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Dog-Friendly Vacation: Top Destinations
Traveling with your pet? Here are the top 12 cities to visit

Dog-Friendly Outdoor Destinations
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1. Colorado Springs
Sitting over 6,000 feet above sea level, a vacation to Colorado Springs is worth the hike. Outdoorsy types flock to Colorado Springs to take in beautiful scenery and be one with nature.
- At Colorado Spring's famous Bear Creek Dog Park your pooch can make some furry friends, explore 25 acres of greenery, and relax in the shade.
- Peterson Air and Space Museum is another great pet-friendly option where you and Spot can learn about rocketships together.
- Take a break from all the sightseeing and grab a bite to eat at Sonterra Grill. The southwestern style cuisine is delicious and their menu includes biscuits for your dog to enjoy too!
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2. Boise
Boise is situated in southwestern Idaho and holds the title of the state's largest city. Stroll through the quaint downtown, enjoy the cool breeze, and relax as you embrace the Midwestern lifestyle.
- All areas of Redwood Park can be enjoyed by your dog off-leash! Play some fetch or tug of war with your furry friend in Boise paradise.
- While in Boise, you must grab some grub at the Westside Drive-In! Outdoor tables are dog-friendly and the menu is delicious.
- Enjoy a pint with your pup by your side at the Dutch Goose. Come on gameday and watch your favorite team play on TV!
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3. Scottsdale
Dubbed "The West's Most Western Town," Scottsdale has a cowboy vibe reminiscent of the olden times of the wild west. The warm weather and countless spas make this city the ultimate destination for relaxation and pampering.
- Altitude Coffee Lab's location along the lake makes it a favorite spot to hang out. Fido can come along and take in the scenery while you finish your latte.
- If your dog is restless after a day of traveling,Vista del Camino Dog Park offers a half acre to run, jump and play.
- Wind down at Su Vino Winery, which welcomes visitors and their dogs to their outdoor tastings.
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4. Portland
Oregon's largest city, Portland, is a west coast spot with just as much spunk as style. Visitors are never bored with a notable music scene to explore (home of Elliot Smith, the Decemberists, the Shins) and art exhibits to visit.
Boise is situated in southwestern Idaho and holds the title of the state's largest city. Stroll through the quaint downtown, enjoy the cool breeze, and relax as you embrace the Midwestern lifestyle.
- Crack open a cold one with your furry friend at Lucky Labrador Beer Hall. Enjoy the dog-friendly patio and order the "Dog Day IPA."
- Head on over to Chimney Park and its five-acre area where you can let your pup off-leash for some catch or tug-of-war.
- Spoil Fido with a shopping spree at Nature's Pet Market. This shop is stocked with fashionable threads, special treats, and more!

The Top Dog-Friendly Cities in the Midwest and Northeast
Visiting the Midwest or Northeast with you four-legged friend? Be sure to stop by these dog-friendly cities!
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1. Boston
One of America's oldest cities, Boston has a lot to offer with beautiful parks, delicious food, and a charming east coast feel. Enjoy the views of the Charles River and have a memorable night out at Fenway Park.
- Cambridge Brewing Company has a dog-friendly patio where you and your pup can enjoy views of Kendall Square. Make sure to order a pint of the Cambridge Amber.
- Head to Boston Harbor to hop on the Boston Harbor Dog Cruise, which departs weekly on Saturdays. Your dog will be in heaven coasting along with you on this 25-minute boat ride.
- Just outside the city sits the Charleston Navy Yard. This 30-acre park is a hotspot for the dogs of Boston with plenty of space to run and play.
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2. Chicago
Chicago is the Midwest's largest city and sits along Lake Michigan. With many different neighborhoods, it's a mixing pot of diverse nationalities and cultures which is what makes the city so unique. Plus, its the home of deep dish pizza & plenty of dog-friendly attractions!
- Not to be confused with the home of the Chicago Cubs, Wiggly Field is Chitown's most popular dog park.
- In the summer months, take Fido over to the dog-friendly beach at Belmont Harbor. Nothing beats splashing around in Lake Michigan!
- Twice a year US Cellular Field opens its gates to four-legged furballs. Take your pooch to cheer on the Chicago White Sox baseball team!
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3. Minneapolis
Known as the "City of Lakes," Minneapolis is the perfect getaway for making long-lasting memories.
- Start your day with breakfast at Bread and Pickle. The outdoor patio has plenty of space for you and your pup and their menu includes homemade dog treats.
- Lake of the Isles Dog Park is the place to be to meet other pups and owners. Your dog can run and play off-leash while you relax by the water.
- Rainy day? Check outBryant-Lake Bowl with your pooch and watch bowlers hit some strikes. Order a beer and some water for your four-legged friend and enjoy!
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4. Cincinnati
Home to the first professional baseball team, Cincinnati is a great choice for an all-American adventure. This Midwestern city was the first one founded after the American Revolution and is known today for its historic architecture.
- Take your pup to cheer on the Cincinnati Reds at the stadium's biannual "Bark in the Park" event!
- For a real treat, stroll through Findlay Market with your pooch, grab a bite to eat, and take in the street performances.
- Stretch your legs with a hike through Rowe Woods. Don't forget to pack water and doggy biscuits!

The Most Dog-Friendly Cities in the South
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1. Tampa
Ranked as one of the top cities where Americans wished they lived, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Tampa makes the list for the dog-friendliest too! The amazing weather and sunshine will surely make this city a favorite vacation spot.
- First stop, Picnic Island Beach! This dog-friendly beach is the perfect place for your friend to frolic in the water and cool off on a warm summer day.
- Buckle-up the leash and head down to the Lakeland Downtown Curbside Farmer's Market to enjoy an afternoon shopping and eating with your pup.
- Bo's Ice Cream has cold treats for you and your dog. The stand is known for its dog-safe ice cream delights!
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2. Austin
One of the fastest-growing US cities, Austin is booming with culture and fun for holiday seekers to enjoy. Whether you're in town for the SXSW Film Festival or just to take in the outdoors, a trip to this city will surely keep you coming back.
- Your pup will have a blast at Austin's Auditorium Shores. This off-leash haven is the perfect spot to play catch and splash around in Ladybird Lake.
- Banger's Sausage House is a hip Austin hangout loved by pups and humans alike! Known for their meats, their menu includes craft beer and dog-friendly sausages.
- If retail therapy is what you need, head over to The Domain shopping area and stroll the shops with your beloved pup. Dogs are allowed in most of these stores!
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3. Tulsa
You will find this dog-friendly vacation spot at the base of the Ozark Mountains and along the stunning Arkansas River. Once called the "Oil Capital of the World," Tulsa has come a long way from its beginnings in the oil industry.
- The premier dog park in Tulsa is Biscuit Acres. Make sure to drop by one of their many events like the "Pancakes for Pooches" party.
- Take an afternoon to drop by The Dog Dish on E 51st Street. This doggy boutique has anything your pup's heart desires! Toys, treats, clothing, and more.
- Enjoy a peaceful walk in the wilderness and visit Turkey Mountain. You and your pooch can explore the forest and take in some breathtaking views.
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4. Orlando
Located in central Florida, Orlando is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations thanks to a certain famous theme park: Walt Disney World. The year-round warm tropical climate doesn't hurt either!
- Fluffy will really have her ears flapping in the wind on a Big Toho Airboat ride. Speed around the swamps together on one of their guided dog-friendly tours.
- Cristo's Cafe is a dog-friendly diner that serves up famously delicious fare. Whether you're craving french fries or breakfast sausage, you won't leave hungry!
- An afternoon at Barber Dog Park can't be missed! This off-leash sanctuary is popular with the pups with agility equipment that serves as a playground.

Where are the most pet-friendly cities in the U.S.? To help those travelers not wanting to leave their furry-companions behind, HomeToGo fetched the top pet-friendly destinations in the country by comparing hundreds of top travel destinations on their pet-friendly options for accommodations, restaurants, outdoor activities and park space. So pack your treats and harness—These 25 cities are the best in the country to go traveling with your pet!
Fetching the Facts 🎾
Best State for Pet-friendly Stays
Oregon is the state with the highest ratio of pet-friendly accommodations. More than one-quarter (26%) of Oregon vacation homes on HomeToGo allow pets, compared to Maryland, where only 12% of rentals are pet-friendly.*
State with the Most Pet Owners
In 2022, Wyoming had the largest pet ownership rate in the United States, with 72% of households owning a pet, followed by West Virginia in second place with a 71% pet ownership rate.*
Number of Pets Traveling with HomeToGo
Over 36,400 pets traveled with their owners and stayed in a HomeToGo vacation rental last year. Some of the pets traveling included dogs, cats, horses, mice, reptiles, and much more.*
The Best U.S. Cities to Travel with Pets
*[Accommodation] - % of pet friendly accommodations on HomeToGo, [Parks] - % of city area designated for public parks and park land, [Attractions] - # of pet-friendly attractions per 100,000 people, [Restaurants] - # of pet-friendly restaurants per 100,000 people
Mapped: America's Best Cities for Pet-Friendly Getaways
Sniffing Out This Year's Top Destinations

1. Portland, OR
Boasting one of the highest numbers of off-leash dog parks per capita, in addition to its unique beer and wine scenes, Portland is a great place for vacationers and furry visitors to make new friends, enjoy crisp brews and explore pet-friendly vineyards.
Pet-friendly Score: 37.63

2. Seattle, WA
Surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, active travelers can enjoy the great outdoors by foot, plane and boat, or explore the city’s best pet-friendly farmers markets, ‘Barkerys’ and tasting rooms.
Pet-friendly Score: 31.82
3. Boston, MA
In Boston, pet owners can bring their best friends along for historical walking tours, professional pet photoshoots or take a sailboat along Boston Harbor to watch the sunset. History buffs can discover Boston’s Freedom Trail and see 16 of Boston’s historic sites.
Pet-friendly Score: 31.58

4. Austin, TX
Famous for its unique street art and trendy atmosphere, Austin invites people and their pets to take mural and art tours to capture their memories in front of the most Instagram-able destinations within the city.
Pet-friendly Score: 31.49
5. Washington, DC
With so many attractions to see in Washington D.C., active travelers and their energetic pets will love participating in running tours of the monuments. Those who prefer a slower pace can explore the streets of Georgetown or discover Embassy Row through the city’s amazing walking tours.
Pet-friendly Score: 31.43
Methodology
We examined at the 100 largest cities in the United States based on their population. Next, we created a shortlist of 25 cities based on those with the highest ratio of pet-friendly offers on HomeToGo. The finalists were then examined across four categories: 1) Percentage of pet-friendly accommodations, 2) Median park size and parkland as a percentage of city area, 3) Number of pet-friendly restaurants per 100,000 people, 3) Number of pet-friendly activities per 100,000 people. After obtaining the raw data, we assigned each data point a representative numerical value between 5 and 10, with 5 representing the lowest data point and 10 representing the highest data point. The hypothetical "perfect score" would be 40 out of 40. We used the following equation in order to calculate this for every factor:
Score(i) = 5 · (x(i) - xmin ) / (xmax - xmin ) + 5
The data used to create this index was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Trust for Public Land, Yelp.com, BringFido, Google Reviews, and HomeToGo.com
Other Footnotes:
*The percentage of pet-friendly accommodations is based on the offers currently available on HomeToGo. This number is subject to change and was collected April 20th, 2023.
*Data regarding states with the highest pet ownership was gathered from Statista, "Pet ownership rates in the United States in 2022, by leading state", on April 20th, 2023.
*Data regarding the number of pets traveling with HomeToGo is based on global bookings taking place in 2022.
For additional information and interview requests, please contact [email protected].

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