Pawsome! 6 Unexpected Pet-Friendly Destinations

Vacations with friends are fun—perhaps even better with those of the canine variety. Today, many places don’t just welcome your pet; they offer special activities just for them. Here are just a few of our favorite pet friendly cities, including a yappy hour deep in the heart of Texas and paddleboarding expeditions with your pup in the Sunshine State. Which of these doggie destinations are on your must-visit list?

City of (furry) Angels (Los Angeles, California)

Sandy paws are permitted—and preferred—at Rosie’s Dog Beach, an off-leash area in Long Beach.

When you book a pet friendly stay in Los Angeles, you might just think of it as merely a hotspot for the stars (and those who want to make it big). But LA is also one of the most dog-friendly cities out there. Dogs are welcome on many of the trails, especially the Mount Hollywood Trail in Griffith Park; you and your pup can get a side-angle view of the Hollywood sign on the easy, 3-mile hike. You can have an even more leisurely stroll at the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden; its winding paths take you through charming landscapes. Have a little extra time? Take a quick road trip to Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach, the only section of beach in Los Angeles County that allows dogs off-leash (from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.). All that exercise might leave you and your buddy parched, so make a doggie date at The Fat Dog, a bar and restaurant with outposts in West Hollywood and North Hollywood that welcome pups of all sizes until 7 p.m.

Wags are welcome in the Big Easy (New Orleans, Louisiana)

New Orleans is one of many pet friendly cities.

You might be surprised by how much you can do when you stay in New Orleans with your dog. For instance, for only $2, you can hop aboard the Algiers Ferry (dogs are welcome on the lower deck) for a quick jaunt to the quiet Algiers Point neighborhood. Once you’re there, walk to The Crown & Anchor, a delightful, dog-friendly English-style pub. The ferry will take you back to the French Quarter, where your pup just might get some beads while you stroll the streets. Just a heads (and tails) up: Daytime is better for exploring with your dog, since it does get extremely crowded (and rowdy) in the Quarter at night. Grab a beignet at Cafe du Monde’s takeout window and share it on a nearby bench. For true off-leash freedom, head north to NOLA City Bark Dog Park, a gorgeously landscaped 4.6-acre park with separate play areas for big and small pups, shade pavilions, a water play area and other fun features. You’ll need a visitor’s permit to enter, and you can get one at the nearby dog park office.

Meander in the Midwest (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Book a pet friendly room in Indianapolis, pack a picnic and get ready to explore the city with your pup! Start at The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, a lakeside oasis located behind the Indianapolis Museum of Art. If you’re interested in history, take a walk on the IWC Canal Greenway, a multiuse path that was once a historic canal towpath. Or take a mini pub crawl to Redemption Alewerks and Shoefly Public House, where pups are welcome on the patio.

Georgia dogs love the Lowcountry (Savannah, Georgia)

Stay in Savannah with your pet to take in the rich history on the Oliver Bentleys Historic Dog Walk Tour, a 90-minute journey through the storied city. (Even better, your pup gets a complimentary treat). Your canine companion can also help you sniff out mysteries on a Ghost City walking tour of some of Savannah’s most haunted places. If you prefer to take in the sights from the road, take your small dog on an Old Savannah Tours vintage trolley; the company allows dogs on the trolley (so long as they’re less than 25 pounds and they sit on your lap). Need a drink? Bring your furry pal on a tour of Southbound Brewing Company, where leashed dogs are welcome. Before you leave town, don’t miss a stroll down River Street to see historic spots, small boutiques and plenty of restaurants, many of which welcome four-legged friends.

Pet fests (San Antonio, Texas)

Plan your next pet friendly stay in San Antonio , which is packed with year-round pet-centric events, such as the Pawchella festival (November); Dog Days at the San Antonio Botanical Garden (August and December, typically); and the famous Fiesta Pooch Parade presented by Therapy Animals of San Antonio (April), where doggies strut their stuff in fun costumes. If your dog is up for mingling with alpacas, cats and other animals, head to Historic Market Square for the Blessing of the Animals in December. But if you can’t get to the city for those dates, it’s always a good time to make a new friend at Rita’s on the River, which has a yappy hour and its own dog menu. Or spend the afternoon exploring McAllister Park’s 8.5 miles of trails or checking out local haunts on Bad Wolf Ghost Tour’s San Antonio Ghost Walk.

It’s not all about the Mouse (Orlando, Florida)

When you book a pet friendly hotel in Orlando, you'll discover entertainment that goes well beyond theme parks—especially if you’re looking for dog-friendly places to visit. Head to Buena Vista Watersports, where you can enjoy a stand-up paddleboarding session on the pet-friendly beach. You can also spend a Saturday browsing the Winter Park Farmers Market; on Sunday, head to the Downtown Orlando Farmers Market. Treat Fido to homemade treats at Bark Avenue Bakery, where you can choose from an array of delightful doggie treats, all of which are baked on the premises.