Dog Friendly Vacations On The East Coast – I’ve lived most of my life on the East Coast, and as someone who loves to travel, you can bet that I’ve spent years exploring different places along the Atlantic coast.
Whether we’re exploring pristine beaches or great hiking trails, my dog Zika and I are always on the hunt for the best dog spots.
Dog Friendly Vacations On The East Coast
So whether you’re planning a family vacation, weekend getaway, or vacation getaway, browse these dog-friendly spots for ideas on where to explore next.
The Best Pet-friendly Vacations For You And Your Dog
When planning a vacation, you want to make sure you go somewhere that welcomes the whole family, including pets.
Since not all locations are pet friendly, it requires a little extra planning. Not only do you need to find dog-friendly accommodation, but you need to fill your trip with dog-friendly activities.
As we continue our list of dog-friendly East Coast vacations, we’ve included some recommendations on where to stay and what to do so you and your adventure buddy can have the best vacation possible.
Are you reaching your destination by car? Check out my guide The Truth About Road Trips With Dogs (+ Top Travel Tips) 2024 to learn how to keep your dog safe while traveling.
Dog Friendly Vacations East Coast Archives
From trips your dog will love to pet-friendly cities, these are the best dog vacations on the East Coast.
There are dog-friendly beaches along the Atlantic border. Let me spill the beans and tell you that Rehoboth Beach on the Delaware Bay is one of the best places for a dog-friendly vacation on the East Coast.
If you’re on the South Shore of New Jersey, Rehoboth Beach is an easy getaway, as the Cape May Lewis Ferry will take you directly to this charming beach town, and dogs travel for free!
If you visit before May 1st, dogs are allowed on the beach. During the summer months, there are some restrictions, but dogs can enjoy Davie Beach before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m.
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Located near several state parks, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities for you and your dog to enjoy, including exploring the ponds, forests and wetlands of Gordon Pond State Park. I recommend walking along the Junction and Breakwater Trail, which was once a railroad.
As far as dog-friendly restaurants go, try Big Chill Surf Cantina. They have an outdoor patio where you and your adventure friends can enjoy delicious American food from the Channing Man food truck while listening to live music.
Recommended dog activity: 4-hour pontoon boat rental at Dewey Beach (They accept up to 3 dogs for a fee of $35 per dog.)
Visit Bowman Beach, Lighthouse Park Beach or Tarpon Bay Road Beach and relax while on the sand. All of these are dog-friendly beaches with no time or date restrictions.
Rentals For Dog-friendly Vacations On The East Coast
Take Your Dog on a Wildlife Walk J.N. Drive through the largest undeveloped mangrove forest at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge or Over Easy Cafe, a dog-friendly restaurant with delicious cinnamon rolls.
If your child likes to shop, take them to the shops, bars and restaurants along Doyle Street. If they like to explore nature, visit Key West Dog Beach.
Dogs are welcome at the Key West Rainforest and Botanical Gardens, where there are more than 15 acres of gardens and native forests to explore.
End the day by watching one of Key West’s famous golden sunsets. I recommend going to Mallory Square for the best views.
Pet-friendly East Coast Vacations Your Dog Will Love
Or, if your dog can get away with going around crowds, check out Higgs Beach Dog Park. You’ll still have a great view of the sunset, and your child will have the opportunity to hang out with other four-legged friends.
Golden Isles is another top choice when considering the best dog-friendly vacations on the East Coast.
The Golden Isles include several islands off the coast of Georgia. This is a great place to visit if you want to explore places that are natural and mostly untouched by modern hands.
Jekyll Island is 65% developed. Dogs can run in droves (up to 16 feet) on most of the island’s beaches, so there’s plenty to explore!
10 Dog-friendly Vacations On The East Coast
Where to eat on an island vacation, check out Latitude 31’s “Rah Bar” for the perfect dog time and you can enjoy a beautiful sunset while sipping on a delicious margarita.
Nantucket is known for its coastal charm, complete with lighthouses, a beautiful downtown area, museums, and a dog-friendly environment.
Francis Street Beach is known for its calm waters and because it’s dog friendly, it’s a great place to introduce your pooch to the beach.
But it’s not the only dog-friendly beach in the area. Surfside Beach, Brant Point Lighthouse, Cisco Beach, and Jetties Beach are just a few other dog-friendly spots to explore on Nantucket.
3 Dog-friendly Vacation Destinations On The East Coast
If you and your dog like to relax in nature, Bar Harbor could be the perfect place for your next adventure.
Bring your adventure friend to Acadia National Park, where you can explore more than 50 square miles of mountain lakes and hiking trails with stunning views of the Atlantic coast.
Island Explorer is a free, pet-friendly public transportation that will take you and your dog to the most popular spots in the city.
Maine is an incredibly dog-friendly state, so it’s no surprise that many of the city’s stores are more than pet-friendly. Take your dog shopping for souvenirs and be sure to stop by Bark Harbor for a tasty treat.
Find The Best Dog-friendly Beaches In The Usa
Stretching 130 miles along the coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks is made up of a series of barrier islands dotted with charming beach towns. Plus, most beaches are dog friendly all year round!
With more than a dozen beach towns on the Outer Banks, there’s no shortage of fun activities for you and your child.
If you’re going to hit the Devil’s heels, meet your best friend at the Bonzer Shack. This cozy surf shack offers not only delicious food and live music, but also a relaxing atmosphere on its charming “wraparound deck” with picnic tables and chairs.
If you want to spend some time outdoors, head to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where you can see the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Some parts of the park allow access by car, making it easy to spend a day fishing with your fishing buddy.
21 Great Dog-friendly Us Vacation Destinations
Or, you can enjoy a stop at Nags Head, where you can visit Kitty Hawk Kites or buy a kite for a souvenir or to fly over Nags Head Beach.
Take your dog on an outdoor adventure at Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s one of the best dog-friendly vacations on the East Coast year-round because there’s always something to do. From skiing in the winter to camping in the summer, it’s an outdoor paradise.
Although you won’t be right on the beach, there are still plenty of dog-friendly water activities. Take your child for a walk on the 1.7 mile paved trail at Mirror Lake. They can dip their toes in the water and then you can shop at the gift shops on the west side of the lake.
Another option is to take your child on a boat trip through the island’s nature trails, or hike or cross-country ski with your dog through the John Brown Farm Historic Site.
These Are The Top Dog-friendly Vacation Spots In The U.s. For 2024
While the bustling streets of New York City aren’t the best place to bring your pooch on vacation, the Big Apple’s closest neighbor, Long Island, is one of the best dog vacation spots on the East Coast.
Long Island is the largest island in the United States. And with all that land comes a plethora of dog-friendly activities. Explore Long Island with your dog and enjoy the beaches, hiking trails, wineries and dog farms.
Join the brewing scene at dog-friendly establishments like Greenport Harbor Brewing Company or Bright Eye Beer Company.
Or, for a truly relaxing experience, unwind with a dog yoga session where your four-legged friend can join you to find inner peace.
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End the day with a delicious dinner at American Brass. This is a waterfront restaurant that prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients to prepare fresh and delicious dishes. And, of course, they have a pet-friendly yard.
If you’re looking for beach fun while staying close to tons of trendy restaurants and shops, you’ll love planning a dog-friendly Jersey Beach vacation.
In summer, dogs can enjoy the beach after 6:00 and before 8:30. In the off-season, from October 1 to May 15, they are free to roam the Boardwalk and 8th Avenue Dog Beach all day.
If your dog likes to socialize with other dogs, check out the Yappy Watch from Wonder Bar. There is a fenced area outside, so the dogs are free to socialize while their humans have a drink and socialize.
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As for dining, there are many restaurants that have outdoor seating for dogs. Grab something from Toast, Johnny Mix, Cheet & Nibble or Cross & Orange. Next, stop by the Asbury Park Convention Center, which often hosts dog-friendly events like flea markets and art fairs.
Bring your dog to remember
