Dog Friendly Getaways Near Dc – They say, “Virginia is for dog lovers,” but when people plan a weekend trip to this great state with their pups, they often say, “Virginia is for dog lovers!” With plenty of pet-friendly activities, from hiking and biking to shopping and petting, pooches and their pooches can take a short weekend trip to Virginia and enjoy every fun minute!
When deciding which Virginia cities are the best for these dog-friendly mini-vacations, we narrowed down the list based on a few main criteria: the types of activities available in a particular location, the pet-friendly accommodations available there, and the overall “pet-friendliness” of the area to based on the experiences of travelers. Following are the cities that received our vote for the best weekend getaway.
Dog Friendly Getaways Near Dc
Many people like to fill their holiday weekends with sightseeing, great shopping, great food and real pampering, all with their dogs by their side! Charlottesville is the perfect place for all of this and more. It’s home to the University of Virginia, with a charming campus that’s great for walking, a college-town vibe, and classic architecture dating back to designer Thomas Jefferson. Other great places to visit with your dog include Trump Winery, which has nearly 200 acres of vines among beautiful scenery and scattered lakes. Then end the day with a sweet treat at Chaps Ice Cream, which also offers homemade donuts and barbecue, all in a throwback to the 1950s.
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There are many unique shopping options in Charlottesville, including Barracks Road Mall. This outdoor market offers plenty of opportunities for window shopping, great restaurants with a mix of food to suit every appetite, and unique boutiques for a one-of-a-kind fashion purchase or gift. Best of all, it can accompany you on your shopping adventure with spacious outdoor paths to guide you and your dog.
Dog-friendly accommodations in Charlottesville are extensive, with many upscale hotels and inns as well as moderate lodging options. One of the best places to experience the full experience is Boar’s Head Resort which offers the best service and hospitality for guests and their pups. There are many nature trails in the area, events are always going on, and the facilities are top-notch. You and your dog will love all the attention and may find it hard to leave!
For history buffs and their dogs, Williamsburg invites visitors on a weekend adventure filled with lessons in colonial history. Stepping into Colonial Williamsburg is like stepping back in time! This is an interactive area to learn about life in the 18th century, with presentations and exhibits that you and your pup can explore at your own pace or with a guide. There are many special events to experience at any time of the year, and the holidays are truly magical with age-old traditions and decorations. And if you and your furry friend ever need a break from history and want to return to modern culture and activities, Williamsburg has art galleries, breweries, parks, restaurants, and hiking trails to explore on the weekend.
In keeping with the historic theme, many of Williamsburg’s dog-friendly accommodations offer classic architecture, hospitality, and charm. One such place is the Williamsburg Manor Bed & Breakfast, where all pets are welcome and stay for free! Built during the redevelopment of Williamsburg’s historic district, this imposing brick colonial prides itself on its hospitality in a beautiful setting. Other excellent lodging options include a variety of resorts, hotels, inns and apartments with added amenities and facilities to please any man or hairy weekender.
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For those water dogs out there, Virginia Beach is the place to be when it’s time to hit the beach for the weekend! Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round, subject to certain restrictions. But before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, pooches can play on the beach anytime. Summer is a bit more restrictive, but people and their pets are still allowed to swim, splash, play and paddle during certain hours each day. When it comes to dog-friendly beaches, Virginia Beach does not disappoint!
Puppies are also welcome on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, a 28-foot-wide concrete path ideal for walkers, runners, bikers and dogs! It stretches three miles along the ocean and includes many outdoor restaurants and vendors along the way. During the summer months there is evening entertainment and places to rent bikes and bicycles for a few hours or a few days. The surrounding area also offers plenty of opportunities for off-beach activities such as dog parks and hiking trails for more running, playing and exploring.
Dog-friendly accommodations in Virginia Beach can meet all your weekend needs, with tons of hotels, inns, and even extended stays. Vacation rentals here from companies like Siebert Realty, Sandbridge Realty and Sandbridge Blue Vacation Rentals offer weekend and week-long accommodations for just couples and their dog or the whole family, as well as retreats and gatherings. Some properties are right on the ocean, so people can walk right on the sand and easily go for a swim or a leisurely walk along the beach with their dogs.
Who doesn’t love a great outdoor adventure with a nature-loving pooch? When trips include hiking, fishing, camping, and even tubing, there’s never a dull moment on a weekend trip to Luray with your furkid! Visiting Shenandoah National Park in Luray is a great way to get there and enjoy over 300 miles of Blue Ridge Mountains and over 500 miles of hiking trails! For a more unique place to visit, try Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern United States. Pet parents and their dogs can take guided tours through cavernous spaces with 10-story ceilings and natural towering rock formations.
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Dog lodging options in Luray include hotels, vacation rentals, cabins, and resorts. Allstar Lodging is an excellent choice for vacation rentals, especially cabins. The land around the houses is wide open, with enough space for dogs to run. The cabins are close to many pet-friendly area attractions, so guests are never far from everything Luray has to offer.
With so many great options for a weekend getaway, it’s worth noting that there are plenty of other places in Virginia that feel for people and their pups. One of them is Roanoke, with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the downtown City Market and the Mill Mountain Park and Greenway, which includes the famous Roanoke Star. Then there’s Fredericksburg, for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who just need some relaxing time with their furry friend. Add to that the many pet-friendly accommodations these cities have, and it’s clear why they’re also featured in our top dog-friendly vacation spots! There’s something about January that makes me want to sit down at the calendar and plan a lot of travel for the coming year. It’s so cold and dark outside that it’s incredibly satisfying to curl up with your laptop and plan an adventure.
Although our major international travel has been cut short during the pandemic, we’ve loved exploring the Seattle area and all of its great (and dog-friendly!) weekends. After ten years in New York and Chicago, it’s been a lot of fun to come back and rediscover old vacation favorites, as well as see all the new innovative glampsites, boutique hotels, and unique Airbnbs that have popped up here. But most of all, I liked seeing how many accommodation options there are for staying with dogs. I’m much happier when we can take Dave and Lizzie on vacation.
We’ve had a lot of getaway planning this month, so I wanted to give you a sneak peek at my list of cool dog trips in the Pacific Northwest we’re looking forward to for 2022 adventures, skimmed all the fine print and linked directly to the pet policy of each choice. Read about 23 Seattle-area inns, boutique hotels, resorts, glampsites, tiny houses, Airstreams, treehouses, and dog-friendly cabins. 👇🏻🐶
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I look forward to planning a trip to this beautiful inn and event space near picturesque Friday Harbor that has several “dog friendly” cabins. How amazing does this picture look? Plus, we love the amazing hikes and views from San Juan Island. Dog information is listed below each cabin description here.
Take your best friend on a wine spree at one of our favorite resorts in the area. We have been going on weekend trips to Sagecliff since 2015 and it really never disappoints. With hiking, wine tasting, and incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge, this is an absolute dream getaway. Details of their puppy policy here.
Captain Whidbey is at the top of my list for my vacation in 2022. With recent features in publications such as Vogue, this beautifully renovated historic
