The Top 3 Dog-Friendly Destinations in the US
March 29, 2022
Forget doggy day care – your pup deserves a vacation as much as you do! Our pets are family too and there’s no need to leave your furry BFF droopy-faced at the dog kennels next time you head off on vacation. Our top dog-friendly destinations have a wealth of activities that welcome dogs, coastal beaches for water-loving pups, miles of mountain trails to explore, and dog-friendly vacation rentals for the whole family to stay & play, including Fido!
Asheville, North Carolina
The hip and happening town of Asheville checks all the boxes for a dog-friendly vacation – after all, it’s known as Dog City USA! Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a pet-centric destination for your furry travel buddy with both the hustle and bustle of vibrant urban downtown adventures and miles of mountain trails to romp, play and sniff.
Asheville is ranked one of the most dog-friendly cities in the US. Your pooch can begin their tail-wagging adventures at the country’s first official dog welcome center in Asheville with fountains to play, doggie ice cream treats, and all the info you need to plan the perfect pet-friendly getaway. Take a walking tour of the art, parks, and history of Asheville on the Asheville Urban Trail, hop on a pet-friendly trolley tour, play off-leash in the dog park, book a dog-friendly kayak adventure along the French Broad River, or drop your pooch off for a grooming and embark on an adventure of your own. One thing is for sure, you won’t have to roam far in Asheville to find a pet-friendly patio, sidewalk café, or outdoor beer garden with tasty food and thirst-quenchers for you and Fido.
Staying close to home, the North Carolina Arboretum offers 10-miles of dog-friendly hiking trails connecting to other area attractions, and the beautiful Biltmore Estate has a 22-mile network of pet-friendly trails through the gardens and grounds. No pets are allowed in the estate buildings, but you can end your adventures on a pet-friendly patio at Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village.
A scenic drive on Blue Ridge Parkway is a must – hanging out the window and lapping up the fresh mountain air on Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s favorite drive. Aside from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fido can romp leash-free on most of the trails along Blue Ridge Parkway.
From historic casitas in the heart of Asheville to Asheville bungalows near Biltmore Estate, Coldwell Banker King welcomes your canine companions with a selection of dog-friendly vacation homes and complimentary activity passes for the ultimate pet-friendly escape in the North Carolina mountains.
Clearwater & St. Petersburg, Florida
Is a coastal destination more your pup’s style? The Florida Gulf Coast communities of Clearwater & St. Pete have fully embraced the pet-friendly concept and are consistently ranked among the dog-friendliest cities in the US – beautiful beaches, water activities for your furry travel buddy, warm Florida sunshine, and year-round pooch-friendly patios with drool-able doggie menus await.
With 35 miles of white sugar-sand beaches (including TripAdvisor’s #1 Beach in the US for 2021) and some of the best dog parks and beaches in the US, St. Pete/Clearwater is an enticing vacation destination for a beach getaway with your ocean-loving pup. Leashed pets can play in the Gulf waters on Clearwater North Beach or there’s plenty of places for your pup to run free at the nearby state parks.
Rent a kayak to explore the coastal wilderness of Caladesi Island State Park, ride the Pinellas Trail with your pooch to Honeymoon Island for ocean play and hiking trails, or head to Fort de Soto Park near St. Pete where Fido has his own beach park to run, swim and be free. Be sure to add the Dog Bar in St. Pete’s Grand Central District to your pet-friendly trip to St. Pete, a unique bar and dog park with food trucks, fun events, and plenty of space for social pups to play.
Experience the benefits of a beach lifestyle from a pet-friendly vacation home or beachfront suite on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastline. Our Xplorie partner, TechTravel offers a selection of over 100 vacation rentals along the coastline with dog-friendly rentals for four-legged travelers, and free activities for you and your ocean-loving pup.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is a top travel destination for every dog-lovers itinerary! Four-legged travelers are welcomed with the best of both worlds, the city attractions of Salt Lake City and endless mountain adventures in nearby Park City and Southern Utah’s spectacular Wasatch Mountains.
Downtown Salt Lake City practically rolls out the red carpet for your pooch with over two-dozen dog-friendly patios ranging from burger joints and breweries to cozy outdoor firepits for a night on the town with your pup. Salt Lake City is known for its world-class shopping and pet-lovers can relax and enjoy pet-friendly shopping downtown at The City Creek Center and The Gateway, with outdoor eateries, and a splash pad, fountain, and creek for cooling off on hot summer days.
While your traveling pup is not allowed inside Historic Temple Square, you can soak up the historic sites from the walking path around the complex and be in a beautiful pet-friendly park within minutes. Your pooch can sniff around the farmers market at Pioneer Park, walk the tree-lined trail at Liberty Park, run through the foothills on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, and play off-leash in the creek on the historic Freedom Trail. For spectacular Salt Lake cityscapes, a sunset hike to Ensign Peak is a must!
A trip to Salt Lake City isn’t complete without a scenic drive through the Wasatch Mountains to the cool ski town of Park City. Otherwise known as “Bark City”, Park City is super pet-friendly with off-leash parks and puppy ponds, miles of trails for your pup to run free, alpine lakes for splashing, and pet-friendly brewpubs and patios on historic Main Street.
Whether your pup’s personality is more suited to hip urban living in the heart of Salt Lake City or a secluded mountain escape in the Wasatch Mountains, iTrip SLC has the perfect pet-friendly vacation rental for your stay in Southern Utah.
