Ron Bexel
Dog Friendly Vacations In New England – Looking for ideas for traveling with your dog? Discover dog friendly vacation spots in New England! With so many places for dogs to play and hang out, planning a New England dog vacation is a walk in the park.
A family vacation isn’t complete without your furry family members. I hate leaving my German Shepherd Roscoe at home when I travel and it’s so much more fun to take him along. But there are many important things to keep in mind when planning a holiday with your dog. Which hotels allow dogs? Are there any dog-friendly restaurants and bars nearby? Are there activities nearby that you can enjoy with your dog?
Dog Friendly Vacations In New England
Luckily, New England is a very dog-friendly destination. From hiking in the mountains to swimming along the coast, there are so many adventures for you and your dog to explore. After years of exploring New England with my dog, I’ve bookmarked my favorite dog vacation spots. With so many options for dog-friendly hotels, restaurants and activities, these dog-friendly travel ideas will help your pup grow two legs. So grab your favorite travel stick and get ready to plan the ultimate New England dog vacation!
Newport, Ri Is Such A Fun Spot To Take A Weekend Away With Your Pup! Paws On Pelham Is A Dog Friendly Inn Curated With Built On Dog Beds, Delicious Breakfast For Humans And A Rooftop Deck To Enjoy It
Burlington, Vermont is one of New England’s top dog-friendly destinations. With incredible outdoor adventures and an elegant, laid-back downtown, Burlington is a playground for dogs and their friends. You’ll find lots of fun things to do with your poo. Bike along the shores of Lake Champlain along the Burlington Greenway, then stop to sample local beer at one of the city’s dog-friendly breweries. Burlington breweries that welcome pups on the patio include Foam Brewers and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, and Switchback Brewing Co. while in places like Church Street Marketplace, one of New England’s most popular pedestrian (and puppy friendly) areas, offers a variety of dog-friendly restaurants and shops. For pet-friendly accommodations, Made Inn Vermont, a quaint bed and breakfast within walking distance of downtown, offers a comfortable home away from home for you and your dog.
When the dog days of summer arrive, there’s no better place to hang out with your pooch than Cape Cod! With miles of rugged coastline, irresistible tranquil charm, and plenty of outdoor activities, Cape Cod is the perfect summer destination for people and dogs alike. You will especially enjoy visiting Cape Cod National Seashore. This sun-drenched sandy beach and trails keep dogs on a leash even in high season. Afterwards, quench your thirst at Provincetown Brewery. They’re so canine (and socially conscious), the pub has a kennel with a sign that says “I bite racists”. The cape also has several places for animals. Pamper your pooch at the luxurious Chatham Bars Inn or try to “play” with your pooch at Nickerson State Park Campground.
Cape Cod National Seashore is just one of the many reasons to visit Cape Cod with your dog.
For a relaxing beach vacation with your dog, check out Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Just five miles south of Portland, it’s a great place to get away from it all without going too far. Just south of Fort Williams State Park, home of the iconic Portland Head Light, is a large off-leash grassy area where dogs can run and play. Of course, you can’t visit Maine without trying the local lobster, and Bite into Maine has a food truck located in the park with pet-friendly picnic tables. Higgins Beach is a popular place for children to play on the sand and in the water. After a long day in the sun, relax at the luxurious Inn by the Sea beach resort, which offers the ultimate in pampering for pets and their owners.
The Best Dog-friendly Beaches In New England
You and your dog will love exploring Nantucket together. This tiny island off the coast of Cape Cod has almost no traffic lights and a lot of New England charm. Once past the ferry, where you’ll see many other walking pet owners, it’s clear that Nantucket is a dog-friendly place. Choose from a variety of dog-friendly activities, from the Sconset Bluff Walk to exploring historic lighthouses. The city has plenty of dog-friendly patios, including Black-Eyed Susan’s breakfast and eclectic American bistro Queequeg’s. Sit back and stay a while at the laid-back Brass Lantern Inn, which welcomes four-legged friends in select rooms for a nominal fee.
This dog-friendly town in Vermont’s northeastern kingdom is a must. Known as the Ski Capital of the East, Stowe draws visitors from near and far to its premier resort during the winter. But with plenty of outdoor activities every season, Stowe is the perfect place to vacation with your dog.
For a great adventure, Smuggler’s Notch State Park offers miles through a stunning section of the Green Mountains. If you want something more low-key (but just as fun), you and your dog will love hiking the Stowe Recreation Trail. This 18-mile paved trail is lined with dog-friendly restaurants and brewpubs. There are plenty of dog-friendly accommodations for all budgets. Luxury resorts like the Trapp Family Lodge, Topnotch Resort, and Lodge at Spruce Peak offer amenities. However, if you’re looking for something more affordable, consider staying with your dog at the Field Guide Lodge or The Stowehof.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclaimer for more information. We call this trip “Lincoln’s List” because it was created with our best furry friend in mind.
Discover The Best Dog-friendly Cabin Rentals In New England
Our dog Lincoln has been traveling with us since 2019 and is a big part of why we love road trips. Simply jumping in the car is the cheapest way to travel with him (and we take Lincoln almost everywhere).
Favorite travel destinations of the last 3 years and what they would choose if planning our next trip.
(2) woods, hiking, and lots of outdoor time (and he’d probably tell us he prefers areas with few people but lots of squirrels and smells),
(3) beaches and lakes with easy access to water, where you can cool off again with fragrant sand and mud, and
New England Dog Friendly Vacations
So we thought of our travel catalog and put together this trip with Lincoln’s list of ships in mind. If you’re looking for dog travel ideas because you have a dog who wants to do everything you do on your trip, this is for you!
Lincoln takes you to New England on this trip, with great summer and fall temperatures, plenty of outdoor activities, and one of the most dog-friendly national parks in the United States.
This itinerary is similar to our Wicked Good: 10-Day NE Road Trip itinerary, but only includes the top stops and suggestions for getting your poop on!
In the summer, take advantage of the long daylight hours and cooler temperatures this time of year than many other states. Or a fall trip to enjoy beautiful fall foliage at one of the world’s best leaf spotting spots.
12 Best Resorts In New England
We spent 5 months in Ontario and New England during the 2022 tourist season. We spent two weeks in July at VH, camping in Acadia National Park, early August, three weeks in the mid to late afternoon near Lake Placid. August, one month in September in Campton, NH, three weeks in early October in Ellsworth, ME, and three weeks in late October in Attleboro, MA. (We also spent three weeks in Ontario at the beginning of our trip.)
These months really haven’t been bad times to be in New England. Sure, the summer months can be hot at night, but make sure your rental has air conditioning and you’ll be fine. (Actually, we say this as people who normally live in Texas, so our tolerance for heat is probably higher than those who live up north year-round. However, we don’t do anything without air conditioning, so keep in mind, our tolerance is probably lower. , ha!)
However, we say that if you want to plan your trip around the beautiful autumn leaves, try to travel in the second week of October. Even though places known for foliage are busy (eg Kancamagus Highway and Stowe, VT), the view is worth it!
RTL Tip: Want more time to spend hiking or on the water during your trip? To visit
