From Hendersonville's golf course homes near the Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club to the Georgian Revival-style luxury homes along the banks of the Cumberland River, Hendersonville is a charming town to live in. There are numerous dog parks and pet-friendly venues where people can bring their leashed pets with them. Here's a closer look at the dog-friendly atmosphere for dog owners moving to Hendersonville or bringing their pups along for a visit.

Best Neighborhood Dog Parks in Hendersonville

Most single-family homes in Hendersonville have their own yard, which makes dog ownership convenient. However, dog parks provide the chance to meet other dog owners and their pets while getting some exercise away from home. Here are three dog parks that are local favorites.

Hendersonville Dog Park (in Memorial Park)

Hendersonville has one central dog park, which is located in Memorial Park. This waterfront park has tennis courts, a Peace Garden, and a fenced playground. The dog park has two fenced-in sections, one for large dogs and one for small or timid dogs. Each section has a doggy drinking fountain and plenty of benches for owners to sit on. Dogs must remain on a leash until they're inside the double-gated entrance to the dog park.

The dog park has a nice, grassy surface for the dogs to run and play on. After a visit to the dog park, there are walking trails at Memorial Park, where people can take their leashed pets for a stroll to enjoy the scenery.

Fenway's Dog Park (in neighboring Goodlettsville, five miles away)

Fenway's Dog Park is located inside Moss-Wright Park in the nearby city of Goodlettsville. This large community park has five separate baseball fields, soccer fields, a concession stand, public restrooms, a playground area, and lots of wide-open space. Many parking spaces are available in the main parking lot, or dog owners can park along the street to access the dog park.

Fenway's Dog Park was initially built with funds from a Goodlettsville couple who lost their long-time pet named Fenway. The dog park was so popular that Goodlettsville Parks and Recreation has expanded it twice over the years. It has separate sections for large and small dogs. The dog park is surfaced with grassy areas and wood chips.

Two Rivers Dog Park (Nashville, 14 miles from Hendersonville)

The Two Rivers Dog Park is the biggest off-leash park in the Nashville Metro area. Inside Two Rivers Park, the fenced-in dog park is seven total acres. This park does not have separate areas for large and small dogs. It's just one big, beautiful, wide-open space with rolling grassy hills, shade trees, and walking paths. It has a double-gated entrance, multiple doggy drinking fountains, trash cans, and waste bags.

Even the fencing in this park is unique. It's a wooden frame with mesh fencing, which looks nicer than the standard metal fences seen in most dog parks. Two Rivers Park itself is also huge. It has a skateboard park, a disc golf course, an 18-hole public golf course, and many additional amenities for everyone to enjoy. The Two Rivers Dog Park is a must-visit location for any dog owner living in Hendersonville.

Dog-Friendly Activities in Hendersonville

Fenced-in dog parks are not the only fun things to do in Hendersonville with dogs. There are plenty of additional ideas about things to do in the Nashville area with an animal companion. Here are a few ideas.

The community of 12 South is an iconic neighborhood in Nashville, located south of downtown. This neighborhood is known for its many public art murals and a large share of the fun things to do in Nashville. One popular activity for locals and tourists is a personal or guided public art walking tour in 12 South. All the murals in the neighborhood are outside buildings, so the tour is outdoors the whole time. People can bring their leashed dog for selfies in front of the Nashville Fox, the Five Daughters Donut Shop, Just a Few Gents, and other fun and quirky murals.

Leashed dogs are also welcome with their owners on the Stones River Greenway. This nice asphalt and boardwalk trail follows the Stones River from the Cumberland River in Nashville to the J. Percy Priest Reservoir Dam. The trail is slightly over five miles long (10 miles round-trip). It's a great way to see the Stones River, the greenery of the area, and even some wildlife. Those with a Tennessee fishing license can drop a line in the water to try their luck.

For a genuinely different AirBnB experience with a pet, book a metallurgical silver ring-stacking class at Walker Jewelry. Leashed dogs can accompany their owners as they learn beginner-level cutting, filing, and silver soldering to make jewelry from a pro.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Hendersonville

If a person had to pick two things that the Nashville Metro area, including Hendersonville, is famous for, it would probably be country music and southern cooking. Fortunately, there are plenty of dining hot spots around Hendersonville where dogs are welcome, too! Leashed pets are allowed in many venues with outdoor patio seating and even some indoor dining spots.

"Dogs make everything better," says Double Dogs in Gallatin. Just minutes to the northeast of Hendersonville, this restaurant and pub has an outdoor patio where leashed dogs are always welcome with their owners. They have a great selection of beers on tap, and the "down home" pub food is delicious.

Catfish and authentic Nashville hushpuppies are on the menu at Our Place Cafe and Catering on Main Street in Hendersonville. They have limited patio tables with shade umbrellas available, where dogs are welcome.

The Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill is another dog-friendly venue in Hendersonville that is well worth visiting. They have outdoor patio seating where dogs are welcome. The restaurant serves various Cajun and Creole seafood dishes, but the steamed crawfish are the main draw.

The Pharmacy in Nashville calls itself the "Wurst-Burger" joint in Nashville, and that's true. Bring the dog and stop by for a bratwurst burger!

Dog-Friendly Shopping in Hendersonville

Many pet owners like to take their dogs with them while running errands or shopping. While Hendersonville has a few dog-friendly shops, the greater Nashville area has plenty more. Here are some local favorites worth exploring.

White's Mercantile has multiple locations in the Nashville area, including one in 12 South and another in the Green Hills neighborhood. These stores were the vision of singer-songwriter Holly Williams who wanted to bring back the traditional "Old West" general store like the one her grandparents used to own. Leashed dogs are welcome inside the stores.

Draper James is a women's clothing shop in Nashville owned by Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon. There's one shop in 12 South and another at the Nashville Airport. It's a dog-friendly shopping venue.

Cumberland Transit is near Vanderbilt University in Nashville. It sells gear and clothing for biking, camping, climbing, and fly fishing adventures. The store allows leashed dogs inside with their owners.

Hendersonville has a great growing season, thanks to the local climate. Gardens of Babylon is a Nashville nursery and landscaping store that sells flowers and plants, gardening supplies, firepits, outdoor lighting, and many other items. It's a primarily outdoor and dog-friendly venue.

Avid readers who own dogs are welcome to bring their pets inside the Nashville branch of Half Price Books. They also sell stationery, puzzles, collectibles, DVDs, CDs, and lots of other new and used products.

Pet-Friendly Lodging

Anyone taking a vacation or staycation in the Hendersonville area will be happy to know that many pet-friendly lodging options are available.

The Hyatt Place Nashville/Hendersonville is located on Main Street. This pet-friendly hotel has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and 24/7 dining. Their pet policy allows one dog weighing up to 50 pounds per room or two weighing up to 75 pounds. There is a $75 pet fee for the first week at the hotel. Those staying between 7 and 30 days also have a $100 pet cleaning fee for the room.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville - Hendersonville is a highly rated hotel that allows pets. They charge a pet fee, although it is waived if the dog is a service animal. They allow up to two pets per room, such as dogs or cats.

The Candlewood Suites Nashville is both dog and cat friendly. Two pets weighing up to 80 pounds are allowed per room. They charge a pet fee of $25 per night for the first six nights and a $150 fee for extended stays of seven nights or longer.

Note that some hotels in the Hendersonville area are not pet-friendly. Be sure to ask about pet policies when booking a hotel room to stay here, just to be safe.

Explore Dog-Friendly Hendersonville, TN

Dog owners are welcome in Hendersonville. From dog-friendly outdoor dining and shopping to dog parks and other outdoor sites—most of which are located in Hendersonville's best neighborhoods—many venues exist to explore and get to know better here. Anyone with questions about dog ownership in the Nashville area can check the city's dog ownership codes. Most dog owners will find they fit right in when moving to Hendersonville.

Does Hendersonville sound perfect for what you want in a home? Contact The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage with Nashville's MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in touch with a Hendersonville real estate agent and discover the ideal Hendersonville home for you today.