This Southern City Wants To be The Most Dog-Friendly Vacation Spot in America

Natalie Hoage |

Feb 22, 2024

With spring and summer quickly approaching, many families are thinking about new vacation spots to visit. A recent survey showed that approximately 78% of Americans choose to bring their pets along on their vacations, and if your family is one of them, Knoxville, Tennessee is trying really hard to become one of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S.!

Most Dog-Friendly Vacation Spot in America — *^{Source: visitknoxville.com}*

Visit Knoxville released a short ‘dogumentary’ titled Welcome to Barxville that shares the sights and scenes that make Knoxville so paw-pular with dog lovers. What’s so fun about this movie is that it was designed to capture not only the attention of families, but to also entertain our four-legged friends at the same time! They did this by including vibrant yellows and blues that dogs can see, and images and sounds of things dogs love like balls, squirrels, treats, barks and squeaks.

Barxville – A Movie For Dogs & Their People

The movie is shown through the eyes of Hank, a Golden Retriever, whose humans take him on a road trip to Knoxville where they visit many dog-friendly places. Knoxville lovin’ celebs like Payton Manning, singer-songwriters Drew and Ellie Holcomb, and members of University of Tennessee women’s athletics even stepped in to voice some of the movie’s characters.

Top Cities for Dogs in the U.S.

Forbes recently shared its 2024 list of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S., and Knoxville didn’t make the cut. Cities like San Francisco, Denver, Portland, Chicago, and New York City topped the list and offer all of the same things that are featured in Welcome to Barxville for families and dogs to enjoy.

While Knoxville might not be one of the Top 10 Cities for Dogs yet, they’re putting in the effort to attract more dog-toting tourists. According to Kim Bumpas, the President of Visit Knoxville, the city is working to give dog lovers what they want, “”Many know and love Knoxville for its Southern hospitality, and our four-legged friends are no exception. From dog-friendly hotels, patios, and shops to dog parks, trails, and Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, this town has something to help every furry member of the family feel at home.”

Travel With Your Dog

Ryan Simonet, group creative director, VML said in a statement, “Most dogs spend their whole lives at home. We wanted to encourage people to travel with their dogs so they can see the world outside of their homes in one of the most dog friendly cities in the country.”

Watch the movie with your fur baby and see if it holds their interest. Then, head to Visit Knoxville to learn more about all the places and fun that were featured in the movie. You just might decide to make Knoxville your family’s next vacation destination!