Huge congrats to our pals at BringFido who just pup-lished a brand new book full of the best places to stay and play in the USA with your pup. Below are some of their tips on visiting the South. To see more, buy the book!
It’s still a little chilly in parts of the USA, so it’s the perfect time to venture down South! Your dog doesn’t have to be a Carolina yeller dog to enjoy the charms of the region. Here are some destinations that provide plenty of Southern hospitality for you and your pup.
1. Alabama – Russell Cave National Monument
Bring your pal along on a prehistoric journey to grounds inhabited by Native Americans 10,000 years ago. Check out impressive caves that provided shelter to humans in ancient times. There are fields of wildflowers, hiking trails, and plenty of places to picnic.
2. Arkansas – Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs
You and your dog will enjoy a visit to the botanical gardens of the University of Arkansas. Explore 210 acres of beautiful gardens, right in the center of the Ouachita Mountains.
3. Florida – Kayaking in Key West
Take kayaking and paddleboard lessons with your pooch at Lazy Dog Kayak. The helpful staff will give you the best tips on how to get your doggie paddle on. Maybe you’ll meet a manatee! (Don’t worry, they’re vegetarians.)
4. Georgia – Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah
Savannah’s most famous cemetery is filled with live oaks draped in picturesque Spanish moss. Local legend has it that a pack of ghost dogs roams the cemetery after dark. Midnight (digging) in the Garden of Good and Evil?
5. Kentucky – Dinosaur World
Um, photos of your pup showing a T. Rex who’s boss? Priceless. Check out Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky. Your dog will salivate over the biggest bones in the world. Interactive and educational for humans of all ages!
6. Louisiana – Algiers Ferry, New Orleans
Escape from the bustle of the French Quarter on the dog-friendly ferry to the New Orleans neighborhood of Algiers. Check out the picturesque neighborhood and enjoy the view of the city from the river. You might want to come back at Mardi Gras for the dog-themed parade. Laissez les (dog) temps rouler!
7. Mississippi – Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace is over 400 miles of scenic landscape. Hiking and camping are some of the activities you can share with your pooch. Explore waterfalls, lush forests, burial mounds, and Civil War sites. Learn about the many inhabitants and travelers of the route, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes and several US presidents.
8. North Carolina – Biltmore Estate in Asheville
Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the historic Biltmore Estate has hundreds of acres of manicured gardens and scenic hiking trails for you and your dog. It’s not far from the vibrant arts scene of Asheville!
9. South Carolina – Burkes Beach
South Carolina is home to many beautiful beaches. Pups are welcome on Burkes Beach before 10am and after 5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends, and there are some charming dog parks within walking distance.
10. Tenessee – Blackberry Farm
Blackberry Farm is in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Relax with your pup, enjoy hiking, or try your hand at fly fishing. The farm is home to several Italian Lagotto Romagnolo dogs who are trained in truffle hunting; an annual festival is held to celebrate the rare mushroom and pups who sniff them out.
11. Virginia – Pony Watching Cruise In Chincoteague
OH MY DOG, PONIES!!! With pup at your side, watch the ponies of Chincoteague Island frolic in the wild. Cruise in style while watch dolphins, sunsets, and wildlife.