Your dog is part of the family, right? So why leave the poor pupper at a kennel or hire a sitter when you want to get away for a few days? Luckily, Winona is a great travel spot where you can have lots of adventures with Fido in tow. Trust us, Winona is so full of amazing hikes and pet-friendly businesses, your fur-baby will thank you for including them in on the all fun!
We spent the day with Winona’s beloved pet-expert Aditi Czarnomski and her beautiful shepherd Sirius Black as they took us around to a few of their favorite spots in Winona. Aditi’s list of dog-centric places is the subject of our latest installment of Visit Winona’s Short List!
Aditi has been involved with animals since she was a child, and became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in 2006. For 15 years, she’s been coaching people and their animals, while keeping up on the latest research and discoveries in the field. Through her business, The Urbane Animal, Aditi has been a touchstone for community resources on pet related topics. Beyond Winona, Aditi gives lectures and seminars, speaks at conferences, and deploys with the ASPCA as a professional responder with the Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team.
Aditi is also a long-time Winonan, and if you’ve spent some time in our city, there’s a good chance you’ve seen her out and about with Sirius Black. Over time, they’ve discovered lots of great places they can go together, and wanted to share some of their faves with dog-families looking to travel to Winona.
Here is their Visit Winona Short List…
1. Prairie Island Dog Park
This huge and beautiful new fenced in off-leash park offers locals and visitors a chance to meet other canine compadres, and for their dog-social dogs to meet other pups. It’s located in Winona’s beautiful Prairie Island park, which also is home to many picnic shelters, playgrounds, and a campground right on the banks of the Mississippi River. Check out this link for more info and park rules.
2. Winona Feed and Seed
This locally owned rustic shop just outside of downtown Winona is a one stop shop for pet, yard and garden, and bird feeder needs. Packed with healthy foods and plenty of toys to keep your furry companion busy in the backseat, Winona Feed and Seed also allows leashed, well behaved pets to come peruse the aisles with their hoomans.
3. Green Thumb Artistry
What is Winona’s downtown plant boutique doing on a list about dogs??? Well, this locally owned and managed shop not only caters your little leafy pals, but also to your furry ones. Check out Green Thumb Artistry‘s awesome section of gourmet pet treats and accessories. Your pup will thank you!
4. Garvin Heights Park
A hike up to a bluff top with your leashed companion is a rite of passage for any dog in Winona, and there’s no better place to start than on the trail leading up to Winona’s iconic Garvin Heights Park. You can find the trailhead just off of the Highway 61 and Huff Street intersection. Turn towards the bluff and park just to the east of Garvin Heights Road to find a well maintained hiking path (complete with benches for resting) up to one of the best vista points on the Mississippi. Don’t worry, if the hike sounds daunting, you can drive right up to the overlook!
5. No Name Bar
Don’t want to leave your pet in the room or the car when you’re ready for cocktail hour after your long day of fun??? This local watering hole located on 3rd and Franklin Streets in downtown Winona, welcomes well behaved pets to their spacious back yard. Grab a pint with your pup at the No Name Bar.
Ready to book your trip? Check out these pet-friendly lodging locales.
AmericInn – Riverport Inn and Express Suites – Fairfield Inn – Holiday Inn Express and Suites – Plaza Hotel and Suites
Of course, Aditi’s list is just a fraction of all the fun things you can do with your dog in Winona. There are miles upon miles of trails in the vicinity of town that are perfect for leashed walks. Many downtown cafes have tables out front where pets and their owners can be seen socializing regularly, and you can find water bowls out front of lots of local businesses. We even have a link where you can find out more about dog-friendly city parks. Some dogs even love a ride in a canoe during the summer months, and, of course, frolicking in snow in the winter.
We hope you and your doggo have a wonderful time in Winona!