Dog Friendly Places in Binghamton, New York

Binghamton, New York has a number of pet friendly places where your dogs can accompany you for a day at the park, in a drive through, or even to stop for some ice cream. Believe it or not, as ridiculous as it sounds, some parks will not allow dogs. Here is a collection of places that are "dog friendly" in one way or another in the Binghamton, NY area.

Otsiningo Park 1 Otsiningo Park, Binghamton, NY 13905. This park is maintained by the Broome County Parks Department. This park is very well maintained and beautiful. There are several trails to choose from, depending on how much you want to walk or jog. The trail around the beautiful pond is about 1.1 miles. The trail continues along the Susquehanna River where you can elect to continue straight to the roundabout, or veer to the side and walk with your dog around the fields. The park has been recently expanded past the roundabout to extend the trail a couple more miles.

The trails are well maintained but if you are walking alone during dusk, I suggest using caution when on the furthest trails as they are sequestered from the remainder of the park. Dogs love this park as it is wide open and has many exciting things going on. This is a highly frequented park during the warmer months, and numerous people continue to exercise on the trails even during the winter months.There are a number of fields where people of all ages can play soccer, volleyball, baseball.

Grills and picnic tables line numerous areas throughout the park to provide a spot for respite or a picnic under the shaded trees. A concession stand is open during the summer months where you can purchase a cool drink or a snack. Drinking fountains are located sporadically along the trails to provide a cool drink for you or to fill a water bottle or bowl for your dog. You are required to clean up after your dog and there are several garbage cans located along the trails and throughout the park. I highly recommend you watch your step if you walk around the pond as dozens of ducks and geese call this spot home and the grass and trails tend to be lined with their excrement during the summer. If your dog gets very excited or is difficult to control around birds or tends to eat poop, I recommend against walking around the pond, and choosing one of the other trails to walk on with your dog.

Chenango Valley State Park 153 State Park Road Chenango Forks, NY 13746 Dogs of all sizes are allowed. There are no additional pet fees. Dogs may not be left unattended, they must have a current rabies certificate, which you should bring with you. Dogs must be quiet, leashed, and cleaned up after. Dogs are allowed on the trails, but not on the beach or in the water. The camping and tent areas also allow dogs. There is a dog walk area at the campground. Dogs are allowed in the camping cabins. This is a beautiful

Rail Trail. This trail runs parallel to the Vestal Parkway. This 2 mile trail (4 miles if you walk one way and back) at one point was threatening to close the trail down to dogs. Thus far it is still open to dogs and an excellent place to go for a walk with your pup. About halfway through the trail, there are plastic doggie poop bags available for free and a few garbage cans throughout the trail to encourage owners to clean up after their pets. During the warmer months this trail can become quite busy, so be sure to leash your pet and watch out for the bikers and roller bladders that frequent the trail.

Hickories Park 2354 NY State Rte. 434 Owego, NY 13732. Hickories Park is about a 20 minute drive from Binghamton, and well worth the trip. This park is beautiful and well maintained. Surrounded by hundreds of lush trees, and parallel to the Susquehanna River, this park offers picnic tables, BBQ grills and pits and several pavilions for parties or picnickers.

There are a couple of basketball hoops, a well maintained play area for the children, several wooden swings and a swing set and a concrete trail going through the park. You can camp at Hickories Park in either a tent or RV during the summer months for a small fee. During the summer time, there are numerous concerts and events such as a Chili Cook Off and a Blues Festival. Dogs are welcome at this park, but should be leashed and cleaned up after. If your dog is afraid of fireworks, check to be sure there are no fireworks planned nearby or during one of the events if you stay until dark. This is a great place to walk your dog and let your dog run about under the trees. There is plenty of shade from the lush trees to keep your pet cool. No doggie poop bags provided but garbage cans are located at several locations throughout the park. If you can control your dog, this is a good place for Frisbee and retrieving games.

Dorchester Park. This park is located nearby in Whitney Point and was created as a result of the town making a dam for flood control. Dorchester Park is stunning during the day as well as at sunset when you can watch the sun set over the beautiful lake. You can rent sailboats for the day or hour as well as picnic, barbeque and swim. You can boat on the lake as well as swim in the swimming areas which are under lifeguard patrol. You can not bring your dog into the water near the swimming area, and technically they need to be on leash at all times. However, I let my pups off leash to swim far away from the swimming area and have never been questioned or stopped. Use your head when doing this and don't let your dogs off leash when there are bathers, fishers or lots of dogs nearby. Great place for Frisbee and retrieving games with your dog as well as fetch in the water. Numerous garbage cans are throughout this park. There are no doggie bags provided.

Recreation Park 73 Beethoven Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. This is one of the few parks located directly in downtown Binghamton, a few blocks off of Main Street. In addition to the tennis courts, basketball court and concrete pools, there is a beautiful carousel in which young and old can ride for free. There are some trails throughout the park and dogs are welcome. You should leash your dog as this park tends to be busy, and as always clean up after your pet! No doggie poop bags provided and there are few garbage bins. I don't recommend letting your dog off leash at all because it is located right off a busy street.

Jone's Humdingers Ice Cream 1441 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, NY. This soft serve ice cream stand has been around for decades. Not only is the ice cream affordable and delicious but Humdingers takes dogs into consideration. For 80 cents you can purchase a Doggie Sundae for your pup. This sundae includes soft serve vanilla ice cream topped with two dog treats. You can also purchase additional dog treats separately for only 25 cents. You can also bring your dog up to the counter and sit with them at the picnic tables which is a wonderful treat your dog is sure to enjoy. They will get some great ice cream and some friendly petting and attention from all the kids that frequent this ice cream stand. My dog absolutely loves going to Humdingers and knows as soon as I pull into the parking lot that she is in store for a treat! This is the only ice cream restaurant that caters to dogs as well as humans and welcomes their patronage. Great way to end a long walk at nearby Otsiningo Park on a hot day.

McDonalds Upper Front Street. While your dog can't go inside this McDonalds, they are dog friendly at the drive through. McDonalds staff always have a treat on hand and love to give my dogs a pet and a hello when we drive through. The dogs love it and it is a great way to provide socialization for your dogs, especially for young pups.

Dunkin Donuts. Any Dunkin Donuts drive through throughout Binghamton is dog friendly and provides plain munchkin treats for your dog. There have been times when my dog has not received a munchkin and is seriously disappointed but at times, Dunkin Donuts is out of them, or a cashier is not the friendliest. However, this can be a great place to stop and get your dog a treat while you get yourself one! You can also buy a plain munchin for about 50 cents if you don't get one for free for your dog.

M & T Bank throughout Binghamton is very friendly to both people and dogs. Each time I go through the drive through with my dogs to do my banking, the bank clerk always puts in a couple of doggies treats for my pups. Even when they are calmly sitting in the back, the bank tellers somehow always manage to see them and give them a very welcome treat.

Best Bagels in Town, Upper Front Street, Binghamton, NY. This locally owned bagel store has very friendly staff that seem to love dogs. They always have treats on hand and love to hand them to your dogs (they always ask them first). Some of the staff are so taken with my dogs that they can't help but give an extra one or two to them. My dogs love Best Bagels in Town (plus they have the best bagels around Binghamton!).

Creature Comforts 1250 Upper Front Street Binghamton, NY. This pet store is locally owned and operated and offers an excellent array of pet food, supplies and toys. Creature Comforts carries top name brands such as Wellness, Innova and Merrick foods and treats at the lowest prices in the area. American made dog bones are numerous, and more than any other store in the area. You can buy these American made dog bones for special prices, such as 6 puffed bear ears for $4.99. The staff are friendly, knowledgable and ready to meet your pet's needs. All pets are welcome, dogs need to be on a leash. Dogs are very welcomed when they enter the store and several staff will come over to pet and talk to your dog throughout your visit. My dogs love going into Creature Comforts and are always given a treat or two by the staff. This is a great outing for your dog and an excellent way to provide some human and other pet socialization. During the Christmas season, they have a Santa in the store for photos with your pets (any pet welcome) for an inexpensive fee which goes to charity. Definitely check this store out with your dog for a nice outing.

Pet Depot Vestal Parkway East Vestal, NY 13850. This is another locally owned store which welcomes pets. Dogs should be leashed and under control. This store has a wide variety of food, bones, toys, bedding and medications for sale. The staff are not as friendly or helpful as Creature Comforts but it is a nice place to take your dog for an outing in a place they are welcomed in. They will also enjoy seeing the puppies in the glass cage at the front of the store and the variety of bunnies, hamsters and guinea pigs in the middle of the store.

Pet Smart 2429 Vestal Parkway East Vestal, NY 13850. This is another pet store in the Binghamton area that welcomes dogs who are leashed. They may request proof of vaccination as indicated on their door. This is a large chain store and while it has a wide variety of supplies, food and toys for all kinds of pets, I do not like to patronage chain stores and the prices seem steeper than other pet stores in the area.

While your dog is not welcome everywhere, you can provide outings and socialization for them in a variety of places in the Binghamton area, whether it is in a park, a drive through or a pet store. Strap on a leash for your dog and get them out of the house for a little bit. They will love it!