Vacation With Your Dog New York

There are a lot of places to take your dog on vacation, but if you are thinking about going with a group of friends and their dogs, New York City is for you.  I can’t emphasize this enough — the city is tailor made for those who want to walk around with their friends, their dogs, and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds that make New York NYC.

If you are an avid dog lover, but feel shoehorned into leaving your best friend at home while you vacation, you’re in good company. As a matter of fact, almost 3 million people leave their pooches at home during a getaway. There is a better way! Here are six tips for taking vacations with your dog New York.

Visiting New York City with your dog should be a trip of a lifetime. With the many things to see, do and eat, it is one of the best cities for everyone! So for those who have been wanting to bring their dogs or cats to NY, keep reading…

Vacation – the word alone sends tingles through our bodies and that feeling of peace, relaxation, and escape comes flooding back. Going away on vacation with your dog should be no different. But before you start packing, make sure you take some steps beforehand.

Owning a dog can be extremely rewarding, but it’s also extremely tiring. Going on vacation sounds like an ideal time to finally get away from it all, but this includes your pup. When planning a vacation, your first thought will no doubt turn to ​where​ you’ll be going and what you’ll be doing. But this shouldn’t be your only consideration – whether you’re traveling locally or far away, there are plenty of ways to ensure that you and your dog enjoy an unforgettable trip together.

February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day, but let’s be honest, what day isn’t? We know it’s hard to truly enjoy yourself when spending time apart from your fur baby, but finding pet-friendly accommodations isn’t always easy. Well, you and Fido are in luck. New York State has plenty of pet-friendly getaway options, from campgrounds, beaches, and dog parks, to upscale inns and hotels. Read on to find the trip that’s pawsitively perfect for you and your pooch.Remember to social distance and wear a mask as required by state guidelines. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions are open and available.

Vacation With Your Dog New York

Firelight Camps (Finger Lakes)

Credit: @thedapple_

Firelight Camps are comfortable and charming lodgings for people and pets who want to surround themselves with nature. Wake up each morning to complimentary locally sourced breakfast and freshly brewed coffee. Feel free to use the phone-charging station, join in communal campfires, play a game of cornhole, and more. You’re also a stone’s (or stick’s) throw from Upper Buttermilk Falls hiking trails. Bring your pup for an additional fee of just $25 per night (allowed in non-electric tents only). And wine lovers with dogs will be excited that all 16 participating wineries on the nearby Cayuga Wine Trail are dog-friendly (many even have treats stashed away behind counters).

Lake George RV Park (Adirondacks)

The Lake George RV Park is one of the rare luxury RV parks replete with Wi-Fi, cable TV, tennis courts, basketball courts, a cafe, a pond with paddle boats, and a trolley shuttle service. Best of all, it’s super pet-friendly. Pups can race around the two-acre off-leash dog park, “Charlie’s Bark Park,” which has both large and small dog areas. There’s an indoor dog wash station, a pet treat vending area, dog spray fountain, walking trails, and a turf play area. Opt to stay in a pet-friendly rental unit with up to two pets, or at any campsite with up to six! Just an 8-minute drive away, you and your dog can enjoy stunning views of Lake George aboard a one-hour historic Lake George Shoreline Cruise with fascinating narration from the captain. 

Eastwind Hotel & Bar (Catskills)

Credit: @yasyasjasper on Instagram

The A-frames and other small cabins at this Catskills retreat offer a perfect taste of glamping with stunning views of Windham Mountain and the countryside, while the main Scandinavian-style lodge is all about coziness. Most rooms and cabins allow you to bring your pet with you ($50 extra per night) to enjoy the nearby hikes and scenery. It’s the perfect location for a Windham ski trip and other Catskills explorations!

Inn at Lake Joseph (Catskills)

Credit: Christian Gianelli

This Catskills retreat is all about the pups (no cats allowed, unfortunately). Enjoy a stay up in the mountains, where dogs of all sizes are welcome to trek the trails in the 2,000-acre forest preserve and cannonball themselves into beautiful Lake Joseph. Humans will enjoy the daily country-style breakfast and 24-hour “help yourself” lunch and snacks. You can also relax by the fire pit with your fur baby and other guests. Dogs are welcome in 11 of the accommodation options, including the cozy four-bedroom cottage. 

The Getaway at Emerald Glen Farm (Central New York)

Credit: Emerald Glen Getaway

The Getaway at Emerald Glen Farm, previously known as the Getaway at Glen Highland Farm, is not just dog-accommodating but completely dog-centric! On this 120-acre bucolic doggy haven, pups can roam leash-free for the entirety of your stay. Guests can end their days mingling and making s’mores around the campfire with the other humans and canines. You and your dog (2-6 allowed, based on lodging) can sniff out the trails, explore the meadows, and after a nature-filled day, your pup can wash off at the many dog washing stations located around the campgrounds. Choose between luxury RVs, cabins, cottages, glamping, and a stylish tiny home, depending on your taste and budget. If your dog could design its own summer camp, this would be it. 

Soho Grand Hotel (New York City)

Treat your pup like the VIP he or she is. The Soho Grand Hotel is ready to welcome fur-riends with open arms and lots of pats. Organic treats will be waiting, as well as all the doggy bags, bowls, and bedding your baby needs. Dogs stay over at no extra cost and the hotel even designates entire floors as pet-friendly so you don’t have to worry about making any other guests uncomfortable. But the Soho Grand Hotel truly goes above and beyond with its very own dog park. That’s right, you don’t even have to leave your hotel to let McScrufferson stretch his legs. The park includes fire hydrant water stations, benches, and a nice garden. Guests at the sister Roxy Hotel, are welcome to bring their pups over too.

Mill House Inn (Long Island)

Credit: Sylvia Muller

Every pup deserves a trip to the beach. Watch them roll in the sand, bark at the approaching tide, and maybe even meet their first crab! At the East Hampton Main Beach, dogs are welcome to enjoy the seashore off-leash during the off-season (from the end of September until the second week in May). Be sure to book your stay at the Mill House Inn. Pet-friendly suites come with homemade dog food ready and waiting in the fridge (choose between turkey or lamb). The inn owners have walkers and sitters on call if you want to go out, and are more than happy to direct you to all the dog-friendly beaches and restaurants in the area.

Comfort Inn & Suites Watertown 1000 Islands (Thousand Islands-Seaway)

Enjoy the Thousand Islands region 1,000 times more when you can visit with your dog. You’ll love the clean, cozy, and affordable rooms at the dog-friendly Comfort Inn & Suites Watertown 1000 Islands. There’s grass and sidewalk nearby for early morning walks, and just a hop, skip, and a 15-minute drive west will bring you to the Black River Trail. Thanks to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the Black River Trail makes for easy strolling in nature, where your dog can feel the soft earth beneath their paws. Head to Wood Boat Brewery for fresh-brewed beer, brick-oven pizza, and a front deck overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs (Capital-Saratoga)

Dogs and people who love them will feel right at home in Saratoga Springs, thanks to its Dog-Friendly Downtown initiative. You’ll notice a special sticker in the window of 70 different restaurants, cafes, shops, wineries, bars, and more, indicating that they’re down with dogs. All participants can be found on Discover Saratoga’s website. Post up with your pup at the clean and comfortable Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs for a fee of $30 per night. Guests with pets are usually booked on the first floor so it’s easier to get out for walks.

Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa (Hudson Valley)

The folks at the calm and peaceful Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa know you can’t truly relax when you think about your pup missing you at home. That’s why dogs are warmly welcomed on this 75-acre farm/animal rescue/luxurious lodging. Your doggy’s welcome kit includes a plush bed and fresh-baked, artisanal treats. Dogs are free to roam leash-free on the grounds, which include a stream and pond. They can also join their pawrents for complimentary breakfast in the Sun Room terrace or at the onsite locavore Henry’s Restaurant. Your pup can even make new non-dog friends with the rescue farm animals, including Holly the donkey. Dogs of any size are welcome in the carriage and guest houses for a fee of $25 per night per pet. Pets stay for free during the months of August and October to celebrate National Dog Day and National Cat Day.