Looking to travel and not sure where you and your family, including your four legged family member, should go? Picking places that will welcome your dog with arms as open as those that welcome you can be tricky, so here’s a list of the top 10 dog friendly cities in the United States. All photos are from Flickr.com and the dogs in the photos are in the cities listed.
10. San Diego, California
Thanks to the warm climate, this is a year round playground for pets and pet lovers. With locations like the Otay Ranch Town Shopping Center, which has an off-leash park as part of the facility, and a number of pet friendly restaurants like Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar, this is the ideal location for the pet lover with travel on their mind.
9. Long Beach, California
Home to the Most Beautiful Bulldog Competition, Easter and Howl o’ween parades, and the only off-leash dog park in LA County. With restaurants and bars that cater to both people and their dogs, this is a great spot to enjoy a refreshing lunch while your dog enjoys dog treats right next to you.
8. Carmel, California
Home to the pet friendly Cypress Inn on Lincoln Street (co-owned by the legendary Doris Day), this city is great for the active pet family as it features numerous walking tours to enjoy the towns scenic charms
7. Portland, Oregon
Home to The Lucky Labrador Brewing Company, this brewery is the perfect place for you to take the edge off after a long day of travel with one of their dog-inspired brews while your dog relaxes beside you. If you need something to wake you up instead, the Iron Mutt Coffee Company is perfect for getting your caffeine fix while your dog enjoys either a Himalayan Dog Chew from you, or a free dog biscuit from the employees.
6. Seattle, Washington
When staying in Seattle, the Pensione Nichols Bed and Breakfast should be first on your list thanks to their pet-friendly standards and great location. From there it’s easy to enjoy many of Seattle’s pet-friendly amenities, especially since well-behaved dogs are allowed on all of Seattle’s buses and trains. Couple that with numerous eateries that welcome well-behaved pets and it’s easy to see why Seattle is one of the top pet-friendly cities in the country.
5. Chicago, Illinois
While the Cubs might not be winning the World Series just yet, the White Sox do offer a Dog Day baseball game every spring. Numerous upscale hotels such as the Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco welcome dogs of all sizes, and Lake Michigan offers more than 18 miles of paved trails that are great for exercising both you and your dog. At the end of the day, swing by Cucina’s on either N. Sedgwick or W. Diversey where your dog will be served a complimentary bowl of pasta.
4. New York City, New York
Many of the most upscale and fashionable hotels in this city open their doors to dogs, including the Soho Grand Hotel and the Muse Hotel. The NYC Dog Walking Tour is a great way to see the city and get your dog some much needed exercise, and of course there’s always a carriage ride through Central Park to really enjoy the sights of the city.
3. Orlando, Florida
When in Orlando, be sure to visit Sam Snead’s, the location where Governor Jeb Bush signed the doggy dining law that allows well-behaved dogs to sit with their owners at outside locations. Thanks to the location of Disney World and Universal Studios, many hotels in the area are pet friendly and even offer dog-sitting services while you and your family go and enjoy the park.
2. Colorado Springs, Colorado
All about nature and the great outdoors, Colorado Springs is a great place for dogs that love to romp and have fun. With numerous nature preserves and parks where you can let your dog off the leash and just run and enjoy themselves, it’s easy to forget that Colorado Springs also offers many pet friendly hotels where both you and your dog can be spoiled and pampered.
1. Austin, Texas
Boasting 12 off-leash parks, Austin is a dream come true for both pet owners and the pets themselves. Whether cooling off in the creek at Bull Creek District Park or taking a tour of the city in horse-drawn carriage, there are plenty of ways for your dog to enjoy themselves while in Austin. A large number of restaurants and stores welcome dogs, so be sure to take them out with you when you’re hitting the town and enjoy the sights of this beautiful Texas city with your best four-legged friends.