Places to vacation with your dog
Austin, Texas
When traveling to one of the best dog-friendly cities in the country, expect nothing less than the best, from restaurants that roll out the red carpet to green spaces right in the middle of downtown for your dog to romp around in.
Go on a thrilling hike or a bike ride on the 10-mile trail and boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake. If you’ve got your water-loving retriever, rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard for a relaxing time on the lake.
The Texas State Capitol building’s lawn is open to pets, and so are dozens of restaurants, including the aptly named Austin Terrier, serving dog-named sandwiches and pizzas, and Kerbey Lane Café serving delicious brunch all day at seven locations.
Austin also gives new meaning to the word downward dog with its unique offering of Austin Doga. That’s right, you can now do your asanas with your faithful pet by your side. The studio offers group and solo lessons and even helps you organize a party for your dog.
A short drive from the city center, you and your active pup can explore the woods and check out the waterfalls at the Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve, often referred to simply as the Greenbelt. Nearby, at the Barton Creek Farmers Market, support local farmers and vendors, some of whom sell dog food and accessories. Meet like-minded folks at the Red Bud Isle lakefront off-leash dog park, and have a lovely time swimming in the lake and enjoying scenic views.
San Diego, California
Sunshine, surf, and miles of sandy shoreline make San Diego an ideal destination for your beach vacation with your sidekick. Delight in picture-perfect vistas along the cliff-lined coasts of La Jolla and Del Mar communities and choose a different beach every day, from Fiesta Island, Mission Bay Park, Ocean Beach, and Dog Beach among many others.
If you are visiting in July, don’t miss the Unleashed Surf Dog competition at Imperial Beach, the largest dog surfing competition in the nation. When you’ve had your fun on the beaches, head to the dog parks at Balboa Park to socialize with other pets and their owners.
The prominent Cowles Mountain, located within the city of San Diego, has a hiking trail to the summit where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city and the ocean beyond; of course, your pet will just love being with you and sniffing all the scents along the way.
Other popular dog-friendly activities in this SoCal city include walking the streets of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and shopping at the open-air Westfield UTC Center. Sports lovers can head to Petco Park’s Barkyard, a private area for pet owners in the left-center field.
Asheville, North Carolina
Set aside time in autumn to see colorful foliage in Asheville’s countryside with your favorite family member. This North Carolina bohemian city has abundant opportunities to experience the great outdoors with your dog. Take in serene mountain views on a leisurely drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway and choose from hiking trails in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and national forests.
Stay in luxurious pet-friendly hotels and walk the grounds of top attractions like the Biltmore Estate, North Carolina Arboretum, and the French Broad River Park. The River Park has a winding, shaded path along the river; a wildflower garden; and a well-visited, fenced-in dog park. The Biltmore Estate provides kennels, so you can browse the interiors.
Lake Placid, New York
Located a five-hour drive from New York City in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is a quintessential romantic getaway. Bring your four-legged friend along and make memories along the lake’s beaches and at luxury lodges like the Lake Placid Lodge.
Lake Placid is an all around outdoor destination, where you can go skiing, hiking, biking, and fishing all in just one trip. A must-do is a stroll along Mirror Lake on a 2.7-mile paved trail for lovely views and fresh air. Located on the west side of the lake, the path has some shops that welcome dogs.
If Rover likes riding in the car, take a drive up to Whiteface Mountain along the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (open only in the summer), stopping along the way for some Instagram-worthy pictures with stunning backdrops.
After all that exploring, take a break with a relaxing stroll on Main Street, stopping by Lisa G’s for classic American dishes.
Sanibel Island, Florida
If you’ve got a beach bum on your hands, head to Florida’s Gulf Coast on Sanibel Island. Sun-kissed beaches and year-round balmy weather make this Southwest Florida region a wonderful escape.
Take in magnificent sunsets, search for seashells, or jog on the beach with your four-legged companion in this barrier island where nearly all of the beaches are pet-friendly. One of the most popular beaches is the Gulfside Beach, (which also goes by Algiers Beach), which offers picnic areas, barbecue grills, outdoor showers, and restrooms.
At the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, one of the country’s largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystems and one of the top attractions on Sanibel, you and your leashed pet can explore the wetlands and mangroves and spot herons, manatees, and migratory birds on a pleasant drive along a public access road called Wildlife Drive.
Kanab, Utah
Kanab is a small town located in Southwestern Utah bordering Arizona, but the main attraction here is the Best Friends Animal Society’s sanctuary, the largest no-kill companion animal shelter in the country. Spread across 3,700 acres, the sanctuary houses adoptable dogs, cats, bunnies, farm animals, horses, and orphaned and injured wild animals.
Best Friends has shelters all across the country, but the main location is a must-see, where animal lovers can spend time with adoptable animals and volunteer to clean kennels and socialize with and train the pets. If you’ve left your dog at home, you can borrow one to have a sleepover with in your hotel room or in one of the on-site cottages (as long as you dedicate a few hours to volunteer during your stay).
Best Friends’ new pet-centric hotel, Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile, located five miles from the sanctuary, has 40 guest rooms featuring pet introduction doors, elevated furnishings, and areas with pet mattresses. The premises include a fenced-in dog park, splash zone, and a pet washing station. It also offers pet-sitting and dog walking services, as well as sanctuary tours.
Long Island, New York
While New York City’s Central Park is a haven for dogs, the larger playground just an hour drive from the city lies in Long Island. The U.S. mainland’s largest island has beaches, Gold Coast mansions, hiking trails, and, of course, the famed Hamptons.
Bring your nature-loving pet on hikes at Sagamore National Historic Site, Sands Point Preserve, Gardiner County Park, Belmont Lake State Park, and Sunken Meadow State Park among others. Drive out to the Hamptons’ and Montauk‘s dog-friendly beaches in the South Fork or visit pumpkin patches and lavender fields in the North Fork.
Take the ferry from Patchogue to the Watch Hill campgrounds on Fire Island National Seashore and watch the fireworks go off across the length of Long Island during July 4th festivities. The landscaped gardens of Old Westbury Gardens become available to pets twice yearly during Dog Days, so you and your pets can smell the flowers and make memories. Walk the Nautical Mile in Freeport, stopping by to get ice-cream at Ralph’s Italian Ices and food at various dog-friendly establishments.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is home to the first and only restaurant in Colorado that allows dogs to dine inside with their people. Pub Dog Colorado has indoor seating, as well as a 3,000-square-foot off-leash outdoor area where pups can socialize. The menu caters to humans and canines with separate sections. Your dog will get a kick out of the fact that the human entrees are served in dog bowls.
Located at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is also an outdoor paradise for pups. You can take your doggo hiking amid the famous red rocks of Garden of the Gods park, which has more than 20 miles of hiking trails. If your pup likes car rides, take him on a drive to the summit of 14,000-plus-foot-high Pikes Peak for some different scents.
The city is also home to a number of dog-friendly hotels and resorts, from the five-star The Broadmoor to the recently opened, boutique Kinship Landing.
Portland, Oregon
With more dog parks per capita than any other U.S. city, Portland is another great place for a dog-friendly vacation. If your pup loves to swim, you’ll want to head to Sellwood Riverfront Park, with plenty of opportunities to splash around. For more sedate strolls with less muddy paws check out Forest Park, where there are miles of walking paths for leashed doggos to sniff around on.
If your dog enjoys social media photoshoots, you can take her to the International Rose Test Garden. It is home to more than 10,000 rose bushes that make for gorgeous photo backdrops along with walking trails.
Afterwards grab a bite at the Tin Shed Garden Cafe. There is a menu for pups, with chicken and beef entrees served over rice or sweet potatoes and even peanut butter banana ice cream for canines with a sweet tooth.
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