The 4 Best Cities for Traveling with a Dog

Where to Vacay with Your Furry BFF

Is your favorite travel buddy covered in fur? Then you’re going to need to change up your travel criteria. Forget about picking cities based on ballparks and “the world’s best mimosa.” Traveling with a dog means dog parks and strategically placed water bowls!

Need destination inspiration? We’ve got you and your puppy covered! Check out these four dog friendly cities for a trip that you – and Fido – will enjoy!

• Asheville, NC

  Despite being a smaller city, Asheville has it all, including a charming, walkable downtown lined with art galleries, quirky gift shops, and live music venues.

  But the best part about Asheville is its location, nestled right into the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you and your furry pal like long walks, you’ve come to the right place. The hikes are as easy – or challenging – as you want to make them. Feeling extra fancy? Slip on Fido’s shiniest collar and head over to the historic Biltmore Estate and its 250 acres of dog-friendly gardens.

  When evening rolls around, hit one of the many pet-friendly breweries for a craft beer or two.

• Portland, OR

  Portland or Paw-tland? Hmmm… we’ll let Fido decide.

  Jokes aside, this PNW hub is definitely one of the most dog friendly cities in the country. Its 33 off-leash dog parks is the highest number per capita in the U.S.

  Portland also has a variety of activities to keep almost any furry BFF happy. Traveling with a dog who loves the water? Head over to Sellwood Riverfront Park, where your pup can wear himself out splashing in the Willamette River. And if your doggo prefers to stay dry, the city has plenty of options for trails and paths.

• Seattle, WA

  Seattle has more canine residents than children… just in case you had any doubts about its dog friendly status! Pups are even allowed to ride public transportation.

  14 dog friendly parks in the city give your fur baby plenty of space to run around. If walking’s your thing, there are plenty of long trails and walks around town, including some with stunning views of Elliott Bay. And if it’s one of Seattle’s many rainy days, head over to the indoor-outdoor Dogwood Play Area to stay dry.

  But here’s what makes Seattle an amazing experience for anyone traveling with a dog: doggie food trucks! Yes, you read that right. Seattle Barkery’s food truck visits local dog parks, selling their homemade doggie treats.

• Tampa, FL

  Are you and your fur-baby looking for some fun in the sun? Skip crowded Miami Beach and head down to Florida’s Gulf Coast for one of the warmest dog friendly cities in the country. At last count, Tampa had 15 dog parks, 52 dog-friendly breweries, and six nearby beaches where Fido can roam off-leash.

  Speaking of those beaches, though… make sure you head west to Fort DeSoto. The calm, clear water and powdery white sands consistently land it on “Top Beaches” lists. And if you’re traveling with a dog, it’s the ideal vacay spot. Two dog parks and a large section of the beach are for off-leash pups.

  After you clean up from the beach (there are convenient hoses to wash sand off your good boy’s paws), head back to Tampa for dinner. With over 200 dog friendly restaurants, you and Fido will be sure to find something yummy to eat.

Traveling with a dog is complicated enough. Ease some of the stress by shipping your luggage to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. We’ll make sure all of your stuff, including treats and chew toys, is waiting for you when you arrive. All you’ll have to worry about at the airport is keeping your furry bestie happy!