The Best Dog-friendly Vacation Spots

There are very few things in life we look forward to more than a vacation, and the only thing that could make it better would be to take your pooch along for the ride. Not all places are pet-friendly, however, so it's important to find a place where your dog will have just as good of a time as you.

But how do you find these magical locations, however? We've got all the details.

Finding Dog-friendly Places

Checking online is the fastest way to figure out which places will happily welcome dogs, and which will look at you like your pup left a present on the sidewalk, even though they're too polite for that sort of thing.

Bring Fido is a great place to start, because you can simply search for the destination, and then you'll find a list of places to check out. This will be based largely on locations with no booking fees, as well as pet-friendly rooms. The best part is that each is recommended by dog owners who have been there and done that.

Some states which are known for being dog-friendly include:

• Colorado
• New York
• Oregon
• North Carolina
• California
• Florida

Specific cities recommended by TripAdvisor include:

• Asheville, NC
• Key West, FL
• Portland, OR
• Seattle, WA
• Austin, TX
• Edisto Island, SC

Lake Placid, New York is an especially great place to stay because the High Peaks Resort offers things like dog beds and bowls, which makes it easier when you're packing.

If you're headed for warmer weather, then St. Augustine, Florida is another place to go. There are dog-friendly beaches, as well as restaurants that love it when your four-legged bestie comes along.

Travel + Leisure reports that the 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat in Rutherfordton, North Carolina is one of the best places for camping in the country. Not only is your pup welcome, but so are kids. There are tons of things to do like a puppy spa, a pond, and a leash-free area for your dog to roam free.

Finding a House or Hotel

This is the most important part about taking your dog on vacation. There are tons of hotels and houses out there, but not all are welcoming to dogs. This is something the owners are usually very upfront about, however, so a quick chat with the manager will clear all this up.

If you're renting a house, it's important to find out if there is a size limit. This may also apply to any pet-friendly hotels you plan on staying at.

If you want to go eat out, there may be restaurants that welcome dogs, although these are rarer than dog owners would prefer.

Most campgrounds are more than happy for you to bring along your four-legged friend, but it's important to check to make sure. These are the perfect places to go because you typically have tons of hiking trails to explore. Even if you're not staying long, this could be the ideal stop while you're on a road trip.

State parks are dog-friendly more often than not. There may be areas which aren't open to canine companions. This could be in large part due to the fact that not everyone likes dogs, and it's important to respect that.

If you're not into water and don't feel like going camping, Eastern Vermont offers some epic locations which love it when dogs show up to play.

What Can You Do With Your Dog on Vacation?

It's kind of hard to take your pup shopping, but there are plenty of other things you can do. For example, you can:

• go on hikes where there are miles of trails to explore
• visit a dog park
• hit the boardwalk
• paddleboard
• kayak
• romp around dog-friendly beaches that allow your bestie to go unleashed.

If they can tolerate ice cream, they'll be thrilled. You can even take them to the farmer's market to check out other animals.

Many dogs just like chilling at home watching Netflix with their favorite person in the world, AKA you, so you can do this at the hotel. They may not actually be watching TV, of course, but the mere fact that they get to cuddle with you makes it all worthwhile.

Keywords That Let You Know a Place is Really Pet-friendly

Have you ever taken your dog somewhere that claimed to welcome dogs with open arms, only to figure out that this was more of a ploy to get your money? As frustrating as it is, this can happen. Some ways you can make sure they really do want your pets to come along is to look for words like:

• Dog-friendly hotel
• Off-leash areas
• Pet-friendly accommodations
• Dog-friendly cities

This isn't a complete list, of course, but it gives you a good idea of where you'll get the best reception.

FAQs

What is the most dog-friendly place?

There are many states and cities which have dog-friendly activities. It's important to research this carefully before you set out to find the perfect vacation rental. Check out their website, and then read the reviews from previous renters. If a place claims to be the perfect dog-friendly vacation spot, and then it turns out they're not, someone is going to speak up.

What is the best place to take your dog on vacation?

There are thousands of answers for this. The lake, the beach, the mountains, grandma's house, the list is endless.

The important thing to remember is to keep your furry friend's breed in mind, as well as their personal preferences. A dog who hates the water probably isn't going to have fun at the lake or beach but may love taking hikes up in the mountains.

It's important to keep exercising your dog, so try to find a place with an off-leash dog park.

Where should I put my dog when I go on vacation?

If you can't take your best friend along with you, then it's best to find a place where they'll be comfortable. For many people, this is with a family member, friend, or even neighbor.

That's not possible for everyone, however, so doggy daycares can work as well. Just make sure to do your research about the kennel, and do a tour.

When you're headed out on vacation, it's important to include items like your dog's favorite bed, toys, and blankets. We offer high-quality items which are designed with your pup in mind, so contact us for more information.