If your dog jumps in the car before you can even ask “want to go for a ride?” you know it’s time to get out and play. Here are seven fun dog-friendly activities to do with your dog in Chandler that cater to everyone’s sense of adventure.
Dog Park Heaven
Dogs, like owners, need outdoor enrichment for mental and physical stimulation. You both can get a healthy dose of nature at Veterans Oasis Park, an urban recreational area and wetlands habitat in east Chandler. The park covers 113 acres with 4.5 miles of trails surrounding a 5-acre manmade fishing lake, an ideal setting for a light walk or hikes with the pup under endless blue skies and desert flora and fauna.
Dogs at Play
Another fun outing to take with your paw friend is the Paseo Vista Recreation Area, a 64-acre park in Chandler that used to be a landfill. Besides playing at the dog park, visitors of all species can frolic in the 5.5 acres of grassy area, walking trails, a large playground, picnic ramadas, and a 1,280-foot scenic overlook at the park’s high point offering 360-degree views.
Let Loose
Let Fido run with the “big dogs” at Snedigar Recreation Center’s dog park, where he can socialize with other four-legged friends, play on the see-saw and balance beam, go through the tunnel, jump hurdles, spray the fire hydrant, and drink from the doggy fountains. Plus there’s plenty of parking, pooper scoopers, seating, and 6-foot-high chain-link fences with one main entrance to prevent an unleashed dog escape.
Go for a Run
A jog with your dog in Desert Breeze Park will certainly get his tail wagging and your heart rate up. The neighborhood park includes a lake with a 1-mile loop for running or walking your leashed pets and features large shade trees, a playground, a splash park, carousel/train rides, hummingbird habitat, walking trails, and interpretive markers that explain desert plant and wildlife.
Retail Therapy
The Farmers Market at Dr. AJ Chandler Park West in Downtown Chandler is the perfect spot for a weekend doggy outing—and a chance to shop one-of-a-kind items. Held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from October through June, the market features the wares of local vendors, farmers/growers, and artisans selling fresh produce, meats, baked goods, jewelry, crafts, and specialty foods—and maybe a dog treat or two.
Have a Pooch Picnic
Grab the Frisbee and a wicker basket for a picnic at Tumbleweed Park in south Chandler, which has plenty of room for humans and canines to spread out, enjoy a bite, soak up the sunshine and get active. The park includes 18 covered pavilions, tennis courts, a butterfly garden, a recreation center, and Playtopia!, a 2.5-acre themed playground, and a picnic area for the whole family to enjoy.
MuralWalk
Stroll the streets of Downtown Chandler to view several vibrant murals located in breezeways, on buildings, and even a 225-foot mural that spans a portion of the Commonwealth Canal, just south of the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort. The colorful outdoor art depicts a range of imagery, telling the story of Chandler’s diverse heritage to the signs of modern-day life. Don’t forget to take a dog selfie in front of a mural and tag @VisitChandler!
All Dogs Welcome
After spending a fun-filled day with the pup in Chandler, it’s time to eat. Don’t worry, Spot is welcome at these pet-friendly restaurants. And if you’re visiting from out of town, your four-legged travel companions can check-in at many pet-friendly hotels including Element Chandler Fashion Center and Hyatt Place Phoenix/Chandler Fashion Center, which both allow two dogs per room.