510 acres of restored prairie, wetlands and forest. Its six miles of trails are free and open from sunup to sundown every day of the year.
Dogs are welcome on all trails but must remain leashed. Visitors must also clean up after their pets. Most trails are ADA-accessible and use gravel, grass or mulch surfaces.
Families can climb the 40-foot observation tower, visit wetland viewing platforms or explore Marty’s Playspace near the PieperPower Education Center. The main entrance is at 8200 W. County Line Road, with additional trail access from Swan Road and Donges Bay Road.
Oak Leaf Trail | North Shore
The Oak Leaf Trail passes through or near Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Glendale and Brown Deer, offering an easy option for a longer walk with your dog.
Milwaukee County requires dogs on the Oak Leaf Trail to remain on a leash no longer than six feet. Owners must pick up waste and obey any posted “No Dogs Allowed” areas.
For route ideas, explore our complete guide to Milwaukee’s Oak Leaf Trail.
Doctors Park | Fox Point
Doctors Park at 1870 E. Fox Lane has wooded bluff trails and beautiful Lake Michigan views. Leashed dogs may accompany visitors through permitted park and trail areas.
However, this guide’s previous recommendation to take dogs onto Tietjen Beach was incorrect. Milwaukee County specifically prohibits dogs on its beaches, including the beach at Doctors Park. Dogs are also not permitted on playgrounds.
Enjoy the wooded walk and bluff-top scenery with your dog, but stop before entering the beach or other posted dog-free areas.
Atwater Park | Shorewood
Dogs may accompany visitors on leash along the upper paved portions of Atwater Park, where families can enjoy views over Lake Michigan.
Dogs are not permitted beyond the gate or staircase leading down to Atwater Beach. They are also excluded from the beach and playground. Our guide to dog-friendly parks in Shorewood explains the local options and restrictions in greater detail.
Where Dogs Can Swim
Harrington Beach State Park | Belgium
About 35–45 minutes north of the North Shore, Harrington Beach State Park offers a designated pet swim area and pet picnic area near the south beach.
Pets must remain leashed whenever they are not in the water. Dogs should not enter the park’s regular swimming beach or other posted pet-free areas.
The 715-acre park also offers hiking trails, Quarry Lake, picnic areas and a campground. A Wisconsin state park vehicle-admission pass is required. The park is located at 531 County Road D in Belgium.
For more places where dogs can cool off, see our guide to dog swimming around Milwaukee.
Pet Stores, Groomers and Dog Washes
Hounds Around Town | Whitefish Bay
Hounds Around Town is a family-owned dog boutique and grooming spa that has served Whitefish Bay since 2007.
The store has moved from its former address and is now located at 505 E. Silver Spring Drive. It carries natural foods, baked treats, toys, beds, collars, leashes and seasonal gear. Its spa offers one-on-one, cage-free grooming appointments.
Dogs are welcome to shop with their people.
Pet Supplies Plus | Glendale and Mequon
The Glendale Pet Supplies Plus is located at 5300 N. Port Washington Road and offers pet supplies and a self-service dog wash.
The Mequon Pet Supplies Plus is located at 10964 N. Port Washington Road and lists both grooming and a self-service dog wash.
Service availability and grooming appointments can change, so consult the individual store page before visiting.
Community Bark | Bayside
Community Bark Bayside has moved from the Port Washington Road address listed in the previous guide. Its current location is 326 W. Brown Deer Road in Bayside.
Services include SelfBark DIY washing, FullBark staff-assisted washing and professional grooming. The self-wash includes tubs and supplies, making this a convenient stop after a muddy hike or dog-park visit.
The Feed Bag | Mequon — Closing in September 2026
The Feed Bag at 10900 N. Port Washington Road has announced that it will permanently close in September 2026 after more than 20 years in business.
A closing sale was underway in August. Because merchandise, grooming and pool services may wind down before the final day, check The Feed Bag’s current updates before making a special trip.
After the closure, nearby alternatives include Pet Supplies Plus Mequon, Hounds Around Town and Community Bark.
North Shore Pet Care Campus | Glendale
North Shore Pet Care Campus is located at 1980 W. Florist Avenue and houses North Shore Doggy Daycare and North Shore Pet Connection.
Services include daycare, overnight care, grooming and specialized assistance for senior and special-needs pets. Weekend drop-off and pickup windows are limited, and services are generally arranged by appointment.
More Dog-Friendly Milwaukee Guides
Continue planning with these North Shore Family Adventures resources:
Veterinarians and Emergency Pet Care
It helps to know where to go before your dog becomes sick or injured. The North Shore has several full-service veterinary clinics, an after-hours urgent-care clinic and a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Always call ahead during an emergency when it is safe to do so. A clinic can confirm availability, prepare for your arrival and tell you whether your pet needs a higher level of care.
Good Land Veterinary Clinic | Fox Point
Good Land Veterinary Clinic is a locally and independently owned small-animal clinic at 6854 N. Santa Monica Boulevard.
The clinic provides wellness exams, vaccinations, preventive medicine, diagnostics, dental procedures, soft-tissue surgery, cold-laser therapy, veterinary spinal manipulation and behavior counseling. Its regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Call 414-312-4978 to schedule an appointment.
Shorewood Animal Hospital | Shorewood
Shorewood Animal Hospital is an AAHA-accredited veterinary clinic at 2500 E. Capitol Drive.
Its services include wellness and medical exams, vaccinations, laboratory testing, radiology, dentistry, surgery, acupuncture and behavioral support. The clinic also emphasizes low-stress handling for dogs and cats that become nervous during veterinary visits.
Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.–noon. Call 414-962-6662.
Bayshore Veterinary Clinic | Shorewood
Bayshore Veterinary Clinic is a family-owned practice at 3723 N. Oakland Avenue serving Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Glendale and Milwaukee’s East Side.
The clinic provides routine wellness care, vaccinations, microchipping, dental care, diagnostic testing and surgery for dogs and cats. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Call 414-964-7009.
Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center | Glendale
Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center is a full-service animal hospital at 6373 N. Jean Nicolet Road, Suite 110.
In addition to preventive care, dentistry, diagnostics, surgery and treatment for sick or injured animals, the clinic offers services such as veterinary acupuncture, animal chiropractic care and nutritional support. It treats dogs, cats and pocket pets.
Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Call 414-228-7655.
My Pet’s Vet | Glendale
My Pet’s Vet is located at 2311 W. Good Hope Road and cares for a wider range of animals than many neighborhood clinics.
In addition to dogs and cats, the practice treats birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs and other small mammals. This makes it a particularly helpful local option for families with multiple types of pets.
Call 414-540-1377 to ask about appointments and care for your particular species.
East Towne Veterinary Clinic | Mequon
East Towne Veterinary Clinic is a full-service hospital at 11622 N. Port Washington Road.
The clinic treats dogs, cats, birds and pocket pets and provides preventive care, dentistry, diagnostics, surgery and care for sick or injured animals. Online scheduling is available.
Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Call 262-241-4884.
UrgentVet North Shore | Glendale
UrgentVet North Shore at 6969 N. Port Washington Road, Suite C110, provides same-day and after-hours care for dogs and cats with non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
Examples may include vomiting, diarrhea, ear infections, limping, minor wounds, coughing or other problems that should not wait for a regular veterinary appointment.
UrgentVet is not a substitute for a full emergency hospital when an animal has a severe or life-threatening condition. Its listed hours are:
Monday through Friday from 3–11 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Holidays from noon–8 p.m.
Walk-ins are accepted, or families can reserve a place in the queue online. Call 414-519-6030.
WVRC Ozaukee | Mequon
For serious emergencies, Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center’s Ozaukee hospital is located at 12800 N. Port Washington Road in Mequon.
WVRC describes the Ozaukee hospital as a 24-hour emergency and critical-care facility offering an intensive care unit, in-house laboratory, digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, transfusion medicine and specialty care.
Call 262-546-0249 before arriving when possible. The hospital accepts walk-in emergencies, but calling allows the team to prepare and provide immediate instructions.
When to Choose Emergency Care
Seek emergency veterinary care immediately for symptoms such as:
Difficulty breathing
Collapse, unconsciousness or seizures
Severe bleeding or major trauma
Suspected poisoning
A swollen abdomen accompanied by distress or unproductive retching
Inability to urinate
Heatstroke
Severe pain
Sudden weakness or paralysis
Repeated vomiting accompanied by lethargy, blood or abdominal pain
If your dog may have swallowed something toxic, bring the packaging or a photo of the product. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available at 888-426-4435; a consultation fee may apply.
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