Best Dog Friendly-Vacation Spots From Coast To Coast

These vacation spots and dog-friendly hotels will welcome Fido with open arms.

More and more, pets — especially dogs — are considered members of the family. And just like kids, dogs have FOMO too, which means they really want to come on vacation with their humans.

Happily, in many cases, they can.

There are dozens of destinations that embrace dogs for the kings and queens they are. These locales boast restaurants and cafes with dog-friendly menus, off-leash dog parks and dog beaches where your pup can romp in the waves with new friends. Better yet, these cities and towns are filled with dog-friendly hotels, from five-star luxury spots ideal for pooch pampering to rustic getaways deep in the woods.

If you don’t want to call the kennel to check in on your baby, or ask the pet sitter to set up FaceTime dates with your dog — yes, people actually do this — fear not. These dog-friendly vacation spots have got you covered.

15. Del Mar, California

Kid and dog playing in Del Mar beach, California

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Just north of San Diego, Del Mar is a sleepy beach community where life in the slow lane is preferable to the hustle and bustle of the city. Adults, kids and pups absolutely love it.

For furry-friend fun, go to Helen Woodward Animal Center, which offers stand-up paddle board and surf lessons for your canine companions. It also hosts a Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in September, featuring a dog agility course and a no-doubt extremely adorable costume contest.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Del Mar

Les Artistes Inn, dog-friendly hotel in Del Mar

Les Artistes Inn / Facebook

Where to stay: Les Artistes Inn, 944 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, California 92014

Room rates: Starting at $135 a night + pet fee

Hotel highlights: One-of-a-kind rooms adorned with original artwork.

Bottom line: The town has many lovely places to stay, but arguably the most dog-friendly is Les Artistes Inn, a quirky boutique hotel a five-minute walk to the Pacific Ocean.

The property is just down the street from Del Mar North Beach, where dogs can frolic off-leash from Labor Day through June 15, and you can exercise your pup on-leash all summer long.

14. Bar Harbor, Maine

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On Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is adjacent to the extraordinary Acadia National Park. With ocean and mountain views, charming carriage roads and 16 splendid stone bridges, there’s a reason this park is known as the crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. Better yet, it offers ample dog-friendly beaches and hiking trails.

Ready for a bite or drink? Head to one of nearly 30 nearby restaurants, cafes and bars with outdoor seating for dogs.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Bar Harbor

Balance Rock Inn / Facebook

Where to stay: Balance Rock Inn, 21 Albert Meadow, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609

Room rates: Starting at $222 + pet fee

Hotel highlights: Quaint New England-style rooms, heated oceanfront pool, restaurant and bar, complimentary breakfast buffet, fitness center.

Bottom line: There are a handful of spots in this New England retreat where pets are welcome, but we recommend booking Balance Rock Inn.

Nestled in a forest of trees, this oceanfront inn touts magnificent sunsets over Frenchman Bay, and is just what you and Fido need to unwind after a long day of hiking.

13. Orcas Island, Washington

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Washington’s San Juan islands should definitely be on your bucket list — and Orcas Island specifically is not to be missed.

Featuring a hamlet known as the Emerald Isle, this destination offers oceanfront rural relaxation, winding country roads and lush green hills that will make you think you’re in Ireland. Often called the gem of the San Juans, you can get here by ferry or small airplane from Seattle, though ferrying is the best option if you’re bringing your dog.

Pet-friendly features include Orcas Island Dog Park and several shops that leave water bowls outside on their sidewalks. Nearby San Juan Island offers its own dog park, plus a pet wellness center.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel on Orcas Island

North Beach Inn, pet-friendly hotel in Washington

North Beach Inn / Facebook

Where to stay: North Beach Inn, 650 Gibson Road, Eastsound, Washington 98245

Room rates: Starting at $120

Hotel highlights: Historic studios, cottages and cabins on a private beach, full kitchens and fireplaces.

Bottom line: On Orcas, stay at the North Beach Inn, which features 13 beachfront cottages in a serene setting perfect for watching brilliant sunsets. Pets are welcome in all of the accommodations, and the hotel provides dog towels and dog blankets.

Play with your pup on the inn’s private beach to unplug from the breakneck pace of urban life.

12. Cannon Beach, Oregon

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As one of the best small beach towns in the U.S., Cannon Beach is a not-to-be-missed coastal destination for people and pups alike. Bring your pup to watch tufted puffins relax on Haystack Rock, explore the trails of Ecola State Park, check out secret sea caves and tide pools, and gaze upon a historic lighthouse from a protected cove.

After a day of peaceful solitude in nature, head into town, where myriad art galleries, quaint shops and restaurants welcome pets. If you’re in town in October, you can enter your furry friend into the Dog Show On the Beach, featuring prizes ranging from “best bark” to “longest tail.”

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach

Where to stay: Sandals Inn, 188 W Jackson Street Cannon Beach, Oregon 97110

Room rates: Starting at $55

Hotel highlights: Fireplace, kitchen, patio, BBQ.

Bottom line: The Sandals Inn provides a perfect retreat for you and your furry family. Just steps from the beach, the inn offers special pet packages.

You can also choose between a jacuzzi spa suite (which we recommend) and a cabana.

11. La Quinta, California

La Quinta Resort & Club / Facebook

If it’s a desert getaway you’re after, forget Palm Springs and head to Southern California’s Coachella Valley, where you’ll find a little gem called La Quinta. The preferred playground of old Hollywood’s elite, this city is also decidedly dog-friendly.

If you venture out into the surrounding city, you’ll find more than a dozen restaurants that will welcome Fido to their patios for al fresco dining.

After lunch, head to one of the pet-friendly hiking trails or off-leash dog parks, where your pup can make some new four-legged friends and provide endless meme-able dog moments.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in La Quinta

Dogs enjoying La Quinta Inn in California

La Quinta Resort & Club / Facebook

Where to stay: La Quinta Resort & Club, 49-499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, California 92253

Room rates: Starting at $286 a night + pet fee

Hotel highlights: Five champion golf courses, seven restaurants, tennis courts, spa and salon, 41 pools, and some rooms feature private yards with private outdoor pools and hot tubs.

Bottom line: La Quinta Resort & Club, a luxurious Waldorf Astoria property, has dog-focused amenities that include food and water bowls, a plush pet bed and resort maps designating doggie-relief stations.

The hotel spa even offers in-room dog massages.

10. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Dog playing at the beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Jen / flickr

This locale’s charming name is reason enough to pack your bags and head there immediately. The endless sea, small-town appeal and fairytale-inspired cottages help, too. After all, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not just one of the best dog-friendly destinations in the U.S., but also one of the best overall small towns in the country.

Perhaps the best reason to visit Carmel is that it’s one of the country’s best for four-legged companions. The area is filled with a variety of dog-friendly beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

In town, you’ll find fun pup activities like yappy hours, pooch massages, doggy turn-down services at hotels, canine surf lessons, and treats and water bowls galore.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Cypress Inn / Facebook

Where to stay: Cypress Inn, Lincoln & 7th Street, Carmel, California 93921

Room rates: Starting at $279

Hotel highlights: Complimentary breakfast, and on-site Terry’s Restaurant serves excellent tapas.

Bottom line: Among many pet-friendly lodging options is the elegant Cypress Inn, where accommodations are tailored to dogs and a lovely courtyard includes a place to wash pets as well as a cache of doggie pick-up bags.

The inn was co-owned by actress and animal rights activist Doris Day before she died in 2019.

9. Madeline Island, Lake Superior, Wisconsin

Madeline Island / Facebook

One of the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, Madeline Island is the home of dog-friendly Big Bay State Park and Big Bay Beach. In addition to being a history buff’s paradise, the isle is well-known for attracting free-spirited personalities and plenty of pets.

You can take your pup to myriad dog-friendly restaurants and cafes, on a boat tour to see Lake Superior’s majestic sea caves and lighthouses, out for a hike, or to play fetch on the lake’s rugged shores.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Madeline Island

The Inn on Madeleine Island / Facebook

Where to stay: The Inn On Madeline Island, 641 Fort Road La Pointe, Wisconsin 54850

Room rates: Starting at $130

Hotel highlights: Stand-up paddle boards, boats and jet skis available to rent, on-site tennis courts; daily outdoor yoga classes.

Bottom line: The Inn On Madeline Island is a lake-front resort with heated pools, relaxing saunas and wine tastings. The inn’s on-site pub welcomes dogs on its patio, and some of the accommodations welcome dogs but not cats.

Your pup will be pleased.

8. Lake Delton, Wisconsin

Camp Dogwood

If you want to take vacationing with your four-legged friend to the next level, then head to Camp Dogwood along serene Lake Delton. This is basically a sleep-away camp for you and your dog, totally devoted to bringing you closer together.

A day at Camp Dogwood includes training sessions to help deepen the bond between pups and their people, free time to hike and take your dog to the beach, agility classes, campfire activities, coaching sessions so your dog can learn to be your spiritual guide, dog massage, tips for taking great pet photos, and classes for pretty much every other dog-related topic you can imagine.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Lake Delton

Paddle boarding with dogs at Camp Dogwood

Camp Dogwood, Inc. / Facebook

Where to stay: Camp Dogwood, Nixon Road & Clara Ave, Lake Delton, Wisconsin 53940

Room rates: Four-day spring/fall camp from $635; day pass $145

Hotel highlights: Serene village setting, 25-30 dog-centric activities, meals and snacks for humans included, wide variety of accommodation options.

Bottom line: If your friends think you’re a little too close to your dog, Camp Dogwood will introduce you to like-minded travelers who are just as devoted to their fur babies as you are.

7. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

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Take your pup on a spiritual quest in Hot Springs National Park, a former sacred gathering site for Native Americans that’s known for its healing thermal hot springs.

With 26 miles of dog-friendly terrain to explore, your pooch is all but assured to be pooped by the end of the day. But if your pup still has energy to spare, bring them to Hot Springs Bark Park, aboard the Belle of Hot Springs Riverboat, or to visit one of the area’s dog-friendly museums.

Many of the local restaurants also welcome dogs on their patios.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Hot Springs National Park

Airbnb

Where to stay: Ramble Inn, Downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas

Room rates: Starting at $105 per night

Hotel highlights: Centrally located near Hot Springs National Park and Bathhouse Row. Complimentary dog treats, no pet fee.

Bottom line: While staying at Ramble Inn, you’ll be within walking distance of numerous hot springs and hiking trails, something your dog will definitely appreciate.

The inn also offers a fenced backyard and doggie doors, so you can sit back and relax, rather than being caught in an endless loop of opening and closing the door for your dog.

6. Traverse City, Michigan

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While travelers usually head to the coast for a beach getaway, inland states also offer a variety of breathtaking beaches, and most of them are pretty pet-friendly. Among these is Traverse City, a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and art lovers alike that also boasts tons of things for pups and people to do together.

Head to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to explore towering bluffs and sand dunes you won’t see on the saltwater coasts, and to hike miles of rugged forest trails.

Then venture to town to dine in one of the city’s dog-friendly restaurants, or make a stop at a winery that welcomes pups.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Traverse City

VRBO

Where to stay: Chalet rental in Traverse City, Michigan

Room rates: Starting at $356

Hotel highlights: Private hot tub, fireplace, creek, walking distance to bay.

Bottom line: If your dog is happiest near nature, bring him to this cute chalet right on East Arm Grand Traverse Bay. Not only will you be walking distance from the bay, you’ll also have a small creek running right along the property, which your dog will be more than happy to splash about in.

5. Key West, Florida

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It’s no secret that those looking to live the laid-back life head to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S. — and dogs are no exception. In fact, Key West is so chill that you can take your dog to bars, restaurants and even the aquarium.

You can also charter a boat for an afternoon on the water with your dog, or book them a paddleboard lesson. Plus, the city boasts many dog beaches.

Before you head home, don’t forget to head to Hemingway’s house to visit the descendants of his beloved polydactyl (many-toed) cats. Understandably, though, there are no dogs allowed at this particular attraction.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Key West

Old Town Manor Key West / Facebook

Where to stay: Old Town Manor, 511 Eaton Street, Key West, Florida 33040

Room rates: Starting at $197 + pet fee

Hotel highlights: Private tropical gardens, historic architecture, European-style continental breakfast.

Bottom line: Old Town Manor is a charming bed and breakfast nestled in Old Town Key West, mere steps from Duval Street’s live music, restaurants, bars and local shops.

The hotel offers large dog beds, pick-up bags, and water and food bowls, and welcomes all breeds and sizes of dog.

4. Telluride, Colorado

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Calling the majestic mountain town of Telluride dog-friendly is an understatement. Here, you and your pooch will be welcome almost everywhere you go.

See the area from the top of the world by getting tickets for you and Fido to ride the Telluride Gondola. Next, head to the Ridgeway off-leash area or the San Miguel River Trail to spend some quality time outdoors with your pup.

When hunger strikes, make your way back into town to get your fill at a number of dog-friendly restaurants.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Telluride

Whit Richardson / The Hotel Telluride

Where to stay: The Hotel Telluride, 199 N. Cornet Street, Telluride, Colorado 81435

Room rates: Starting at $192 + pet fee

Hotel highlights: Spa services for humans, fitness center, hot tubs, complimentary gondola and shuttle service.

Bottom line: At The Hotel Telluride, 10 percent of all pet fees are donated to the Second Chance Humane Society of Colorado, and pets are greeted with their very own welcome bag.

3. Saint Johnsbury, Vermont

Dog Mountain in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont

Dog Mountain / Facebook

If you and your dog need some real quality time, you’re going to want to head to Saint Johnsbury to spend a weekend at Dog Mountain. This private oasis nestled on a 150-acre mountain top features Dog Chapel, where people can leave notes for their dearly departed dogs. The chapel is surrounded by ample hiking trails and ponds just for your pup.

Come in the winter for snowshoeing, the summer to frolic among the brilliant wildflowers, or during the fall to witness the spectacular display of changing leaves. The best part is that Dog Mountain will connect you with other dog lovers who understand your devotion.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Saint Johnsbury

Vermont dog-friendly accommodation, Fairbanks Inn

fairbanksinnvt / Instagram

Where to stay: Fairbanks Inn, 401 Western Avenue, Saint Johnsbury, Vermont 05819

Room rates: Starting at $108 + pet fee

Hotel highlights: Heated pool, access to dog-friendly hiking trails, jacuzzi suites.

Bottom line: The Fairbanks Inn offers your quintessential New England adventure by providing easy access to trails where dogs can run freely. It also features specially designed pet-friendly rooms.

2. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

marthasvineyard / Instagram

Book a ticket on a pet-friendly ferry to picturesque Martha’s Vineyard, where pups and people can sample a taste of idyllic small-town living while being kissed by cool ocean breezes.

Romp around with your pooch at one of the Vineyard’s dog-friendly beaches, dog parks or nature preserves. Pups and their humans can also enjoy al fresco dining at myriad local restaurants before retiring for the evening at Martha’s Vineyard Surfside Hotel, where Fido will be greeted with a bag of treats.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard Surfside Hotel / Facebook

Where to stay: Martha’s Vineyard Surfside Hotel, 7 Oak Bluffs Avenue, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts 02557

Room rates: Starting at $150 + pet fee

Hotel highlights: Located in the heart of Oak Bluffs overlooking Nantucket Sound, complimentary bikes.

Bottom line: Rest your weary bones at Martha’s Vineyard Surfside Hotel and wake up refreshed for more sightseeing, beachcombing and farm-to-table eating.

1. The Hamptons, New York

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The Hamptons aren’t just for the rich and famous. You and your four-legged friends are invited too.

Travel aboard the Hampton Jitney with your dog in tow (yes, they’re allowed). Once you arrive, there are several dog-friendly beaches to explore, plus local lighthouses, pup-approved restaurants and bars, and even a classic horse show.

And don’t forget to rent a convertible and put the top down, so you and your pooch can feel the wind on your faces as you cruise down Dune Road like a local.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in the Hamptons

Dog sleeping on vintage couch at 434 on Main

434 on Main / Facebook

Where to stay: 434 on Main, Amagansett, New York 11930

Room rate: Starting at $235 per night

Hotel highlights: Luxury toiletries, proximity to attractions, walking distance to the beach.

Bottom line: This renovated 1905 historic house exudes charm. Normally, houses that must be well-kept and preserved don’t allow pets, but the 434 on Main is more than happy to open its doors to dogs.