Williamsburg - Pet-Friendly Places

History is for the dogs, some might say and it's never been truer than at this re-creation of an 18th century village where pets are welcome to stroll through Market Square and Duke of Gloucester Street and ride the shuttle buses. Pets not allowed in the historic buildings but they really don't seem to mind.

Well, this was a no-brainer to include! Of course, the name, but also because this establishment has the same ownership as the pet-friendly Trellis Bar & Grill, which is right next door. They are crazy about dogs here and community, and in addition to running an excellent pub, they have a dog-friendly running club, with folks meeting up every Monday at 5 p.m. for a 5K jog (with your canine, if you like), followed by a pint and a small bite to eat. Our kind of place all the way around. The menu is pub inspired, offering up a Ploughman’s Lunch, Chips with Malt Vinegar, Bangers & Mash, as well as burgers, salads, and lots more.

If you’ve got a taste for genuine barbecue, this is your place. If you can smoke it, it’s on the menu—brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken bar-b-que, as well as whole smoked chicken and smoked St. Louis-style ribs. There are also burgers and dogs, Brunswick stew, Smoked Brisket Chili, Fresh Southern-Style Collards, Hushpuppies, and a host of other southern sides. Enjoy it all with your pooch in their pet-friendly outdoor seating section. Pierce’s does not serve alcohol. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

A great local place to get a beer (they’ve got a wide selection of microbrews), a burger, listen to live music, and watch folks play pool from your table on their pet-friendly garden patio. There are also vegetarian offerings, and lots of special events, including literary readings and single malt scotch tastings (we like the idea of doing both at the same time!).

We admit it, this restaurant is a splurge but what a wonderful splurge it is, and it’s nice to know of a high-end restaurant that is happy to welcome you and your dog. Which The Trellis does in style on their lovely pet-friendly patio. As for the food—what we can say, it’s hard to know where to start. Well, how about with Gnocchi Duck Confit or Chilled Asparagus with Prosciutto & Garlic Herb Cheese? The main selections are a cross between classic steakhouse and southern fare with a twist: Shrimp and Grits, Black Angus Rib-eye Steak, Whole Rainbow Trout with Crab and Cornbread Stuffing. Dessert, if you have room, is simply Death by Chocolate. What a way to go! Open seven days a week, for lunch, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for dinner, Monday through Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday 4 to 9 p.m.; for brunch, Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is a 1 1/2-acre dog park with two fenced-in areas for dogs to run off leash: one for dogs weighing 30 pounds or less, and the other for larger dogs. If you are not a resident, you still need to register your dog at the Operations Building and you must show paperwork to prove your pup has up-to-date shots and is registered, wherever you live. You can pay a yearly nonresidents’ fee of $62 for the first dog ($25 for each additional) or $2 per day per dog.