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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POSTED IN: Pet Friendly Travel, Pets, Southern Byways, Things to See in Florida, Things to See in North Carolina, Things to See in South Carolina, Things to See in Tennessee, Travel with Pet, Vacation, Weekend Trip, road trip
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