Oh the Places You Can Go in the South with Your Four-Legged Friend in Tow
Have dog, will travel, eh? Here are some suggestions on places in the South to take your four-legged along:
- Paws down, Cape San Blas, Fla., is perhaps the best beach for dogs in the Florida Panhandle. Located in “Florida’s Forgotten Coast,” Cape San Blas is about 50-miles southeast of Panama City Beach and offers you and your dog 20-miles of untouched coastline. Nearby St. George Island is another undiscovered gem in the Panhandle. What dog wouldn’t like sniffing and exploring this 28-mile barrier island. Carrabelle Beach also welcomes dogs with a different set of rules. Dogs must be on leash near sunbathers; however, away from sunbathers, dogs can be off-leash, but under voice control. Before you leave this area, be sure to pick up something special for your dog at Petunia in nearby Apalachicola.
- Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, Fla., is another pooch-perfect beach destination. After a day on the beach, relax at either the pet friendly Ash Street Inn or the Florida House and Inn on Amelia Island. Pick up a special treat at Red Bones Bakery, and beach duds at Bark Avenue Pet Boutique.
- If you and your pet enjoy exploring the outdoors, then Chattanooga, Tenn., is the place to go. Dogs on leashes are welcome at Rock City, which is a good area for Fido to stretch his legs. Did you know that Chattanooga is home to one of the top ten dog parks in the nation? Fido will have a great time running and playing at Chattanooga Chew Chew Canine Park, a leash- and cost-free park will earn you plenty of “thank you” licks after a visit.
- For another outdoor adventure, Asheville, N.C. is filled with ample spots for your four-legged to explore. From the Asheville Dog Park located near French Broad River to the Pisgah National Forest (more for experience hikers), the both of you will not have a problem suitable area to exercise everyone’s legs. Don’t forget about the quaint downtown area, filled with shops and restaurants. A number of these restaurants have outdoor seating that welcomes leashed dogs.
- Orlando, Fla., may be a mouse-centric city, but dogs are more than welcome. From leash-free parks to the luxury digs at the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, this city is a dog’s dream vacation spot. And no dream is complete without a treat (or two) from Bark Avenue Bakery.
Been there, done that? Dogfriendly.com’s co-founder, Tara Kain, shares her and her dog Toby’s favorite places to visit
“We love this beach,” says Kain. “It is as close to a secluded Caribbean island beach as you get to in your car. Dogs are allowed on the beach, but must be leashed.”
Explore the island with your dog on a horse and buggy tour of the island.
While it may be known for the Hemingway cats, Key West, Fl., is a very dog-friendly destinations. According to Kain, there are many B&BS to choose from, and the shops and restaurants are very dog friendly.
Kain recommends to take a Ghost Tour with your dog in this historic Southern city. If you both enjoy the outdoors, rent a kayak or a canoe. Explore the area with a walking tour or a swamp tour with your best friend.
Kain finds St. Augustine to be “a very dog-friendly town.” She adds that leashed dogs can use the beaches, and the old town is dog friendly. Kain recommends taking your dog on a harbor boat tour and the Fountain of Youth.
Photo credits: (top left) Driving Down the Highway, flickr, creative commons by Big Sumo; (middle) Dog on Beach, flickr, creative commons by Derwyn; (bottom left) Dog Running, flickr, creative commons by Michael Kappel
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