Things to Do With Your Dog in Fort Lauderdale

These outings in and around Fort Lauderdale welcome dogs, each confirmed on the venue's own pages in September 2026: an off-leash hour downtown, a paddleboard tour and an electric boat that take dogs along, a brewery near the house and a weekend market. There are firm limits too, starting with the Water Taxi and most of the beach.

Yappy Hour at Huizenga Park

The rebuilt Huizenga Park (32 E Las Olas Blvd), at the downtown end of Las Olas, has an enclosed dog run called The Dog Spot. The park's FAQ says dogs can be off leash inside The Dog Spot and must be leashed everywhere else; the park is open daily 7 am to 10 pm. Its calendar lists Yappy Hour at The Dog Spot on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, with the next listed date October 1, 2026, and the Riverwalk Trust lists the weekly event as free. The Greater Fort Lauderdale visitors bureau also mentions dog-friendly yoga sessions called Pooches & Poses. Check the park's calendar before you go, since dates and hosts change.

A paddleboard tour your dog can join

SUP PUP Paddleboard runs guided stand-up paddleboard tours through Fort Lauderdale's canals, along with board rentals and a kids tour, and its resident corgi, Mr. Beaches, often comes along. The FAQ answers the big question directly: dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome, and you should bring a safety vest for your dog. You can sit or kneel on the board instead of standing, which helps with a dog aboard. Book through the company's website. For other places to paddle, see kayaking and paddleboarding.

A boat tour that welcomes pets

The Water Taxi does not take pets (more on that below), but Intimate Waterway Tours does. Its website says well-behaved pets are welcome on its all-electric boats, which leave from 2 S New River Dr W downtown. As of September 2026 it lists private tours at $249 for 1.5 hours and $449 for 3 hours, for groups of up to six, with departures between 9 am and 9 pm. Bring water and a towel for the dog, and ask about shade on board when you book.

A brewery near the house

Gulf Stream Brewing (1105 NE 13th St) is a few blocks north of the house, and its FAQ says well-behaved dogs on leashes are always welcome at the brewery. As of September 2026 the taproom is open 3 to 11 pm Monday through Thursday and noon to 11 pm Friday through Sunday, and it serves pizza alongside the beer. For restaurant patios that take dogs, see dog-friendly restaurants and patios.

A weekend market in Hollywood

The Yellow Green Farmers Market (3080 Sheridan St, Hollywood), south of the airport, is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6:30 pm, year-round, and its own site says pets are always welcome. Keep the leash short around the stalls, and in summer go early in the day. Parking is paid; the market's site lists current rates.

Dog events worth planning around

• Riverwalk Mutts and Martinis: the Riverwalk Trust's dog afternoon at Esplanade Park (400 SW 2nd St), with a doggie fashion show, a peanut butter eating contest and local rescues. The 19th edition was free and ran March 21, 2026.
• VCA Walk for the Animals: the Humane Society of Broward County's fundraiser, with an optional one-mile walk along A1A that you can do with your dog. The 2026 walk was February 21 at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park.

Both return each year, but the dates move, so confirm before you plan a trip around one.

The outings at a glance

A quick comparison, as of September 2026.

Outing	Where	When	Dog rule
Yappy Hour	The Dog Spot, Huizenga Park	Thursdays, 5:30 to 7:30 pm	Off leash inside The Dog Spot
SUP PUP Paddleboard	Fort Lauderdale canals	Book ahead online	All sizes welcome; bring a dog vest
Intimate Waterway Tours	2 S New River Dr W	Departures 9 am to 9 pm	Well-behaved pets welcome
Gulf Stream Brewing	1105 NE 13th St	From 3 pm weekdays, noon weekends	Leashed, well-behaved dogs
Yellow Green Farmers Market	3080 Sheridan St, Hollywood	Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6:30 pm	Pets welcome
Water Taxi	Intracoastal and New River	Plan it as a dog-free day	Service animals only

Where dogs can't go

• The Water Taxi: as of early 2026 its FAQ says only service animals are permitted. Save the Water Taxi for a day when the dog stays home.
• Most beach sand: city rules keep dogs off the sand except at Canine Beach, and dog-friendly beaches covers where they can go.
• Parts of every park: city parks take leashed dogs but not on athletic fields, courts, playgrounds, splash pads or swimming areas, and Florida State Parks keep pets off beaches, boardwalks and playgrounds and out of park buildings and concessions.
• Museums and other indoor attractions: plan these as dog-free outings unless the venue's own page says otherwise.

On dog-free days, daycare and grooming covers where the dog can spend a few hours, and dog walks near the nest covers the easy morning and evening outings.

Check Dates & Book