Top 10 Places To Visit when Traveling with your Pet in the USA

Last Updated on April 26, 2023 by Nikki Jain

When most people choose to go on a vacation, they want to take their entire family with. For many, pets are just as important to the family as anyone else and it would be nearly impossible to leave them behind while traveling. The problem, however, is that some areas aren't as pet-friendly, making them less than ideal to visit with your pet. Luckily, there are hundreds of places you, your family, and your pet will enjoy, with the following 10 offering the most fun for everyone involved.

Pet Friendly Vacations in the USA

Table of Contents [Show]

Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link.

1: Orcas Island, Washington

Orcas Island, Washington
Flickr/ozmafan
Perhaps one of the most common types of vacations to take with your pet is an adventure-filled one in which you explore the outdoors together. Whether it is just you and your pooch or your whole family, you will enjoy the wilderness on Orcas Island. Turtleback Mountain Preserve is the perfect place to hike with your dog, as long as you keep him on the leash. Or you can go to the off-leash dog park in Eastsound where your pooch will make new friends or simply go for a swim together along North Beach.

Address: Orcas Island, WA 98245

Visit Website


2: Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins, Colorado
Flickr/jeff83180
If you aren't sure whether you want to enjoy the outdoors or in-town attractions, bring your pet with you to Fort Collins. There are nearby preserves, such as Horsetooth Reservoir for hiking and swimming. Most people visit Fort Collins to go to the breweries, however. Luckily, the majority of breweries welcome dogs, as long as you stay on the patio and Funwerks Brewery and the New Belgium Brewery both allow dogs inside the tasting room, making them great options no matter the weather.

Address: Fort Collins, CO

Visit Website


3: Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas
Flickr/motleypixel
Pet owners who want to have a standard vacation filled with eating out, shopping, and enjoying a new city should visit Austin. This town is incredibly pet-friendly and you will quickly notice that most restaurants let your dog sit with you on their outside patios and many retailers will allow well-behaved pooches in their stores. There are also more than 15 off-leash dog parks to give your pooch the chance to blow off some steam after being on his best behavior.

Address: Austin, TX

Visit Website


4: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Flickr/deel
Although there are some restrictions, just because you want to travel with your pet doesn't mean resort areas such as Cape Cod are off limits. Just pay attention to dog restrictions on the beaches, as some don't allow your pooch. Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro Beaches will let you take your dog to any area that hasn't been designated for humans to swim. If you are in good shape, you can take your dog for a long walk along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which connects multiple dog-friendly beach towns and has food and water along the path.

Address: Cape Cod, MA

Visit Website

Also Read: Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Cape Cod and the Islands


5: Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach, Oregon
Flickr/elisfanclub
Most pet owners find it easy to travel with smaller breeds, but even large dogs will have a great time in Cannon Beach. This enchanting town is filled with cedar trees and you will notice that an incredible number of restaurants welcome pets at their outdoor tables while many hotels let you bring your pooch. Visit the northernmost part of the beach, which is across from Ecola Creek's knee-deep mouth to let your dog run around. Just remember to either keep him on a leash or have him voice-trained.

Address: Cannon Beach, OR

Visit Website

Also Read: The Best West Coast Beaches You Must Visit


6: Sonoma Valley, California

Sonoma Valley, California
Flickr/helenadagmar
Sonoma Valley is an area known for its vineyard, but not everyone realizes that this region of the country accepts furry travelers as well as human ones. While not every winery will let you visit with your pooch, you will find at least 50 different options that do so. The area is so pet-friendly, in fact, that several restaurants (including Glen Court Cafe and Howards Station Cafe) have a specific menu for your dog; you won't need to give him table scraps and free water from the restaurant. There are also many parks and hiking areas nearby, spanning all difficulty levels.

Address: 453 1st St E, Sonoma, CA 95476

Visit Website


7: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Flickr/snoreman17
Chattanooga is yet another top place to visit when traveling with your pet for enjoying the outdoors and adventure. You two can easily spend a full day or more at North Chickamauga Creek Pocket Wilderness, where you can hike for ten miles or let your pooch cool off in the creek running through the gorge. Later, go for a walk along Walnut Street Bridge, which gives you beautiful views of downtown as well as Coolidge Park. As with other top places to visit, this city has plenty of dog-friendly restaurants with patio seating that lets you enjoy the area's beautiful weather while eating a meal.

Address: Chattanooga, TN

Visit Website


8: Lake Placid, New York

Lake Placid, New York
Flickr/Samantha Kulpinski
No matter the weather, humans and pets alike can enjoy relaxing in the middle of the Adirondacks. This is considered to be one of the areas in the country that is the most dog-friendly, and it helps that in addition to hotels, there are also vacation rentals to give your pooch a whole home to enjoy. There is a doggie beach by Mirror Lake as well as a hiking trail stretching almost three miles long for you both to enjoy. If your dog enjoys the snow, then consider taking him to Lake Placid for your winter getaway.

Address: Lake Placid, NY 12946

Visit Website


9: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Flickr/Paula Lively
The only downside to visiting Myrtle Beach with your pet is that you can't take your dogs to beach during the day, but any other time is fine. And whether you go for a walk with your furry friend in the early morning or evening, he doesn't even have to stay on the beach. To let your pooch get the most of the beach all day long, visit Barc Parc where there are divisions by breed size for safety and a lake just for the dogs. To show how dog-friendly the city is, even the Grand Strand has a doggie drinking fountain within North-End Dog Park.

Address: Myrtle Beach, SC

Visit Website

Also Read: Top Tourist Attractions in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina


10: Carmel, California

Carmel, California
Flickr/snaks
One of the best beach areas for those with pets is Carmel. The beach in this city doesn't have a leash law and you will find all types of dogs. Without the need to stay on the leash, your pooch can run over rocks or through the waves. Once your dog is exhausted, get in the car and roll down the windows so you can enjoy the scenery of the Seventeen Mile Drive along the coastline while he feels the wind in his fur.

Address: Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

Visit Website


Top 20 Popular Gambling Cities In America

Read Article