When you have a four-legged friend, it can be difficult to travel without restricting your activities or having to leave the little guy at home, find a sitter and worry about him the whole time. According to a recent survey by TripAdvisor, about 53 percent of pet owners plan to travel with their pet instead of leaving him or her at home, so the need for pet-friendly accommodations and destinations are important to those bringing their furry friends.
Traveling with a dog can be a challenge, but luckily there are some great destinations for dog lovers where they can bring Rover along for the fun.
San Diego, California
There are many dog-friendly hotels in San Diego and attractions that welcome dogs. Balboa Park is one of the largest cultural urban parks in the country with plenty of places to explore with your four-legged friend. According to GoPetFriendly, there are also several dog-friendly beaches to choose from where your dog can play in the water and meet other dogs or you can even rent a kayak to cruise around in with your pooch. Check out beaches such as the boardwalk at Mission Beach, the luxurious Coronado Island or the popular Dog Beach at Ocean Beach. And, if your pup is in into extreme sports, there is a Surf Dog Competition in July.
Las Vegas, Nevada
You might be surprised to hear that Sin City is actually a popular destination for pet owners. Many of the famous hotels on the Las Vegas Strip offer dog-friendly accommodations. According to BringFido, Caesar’s Palace, The Westin, Harrah’s and Trump International are just some of the resorts casinos with swanky pooch-approved rooms. Besides walking around the Strip, there are also lots of outdoors activities to do with your dog around Las Vegas. Large dog parks can be found all around the city as well as pet-friendly restaurants. For a day of hiking and exploring the beautiful desert setting, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a quick drive from major attractions and welcomes dogs on leashes.
Alexandria, Virginia
If you want to bring your pup along on a historic vacation, HomeAway suggests Alexandria, Virginia, as a great place to rent a room in a beautiful old home and walk your dog around the city while learning about American history and George Washington’s hometown. The city has many popular walking tours, such as the Footsteps of the Past Tour, where dogs are welcome to follow you around as you learn and enjoy the scenery and culture of the town. If you and your dog enjoy hunting, there are also many places around Virginia to try your luck at big game like elk and deer or small game like grouse, quail and rabbit. Just be sure to check out hunting regulations and laws before you go and see what the certifications are, which you can usually find information on sites like HunterCourse, as they are sometimes different depending on state.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country with many hotels, restaurants and activities suited just for man’s best friend. Sunset magazine suggests Lucky Labrador Brewery, which has four locations in Portland and is designed to accommodate you and your dog with treats for him and fun dog-themed beers for you. And as far as lodging, Hotel Monaco lets all pets stay for free and even makes them comfortable with their own water bowls and pet beds, walking and sitting services and other special pooch-pampering splurges.
