Pet-Friendly Spring Break Getaways

Posted by Erin Ballinger

If you’re looking for a spring getaway where you can have a blast with your two- and four-legged family members, we’ve got you and Fido covered. From dog-friendly beach vacations to snowy ski resorts, these pet-friendly spring break hotspots will help you avoid the partiers and focus on family fun.

South Padre Island, TX

Don’t forget the floaties for Fido this spring break. Photo by @maxiethedoxie22

Soak up the sun and get in some quality family bonding time on South Padre Island.

Where to Stay

Book accommodations at a pet-friendly vacation home or on the beach at La Quinta by Wyndham South Padre Island Beach. The oceanfront hotel has an outdoor pool for the kids and a grassy pet relief area for Fido. The hotel also boasts a fitness center and complimentary daily breakfast. But the best part for your pup is that he can sleep just steps away from the dog-friendly beach. La Quinta by Wyndham South Padre Island Beach welcomes two pets of any size for an additional fee of $20 plus tax per pet, per night.

What to Do

Sea Turtle Inc., a nonprofit sea turtle rescue, allows canines to join their human clans as they learn the importance of protecting sea life during this hands-on experience. Bring the whole gang to catch a “Turtle Talk,” and visit the endangered sea turtles being rehabilitated to return to the wild. You can also take an educational and fun dolphin watch and eco-tour with Fido aboard Murphy’s Law with Captain Murphy’s Fishing & Isla Tours.

Where to Eat

When it’s time to feed the family, South Padre Island has several dog-friendly restaurants. Enjoy sea views, good food and a fun atmosphere at Lobo Del Mar and Coconut Jack’s.

Telluride, CO

The gondola ride with your four-legged friend is just the start of your adventure. Photo by @gretchenruss

Local legend claims there are more dogs than people in Telluride. Whether or not this is true is up for debate, but it is certain that this mountain town loves its resident and tourist canines.

Where to Stay

The pet-friendly Mountain Lodge at Telluride is conveniently located slopeside with ski-in/out access and is just a few blocks away from the dog-friendly Telluride Gondola and The Galloping Goose shuttle routes. Mountain Lodge at Telluride welcomes two dogs of any size for an additional fee of $50 per night for the first three nights.

What to Do

Spend spring break on the slopes with the whole family at Telluride Ski Resort Nordic Skiing, where your frosty dog is welcome to join you on approximately eight miles of winter trails for skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and biking. Gear up at Patagonia Telluride or The North Face, both of which allow well-behaved pooches to shop with their owners. Bring Fido along on a hike to see the waterfall at Bear Creek Trail or Bridal Veil Falls. Then, warm up with a cup of High Alpine Coffee and a good read at Between the Covers, a locally-owned bookstore and coffee shop.

Where to Eat

Pet-friendly patios can be found at many Telluride eateries. If your kids like burgers and milkshakes (really, how could you go wrong?), head to Steamies Burger Bar, where you can treat Fido to a Gravy & Kibble Sundae at a sidewalk table. For authentic Mexican and Southwestern fare made with local, organic ingredients, La Cucina de Luz is happy to welcome you and your perro.

Myrtle Beach, SC

Frolic with man’s (and boy’s) best friend in the sands of The Grand Strand. Photo by @grayatticusthedane

Bring Fido and the fam to the sunny shores of South Carolina’s Grand Strand to run and play on one of the East Coast’s best beaches.

Where to Stay

Book a pet-friendly room at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront for a comfortable stay on the beach. The hotel features an off-leash dog park and several grassy pet relief areas on the property. DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront welcomes two dogs of any size for an additional fee of $75 per pet, per night (not to exceed $300 per stay).

What to Do

Get Fido’s paws sandy on Myrtle Beach, where leashed dogs are allowed at any time of day from Labor Day to April 30 each year. Play Frisbee while the kids build sandcastles at Myrtle Beach State Park, a quiet, 312-acre natural beach park where dogs are welcome to play in the sand and splash in the water during spring break and up to May 1. Or, charter a boat trip with Living Large Party Barge. In addition to booze cruises, the company offers family-friendly fishing excursions and island exploration boat rides with Fido.

Where to Eat

While you nosh on American comfort foods at The Sneaky Beagle, spoil your pup with a Peanut Butter Pupcake from the dog menu. The restaurant serves goodies made locally by Crabby Dog Eats dog bakery. Other popular pet-friendly eateries include the Liberty Taproom and Grill and Oceanfront Bar & Grill.

Wisconsin Dells, WI

Relax by Lake Delton in the Dells with your dog. Photo by @amoravtramontini

Where better than the “Waterpark Capital of the World” for a family-friendly spring break? This Midwestern city on the Wisconsin River is well-known for its theme parks and entertainment centers, but also offers plenty of fun for four-legged visitors.

Where to Stay

The highlight of your stay at Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort will be splashing in the huge indoor pool with two waterslides, a whirlpool and a dry sauna, or playing volleyball on the beach on the shores of Lake Delton. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, kayaks that guests and their dogs can use for free, a walking path you can explore with Fido, and nightly bonfires. Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort welcomes two dogs of any size for an additional pet fee of $20 per pet, per night.

What to Do

Book a trip with Dells Boat Tours and enjoy a dog-friendly day cruise along the river to explore the natural beauty and glacier-carved sandstone rock formations of Wisconsin Dells. Or, check out the Dells by land and water on an amphibious vehicle with your pup on a tour with Dells Army Ducks.

Where to Eat

Treat the family to a meal at the pup-friendly Sand Bar, a long-established Dells hangout that serves casual comfort food.

Lake Tahoe, CA

“Did you just say there’s cheese? I want cheese!” Photo by @tahoe.family.photography

Lake Tahoe is one of the most versatile spring break destinations, with something for every member of the family.

Where to Stay

Relax at a pet-friendly vacation home overlooking the lake or tucked into the forest. If you prefer a hotel, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort greets four-legged guests with a “pawssport” containing a welcome letter, homemade treats and waste bags at check-in. The hotel welcomes two dogs of any size for an additional fee of $40 per night.

What to Do

Spend the morning skiing in the snow with Fido at Tahoe XC, and the afternoon on the water with Truckee River Rafting or Tahoe City Kayak. Pups can also ride along with the fam on the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram and visit Olympic Village, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. Active families will enjoy cycling along the Tahoe City Public Utility District Multi-Use Trail System and hiking (or trying Canicross) along the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Where to Eat

Treat the kids to a pizza and warm chocolate chip cookies à la mode on the dog-friendly heated patio at Base Camp Pizza Co. The server will give Fido a bowl of water and treats, too! Furry friends are also welcome to hang out by the outdoor fireplace at Lake Tahoe AleWorX, where you can pair a craft brew with pub grub.

Williamsburg, VA

Take your colonial pup on a stroll down Williamsburg’s DoG Street! Photo by @samanthabrookephoto

Sneak in a history lesson or two this spring break with a fun and educational visit to Williamsburg, VA.

Where to Stay

After a full day of sightseeing, let your pooch rest his tired paws in a room overlooking a beautiful pond at The Griffin Hotel, A Colonial Williamsburg Hotel, which is located in the heart of the historic district. The pet-friendly accommodation welcomes two dogs up to 75 lbs for a fee of $50 per pet, per night, and has a grassy pet relief area and walking trails on site.

What to Do

Visit Colonial Williamsburg, the nation's largest living history museum, where leashed dogs are welcome to join you as you explore how people lived and worked during Colonial times. (Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center and rent traditional costumes for the kiddos.) Continue Fido’s history lesson at Historic Jamestowne. He can walk in the footsteps of Pocahontas and John Smith at the first permanent English settlement in North America on a walking tour with a park ranger, archaeologist or costumed living history character. In the evening, take the family on the Witches and Pirates Spooks and Legends Haunted Tour. You’ll be led by a costumed guide who will recount stories of Blackbeard and the 17th-century Virginia witch trials as you walk down the streets of Williamsburg on this dog-friendly ghost tour.

Where to Eat

After working up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at The Cheese Shop on D.O.G. Street, where your pup can sample some Virginia ham on the outdoor patio. British Bulldogs will feel at home on the patio at DoG Street Pub, which serves Old World classics like Ploughman’s Platter and Shepherd’s Pie.

The Grand Canyon

Take a daddy-daughter-doggie adventure to the Grand Canyon. Photo by @jessicanic0le

Check another amazing experience off your family’s bucket list with a trip to the Grand Canyon this spring break.

Where to Stay

Sleep under the stars with Fido at a campsite at Mather Campground, Desert View Campground or Trailer Village RV Park. If camping isn’t your style, book a pet-friendly room at Yavapai Lodge, where pets are accepted for an additional fee of $25 per night. Your pup will be given treats and bowls to use during his stay, and there is a walking path on site where he can do his business.

What to Do

Grand Canyon National Park, the second most-visited national park in the United States, is a must-visit experience for all families. There’s nothing quite like watching the sunrise or sunset from the rim of this natural wonder that is visible from outer space. While your four-legged friend might not find the views as breathtaking as you do, she will enjoy hiking and camping in designated pet-friendly areas with her family throughout the park. Leashed dogs are welcome on the 3-mile trail along the South Rim, which includes the perfect backdrop for Instagram photos to #bringfido. While dogs are not allowed to accompany you below the rim, Grand Canyon Kennel South Rim will look after them while you and the kids venture down on foot or by mule.

Where to Eat

Head to Big E Steakhouse and Saloon for steaks and other hearty meals on the covered dog-friendly patio. Yavapai Lodge Tavern serves up Southwestern fare and drinks. Furry foodies are welcome to hang out by the fire pit on the patio.

Naples, FL

Visit the Naples Botanical Garden and make the other pups green with envy. Photo by @valentinebby96

Bring the family to Florida’s Gulf Coast for some fun in the sun with Fido.

Where to Stay

The waterfront Naples Bay Resort & Marina boasts a large pool area for the kiddos and a marina onsite where you can rent dog-friendly boats. Pets up to 40 lbs are allowed for an additional fee of $75 per stay.

What to Do

Make a splash with Sweetwater Adventures, which rents dog-friendly paddleboards and kayaks, and charters fishing expeditions. Let Fido meet Flipper on a pet-friendly chartered dolphin-watching cruise with Naples Water Tours. You can also visit Keewaydin Island, a sanctuary for wildlife and recreation accessible by boat. Leashed dogs are allowed on this 8-mile-long barrier island, one of southwest Florida’s largest. Other dog-friendly activities include the Naples Botanical Garden and Naples Backyard History Museum.

Where to Eat

Start off each morning with a healthy breakfast at Jane’s Cafe. Pups will be ushered to the patio and welcomed with a bowl of water. Enjoy lunch on Marco Island at an outdoor table shaded by an umbrella at Mango's Dockside Bistro, which offers a dog menu that includes chopped bacon, chopped grilled chicken or Captain’s Crunch, a combo of chicken and bacon. End the day with dinner reservations at Chez Boet for locally sourced French fare and organic dog treats.

Cancun, MX

Play on the playa with your perro. Photo by @gabicitalinda

Take la familia y el perro south of the border to Cancun, Mexico for a relaxing tropical vacation. Everyone can practice their Spanish while building a sandcastle next to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Where to Stay

Rent a dog-friendly casa from Airbnb where Mom and Dad can have their own space and save a few pesos preparing meals in the kitchen. Or, relax next to the rooftop pool with Fido by your side at Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro. Dogs are also allowed on the terraces at the on-site Toastina Sports Bar and The Eatery Bistro & Restaurante. Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro allows dogs up to 30 lbs for an additional fee of $35 per pet, per night.

What to Do

Get some vitamin sea while you play a game of fetch with Fido or laze under one of the palapas at Cancun’s Coral Beach. The playa also has lifeguards, showers, restrooms and parking. If you want to escape the crowd, visit dog-friendly Isla Blanca, located about 25 minutes north of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Spend the day watching kitesurfers, playing in the surf or observing wildlife. Spider monkeys, pelicans, sea turtles and deer are just a few of the creatures you might see!

Where to Eat

Chow down on healthy Mexican fare at Restaurante Natura, which boasts a large pup-friendly patio. For dessert, sit at one of the outdoor tables at Ah Cacao Chocolate Cafe and indulge everyone’s sweet tooth with brownies and coffee.

Seaside, OR

Down by the sea, that’s where you’ll find my (fur) baby and me. Photo by @pigeonsonthegrassalas

As Oregon’s original seaside resort and a favorite destination for families, Seaside is a great choice for a dog-friendly spring break.

Where to Stay

Book a pet-friendly vacation rental or stay on the water at Hi-Tide Oceanfront Inn, where guests receive doggie baskets with treats, bowls, a bedsheet and a towel. The hotel also has a grassy pet relief area. Three dogs of any size are welcome for an additional fee of $20 per night.

What to Do

Rent bicycles and a kids’ trailer at Wheel Fun Rentals, and take Fido for a ride along the 1.5-mile-long beachfront Seaside Promenade, a paved boardwalk made for bipedal and pedestrian fun. Stop at Seaside Beach to let your children splash in the surf and your pup run off leash. Visit nearby Cannon Beach, one of the best dog beaches on the West Coast for more sandy family fun. You can also commune with nature on a lakeside hike along the Soapstone Lake Trail.

Where to Eat

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Ruby’s Roadside Grill to treat all the kids to yummy burgers and milkshakes. Fido won’t feel left out because Ruby’s offers a Canine Cuisine Menu with grilled beef hamburger patties, grilled chicken and hot dog weiners. Save room for gelato at Sea Star Gelato, which serves a special sundae just for pups.

Gulf Shores, AL

Photo by BringFido/Madalena

Delicious seafood, historic forts and white sand beaches await Fido and his family on a spring break in Gulf Shores.

Where to Stay

Relax with your pooch at Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores. This all-suite property features full kitchens in each guest room so you can dine in with the whole family, or cook up a meal on the shared patio grills. Kids will love splashing in the outdoor pool and Fido will receive treats and a bandana at check-in. Staybridge Suites welcomes two pets of any size for an additional fee of $75 for stays of one to six nights. If a vacation rental is more your style, book a week at pet-friendly Sea Shell Cottage just one block from the ocean and enjoy sunbathing on the wrap-around deck. Two dogs up to 50 lbs are permitted for an additional fee of $100 per pet, per stay.

What to Do

Alabama’s Gulf Coast is rich in history and nature. Bring Fido along for an educational journey as you tour Fort Morgan State Historic Site, the guardian of Mobile Bay since 1834. Then, let your pooch play in the water at Fort Morgan Historic Site Bayside Beach where leashed dogs are welcome on a select portion of the coastline. For more history and fun in the sun, hop on board the Mobile Bay Ferry and head to Dauphin Island. Spend some time exploring miles of trails at Audubon Bird Sanctuary with your furry best friend before getting another history lesson at Fort Gains, just across Pelican Bay from Fort Morgan. Before your return ferry trip, spend some time relaxing on the sand at Dauphin Island Beach, where leashed dogs are allowed everywhere except the west end.

Where to Eat

If fresh seafood is on your list of spring break must-haves, you’ve come to the right place. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables of King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant and dig into favorites like steamed red shrimp, crawfish and shrimp and grits. Or, try oyster fritters, a crab and crawfish basket or a Cajun po’ boy while overlooking the water from the patio of Flying Harpoon. And for endless fun with the whole family, stop by The Hangout to dine on the pet-friendly patio and listen to live music, play yard games and relax around the fire pit.

Where are you planning to vacation this spring break? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by @colonialwmsburg.