The Dog Days of Summer
Just can’t bear to leave Fido at home while you vacation this summer? Then check out the Top 10 Dog-Friendly U.S. Cities*, as chosen by DogFriendly.com.
Photo Credit: Flickr.com/A Continuous Lean
Dog lovers of the world taken note - thanks to the folks at DogFriendly.com, we now have a complete list of the best places to take your pampered pooch this summer. In truth, since adding an all-too-active toddler to my travel entourage, the family golden retriever tends to spend more vacations at “camp,” or as you may know it, the vet, than on the road. But, with these destinations in mind, I might be game to toss a few bones in the backseat and bring the four-legged friend along once again.
Want to visit one of these pooch-centric locales? Click on each city to go directly to that Scenic Rentals destination page. Please note that pet acceptance policies are up to the discretion of individual owners.
1. San Diego - The best dog beaches anywhere. Plenty of trails and parks to hike and great weather year-round for outdoor dining. And don’t forget all the awesome kid-friendly attractions while you’re enjoying the California sunshine.
2. Portland (OR) – Enjoy the famous rose gardens and the parks. Have food and drink at the Lucky Lab. This town is dog-friendly inside and out.
3. Austin- Dine in outdoor cafes, visit the Zilker Botanical Gardens and take a walking or carriage tour. Then head to one of the many off-leash parks to meet the locals.
4. Northern Virginia - Visit outdoor monuments in Virginia and Washington, take a cruise just for dogs and dine or go to yappy hour in dog-friendly Old Town Alexandria.
5. San Francisco - Enjoy an abundance of off-leash beaches and areas. Shop and dine all over town. Ride the cable car, walk the Golden Gate. There’s so much to do in the City by the Bay, check out Scenic’s Top Picks for a San Fran Vacation here.
6. Boston – Tour Boston by boat or take the subway. Follow the Freedom Trail and visit nearby historic sites. Wander Boston Commons, feel the genteel sophistication in Beacon Hill and visit one of the many university campuses that dot the city.
7. Orlando- Glamorous pet-friendly resorts. Boat tour, shop Winter Park or Celebration. Treat Fido to a meal at Sam Snead’s and attend a concert in Lake Eola Park. While you won’t be able to bring your pet to meet the Mouse, you certainly won’t be lacking in things to do Orlando.
8. Salt Lake City - View downtown from Ensign Peak. Ride the Temple Square Carriages and walk the downtown area. Visit an amusement park and many historical parks.
9. Charleston (SC)- Visit the beach or a number of plantations. Take a ghost tour or an eco tour. Really, is there anything inherently not dog friendly about a beach town?
10. New York - Great luxury accomodations, famous shopping and outdoor dining. Watch a morning show, enjoy Central Park on leash and off. Never know what famous folks might be out walking their glamorous canines.
Honorable Mentions: Anchorage, Chicago, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, San Antonio
*Rankings are based on the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores, dining and other things to do with your dog.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 5:33 pm and is filed under Travel Tips, U.S. travel news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
