These tourist regions go the extra step to welcome your family and dogs. From budget to luxury they are great choices for this summer’s getaway.
DogFriendly.com released its Top 10 dog-friendly resort regions in the United States for 2009. The rankings are determined by the DogFriendly.com staff and take into account the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, things to do with your dog, beaches, parks and dog-friendly patio dining.
1. Carmel / Monterey CA – Many pet-friendly accommodations. Off-leash Carmel City Beach. Many walking and hiking options. Shop and dine in luxury.
2. Bar Harbor/Acadia ME – Pet-friendly Acadia National Park. Shop in the historic downtown. Take a ferry or boat cruise.
3. Black Hills SD – Lots of dog-friendly attractions and campgrounds. Mt Rushmore still worth visiting with a dog. See Badlands National Park.
4. St Augustine FL – See the historic downtown. Lots of dog-friendly shopping and dining. Take a harbor boat cruise and a ghost tour.
5. Cape Cod MA – Visit Cape Cod National Seashore. Many cruises and ferries. Also take in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
6. Key West FL – Quaint B&B’s and outdoor dining. Dog-friendly attractions, boating and stores. See the Southernmost Point Monument.
7. Charlottesville VA – Visit estates of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. Shop at the downtown mall. Visit dog-friendly Shenandoah Park nearby.
8. Mendocino CA – Stay in a pet-friendly B&B or resort. Walk the seaside town. Go to the beach and dine outdoors.
9. Asheville / Blue Ridge NC – Tour the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit the Biltmore Estate grounds and shop at Biltmore Village.
10. Amarillo TX – Visit the famous Cadillac Ranch. Spend a day or camp at Palo Duro Canyon. Stay at the Big Texan Steak Ranch Motel.
Honorable Mentions – The following five places are also excellent vacation spots to visit with your dog -
- Corpus Christi TX
- Grand Canyon AZ
- Lake Tahoe CA/NV
- Mackinac Island MI
- San Luis Obispo CA
See here for DogFriendly.com’s Top 10 Large Cities in the U.S. to visit with a Dog
[...] making headlines as the dog-friendliest destination in the United States. Website Dogfriendly.com just named Monterey and Carmel the top dog-friendly resort region for 2009, and a Suite 101 article called Carmel-by-the-Sea “the most dog-friendly resort town in [...]
Dear Dog Friendly.com,
I have lived in several of the places that are listed as tops (including Cape Cod and Ellsworth, Maine)
I wonder how to go about encouraging the local leaders here in Wheeling, WV to start being more dog friendly in hopes of encouraging more dog lovers to visit the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Do you have any literature that I can send to them, or, can you contact perhaps the Mayor of Wheeling, Andy McKenzie, and suggest something?
There are some wonderful walking trails in West Virginia, but there are few sources for water for a pet, and there are not very many places where a pet would be welcome. However, there are lots and lots of really good dog owners in this vicinity.
Your attention would be appreciated, greatly!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Arden Stewart
artist
43-1/2 Haddale Avenue
Wheeling, WV 26003
For great adventure and outdoor fun for you and your dog…and great food for you, check out The BALSAMS in NH. This is a Grand Resort Hotel, with award winning food and 60-90 miles of hiking, biking, x-country trails (as well as fishing, private alpine, kayaking, etc.) all on a private resort that welcomes pets.
The rooms are an “inn” feel but there is sooo much to do for you and your pet.
[...] See here for DogFriendly.com’s Top 10 Resort Areas to visit with a Dog in the U.S. [...]
I travel to Stowe, VT and Lake Winnipausaukee, NH quite often with my two beagles. Both places offer many dog walking opportunities, and I have found numerous hotels and motels that are dog friendly.
My bear-ish Siberian husky and I spent Independence Day weekend in Bar Harbor, and it’s crazy dog friendly. He’s allowed in almost all of the stores, and he was allowed ON both the covered and open patio at the restaurant where we had dinner. We went on the Margaret Todd, a 150′ four-masted schooner and hiked in Acadia National Park. Dogs are even allowed on the LL Bean free shuttles that transport you around the area. It was AWESOME!!!