Kick off your Gulf adventure on South Padre Island near the Mexican border. This popular barrier island is known for its gorgeous beaches and calm waters that welcome doggy paddlers. Fido isn’t the only creature who rocks up on the sand from time to time. Sea turtles swim ashore and lay their eggs during nesting season, usually in April, and the eggs typically hatch in late summer. Two- and four-legged visitors can find out more about the natural phenomenon, sit in on a turtle talk and meet rescue reptiles at Sea Turtle Inc. Afterward, spend the night at nearby Sandbox Inn. This pet-friendly beach house’s deck overlooks master sand sculptor Sandy Feet’s unique garden of artwork.

After leaving South Padre Island, make your way up the coast along Route 77 to Port Arnasas, another Texas barrier island. Just before you get there, be sure to check out the five miles of pet-friendly beaches at Mustang Island State Park. When you cruise into town, your thirsty pup can rehydrate with a bowl of water at Castaways before dashing to one of our favorite Gulf Coast beaches, Padre Island National Seashore. This protected island allows you to experience the shoreline in its most unspoiled state. If you’d like to extend your stay, cross the water on South Padre Island Drive and relax at the pet-friendly Aloft Corpus Christi.

The next morning, hop on State Highway 35 and put paw to pedal toward Galveston, where you and your pooch can experience breathtaking Gulf sunsets from Seawall Urban Park. Dogs are welcome on the “Nation's Longest Continuous Sidewalk” which runs adjacent to pet-friendly stretches of sand like East Beach and Stewart Beach Park. When it’s time to chow down, make a pitstop for a pup-friendly patty and fixin’s for humans at Texas Pit Stop BBQ. For a much-needed rest, take a break at TownePlace Suites by Marriott Galveston Island and explore the mulched pet relief areas before bedtime.

When it’s time to leave Texas behind and drive on to Louisiana, stay on I-10 North to reach your first stop in The Pelican State, Lafayette, which is known as “the Happiest City in America.” Your dog will agree when she’s stretching her legs at one of the dog parks in the city before you head to Adopted Dog Brewing, where the motto is, “adopt dogs, drink beer and be happy!”

After a pint or two, instruct the designated driver to take U.S. Highway 90 East toward New Orleans. Stop off at Raising Cane’s Dog Park in New Iberia for some off-leash fun and grab a bite to eat at nearby Pelicans on the Bayou where you can sample Cajun cuisine while overlooking the state’s famous bayou waters. If you want to explore more of Louisiana’s incredible pet-friendly Bayou, stock up on essentials from Steve's Pet Shop just off the highway, then head inland to Houma and take the scenic Wetlands Cultural Byway and learn about life in the area at Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. On the way back to the coast, stop at Fairfield Inn & Suites Houma Southeast. The best time of year to visit is in October during Rougarou Fest, when pups and people to pay homage to the region’s mythical beast - a creature with the body of a man and the head of a dog.

Next on the agenda, it’s time to visit The Big Easy. Whether drawn to “paw-rades” in The French Quarter or running wild around NOLA City Bark, four-legged tourists love this vibrant city. Before you do anything else, bring your handsome hound to Ugly Dog Saloon and BBQ for a selection of grilled Cajun classics and refreshing frozen drinks. Once you’ve refueled and rehydrated, learn all about the city on one of the many pet-friendly tours that explore its past like the Haunted History Tour.

Cap off your night in NOLA at The Bulldog Uptown. The pet-friendly patio is a popular spot for local pups to hang out and make friends. Then, canine road trippers of all sizes can grab a treat at the front desk at St Charles Inn in the Garden District, and curl up in the corner of a cozy room.

Continue your voyage on I-10 as you cross into Mississippi, and turn south on I-110 to reach Biloxi. Make your first stop in the Magnolia State at Biloxi Lighthouse, constructed in 1848 as one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the South. The adjacent Lighthouse Park features a nice shady nature trail lined with native plants for Fido to explore.

From the park, stroll along the shoreline to reach Biloxi Shrimping Tour. Canines of all sizes are welcome to join the hunt for Mississippi Gulf Brown Shrimp, a salty seafood delicacy found in Gulf waters, as long as they don’t mind sharing the poop deck with the official boat dog, TJ. If you need a beer or soda, TJ will deliver it straight to you (he doesn’t accept cards for a tip, only cash or bones). Check out this lovely family beach house if you need a place to stay before hitting the road again.

The next morning, continue to Ocean Springs, where Fido can play with local pups on one of the best pet-friendly stretches of sand on the Gulf Coast, Ocean Springs Beach. You can even keep your car clean by washing your pooch’s sandy paws at the on-site showers. After the beach, pull up for some pulled pork at The Shed BBQ & Blues before leaving Mississippi.

Alabama is home to the shortest section of the Gulf Coast, but it’s still packed full of pet-friendly attractions. Start your Bama leg off in Mobile, where the aptly named Dog River runs through town. First, head to USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park to see mighty naval vessels and learn about America’s military history. Leashed pups are welcome in the outside areas. Afterward, Fido can stop and smell the roses at Mobile Botanical Gardens and play fetch at the 4-acre Julien Marx Dog Park. Then, enjoy a cold beer with your pack on the spacious patio at Oyster City Brewing Co. Finally, call it a night at The Admiral, a nice hotel with a lovely outdoor area.

From Mobile, head east on I-10 toward Florida. Before you reach The Sunshine State, take a walk through the woods with Fido to check out George Barber’s Bamahenge, a fiberglass replica of Stonehenge. In the marina, you’ll also see the strange sight of a giant lady’s head and legs rising out of the water.

U.S. Route 98 welcomes you to Florida, the final Gulf State on your journey. Fido's first stop is Pensacola, where he can take his pick between the white sands of Pensacola Beach West and East Dog Parks and go for a leashed walk around Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. Then, see if you can sniff out dolphins in the surrounding waters on a private tour with Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Tours & Boat Rentals. Back on dry land, enjoy a meal for you and a bowl of water for Fido with a view across Gulf waters on the pet-friendly patio at Jaco's Bayfront Bar & Grille. Drive over the bridge that crosses Pensacola Bay for a sunset game of fetch on Shoreline Beachside Bark Park and a restful night at Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola Gulf Breeze.

When you’re ready to leave Pensacola, continue along the Panhandle on U.S. Route 98. In less than three hours you'll reach Panama City, where pups can sniff the sublime coastline at Dog Beach at Pier Park. If Fido prefers being on the water, sail away with Dolphin and Snorkel Tours where Captain Lorraine will share her vast knowledge on the local waters. Once you’re back on dry land, explore 24 miles of trails and over a mile of raised boardwalks at Conservation Park. For a hotel that accepts dogs of all sizes, check into La Quinta Inn & Suites Panama City Beach.

Get an early start the next morning and take the scenic route along U.S. 98, or save some time and return to I-10, for the next leg of your road trip. Beautiful and super-dog-friendly Tampa lies roughly six hours from Panama City. From Ybor City’s bustling nightlife to Saint Petersburg’s up-and-coming food scene, the Tampa Bay area is a must-visit on any Gulf Coast adventure. After settling in, bring your hound to hang out at Tampa's first fully air-conditioned indoor/outdoor dog park and bar, Two Shepherds Taproom. Then, head into the Tampa Heights area and stay in this adorable bungalow in a quiet neighborhood for walking pups.

On your second day in pet-friendly Tampa Bay, Fido can introduce himself to the Sunshine State’s most gentle resident, the manatee. Florida Manatee Adventures in nearby Crystal River welcomes pooches to join their 3-hour tours and meet these enchanting creatures. If he just wants to spend the day at the beach, don’t miss a visit to Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park in St. Petersburg. This coastal canine’s nirvana is home to a beachfront dog park with dog showers to clean up sandy paws. For more off-leash fun, visit The Dog Bar. While your pup plays in a bone-shaped pool at this dog park bar, you can sip on a specialty cocktail.

As you head south from Tampa, choose the more scenic route on I-275, which takes you across Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Bradenton Beach where you can stop at the pet-friendly beachside restaurant, Gulf Drive Cafe. After lunch, take a detour to Bark-N-Play Park in Bonita Springs or head south beyond Venice and play at Brohard Paw Park. Fido’s next stop is Naples, where he can stretch his legs at Naples Botanical Garden. You’re free to explore 170 acres on the boardwalk, pavements and pathways that wind around different habitats. After a long walk, settle down for a “taste of Naples” at The Dock at Crayton Cove. Call in at Casa Di Napoli afterward to experience condo life in the city with a fenced backyard and a pool.

As you head south from Tampa, choose the more scenic route on I-275, which takes you across Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Bradenton Beach where you can stop at the pet-friendly beachside restaurant, Gulf Drive Cafe. After lunch, take a detour to Bark-N-Play Park in Bonita Springs or head south beyond Venice and play at Brohard Paw Park. Fido’s next stop is Naples, where he can stretch his legs at Naples Botanical Garden. You’re free to explore 170 acres on the boardwalk, pavements and pathways that wind around different habitats. After a long walk, settle down for a “taste of Naples” at The Dock at Crayton Cove. Call in at Casa Di Napoli afterward to experience condo life in the city with a fenced backyard and a pool.

Your Gulf Coast road trip ends at the pet-friendly Florida Everglades, a unique ecosystem that showcases the diversity of Florida’s plant and animal species. Everglades National Park isn’t one of the most pet-friendly parks in the system, but four-legged visitors can still get a taste of its incredible flora and fauna from the comfort of a boat with Everglades National Park Boat Tours. For a different adventure on the water, join Tour the Glades for a motorboat expedition around Ten Thousand Islands. Then, head to Chokoloskee Island, known by locals as “the Last Frontier,” the largest island in the chain. Four-legged visitors can reach this secluded spot with their owners via a bridge from Everglades City. Upon arrival, Fido’s first port of call should be the historic Smallwood Store, which allows pups inside and welcomes them on sunset boat tours. After the tour, enjoy dinner and reminisce about your epic adventure at HavAnna Cafe. For your final road trip sleep, cuddle up with your pup at Parkway Motel & Marina.