5 Dog-Friendly Vacation Destinations for Your Bucket List
Vacation is fun, but if you’re like me, you usually start missing your dog long before it’s time to return home. Rather than leaving your pup behind, why not bring Fido on your next vacation? Amazing dog-friendly destinations around the country welcome visitors and their fur-babies, so stop making memories alone, and start bringing your pup when you take a trip!
1. St. Petersburg, Florida
If you and your dog love the beach then you’ll love St. Petersburg, Florida. An extremely dog-friendly city, you can find tons of activities, restaurants, hotels, and attractions that welcome your four-legged friend in St. Pete!
Quick Facts:
- Hotel Recommendation: Sirata Resort allows 2 dogs per room and offers a doggy welcome gift! Bonus, Sirata Resort is 15–20 minutes from Fort De Soto Park dog beach.
- Busy Season: January–May, Summer
- Low Season: September—December
What To Do With Your Dog
St. Pete has tons of dog-friendly restaurants and stores, and you’re guaranteed to find a gem or two if you simply go for a stroll. To help you find some of the best spots, here are a few dog-friendly activities and places to visit in St. Petersburg.
Fort De Soto Park Dog Beach
Enjoy the sun and surf with your pup at the Fort De Soto Park dog beach Paw Playground! A designated off-leash fenced dog park area with access to the beach for you and your dog, and wide open grassy areas. Showers are available to clean off your pup after a day of fun, and there are separate areas for large and small dogs.
Mutts & Martinis Doggy Waterpark
Keep the water-fun going even after the beach by visiting Mutts & Martinis, a sports bar with a dog waterpark where your pup can romp with other four-legged guests. Mutts & Martinis serves drinks, food, and even snacks for your dog, like frozen yogurt and the Dawg Burger.
Enjoy a Meal at Cassis
A fun, lively restaurant featuring American and French fare, Cassis welcomes canine diners on their patio and even has a dog menu! Your pooch can order dishes like the “Pup Monsieur” (ham and cheese on toast) or the “Bark de Triumph” (a small tort shell filled with vanilla ice cream).
Walk in the Park
St. Pete has countless parks and nature areas for you to explore, and many welcome dogs on leash! Here’s a selection of some of the many parks you can enjoy with your pooch on your trip to St. Pete.
- North Shore Park (includes off-leash dog park)
- Crescent Lake Park
- Pass a Grille Beach (includes off-leash dog beach)
- Vinoy Park
- Picnic Island Park (includes off-leash dog beach)
2. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park in Maine is a must for nature lovers with 100 miles of dog-friendly hiking and walking trails, and designated picnic areas and campsites for dogs and their humans. If you’re not a camper, you can find dog-friendly accommodations near the park and still enjoy the glorious outdoors while sleeping in comfort.
Quick Facts:
- Hotel Recommendation: Choose from pet-friendly campgrounds or local motels and hotels like Hanscom Motel & Cottages where you and your dog can enjoy comfy cottages with waterfront access.
- Busy Season: June—September
- Low Season: October—May
What To Do With Your Dog
The best way to spend a weekend (or more!) at Acadia National Park with your pooch is by exploring the park. With 100 miles of dog-friendly trails for you to enjoy, just make sure your pup is leashed at all times and be aware of wildlife in the area. Acadia and the surrounding area also have plenty more for you and your dog to enjoy.
Hiking trails that allow dogs in and around Acadia:
Pro Tip: Take the free pet-friendly Island Explorer shuttle to hiking paths and leave your car behind!
Help Your Dog Become an Acadia Bark Ranger
Before you head out on your hike in Acadia National Park, stop by a ranger station to get a copy of the Bark Ranger activity checklist. Help your dog complete the short list of tasks, then return to the ranger station to show your completed checklist. Dogs that complete the “program” can be sworn in as official Acadia Bark Rangers, and you’ll get a chance to buy special gear like a Bark Ranger collar tag.
The Bark Ranger checklist also features helpful information and rules for dogs in the park, so it’s good to grab even if you don’t intend to complete the activities.
Take a Boat Tour
Venture outside Acadia National Park and take a nature tour on the water! Acadian Boat Tours offers a pet-friendly 1.5–2 hour public Sightseeing & Nature Cruise where you’ll see amazing wildlife, historic mansions and lighthouses, and much more.
Guided Sunrise Hiking
Take your pup on an early morning hike led by a local guide to enjoy the sunrise from the mountains! First Light Hikes offers a variety of guided tours and accommodations for pets, like water bowls and treats.
Eat Local Seafood
Bring your pup to some of Bar Harbor’s most beloved seafood restaurants and enjoy the bounty of the Maine coastline!
- Stewman’s Lobster Pound Downtown
- The Travelin’ Lobster
- The Chart Room
- Testa’s Bar & Grill (ask about the dog menu!)
3. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Explore the majestic Smoky Mountains with your four-legged best friend and stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Enjoy amazing views, exciting regional dining options, and tons of dog-friendly trails, activities, and places to visit.
Quick Facts:
- Hotel Recommendation: Park Vista DoubleTree Hotel or River Terrace Resort
- Busy Season: June—August, October
- Low Season: September, November—May
What To Do With Your Dog
Explore the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains with your pup or stop into the local shops to see unique souvenirs and handmade goods.
Hike the Gatlinburg Trail
Dogs are only allowed on two trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and one is the beautiful Gatlinburg Trail. The easy ~4 mile walk runs through densely forested areas where you can see the remains of foundations from old home sites, listen to the babbling river, and let your dog sniff to their heart’s content.
Visit The SkyPark
Visit the SkyPark for the most incredible views of the Smoky Mountains, and bring your pup along for the ride! To reach the SkyPark, visitors take the SkyLift, and those who are comfortable and can manage their dogs are permitted to bring their pooches on the lift. Once you reach the top, the SkyDeck gives you incredible 360-degree views and leads to a trail system, spots to grab a bite to eat, and the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America.
River Tubing Adventure
Go on a fun (but relaxing) river tubing adventure just outside of Gatlinburg in Townsend, TN. River Rat Tubing & Rafting offers dog-friendly tubing with inner tubes fitted for dogs and tethers to keep your pup’s tube close at all times. Enjoy the scenic views from the river and float with your canine bestie—just remember to bring a dog life jacket since they aren’t provided on site.
4. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Once voted the #1 dog-friendly town in America, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small, charming beach town about 75 miles south of San Jose. A fairytale vacation, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more than 40 dog-friendly hotels, endless doggy-approved activities, and even restaurants that offer special menus for your canine friend.
Quick Facts:
- Hotel Recommendation: The Cypress Inn offers canine guests special amenities like blankets, treats, and even a dog menu at the hotel restaurant!
- Busy Season: June—August
- Low Season: September—May
What To Do With Your Dog
Whether you want to relax on the beach, take a historic tour, sip wine on a tour, or enjoy shopping in the business district, there’s something for everyone (and their dogs) in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most businesses are dog-friendly, and those that aren’t still often offer hitching posts and water bowls outside for your dog to wait.
Rent a Bike & Doggy Sidecar
See Carmel-by-the-Sea by e-bike and bring your dog along! Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop rents electric bikes equipped with dog-friendly sidecars for individual use or guided tours.
Hike in Garland Ranch Regional Park
Garland Ranch Regional Park is a beautiful, well-maintained park with wooded trails, wide open spaces, and a river running through it. Dogs are welcome and allowed to explore off-leash in designated areas, including an area by the river where they can swim.
Wine Tasting at De Tierra Vineyards
De Tierra Vineyards is an award-winning, family-owned and operated winery and tasting room that has been sustainably harvesting and crafting wine in Carmel-by-the-Sea since 1998. Your dog is welcome to join you when you visit the De Tierra Tasting Room, where you can enjoy an expansive wine list and listen to live music. De Tierra Vineyards loves dogs and has even produced wine in the past that is sold to benefit local animal charities.
Go Shopping at Carmel Plaza
Enjoy local shopping at Carmel Plaza, where dogs are not just welcome, they’re catered to. Many businesses allow dogs inside or have places to tie them up while they wait. You’ll also find plenty of shops dedicated to dogs specifically, like Diggidy Dog and the Carmel Dog Shop. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s shopping district is so dedicated to welcoming canine visitors that there is even a dedicated dog water fountain called the Fountain of Woof!
5. Portland, Oregon
Considered one of the top cities to visit with your dog in the US, you and your pooch will feel welcome on every corner in Portland, Oregon. Iconic spots like Voodoo Doughnut are dog-friendly and accommodating, and the city is full of vibrant and unique art and culture with plenty of nature nearby.
Quick Facts:
- Hotel Recommendation: The Dossier Hotel gives pups a welcome kit with toys, treats, and more!
- Busy Season: May—September
- Low Season: October—April
What To Do With Your Dog
Strolling and window shopping could easily entertain you for days in Portland, Oregon, but if you and your dog are looking for some more specific ideas, check out these canine-approved activities.
Eat Brunch at Tin Shed
Tin Shed is a classic breakfast and brunch spot in Portland, OR, that not only welcomes dogs but also encourages them to visit. While you enjoy your food on the all-season patio, your pup can enjoy something from the dog menu like chicken thighs and mashed sweet potato! If you purchase a Tin Shed bandana for your pup, they’ll donate the proceeds to a local dog rescue.
Go Off-Leash at Mt. Tabor Park
A park with a fascinating history, your dog may not care to hear about how Mt. Tabor Park was created, but they will enjoy the off-leash area and sniffing on the paved and unpaved trails!
Portland has a plethora of off-leash dog parks, so just do a quick search near your hotel and you’re sure to find a handful.
Shop, Drink, & Play at Cycle Dog Tavern
Let your dog enjoy play time at this dedicated indoor/outdoor dog park that doubles as a spot for humans to grab a drink and browse a showroom of eco-friendly dog toys and accessories made from recycled and repurposed materials. Cycle Dog Tavern offers over 70 beverages for humans, and if your dog isn’t a fan of mingling in a dog park, they can join you on-leash at a table in the tavern.
Stop and Smell The Roses
Walk through glorious flowers at the International Rose Test Garden. Well-behaved dogs are allowed to visit on leash, where you and your pup can explore more than 10,000 rose bushes from May through October.
