Even the most well-traveled pups will find a unique experience awaiting them at Lake Country Air & Beaver Air Tours in Duluth. You and your pooch are welcome to hop aboard a de Havilland Beaver floatplane for a scenic flight tour of the Twin Ports and Duluth areas. Customize a private trip or choose from one of the company’s curated outings. Listen by headset as your pilot narrates the tour and soars over historic landmarks. Some tours will dock, giving passengers time to explore on land. Want to learn more about flying? Book the company’s ‘Learn the Basics of Float Flying’ session to learn about landings and take-offs, radio communication, and the principles of flight work. Advance registration is required for guests traveling with pets. Tours depart from Duluth’s Sky Harbor Airport.

Make Fitger’s Inn your base for exploring dog-friendly Duluth. This historic lakefront hotel is home to a brewery, spa, mall, and many restaurants. Your furry fashionista can shop ‘til she drops at most retailers, including A Place for Fido. After browsing the mall, head out for a walk along the shores of Lake Superior on Duluth’s Lakewalk. On your way back to the inn, stop by PortLand Malt Shoppe for a scoop of banana ice cream to share with your pup.

No matter the season, treat your canine companion to a Northwoods adventure at Gunflint Lodge, located 40 miles up the Gunflint Trail from the dog-friendly town of Grand Marais. In the warmer months, snag a trophy walleye on a guided fishing trip, rent a pontoon boat to explore Gunflint Lake at your leisure, or take advantage of the resort’s free use of canoes and kayaks. Pups are also welcome to play in the sand and cool off with a swim in the lake. In winter, the lodge offers a dog-friendly ski trail for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Hiking trails are open year-round, and reservations can be made for a dog hike with a naturalist guide. Plan your visit during one of the popular ‘Dog Lover’s Weekends’ when the lodge offers classes and seminars geared toward man’s best friend. At the end of the day, enjoy sunset views and dinner with your furry friend on the patio of the resort’s lakeside restaurant.

Your dog-tired pup won’t have far to walk after your day of adventure in the Minnesota Northwoods. Gunflint Lodge offers a variety of pet-friendly accommodations to keep you warm at night. Standard cabins feature wood-burning fireplaces, plush bedding, and kitchenettes. For a budget-friendly experience, rent one of the rustic Voyageur cabins, which offer four individual bunks and shared bathroom facilities (bring your own sleeping bags and towels).

Dogs are welcome to join their owners as they tour the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, located in a lovely 11-acre park setting on the Walker Art Center campus. Snap a pic of your pup by the iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry” by artists Claes Oldenburg and his wife, Coosje van Bruggen. For a more enriching experience, download this free self-guided tour before you go. After indulging Fido’s artsy side, let him run wild at Minnehaha Park. The largest off-leash park in the city features lots of wooded trails and even a beach along the Mississippi where your pooch can go for a swim.

Spend the night at Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis, and take an evening stroll with your best friend to nearby Lakes & Legends Brewing Company to sample craft beer in their VIP (Very Important Paws) area. Bowls, treats, beds, and crates are available upon request.

Ready for a Road Trip?

If this Ruff Guide to Minnesota preview left your dog drooling for more, we hope you check out our new book - Ruff Guide to the United States. Remember to use discount code DULUTH to save 50% on your copy. Happy Travels!