Five Places To Go To With Your Dog

Many dog owners want to bring their dog with them when they go out to dinner or do some shopping, but it isn't always easy to find local establishments who welcome dogs. The Montgomery County Health Department does not allow restaurants to have dogs inside their buildings or even in roped-off outdoor patios where food is being served.

But with the coming of Spring and Summer, there are general shopping areas that welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs on their sidewalks and plazas and some smaller stores.

1. Washingtonian Center (on Washingtonian Blvd near the intersection of Sam Eig Hwy/370)
   With its lake, boardwalk, and shopping areas, the Washingtonian Center is prime for afternoons with your dog. Some of the stores don't mind a calm dog inside and the Corner Cafe has sidewalk with seating where most dogs can hang out near their owners.
2. Kentlands Market Square (where Market Street and Center Point Way intersect in the Kentlands Section of Gaithersburg, MD)
   This area is an urban dog-walker's paradise. The sidewalks are wide and there is a courtyard style square with plenty of shops and outdoor restaurant areas, but it is still close to residential streets for taking the long way around for some good exercise.
3. Rockville Town Square (Rockville Pike/355 at Beall Ave)
   Lots of great stores and restaurants and the Rockville Library surround the Rockville Town Square. They also have a lot of events in the square on the weekends, with live music or kids activities.
4. The Market in Olde Towne, 315 E. Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg
   After the first week of May, the city of Gaithersburg has several farmers markets, the most fun for you and your dog would be the early Friday evenings in Old Towne where vendors sell everything from organic locally farmed food to hand made jewelry near the town hall, bandshell, a railway museum and some great shops and restaurants.
5. Traville Gateway Drive
   This North Potomac haunt is a little known but sweet area with an old “Main Street” feel. There are restaurants including Beale Street Grill  and Stella , shops, and a small, attractive park right in the middle of everything.