Published: April 06, 2023
AAA knows a thing or two about planning trips with the whole family in tow - including dogs! From paw-approved restaurants to hotels that embrace furry travelers, we've got you covered with expert tips. Here are a few of our favorite spots for pet-friendly vacations in the Pacific Northwest.
If you and your pup enjoy outdoor adventures, consider a weekend getaway to Bend, Oregon. The town serves as a great home base for exploring nearby Deschutes National Forest, where dogs are permitted off leash in most areas. To see the forest and its snowcapped peaks on four wheels, take a scenic drive on the Cascade Lakes Highway.
Where to Eat: There are dozens of dog-friendly restaurants in Bend. Don’t miss breakfast at Chow or McKay Cottage Restaurant, or dinner at Bend Brewing Company or Deschutes Brewery & Public House.Where to Sleep: The Oxford Hotel is close to all the downtown action and provides beds, bowls, organic treats and maps of nearby dog parks and trails.
Plan a pet-friendly vacation at the lake that's been called one of the most beautiful in the world—Lake Coeur d’Alene—in the city of the same name. You and your furry friend can see the lake by boat with Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises. If you'd rather explore on foot, head to The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s floating boardwalk or the trails at Tubbs Hill.
Where to Eat: Cricket's Restaurant & Oyster Bar has a nice patio for people watching on Sherman Avenue. Reward good behavior with a dog sorbet at Abi’s Ice Cream, just a block away.Where to Sleep: The Coeur d'Alene Resort has luxurious pet-friendly rooms with commanding lake views. The Roosevelt Inn and Spa welcomes pets at its charming location in a converted schoolhouse.
Soak up beautiful views of the Columbia River while strolling the 2.8-mile Hood River Waterfront Trail, one of the best things to do with your dog in Hood River. The paved path will take you to a large sandbar where dogs can splash and play off leash. It's also the perfect vantage point for watching windsurfers and kiteboarders on the river.
Where to Eat: Grab a seat on the patio at Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom for pizzas, sandwiches and microbrews.Where to Sleep: Affordable pet fees are a perk at Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, the only downtown hotel on the riverbank. Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa has a scenic clifftop setting.
McCall earns a spot on this list of pet-friendly getaways for its outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. On the southern end of Payette Lake, the year-round resort town offers outdoor fun in Ponderosa State Park. In the park, you and your pet can hike through an old-growth forest or explore the Payette River by canoe or stand-up paddleboard (for well-behaved dogs only).
Where to Eat: Bistro 45 is a popular gathering spot with a shaded patio, an outdoor bocce ball court and board games.Where to Sleep: One of the best hotels in McCall for travelers with pets is Shore Lodge, which has a low nightly pet fee and magnificent views of Payette Lake.
If your dog loves a good car ride, consider a trip through Mount Rainier National Park. While pets aren’t allowed on park trails, they can go anywhere that cars can drive. This means your pet will be able to visit campgrounds; turnouts like Sunrise Point (the highest point accessible by car on Mount Rainier); and scenic drives like Stevens Canyon Road and East Side Road (SR 123).Late June through late September, dogs ride free with their owners on the Mount Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain Resort. The summit features dog-friendly trails.Where to Sleep: Alta Crystal Resort allows travelers with pets, as does Nisqually Lodge near the west entrance to the park.
Some of the best places to travel with dogs in the Pacific Northwest are the seaside towns along the Oregon coast. In Newport’s Historic Bayfront district, you can walk the boardwalk to see ships, shops and even sea lions.Just a short drive up the (U.S. 101) are two dog-friendly beaches worth a visit. You can see lighthouses and rock formations at Agate Beach State Recreation Site and Beverly Beach State Park.
Where to Eat: Canyon Way Restaurant & Bookstore is a good option for travelers with pets. The restaurant is open on weekdays only and serves soups, pastas, bakery items and espresso drinks.Where to Sleep: Hallmark Resort Newport provides beach towels, water bottles and Frisbees for four-legged guests.
What can you see in Olympic National Park with your dog? Plenty, with a little planning! The park allows leashed pets on some trails, including one near the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles and a couple more near Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault. After a forest hike, take a scenic drive on U.S. 101 out to Kalaloch and Ruby Beaches; both are pet-friendly. Well-behaved dogs can even earn a “Bark Ranger” badge at the nearby Kalaloch Ranger Station.Where to Sleep: On the west side of the park, Miller Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast, Manitou Lodge and Kalaloch Lodge allow pets. You’ll find additional hotels in Port Townsend at the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula.
Portland is packed with options for pet-friendly vacations. Stroll along the Willamette River at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park or the Eastbank Esplanade to get a feel for downtown, or opt for a nature hike at Forest Park. A few popular Portland attractions admit pets, too, including the International Rose Test Garden (lots of blooms to sniff!) and Hoyt Arboretum.
Where to Eat: Dine on the flower-filled patio at McMenamins Kennedy School Courtyard Restaurant, a renovated 1915 elementary school turned into a hotel and pub.Where to Sleep: Dogs, cats and all creatures in between stay for free at Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland, Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel and The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown.
Last but certainly not least on this list is Seattle, where there are more things to do with your dog than you can shake a stick at. See the city from the sky with Kenmore Air Scenic Flight Tours (a dog or cat is permitted on each flight). Or admire the scenery while stretching your legs at Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park or the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Dogs are allowed on buses, streetcars, water taxis and ferries in Seattle, which makes it easy to get around the city.
Where to Eat: The Pink Door is a downtown favorite and permits pets on an outdoor patio.Where to Sleep: There are dozens of AAA Diamond pet-friendly hotels in Seattle. Pets stay free at The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel Seattle, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle and Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle.
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