Planning days out and vacations as a dog owner doesn’t mean having to leave your furry friend behind. A growing number of public spaces across the US are becoming dog-friendly. This post offers some tips on how to find dog-friendly spaces and a few examples of locations that accept dogs.
Dog-friendly stores
Going shopping with a dog can be difficult. Most popular stores do not allow dogs inside for health and safety reasons, but may allow trained service dogs to enter as this
Target pet policy comprehensive guide details. Fortunately, there are some stores where dogs are usually welcome inside. Home improvement giants like Home Depot and Lowes allow leashed dogs in most locations, while outdoor stores like REI and Bass Pro are often welcoming. Even some malls like the Mall at Short Hills accept small dogs. Always do your research online to check if a local store allows dogs on the premises.
Dog-friendly hotels
A growing number of dog-friendly hotels are appearing across the US. This includes boutique hotels in many cities, as well as several chains like Kimpton Hotels and Best Western (which accept dogs in many but not all locations). Budget-friendly hotel chains like La Quinta are also known to be very dog-friendly. To help you locate such hotels, it’s worth using sites like
PetsWelcome.com, which lists pet-friendly hotels and vacation rentals across the US. Be wary that some hotels charge an extra fee for dogs.
Dog-friendly restaurants
Dining out with a dog is becoming easier too. More restaurants and cafes are adopting a European approach to dogs - including national chains like Shake Shack and Starbucks. Some cities are particularly popular for dog-friendly restaurants including Austin and Portland, where you’ll find many boutique cafes targeted at dog owners. The Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar chain is particularly worth trying - they have multiple locations across the US and cater specially around dogs, even offering a dog-focused menu!
Dog-friendly beaches
While some beaches don’t allow dogs, many do. Some of these require dogs to be on a leash, while others like Huntingdon Dog Beach in California, Cannon Beach in Oregon and Assateague Island in Maryland allow dogs to roam free all year round. It’s always worth checking seasonal rules before you plan a beach day and make sure you know exactly which parts of the beach are dog-friendly (many beaches have dedicated sections).
Dog-friendly attractions
There are quite a few attractions open to dogs across the US - especially outdoor attractions like gardens and farms. This post offers a list of
dog-friendly attractions in every US state which includes piers, trails and even breweries. National parks are an obvious place to visit with dogs, while many cities like New York have parks like Central Park which you can explore with your pooch. There may even be boat tours in some states that you can do with a dog. Understand the rules when it comes to keeping your dog on a leash and check whether there are restrictions during certain times of the year.
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