Top 10 Dog-Friendly U.S. Vacation Destinations
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Traveling with a pet this summer? The Humane Society has always been a good source to get help working out the details, but there are other good resources out there, too. Such as …
DogFriendly.com has recognized the top 10 dog-friendly cities to visit in the U.S. based on the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores, dining, and things to do with your dog.
1. San Francisco - Luxurious hotels. Plenty of pet-friendly patio dining. Many off-leash beaches and areas. Ride the cable car, walk the Golden Gate.
2. Austin - Dine in outdoor cafes. Visit the Zilker Botanical Gardens. See the Congress Street Bats. Many off-leash parks.
3. Boston - Tour Boston harbor by boat. Walk the Freedom Trail and explore many National Historical Sites. Your leashed dog is welcome on the subway.
4. Northern Virginia - Enjoy a yappy hour or dine in dog-friendly Alexandria. Take the Canine Cruise. Visit outdoor monuments and nearby Washington.
5. Portland (OR)- Enjoy off-leash areas and the famous Rose Gardens. Visit the Saturday Outdoor Market. Have a drink at the Lucky Lab.
6. Charleston (SC) - Take a ghost tour or walking tour. See the grounds of the Magnolia and Boone Hall Plantations. Visit the beach.
7. Chicago - Visit Navy Pier. Ride the Canine Cruise. See Buckingham Fountain, take a walk in Oak Park. Many dog-friendly patio restaurants.
8. San Diego - Visit fabulous dog beaches. Shop at dog-friendly Otay Ranch with its dog park. Dine outdoors and hike many parks.
9. New York - Stay in a fine hotel. Take a walking tour of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Shop at Time Warner Center. See the Balto Statue and Central Park.
10. Ann Arbor (MI) - Visit Nichols Arboretum, rent a dog-friendly canoe. Visit nearby gardens and farms. Visit many local parks.
Honorable mention also goes out to Dallas, Madison/Wisconsin Dells, Minneapolis, Salt Lake, and Seattle.




One of my favorite pieces of animal rights campaign paraphernalia is a small white sheet of paper, measuring 8 1/2″ by 8″, that comes include in some Humane Society mailings. The page is almost completely blank, save a short statement printed in bold, red ink in the middle of one side:














