Do you want your pets to be part of your magical family memories? Traveling with your pets is easier than you might think. Pet-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and activities are becoming more common across the United States! I try to take my dogs, Handsome and Chilli, on at least one “puppy-cation” a year. During our puppy-cations, we usually spend a long weekend hiking, relaxing, and visiting local breweries and wineries. We start off by finding pet-friendly lodging (your Travel Advisor can do this for you!) in the city we want to visit then planning begins! If you are wanting to travel with your pets, you will want to consider the following tips.
Safety First – How to Keep Your Pet Safe During Travel
These are the top safety guidelines I follow while traveling with my pets.
- Bring your county dog license and proof of rabies vaccination (certificate and/or tag)
- Ensure your pets are up to date on all vaccinations and heartworm, flea, and tick medication
- For car travel, secure your pets in an adequately strapped down crate (safest) or a safety belt attached to their harness
- Carry a pet first aid kit with items such as tick tweezers, gauze pads/rolls, animal bandages, scissors, antiseptic wipes, a cooling towel, and whatever else you think you might want if your pet gets hurt
- Consider microchipping your pet – they will always be linked to your information if you get separated – and purchasing a GPS collar
- Carry extra leashes (a waist leash can be very convenient while hiking)
- Consider becoming pet CPR certified
- Save the number to the nearest emergency vet, just in case!
Keep in mind that your pets are unique and you know them best! You may need to add things to this list for your family vacation based on your pets’ specific needs.
Top Pet-Friendly Vacation Spots
Below is a list of the top pet-friendly vacation destinations in the United States. These cities are full of paw-some opportunities to spend time with your pets, both indoors and outdoors! They are located in various parts of the country so you should be able to have a comfortable pet-cation in every season.
- Block Island, Rhode Island
- Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Long Island, New York
- Stowe, Vermont
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Grand Haven, Michigan
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
Additionally, Handsome and Chilli would like to share their list of favorite “puppy-cation” spots with you!
- Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania/New York
- Personal favorite dog-friendly spots: Bent Run Brewery, Southern Tier Brewing Company, hiking trails
- Mohican State Park, Ohio
- Personal favorite dog-friendly spots: Malabar Farm, Ugly Bunny Winery, hiking trails
- Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
- Personal favorite dog-friendly spots: Brewery 33, Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls
- Salt Fork State Park, Ohio
- Personal favorite dog-friendly spots: hiking trails
Walt Disney World Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Your pet can even join you at Walt Disney World! If you would like to bring your dog to the magic, they can stay with you at Art of Animation, Port Orleans – Riverside, Yacht Club, The Cabins at Fort Wilderness, and The Campsites at Fort Wilderness. Dogs are the only pets permitted to stay at the resorts at this time. Walt Disney World allows a maximum of two dogs per guest room. All dogs are expected to be well-behaved, leashed in public areas, and properly vaccinated.
If you do not want your dog to stay in the hotel room all day, there is magic available for them as well! Best Friends Pet Care is an available resource for your pets. With 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered, outdoor run and play areas, and a 25,000 square-foot dog park, your pet will be on a vacation of their own! Best Friends Pet Care offers day time and night time boarding with extras such as play groups, pet villas and suites, bed time stories, and more. The facility accommodates dogs, cats, and even some small animals.
Universal Orlando Pet-Friendly Accommodations
More of a Universal person? Your dogs can stay with you here as well! Dog-friendly hotels include Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. These hotels allow 2 dogs (up to 75 pounds each) per room. You must be booked in the pet-friendly room category to bring your dogs and dogs can be walked in designated areas only.
Traveling to other Theme Parks
Theme parks are realizing that many people prefer to travel with their pets. Just last week, I was at Dollywood and noticed they have a resort for dogs called Doggywood! I would expect this trend to continue with other amusement parks around the country.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with your pets is easier than ever before! With more pet-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and activities popping up around the country, your dog is sure to have plenty to do! Your pets are individuals and you know them best. Keep that in mind when deciding whether to bring them on vacation with you. The team at The Magic For Less can help you create memories with your furry family members. If you would like to book pet-friendly accommodations for your next vacation, contact me! I’d love to help you out (and see photos of your babies)!
