Chicago is the next stop on our #YarkingAroundTheCity tour. We asked Laura Kujawa, Senior Curator & Spokesperson at Gilt City Chicago, to dish on her favorite dog-friendly spots in the city. Laura is in-the-know when it comes to all things cool in Chicago. Read below to see where Laura and her adorable mini schnauzer, Jane, hang out.
COFFEE
I know how you want to start your day…with coffee, already! Getting a dog-friendly coffee fix can be a tall order, but I've got you covered. Star Lounge in Humboldt Park has the best coffee with a dog-friendly patio. Another convenient option is the Starbucks Wicker Park (Six Corners). It has an outdoor "doggie window" you can order from. Plus, they give your dog a treat while making your drink. Jane and I think this is genius, and it makes me very happy since I can get my Starbucks fix when we're out and about.
DINING
A great spot to dine with your pup is Big Star in Wicker Park. Delicious tacos, boozy mescal margaritas, and a large sunny patio make this hot spot a crowd-pleaser. It's also a prime place to people watch with your pup. My personal favorite dining patio would be Parson's Chicken & Fish. Bring your pup, and post up at a picnic table. You can even play ping pong while enjoying a negroni slushy with your pooch.
RUN / PLAY
Along Lake Michigan's shores, there are tons of great spots for your pup to enjoy. Montrose Dog Beach is popular choice in the summer and was featured as one of nine best dog parks in the USA by Huffington Post! When it comes to grassy parks, Chicago offers tons of options. Jane frequents Wicker Park Dog Park, Ohio Street Dog Park and our current fave, Fred Anderson Dog Park in the South Loop. If you're looking to get out of the city, Prairie Wolf Dog Park is heaven on earth for dogs! It's in Lake Forest, IL, but it's well worth the hike. Prairie Wolf is one of four designated off-leash dog parks within the Lake County Forest Preserves where dogs can run free. With 44 acres of large fields, trails and two different ponds/swimming areas, you've never seen dogs so happy and free. This place is good for the soul for dogs and humans alike.
SHOPPING
Doggy Style in Ukrainian Village is our favorite dog boutique, and Liz's Pet Shop is our favorite local spot for treats and bones. Jane's other favorite place for treats is Bentleys Corner Bakery. Another spot Jane and I visit regularly is Benefit Cosmetics Wicker Park. Jane has so many friends here and loves coming along for my monthly brow appointment. They give her dog biscuits, and let her run around the store greeting everyone. She should totally be their mascot. As a schnauzer, she's got the brows for it. As for Jane's grooming, we would be lost without Kriser's in Bucktown. Kriser's also has really amazing events - most recently a massage workshop and pet portraits! Other boutiques Jane and I frequent include Eskell, Moon Voyage, Dovetail, and Humboldt House. And lastly, Jane is always welcomed when I run errands at the Shops at North Bridge, Home Depot, Urban Outfitters and J.Crew.
Massive thank you to Laura for giving us the scoop on dog-friendly Chicago. You can follow Laura and Jane on Instagram @laurawkujawa and keep up with the latest cool spot Chicago deals via Gilt City Chicago.