The Most Dog-Friendly U.S. Cities to Visit

Posted by Erin Ballinger

Searching for a new place to visit with your canine travel buddy? These cities from coast to coast offer fun and exciting ways for pets and their owners to explore and relax on vacation. From amazing hikes, educational tours, and top-notch off-leash play areas to hip restaurants and welcoming accommodations, these cities offer some of the best pet-friendly experiences in the country. Check out some of our favorite dog-friendly destinations in the U.S. to visit with Fido!

Saint Augustine, Florida

Canine Explorers Photo by BringFido/Laura

Did you know that Florida is home to the country's oldest city? Nicknamed “The Ancient City”, St. Augustine boasts dog-friendly historical landmarks, beautiful beaches and parks, and eclectic dining options. Add in the city’s year-round mild weather, and it’s a “pawfect” destination for your next vacation with Fido! St. Augustine is chock-full of sightseeing opportunities for history buffs like the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument where you can spend a couple of hours exploring the exterior areas of the monument with man’s best friend. Get out on the water on a serene boat tour with St. Augustine Eco Tours, and experience the popular Dolphin, Birding and Nature Tour. You’ll embark on a 90-minute journey where the boat captain will serve as your guide, educating you on marine ecology as you keep an eye out for turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and various bird species that call Florida home. Taste of Floridian fare like conch fritters or gator tail at Beachcomber, a popular beach restaurant with a shaded, pet-friendly patio next to the dunes. Treat your good boy to a grilled chicken breast or doggie burger from the Pets Menu.

Stay at The Saint Augustine Beach House, a pet-friendly hotel along the A1A Scenic Highway which features rooms with oceanfront views and balconies. The property also boasts a fenced dog run and a dog wash station for easy clean-up of sandy fur and paws after a visit to the nearby Vilano Beach.

Savannah, Georgia

Sightseeing in Forsyth “Pawk”. Photo by @opal__the__dog

With its manicured courtyards, excellent eateries with pet-friendly patios, ghost tours, and plenty of dog parks, there's no shortage of things to do with your pup in Savannah. Start your vacation with some “re-tail” therapy. Shop Jere’s Antiques for antique furniture and vintage finds, Savannah Clothing Company for souvenirs, Pelindaba Lavender for calming goodies for both you and your pup, and swing by A.T. Hun Art Gallery, where your canine art connoisseur will be greeted with a dog biscuit from the friendly staff. Bring Fido on one of Carriage Tours of Savannah's dog-friendly rides near City Market and you’ll learn the city's history from your knowledgeable guide as you’re transported through town in old-school style. The city is well known for its elaborate burial grounds, so check out Bonaventure Cemetery, a must-see by visitors and locals alike. Treat Fido to a fine dining experience at Vic’s on the River along the Savannah Riverfront or at The Olde Pink House, which serves Southern fare in a historic home that dates back to 1779. If you’d like to go somewhere with a menu just for your pooch, check out J. Christopher’s for breakfast and lunch or Leopold’s Ice Cream for a Doggie Sundae topped with an Ollie B. Biscuit. Or, “pawse” in the Starland District for food truck fun at Starland Yard with more than 20 trucks rotating weekly and frequent yappy hours.

Nestled in the city’s historic district, The DeSoto Savannah welcomes pups with a heavy dose of Southern charm and hospitality. Leashed pups can explore 30 acres of oak tree-lined pathways at nearby Forsyth Park, home to the city's renowned Parisian-style fountain.

San Diego, California

Beach Bums Photo by @archieabbyshelties

San Diego has everything to attract road-tripping dogs and their owners. The sprawling West Coast city boasts some of the best pet-friendly beaches, parks and eateries in the country. Located within 15 minutes of one another, Original Dog Beach was one of the first off-leash beaches in the country, while Fiesta Island offers calm waters on the bayside and bigger surf on the beachside. You can explore the waters around Fiesta Island in a pet-friendly kayak provided by Aqua Adventures Kayaks & Paddleboards. Walk through the past with your leashed perro at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, and learn what life was like as San Diego transitioned from a Mexican pueblo to an American settlement in the 1820s-1870s. After an active day, cool down with a cold one at San Diego's only outdoor beer garden, Quartyard. Fido will be kept busy with sausages, a dog park and live music. Furry beach bums are welcome at Woody’s Breakfast and Burgers during the Pacific Beach Boardwalk’s dog hours, so they can join you for breakfast or dinner on the beach. Another restaurant with an amazing view is Sally's Fish House & Bar which has a dog menu that includes pupcakes, chicken and rice, crab cookies, and rawhide bones. When night falls, embark on an informative and spooky walking tour with San Diego Ghosts.

Stay at BringFido’s top-rated dog-friendly chain of 2023 when you book a room at Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp San Diego. This hotel pampers pups with dog bowls, beds, leashes and treats.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Getting cultured in the City of Lakes. Photo by BringFido/Lucy

A pet-friendly outdoor sculpture gallery, restaurants with dog menus, 13 lakes and several dog parks all await you and your furry companion in Minneapolis. Dogs are welcome to join their owners as they do a self-guided tour of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, located in a lovely 11-acre park setting on the Walker Art Center campus. For more outdoor fun, go to Lake of the Isles Dog Park or Minnehaha Dog Park, two off-leash dog parks that require a $5 daily permit. Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so no trip to Minneapolis would be complete without a lake adventure. Rent a dog-friendly stand-up paddleboard or kayak from Wheel Fun Rentals to explore Lake Harriet. If your pup’s up to it, visit Lyndale Park Rose Garden, also known as Lake Harriett Rose Garden while you are in the area. When you and your pooch have worked up an appetite, dine at one of the many restaurants in the city that offer menus just for pets like Pizzeria Lola and The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar and Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room which also boast heated, year-round patios.

Your pup will feel right at home when he checks in at Radisson RED Minneapolis Downtown, conveniently located in the heart of the city. Four-legged guests receive complimentary bandanas, beds and bowls as part of the hotel’s pet program.

Portland, Maine

Let your pups get “nauti” in Maine. Photo by @maple.the.aussi

With its scenic coastline dotted with six lighthouses and quaint working fishermen’s wharves where fresh lobster is caught daily, dog-friendly Portland, ME is a quintessential New England destination. Fido is welcome to explore Maine’s largest city, which maintains its small-town charm. Go on a getaway with your furry best friend to visit pet-friendly beaches like East End Beach at Eastern Beach Promenade Park and Willard Beach, stop at a few of the more than 25 breweries, take a trolley with Portland Discovery Land and Sea Tours, ride a train along Casco Bay, and try shucking lobster! If Fido wants some fun off leash, check out the fully fenced, 7-acre Quarry Run Dog Park with nature trails. Then, sample the award-winning Maine lobster roll as you watch boats sail by on the deck at Portland Lobster Company. Local delicacies like New England Clam Chowder, fried and steamed whole-belly Maine clams, scallops, whole lobsters, and haddock are also on the menu. Treat your pooch to an all-beef hot dog to pair with his fresh water bowl. Don’t miss the pet-friendly sunset cruise from Casco Bay Lines where you’ll see the islands of Casco Bay framed against the warm orange glow of the sun as it descends past the horizon.

The Westin Portland Harborview provides comfortable accommodations and welcomes its canine guests with treats, waste bags and a signature Westin Heavenly Dog Bed to use during their stay.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Checking out the capital. Photo by BringFido

Located in an arid valley between mountain ranges, home to a religious world headquarters, and the capital of The Beehive State, Salt Lake City is both rich in culture and a hub for active people and their pups. Wherever you are in the city, you’re never far from an epic pet-friendly hike, restaurant, park or shopping area. Pick up a walking tour brochure before strolling with Fido through Gilgal Sculpture Garden to check out some art. Let your pooch have some off-leash fun at Herman Franks Dog Park, Dog Park at Cottonwood Park, Memory Grove Off-Leash Area at Freedom Trail, or Tanner Park, a “pupular” park with a couple of swimming holes where pups can take a dip. You can go shopping with your pup at City Creek Center, an open-air shopping mall that spans two city blocks in the heart of Salt Lake City and features more than 50 pet-friendly stores. When hunger strikes, head to Handle Bar, a local pub that’s super dog friendly with a year-round patio that features two gas fireplaces, overhead heaters, and an off-leash dog run. Other pup-friendly restaurants with year-round, heated patios include The Park Cafe, Root’d Cafe and Millcreek Cafe and Eggworks. Since you’re coming from out of town, due to city requirements, you’ll need to have Fido’s proof of rabies vaccinations and your driver’s license at all times in public places.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City doesn’t charge a pet fee and allows any size pet (as long as they can fit on the elevator) and gives Fido a pet bed, feeding mat, and waste bags to use during his stay.

Chicago, Illinois

We’re on a boat! Photo by BringFido/Carly

The Windy City welcomes mutts with open arms, making it an ideal destination for dog travelers on a road trip visiting for a weekend or an extended stay. Check out Chicago from the winding waterways with Mercury’s Canine Cruises, which offers fun and informational boat tours that welcome pups. If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, head to Navy Pier, Chicago's lakefront playground with pet-friendly dining at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier, shopping and entertainment options like listening to live music at Navy Pier Beer Garden. Look for souvenirs at pet-friendly shopping options like Nordstrom, The Shops at North Bridge and lots of retail outlets along The Magnificent Mile. For off-leash fun, go to Montrose Dog Beach to let Fido play in the sand and make a splash in Lake Michigan. While you’re there, rent a dog-friendly kayak or SUP at Kayak Chicago. There’s no shortage of dining options in Chi-Town, and Wishbone, Barrio, and Miss Ricky’s all offer special menus just for pets. After a long day of sightseeing, party animals can howl the night away at The Four Treys Tavern, a dive bar that welcomes four-legged friends and hosts a popular karaoke night each Saturday.

There are more than a hundred dog-friendly hotels in Chicago, so you’ve got plenty of options. Aloft Mag Mile welcomes pups for no additional pet fee in the prime part of the city.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Is it Garden of the Dogs or Garden of the Gods? Photo by BringFido/Reagan

Positioned at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs’ idyllic location makes it an enticing destination for outbound hounds. Here you’ll find the world-famous Garden of the Gods, which allows leashed pups to explore 21 miles of hiking trails around vibrant red rock formations. Well-behaved dogs will also want to visit Stratton Open Space, where they can swim off leash in a lake and explore hiking trails if they’re under voice command. Check out Colorado Springs’ newest draw for four-legged friends at Antlers Dog Park, an off-leash park located downtown inside Antlers Park, which opened in 2024. When hunger strikes, Pub Dog Colorado is the most “pupular” eatery and outdoor play park where you can let Fido romp around, grab a bite from the canine menu and dine indoors with you, or simply unwind after a long day of adventures.

Book unique, bicycle-themed accommodations at Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, a pet-friendly hotel with a pet relief area that is also conveniently located near many trails.

Have you visited one of these pet-friendly cities with your dog? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by https://www.instagram.com/palsthatwander/.