Do you consider your dog your best buddy? Then you probably want to live in a neighborhood that pampers its pooches. In the Washington, DC area, that place is Alexandria, Virginia. This suburb, which is located right across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital, has tons to offer the canine set, including several restaurants with patios where pet owners can enjoy al fresco dining or yappy hours with their furry friends. And there is even a riverboat that offers a 60-minute canine cruise around the Alexandria Seaport. But what really sets Alexandria apart as a canine-friendly town is its 18 dog exercise areas and off-leash parks. In fact, Alexandria dog parks are so common that every resident lives within a mile of at least one, according to the Alexandria Welfare League of Alexandria.
But with so many dog parks to choose from, you’re probably wondering which ones are the best. No worries. We’ve done some sleuthing and come up with the five that we think your pup will give two paws up to.
1. Simpson Stadium ParkÂ
Address: 426 E. Monroe Avenue
Looking for a large park where your dog can run off some energy? Then head over to Simpson Stadium Park, which boasts a spacious, fully fenced, off-leash area for canines. While most of the footing in this park is gravel, it does also have a grassy hilly section for pups with tender feet. Simpson Stadium Park also has many amenities that some of the other dog parks in the area lack, such as benches, a water fountain for the dogs, and lights so that your pup can continue to play even after the sun goes down. There is also a lot of parking and clean public restrooms located outside of the dog park. And there are usually dog waste bags available at this park that are provided by other pet owners. The only negative? There is no separate section for small dogs, so easily intimidated pups may not feel comfortable here.
2. Dog Run Park at Carlyle
Address: Â 450 Andrew’s Lane
Dog Run Park at Carlyle is not a big park, but it does offer two separate fully fenced areas — one for big dogs and another for the smaller canines. So if you own a petite pup that is afraid to mix it up with the big guys, or have a gigantic Great Dane that could accidentally step on a Chihuahua, this park is a great option for you. Look for Dog Run Park behind the Carlyle Towers and by the Metro tracks.
There are slight differences in the two runs. For example, the small dog run has gravel footing, while the big dog run is covered in mulch and is slightly larger in size.  And while the park does offer ground-level water fountains for the dogs, they are turned off from approximately December to April. In addition, there have been complaints that the fountains only work sporadically even when they’re supposed to be on. So to be safe, bring your own supply of water for your dog as he’s bound to be thirsty after romping around with the other pooches. And you’ll also want to bring dog waste bags since none are provided at this park. The main complaint voiced about this location is that parking can be difficult to find.
3. Duke Street Dog Park
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Address: 5000 Block of Duke Street
This small, completely fenced dog park is located just east of the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Library. It is a local favorite that boasts both grass and mulch footing, which some people prefer over the gravel that can be found at other parks. There is no water available at the Duke Street Dog Park, so it is important to bring your own for your pooch. The park, itself, does not have parking, but there are spaces available at the library or at a nearby shopping center.
4. Founders ParkÂ
Address: 351 N. Union Street
If you own a well-trained dog that won’t run off after a squirrel or other dogs, then you might enjoy taking him to Founders Park. This small park, which is located on the waterfront in Old Town, boasts a nice off-leash area that is not fenced. In a unique agreement made with the city, Founders Park’s off-leash area is maintained by a dedicated group of dog owners, who have worked hard to make it a special place for pets to run free. They have installed two benches and a water fountain for both people and dogs, and have also planted five trees. Although there is street parking available near the park, it can be difficult to find open spots in Old Town. To locate the off-leash area in Founders Park, look for bollards with paw prints on them. Alexandria uses these bollards to mark the boundaries of its unfenced, off-leash areas.
5. Monticello Park
Address: 320 Beverley Drive
This heavily wooded, 6.24-acre park, which is located in the Beverly Hills section of Alexandria, is another unfenced off-leash dog exercise area. Again, this type of park is not suitable for dogs that have a tendency to run off. But if you own a well-trained dog, Monticello Park is a great place to escape the heat in the summer because of its leafy canopy of trees. There is also a little creek where your dog can cool down. Look for the off-leash dog area next to this small park’s walking trail. Please be aware that you are supposed to keep your dog on its leash until you reach the off-leash area. Parking for Monticello Park is available on nearby streets.
2 Point Highlight
“But what really sets Alexandria apart as a canine-friendly town is its 18 dog exercise areas and off-leash parks.”
“Dog Run Park at Carlyle is not a big park, but it does offer two separate fully fenced areas — one for big dogs and another for the smaller canines.”
