Dog friendly trips

[jjiillee]

HI - We are looking to go on a trip for a long weekend in October ( maybe 4 nights). We have a puppy that will be about 8 months. Golden doodle so he is big. We are already boarding him in august for a few days to go to the beach, so i am looking for ideas of pet-friendly trips. We live near Pittsburgh, pa so would like something less than 8 hr drive. A place with state/national parks, etc. would be great also to help budget wise. Any places you just loved going to with your pet? have you rented an RV with your pet?
All ideas will be appreciated This is my go-to place for travel advice!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I have not been here, but we have friends who enjoy going here with their dogs. It might be a little farther than an 8 hour drive from Pittsburgh, though. It would be gorgeous in October!

https://www.innbythesea.com/portland-hotel/pet-friendly/

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

How far is it Asheville, NC? It's one of the most pet friendly cities in the US.

 

[auntmeme7577]

We took our 2 Labs with us to the Smokies. Very animal friendly place, they loved it and so did we. Rented a pet friendly cabin, you can take them all over the parks. A great trip!

 

[Dizlvr]

We are taking our dog to Ocean City MD this summer, we are renting a cottage within a campground that is very pet friendly.
We've also taken her to the Smoky Mountains too, rented a pet friendly cabin in Gatlinburg. I would love to go back in the fall.
We do alot of camping trips (tent and cabin/cottage) rentals because campgrounds are usually pet friendly and we love to do outdoors stuff that we can include the dog in.

 

[got2sammies]

Do you like theme parks? Willamsburg is pet friendly.. The doggies are allowed at the outlet mall and Busch Gardens does have a kennel at the park (cost about $25-30 I think)
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/us/cities/usonlinecityVAWilliamsburg.shtml

 

[jjiillee]

Thanks for all of the great ideas!! I was thinking about the Smokies since it would be pretty in Oct. Also Maine is on my bucket list. I was never there before. the inn by the sea looks really nice!

We do love theme parks but I am saving a theme park trip for WDW. Maybe Easter break of 2016.

 

[jedijill]

Around here, you cannot take your dog on the trails in National Parks (RMNP) but state parks are fine. How does your dog do in the car? Mine is awesome...she has a seat/bed that I can clip her harness into the seatbelt. Other dogs I've had hate riding 10 minutes let alone 8 hours. A long drive with a miserable puppy is NOT fun. Remember, you can't leave your dog in the car to go eat, shop, etc so that will limit places you can go and things you can do.

Jill in CO

 

[UConnLovesDisney]

If you do decide on the Smokies I just want to echo what @jedijill said about dogs in National Parks. When I took my dog I was surprised to learn pets are only allowed on 2 trails in the entire Smoky National Park.

Per the government website:

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/pets.htm

As other posters have said Asheville is a very dog friendly city. There is even a café/bookstore (Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar) where dogs are allowed!!

I would also suggest a road trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lots of beautiful outdoor sites you can enjoy with your pup.

A website I always use when planning a trip with my dog is bringfido.com. It’s a great resource for finding hotels, parks, shops, and even restaurants that allow dogs.

I hope you have a great trip wherever you decide to go! Traveling with pets can be so much fun!

 

[ryansstitch]

Gettysburg, PA and the surrounding counties are very dog friendly. Also Niagara Falls and the wineries in saint Catherine's Canada are as well. We routinely took our dog wine tasting and he often wasn't the only dog there. In fact our dog went everywhere in Niagara Falls area except the indoor restaurants.

 

[Marshmelo]

One of my very favorite places is West Baden Springs Hotel at the French Lick Springs Resort in Indiana. I am actually here now with my dog! We visit frequently. They have a pet friendly floor and even have doggy room service. There are plenty of walking trails here and Patoka Lake is very nearby. The hotel is full of history and is gorgeous. The trees here are very pretty that time of year as well. There is a very nice casino over at the sister hotel, French Lick Springs, to which continuous shuttle transportation is provided. It's about a mile away. There is a spa and a gorgeous pool with sunken hot tub as well. I could go on and on, so if you have any other questions feel free to pm me

 

[Happiest mommy]

We just got back from Lake George we loved it and it was pet friendly we took both our fur babies, it's so beautiful there!