For those of us with dogs, we can all probably agree that these pups are official members of our family. And that means there’s probably nothing we want more than to have them by our side at all times.

Between restaurants and bars, hiking trails and luxury pet salons and stores, there are so many pet-friendly places across our region, but you just have to know where to find them. To get you started, we’ve curated lists of all of these must-visit places. And we’ve also taken a deep dive into North Jersey’s favorite dog breeds, as well as what has made New Jersey such a dog-friendly state.

So dog lovers: Sit back, relax and enjoy some reading dedicated to all those Garden State pups.

We sure do love our dogs here in New Jersey. And while residents across the state likely have their own preferences for which dog breeds they consider to be their favorite, there are only a select few that can officially claim the title of being the Garden State’s most popular breeds.

The American Kennel Club, as well as U.S. News and World Report, each released their own rankings for New Jersey’s most popular dog breeds in 2024. Read the rankings and find out whether your pooch is among the state’s most popular pups.

Over the last several years, more people in New Jersey have been bringing their dogs everywhere, from restaurants and bars to department stores and pharmacies. The Garden State was also named the eighth most dog-friendly state in 2024, having more than 2,000 dog-friendly facilities, over 1,700 dog-friendly restaurants and nearly 400 dog-friendly hotels. Read about why more people like to bring their dogs out with them, and why New Jersey has become so much more dog-friendly.

Sometimes we’d just like to treat ourselves to a cold drink or a nice meal, but it’s tough to not feel guilty about leaving our furry friends behind. Luckily, there are plenty of dog-friendly spots across North Jersey, so you don’t have to.

While it’s impossible to name them all, we’ve compiled a list of 27 different dog-friendly breweries, bars and restaurants throughout North Jersey. All of these places feature an outdoor seating area where pups are welcome.

Our region is filled with some of the most beautiful natural attractions and green spaces in the country, and thankfully, many of these locations are dog-friendly. Considering one of the things dogs love most is going on walks, why not take them along to explore some of North Jersey’s most scenic destinations?

We created a list of 14 dog-friendly trails that you can hike in North Jersey. Some locations have natural terrain, while other areas offer pathed paths, so there are a variety of options available depending on you and your pup’s skill level.

North Jersey is no stranger to luxury, so it’s only fitting that even our pups get special treatment. From fancy spa experiences and elaborate grooming services, to speciality treats and unique toys, Garden State pups deserve the best of the best. So if you’re looking to spoil your pooch, we’ve compiled 15 must-visit luxury dog salons and stores right here in North Jersey.

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Our big list of everything dog-friendly in North Jersey

The owner, Jay Gillian, said while he’s tried to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, it’s no longer a viable business.

OCEAN CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) — Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement park full of rides and games on the Ocean City, New Jersey boardwalk, will close at the end of the 2024 season.

The owner, Jay Gillian, announced his retirement and the park’s closure on Friday. The adjoining 6th Street Pizza and Grill will also close.

Gillian said he is embarking on a new chapter in life after “47 incredible years.”

“The 94 years of tradition at Gillian’s amusements on the Boardwalk have been cherished by so many people, none more than me,” he said. “It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. It’s sad to let go.”

Gillian said while he’s tried to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, it’s no longer a viable business.

Gillian said the property itself is no longer his, so he can’t speak to its future.

“Thank for all the amazing years and for being such an important part of our journey,” he wrote.

Gillian’s Wonderland Pier will be open through the weekend of Oct. 12.

The dangerous remnants of Tropical Storm Debby could spin up tornados in New Jersey on Friday along with wind gusts up to 50 mph and intense thunderstorms that could cause flash flooding, according to the latest forecast.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for 17 counties through 2 p.m. Friday. There’s a 5% to 9% probability for tornadoes for about half the state, which the weather service notes “is quite high for this area.”

Just Bergen, Hudson, Monmouth and Ocean counties are excluded from the tornado watch, but the weather service said in its early Friday forecast that the watch area may need to be expanded and the timing of the watch extended as Debby progresses north through Pennsylvania.

• ALSO: Here’s why N.J. faces a tornado threat during the storms from Debby’s remnants

“Tornadoes are the main threat,” the National Weather Service said. “Isolated damaging wind gusts in the morning with a more widespread risk afternoon and evening.”

While the heaviest rain from Debby will miss New Jersey, thunderstorms with intense downpours could still hit already rain-soaked parts of the state, forecasters say. Another 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible for most of the state, with 2 to 4 inches in the forecast for northwestern counties.

• Live N.J. power outage tracker: Gusty winds from Debby remnants put thousands in dark

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through 1 a.m. Saturday for 11 counties — Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, northwestern Burlington, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.

A wind advisory has also been issued for nearly the entire state through Friday evening.

The forecast calls for “a period of strong south or southeast winds on Friday, with wind gusts of 35-50 mph expected across the entire area,” the weather service said. “This may led to downed trees and power outages.”

NJ Advance Media’s power outage tracker showed 5,000 homes and businesses already in the dark as of 8 a.m. Friday.

AccuWeather.com’s forecast predicts wind gust of 40 to 60 mph across a wide area expected to feel the effects of Debby, which is now a post-tropical cyclone. The private weather forecasting company noted that the wind and tornado threat, and not heavy rain, remain the main concern for New Jersey.

“Places such as Philadelphia, New York City and Trenton, New Jersey, may have actually received more rain Tuesday night than they will from Debby into Friday night,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick said.

Some localized river flooding may linger into Saturday, but skies begin to clear for what should be a much needed stretch of pleasant weather.

Highs on Saturday and Sunday are expected to be in the low-to-mid 80s with low humidity. The nice weather with slightly below average temperatures continues through next week, the weather service said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.