After a stressful month, we could all use a change of scenery. But what about your pet? Do you really want to have to look into those puppy-dog eyes as you leave home? Fortunately, there are lots of pet-friendly activities and pet-friendly hotels within driving distance of NoVA.
We’ve rounded up some great pet-friendly weekend getaways, with pet-friendly hotel options and pet-friendly activities in each area. Note that many chain hotels allow dogs (call ahead and ask, because there will likely be a pet deposit), but we’ve only highlighted independent, pet-friendly options.
Middleburg
If you’re looking for minimal time in the car but plenty of activities to do with your dog, check out Middleburg. The Salamander Resort is a well-known resort in the area because of the plethora of activities it offers – Zip lining! Horseback riding! Clay shooting! – and this grand hotel is also very pet-friendly.
While you could stay at the Salamander Resort and your dog could go almost everywhere with you on the grounds, your dog can’t take part in all of the resort activities, so you should venture into Middleburg for fun with Fido. Visit the Chrysalis Vineyards, Old Ox Brewery, or Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery for drinks. Walk around downtown Middleburg where you’ll see dog bowls for water on the street, and many shops have dog treats to offer.
Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland’s capital city is delightfully dog-friendly. Take walks by the water, and like Middleburg (and other dog-friendly towns), it’s rare to see a boutique downtown without a water bowl and treats for dogs outside. There are also plenty of restaurants by the water that are dog friendly, like Market House, Iron Rooster, and McGarvey’s Saloon and Oyster Bar. But there are other activities for the whole family: Visit one of the dog beaches like Quiet Waters Park, or indulge in a pet-approved cruise, like a non-specialty cruise from Watermark Journey Cruises on the Bay. If walking is more your and your dog’s speed, the Haunted Harbor Tours are dog-friendly, too.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Many of the wineries here are dog friendly, but that’s not all you can do with your pet. The historic downtown has an outdoor mall that’s open to leashed dogs, and the main street is lined with various restaurants with outdoor seating and pet-friendly patios, including Firefly, Beer Run, Citizen Burger Bar, and The Virginian. Dogs less than 50 pounds are welcome at the Boar’s Head Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond getaway at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but if downtown is more your speed, the new Quirk Hotel downtown, The Omni Charlottesville Hotel and Graduate Charlottesville are all dog friendly. Charlottesville offers lots of trails to walk your dog, like the ones at Crabtree Falls, home of the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River, where well-behaved dogs are permitted off-leash. If your pup isn’t well-behaved, don’t despair – head to Azalea Dog Park, Chris Greene Lake Park or Darden Towe Dog Park, all of which are off-leash dog parks with fenced-in play space.
Luray and Shenandoah Park
These two popular sightseeing areas are so close to each other, you can visit one each day, and they’re both dog-friendly. Skyline Drive is a 105-mile road that runs the entire length of Shenandoah National Park, so your dog can stick its head out the window and your family can see the beauty as you drive up. Shenandoah National Park offers more than 500 miles of hiking trails, many of which are open to dogs (check here for a list of trails that don’t allow dogs), and many of which have waterfalls. The next day, Luray Caverns allows leashed dogs on its grounds, which include a ropes course/adventure park and a garden maze. Only dogs small enough to carry are permitted on the underground cave tours – in other words, if you have a rotund Frenchie and want to bring him on the tour, make sure you’ll be able to hold him the whole time. For a rustic experience, try booking a dog friendly cabin like Buck’s Peak by the national park.
Cape Charles, Virginia
If you’re after a beach getaway, you’ll have lots of options in Cape Charles, and the area is great for the whole family. April 1 through Labor Day, dogs are only allowed on Cape Charles Beach before 9 am or after 9 pm, but September through April, they’re allowed there anytime – and it’s definitely beach weather in Virginia in September (usually October, too). There are also some specific dog beaches you can take your dog to. The local Hotel Cape Charles is a cute, dog-friendly boutique hotel right in downtown Cape Charles, walkable to its Historic District, which is next to a nice park for some green space for your pet. It’s central to the town’s dog friendly restaurants, like Cape Charles Brewing Company and The Shanty, and you can walk your dog down to Brown Dog ice cream every night – it’s literally a minute walk from the hotel.
Feature image, © koszivu/stock.adobe.com
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