Santa pics at Salty’s last year! (with Bruisy)
Did you say pet friendly things to do in Portland? Pet friendly holiday fun, oh okay! I have you covered!
After living in Portland for over ten years, I’ve found some great ways to celebrate the holidays with your four-legged friends without breaking the bank. If you’re like me, you may be spread a bit thin financially around this time of year. But fear not fellow pet owners and lovers – I have some great holiday activity recommendations that I know you’ll just love – and a few of them even give you the option of helping support some of our local dog rescues and non-for-profits.
FYI: In Portland, you can pick out your Christmas Tree with your dog or see the largest light show in the Northwest with your dog riding in the car? Now that’s FUN!
OK – here are the activities! Have a blast – and Happy Holidays!
1. Santa Pics With Your Dog!
Santa pics at Frontier Vet Hospital benefits Washington County Bonnie Hayes Animal Shelter
Frontier’s 7th Annual Pet Pictures with Santa event returns on Saturday, December 10! These pics are for a good cause – with all proceeds benefit Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter in Hillsboro. Visit their site to reserve your spot! Cost: $15 minimum donation, all proceeds benefit the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter.
Santa Paws Photo at Indigo Rescue
Another opportunity for Santa pics is the Santa Paws Photo that benefits Indigo Rescue
Indigo’s event is December 10th and 11th from 1:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. This event takes place at the Tanasbourne Petco and is $5. <18200 NW Evergreen Pkwy, Beaverton, OR, 9700>. Contact Indigo Rescue with any questions.
2. Pet-Friendly Tree Farms
Take your family’s tradition of finding that perfect Christmas Tree to the folks at C. W. Baggenstos Farms – a dog-friendly Christmas tree farm that donates 20% of all proceeds to Indigo Rescue. Just remember, the tree you pick is up to you – so if you buy the biggest one of the lot, it may not be the most ‘frugal’ activity… But they have trees of all sizes to meet all family budgets
Bruisy at Winter Wonderland
3. Dog-Friendly Holiday Lights
Portland boasts the largest light show in the Northwest – and the largest holiday light show West of the Mississippi River! And it all takes place at the Portland International Raceway. During the holiday season, this car racing track and property is converted into a ‘Winter Wonderland’ – with thousands of lights and some very unique displays. The best part? You pull up in your car – with family, friends and your pets in tow – and then cruise the track to take in the holiday festivities.
Open Sunday – Thursday, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. & Friday – Saturday, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
This is a great way to enjoy holiday lights in the comfort and warmth of your car! One car with dogs and humans is $20.
There are over 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes.
There is also a dog walk night that is pet friendly! Tuesday, December 6th –The Lloyd Center Lights and Leashes Dog Walk Night!
4. Holiday Shopping with Your Dog
Which shopping events are appropriate for canines?
I stumbled upon the PORTLAND ARTISAN FESTIVAL at Pioneer Courthouse Square that takes place from Dec. 6-8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then on Friday, December 9 from 11 am. to 7:30 p.m. There are forty PSM artists that you can visit with you dog on leash. You can also enjoy the tree while there! What a great spot for your holiday card pic this year! (free…)
Or take a stroll in downtown Multnomah Village! The have their famous – Golden Ticket holiday campaign. Super pet friendly Multnomah Village encourages people to shop at certain stores in the Hillsdale and Multnomah Village shopping districts and earn “Golden Tickets” that offer discounts and deals at other participating businesses.
5. Free Hikes or Winter Adventures
My go to hikes are Forest Park or Tyron Creek State Park!
Forest Park is the largest forested urban park in the United States (approx 5,400 acres). The hike I go on starts at 2999 NW Upshur Street but there are many entrance points. There are no fees or permits required.
Tryon Creek State Park is right in the middle of SW Portland. You can start off of SW Terwilliger Boulevard, about 2.4 miles south of I-5. No fees or permits for this hike either.
Sauvie Island is 15 minutes from downtown!
We went on Black Friday and ran the dogs on the beach and there was NO one there. Look how much fun you can have with your dogs!
