Best Vacation Spots In The Us With Dogs – Traveling with a pet is becoming an increasingly accessible and fluid process. And with dog ownership on the rise during the pandemic, more of us may be looking for pet-friendly travel tips.
So, for new and experienced dog owners alike, we’ve rounded up the best vacation destinations in the United States to travel with your dog. Each of these options has a wide variety of pet-friendly hotels, pet stores, dog-friendly parks, and fun tours.
Best Vacation Spots In The Us With Dogs
Orlando, Florida may be known for its exciting theme parks, but it ranks first for dog vacations. The city scored more than 93 points out of 100, making it the best place in the US to visit with your dog. In addition to many theme parks, such as Universal and Disney, Orlando also has a number of other nearby attractions. The main zoo and botanical garden is just a 20-minute drive from Orlando and has a children’s area and 500 animals to see, making it a fun vacation for the whole family.
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With over 600 hotels to choose from, Orlando also has the most pet-friendly hotels available for your stay. If you want something on Universal’s doorstep, you’ll be happy to know that both Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Universal and Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Disney Area Orlando are pet-friendly. Then, when it’s time to go for a walk, Orlando has 14 dog parks to choose from. While you’re deciding, consider Lake Eola Park, which has a weekend market that often sells pet supplies, or Paw Park, which is just outside of Orlando and has special play areas for your dog, including agility.
Located in Orange County, California, Irvine is just 23 miles from the famous Laguna Beach, which is perfect for beach-loving travelers. If you want to time your visit around the good weather, be sure to visit in June or July. And take your canine companions too, because there are plenty of dog beaches nearby where they can run and play.
While there are plenty of local restaurants to try, it’s just as important to treat your four-legged friends on food adventures as well. If you’re out of snacks for your pup or need something to entertain him, having a pet store nearby is a must. Irvine, California has the highest rating for pet stores, with 147 pet stores in total, so you’ll be able to find everything you need close by on your vacation. Pet Supply Warehouse and The Pet Oasis are both traditional pet stores, but if you’re looking for a pet store where your pet can relax and be pampered, House of Paw also has groomers on site.
San Francisco is known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which graces many Instagram photos of the city as well as postcards. With cable cars going up and down the city’s steep streets, San Francisco is one of the best dog-friendly places for your next vacation. We know the outdoors is important for your pet, and with 56 dog-friendly parks to visit, the city scored the highest in this category.
Best Pet Friendly Vacations In Us (2022)
The Alamo Square Dog Park area is dog-friendly and also has tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas, making it a perfect choice if you want to walk your dog and enjoy a picnic. To ensure you enjoy the culture, you’ll be happy to know that it also has a city view to enjoy the view. For even more views of the city, Lafayette Park overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Dogs are welcome to roam the park, which is nestled among the rolling hills of Pacific Heights.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina is famous for its arts scene and is home to the River Arts District, an area where people can visit studios, take art classes or grab a bite to eat.
To make sure your pup enjoys the vacation too, Asheville offers plenty of dog-friendly tours, making it the highest rated for this value. It also ranks second with 86 out of 100, making it one of the best destinations to visit. You can visit the Carolina Mountain Trail, a 2.4-mile hike at the North Carolina Arboretum nestled in the woods, for a gentle nature walk. The Arboretum is 434 acres that includes a 10 mile hike for you and your dog to enjoy. With a variety of destinations to choose from in the US, there’s no doubt that you and your pet will have plenty of memories to cherish.
If your vacation priority is a perfectly located, top-rated place to stay, your must-have hotel for your travels will be a pet-friendly hotel.
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For travelers who want to live in the big city, The Algonquin Hotel Times Square welcomes both pets and their owners. With treats for your dog and even their very own pet bed, your pup will spend the holidays enjoying the Big Apple as much as you. If you like to be in the center of the action, this hotel is the perfect base for a vacation, seeing Broadway shows, enjoying delicious food, and exploring all that New York has to offer.
If your dream vacation is sipping your morning coffee on a balcony overlooking the beach, look no further than the Inn by the Sea, located just minutes from Portland. Here, at no extra cost, dogs are welcome at the resort to join you in your pet-friendly ocean view suite. If you’re looking for a relaxing retreat, all you need is a sunbed to soak up the beach rays, followed by a walk along the beach to stretch your legs.
On the way to the homeland of country music, Nashville is full of sights, attractions and diners. The Bobby Hotel is an ideal starting point for pet-friendly tours, welcoming pets of all sizes. This boutique hotel features a rooftop lounge and café offering treats and toys for your dog and is within walking distance of Broadway and Printer’s Alley. Remember, when ordering room service for yourself, don’t forget to also order your pup from the special pet menu.
Methodology: The number of facilities in each category was tallied for each city based on data from the respective source. Cities were then assigned a score in each category based on a percentile ranking of the number of amenities per capita. The results were weighted and added up to give a total score between 0 and 100. There really is nothing like the relationship between dogs and humans. Given how close people are to our furry friends, it’s only natural that we sometimes want to include them in our travel plans. Of course, fidos aren’t always welcome in many destinations, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of amazing places in America that happily welcome them.
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Dogs aren’t exactly like most people, as they’ll likely be just as happy hiking in the woods outside your house as they are on an epic cross-country vacation. But sometimes you might want to treat yourself and your dog to some extra unique adventures, or if you don’t have a dog, you might want to go to destinations where there’s more to do than you’re likely to encounter some of them.
From dog parks to national parks, you’re sure to find plenty of dogs in especially dog-friendly destinations. According to Tripadvisor and Yelp reviewers, these destinations will offer plenty of fun and adventure for humans and dogs alike.
San Diego is a famous dog destination, and you’ll have no shortage of furry friends here. One of the best destinations to visit is Fiesta Island, located in Mission Bay, where dogs can roam the sand dunes and dog beach to their heart’s content. There are also plenty of dog-friendly trails on the San Diego coast, from the steep trails of Sunset Cliffs State Park to the more subdued Batiquitos Lagoon.
If you want to get out on the water, Seaforth Boat Rentals offers pet-friendly boat tours and will even provide dogs with their own life jackets. Dogs are also welcome at San Diego’s sprawling Balboa Park, which includes many museums and gardens as well as an off-leash dog park.
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After a long day of sightseeing, you might want to try one of the city’s dog-friendly restaurants, like Fred’s Mexican Cafe or La Jolla’s Barbarella, both of which offer dog-friendly menus along with, of course, human options. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a more cosmopolitan experience, you can also extend your Southern California trip by heading to Los Angeles and staying at one of the city’s many dog-friendly boutique hotels, like the London West in Beverly Hills.
With windswept cliffs, vast forests, and the wonderful smell of the ocean, the Maine coast is a paradise for adventurous dogs, and it’s also a great place to visit. Maine’s Bar Harbor is an attractive destination
