The Whitewater Center Is Becoming Even More Dog-Friendly This Year

Big things are happening at the Whitewater Center. We already know that two new zip-lines, high ropes, and two swinging bridges will be opening on Friday, September 1st. That's a great reason to head out there over Labor Day weekend. But there's even more coming later this fall that will surely get some tails wagging.

According to Axios Charlotte, the Whitewater Center will be unveiling an off-leash dog park on November 17th. Until now, dogs were always welcome at the 1,300-acre outdoor sports facility, but they had to be on leash. This new 70-acre area will give dogs of any size and breed the freedom they've wanted all along.

The Whitewater Center's off-leash dog park will include the three-mile Lake Loop trail, water and trail access, and a lakefront beach. So bring towels. There will also be some nice features for humans, including an open-air beer garden, a new retail outlet, the new Lake Center (1,960-square-foot building and 1,800-square-foot shaded pavilion), as well as space for groups and special events.

A single-activity pass for the new off-leash area is $10 per dog. Adults with an annual pass may add one dog, but additional dogs are $50 each per year. You can find more Whitewater Center information HERE.

Five of the most dog-friendly restaurants in America are in North Carolina. Listen I love dogs. I really do. And I'm on board (if your dog can handle it and is happy) for taking dogs to places like breweries. Perhaps even somewhere with an outdoor patio to eat. But I'm a little more hazy on that one. But what I saw this weekend in Blowing Rock, was two different dogs one in a stroller and the other just laying under the table, inside in a restaurant. I'm sorry the line has to be drawn somewhere. Your dog will be ok at home for an hour by themselves. These were not service animals, just dogs that were accompanying their owners to dine inside a sit-down restaurant.

I get it. When my dog was alive I did wish I could take him everywhere. He loved to go to the drive threw, the bank,  or a pet-friendly store like Petsmart. But I never took him into a general store and certainly never to a restaurant. And in all honesty, he would have been miserable at a restaurant. He hated sitting still in a new place, would have been trying to eat everyone's food, and the heat outside would have bothered him as well. But despite my personal feelings about taking your dog out to eat, numerous people do it. This is what led Yelp to create a list of the most dog-friendly restaurants in America. And not one, not two, but 5 North Carolina restaurants made the list.

Here's how Yelp says the list was curated: "We identified businesses in the restaurants and food categories with a large concentration of reviews mentioning "dog friendly," then ranked those spots using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning those keywords between June 1, 2020, and June 1, 2023. If a chain appeared on the list more than once, we only included the highest-rated location. When available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score as of June 1, 2023." You can view the full list of 100 restaurants here or keep reading to see the 5 top dog-friendly restaurants in North Carolina.

Location: Asheville, NC

Sunny Point Cafe is a popular comfort food spot in West Asheville. It has over 2360 reviews on Yelp and a 4.5 star rating. They are open for breakfast and lunch. View the menu here.

Location: Old Fort

Just down the road in Old Fort North Carolina you'll find the second NC restaurant on this list- Hillman Beer. There are actually locations not only in Old Fort but in Asheville and Morganton as well. This small family-owned business brings "the pub style to a brewery experience". It boasts a large outdoor patio with picnic tables perfect for bringing your pup. View the menu here.

Location: Asheville

Asheville does have a reputation as being very dog friendly. And this next spot also stays in Asheville. You'll find Funkatorium in the South Slope of Asheville. It is owned by popular Wicked Weed Brewing and is the East Coast’s first sour beer dedicated taproom. And like most breweries, Funkatorium is dog friendly. View the menu here.

Location: Charlotte

One of my favorite spots in Charlotte Brewers at 4001 Yancey is a joint venture between Southern Tier, Sixpoint, Victory Brewing Company and Bold Rock Cidery. Located in LoSo they have a huge outdoor space perfect for dogs, a wide variety of beer, seltzers, ciders, cocktails, and delicious food. Plus there is parking which in Charlotte is always a bonus! View the menu here.

Location: Waynesville

In downtown Waynesville, you'll find Boojum Brewing. This taproom located in the shadow of the picturesque Smoky Mountains features delicious seasonal pub fare, a rotating menu of 16 house-brewed beers, as well as wine and cocktails. View the menu here.