Dog-Friendly Vacations on the East Coast

Portland is a wonderful place to explore with your dog. In Portland everyone seems to not only tolerate but genuinely welcome your dog and as you stroll the lovely cobbled streets of the Old Port, you will find many welcoming water bowls set out for furry visitors. You can take a scenic cruise around the offshore islands aboard the Casco Bay Mailboat, which also allows leashed dogs onboard at no extra cost. You have a few dog-friendly hotels to choose from, and there are also several Portland restaurants that allow your dog to join you at an outside table, including the Portland Lobster Company for scrumptious fresh lobster rolls. You and your pet are allowed to enjoy the beach together before 9am or after 5pm (please confirm before you go).

You can enjoy a delightful vacation on Georgia’s Golden Isles without having to leave your dog at the kennels. Both you and your pet can enjoy access to the beautiful beaches, provided you visit in the off-season period from Labor Day to Memorial Day, when dogs are allowed to run free and frolic in the water. During the summer season dogs may visit the beach before 9am or after 5.30pm. At Frederica Park’s Dog Park your pet can also socialize and have an off-leash run. There are several hiking trails that welcome leashed dogs and you will also find many restaurants that offer an outside area where your dog is welcome to join you.

North Carolina’s Outer Banks offers miles and miles of pristine beaches you can explore with your four-legged friend by your side. The best time to visit the Outer Banks with your dog would be the shoulder season (or winter), when beach restrictions are more relaxed and days on the beach are more comfortable for your dog. If you visit during summer, most beaches allow leashed dogs on the beach before 9am or after 5pm, so there is still plenty of time for your pet to enjoy the beach. Outer Banks has many accommodation options where your pet will be welcome to join you.

Asbury Park in New Jersey is a great getaway choice for dog-loving New Yorkers, where your dog is not simply tolerated but is truly welcomed at several dog-friendly establishments.You can enjoy an evening drink on the deck at the Wonder Bar during Yappy Hour while your best friend enjoys socializing in a fenced-in area with a pet’s swimming pool. Tuesday is the day to drop by Lola’s European Café, where you dog will get a healthy and delicious frozen doggie treat. While you relax and soak up the sun on the beach, you can leave Fido at a Purr ‘n Pooch Pet Resort for doggy day care, grooming, and more. There are also several places where your dog can enjoy some off-leash fun in a safe enclosed environment – try Thompson Park and Wolf Hill Recreation Center.

If you are planning a holiday in Burlington, Vermont, you need not hesitate to bring your dog along for the ride. There are at least ten accommodation options to choose from that allow you to bring up to two dogs with you for a small additional fee. When you need a break from exploring the city, you can choose from 30 dog-friendly restaurants that allow dogs at their outdoor tables. You can take your pet to have some off-leash fun at Starr Farm Dog Park, which has separate fenced areas for large and small dogs. You can also go hiking or biking with your dog at Mount Philo State Park or on the Richmond Mountain trails.

Charlottesville is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. This dog-friendly town makes an ideal base for exploring the beauty of the area with your four-legged friend. You can all make yourselves at home in one of several dog-friendly hotels or apartments, including Hilton, Marriott, and Holiday Inn options. Your leashed dog is allowed to enjoy the hiking trails at Crabtree Falls or in Shenandoah National Park. You can take your best friend to enjoy some off-leash fun and socializing at one of three local dog parks – Darden Towe Dog Park, Azalea Dog Park, and Chris Greene Lake Park. Your dog may also join you for a wine tasting at Carter Mountain Orchard, beer tasting at Blue Mountain Brewery, or a meal at the local dog-friendly restaurants.

Dewey Beach in Delaware is officially dog-friendly. If you visit during the summer (May to September), you will only be able to take your dog for a walk on the beach before 9.30am or after 5.30 pm, but if you choose to visit off-season, you and your dog can enjoy the beach together all day long. The town offers pet-friendly hotels and there are many rental apartments that allow you to bring your dog. Your pet will love going for a long walk along the Junction and Breakwater Trail, and when it’s time for a snack both you and your pet are welcome at Woody’s East Coast Bar and Grill.

Bar Harbor is a popular dog-friendly vacation destination that offers over 60 accommodation options suitable for people traveling with their dogs. In addition, there are many outdoor activities where dogs are welcome to join you. If you fancy hiking or kayaking with your pooch, you can head to Acadia National Park, where you can enjoy all the outdoor activities, including camping with your dog – at Little Long Pond there is a great leash-free area where your dog can run free. Dogs are also allowed on the Island Explorer bus, the Beal and Bunker Mail Boat Ferry, and on Sea Princess Scenic Nature Cruises. There are also many pet-friendly restaurants in Bar Harbor.

The small town of Hebron in New Hampshire is a popular vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Although you will find very limited options when it comes to pet-friendly accommodation right in the town, there are several hotels, inns, and vacation rentals that do welcome your four-legged friends within a distance of 7 to 10 miles in Ashland and other nearby villages. Hebron offers access to many outdoor activities, and although pets are not allowed in some areas, you can go hiking with your dog along the western trails in Wellington State Park. If you need some solo time to explore, you can book your dog into the Mountain View Pet Resort or the Lakes Region Pet Resort for quality doggie day care.