Bark Like A Local: Chelsea District (Manhattan)

Although Chelsea won't make any top ten lists for "most dog friendly neighborhoods", we were still able to track down hidden gems throughout this Manhattan neighborhood. Steeped in culture, history, arts, and entertainment, Chelsea is at the epicenter of new trends and cultural shifts. Join us for today's Bark Like a Local and explore everything from dog friendly bookshops to underground bars!

About Our Hosts

H guys, I'm Carrie! I am originally from Chicago, IL but made my way to Brooklyn after college. NYC can feel like it's moving 100 mph at times, so there's nothing I love more than slowing down the day to strol around the city with my sidekick, Parker (@parkerthelabradoodle), and track down the best low-key spots to hang with my pup.  

Our 1^st Stop:

The Chelsea Waterfront Dog Park  (11^th Ave W 23rd, New York, NY 10011)

If you’re looking for the perfect spot to give your dog a little fresh air and room to run, the Chelsea Waterfront Dog Park is the spot. This double-gated park is equipped with fresh running water from mid-April to early November so your pup can stay hydrated as he gets his workout in and makes a bunch of new doggie pals. It’s one of Parker’s favorite spots!

Our 2^nd Stop:

Le Grainne Café (183 9^th Ave, New York, Ny 10011)

This gorgeous French inspired café is a great place to stop and grab a quick bite. I would have to say that their crepes are some of the best in the city, but they have a variety of baguette sandwiches that are to die for. The ambiance is charming, and the staff couldn’t be more friendly. However, if you’re planning to take your friends or family to Le Grainne on the weekend, you might want to plan ahead as this place is always busy! Parker loves to come here with me to grab a drink of water and people watch.

Our 3^rd Stop 

192 Books (192 10^th Ave, New York, NY 10011)

Rain or shine, this is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon with your pup. This rare find has an enormous collection of books with the children’s section being my favorite, as I’m working on one that features Parker! We come here a lot for the quaint atmosphere and honestly, who doesn’t love the smell of a new book? If your pup is hankering for a little snack, 192 Books keeps a stash of doggie treats too! 

Our 4^th Stop

Chelsea Pier, Waterfront Park (23^rd St & Hudson Park, New York, NY 10011)

I absolutely love taking Parker to the Chelsea Pier. It’s one of his favorite walks and we’ve named it “Parker’s Path.” This Waterfront Park is full of great landscape and of course, it’s always nice to look out at the Hudson River. The only thing it’s missing is a dog-friendly café, hint hint.

Our 5^th Stop

The Grey Dog Bar & Restaurant (242 W 16^th St, New York, NY 10011)

The Grey Dog is the definition of unassuming, but when you walk down just a few steps, it transforms into this lovely little spot. The menu is robust, and the drinks never fail to be refreshing. Bring your best friend along and maybe a few human friends to enjoy a great afternoon at The Grey Dog Café.

There you have it! We had a great time with our tour guides, Carrie and Parker. We hope that next time you’re in Chelsea you grab a bite to eat, a drink or even a good book. We’ll see you next time on Bark Like A Local.