DEL.ICIO.US5 trips Fido and humans will love
For the AJC
Sunday, June 14, 2009
All dog lovers know the dreaded look they get from the family pet when they leave the house with an overstuffed suitcase. Save the mopey, woe-is-me looks from furry friends and hit the road with a dog bed in the back of the car and plenty of treats along the way.
Joe Warwick
The Florida House Inn in Fernandina Beach, Fla., gives dogs a brand-new tennis ball upon arrival and offers owners tips for dog-friendly dining around town.
Potomac Riverboat Company
Dogs ride the boats free on Canine Cruises offered by Potomac Riverboat Company in Alexandria, Va.
Pamela Martin Butler
Resident Golden Retriever Diddy says hello to baby calf Annabelle while 10-year-old Nathan Wilson, a guest, looks on at Ranch 74.
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1) Washington, DC
Although monuments and great museums might first leap to mind when you think of the nation’s capital, the city and its Northern Virginia suburbs offer a surprising number of dog-friendly and dog-centric activities. Take a boat ride with your pooch to tour Alexandria’s seaport with Potomac Riverboat Co.’s Canine Cruises (dogs ride free), hike the Mount Vernon Trail, which runs between Alexandria and Mount Vernon, take a hike on Roosevelt Island. Dog-friendly bars and restaurants abound here.
Dog Treat: There are more than 20 off-leash dog parks in the area, and open-air monuments mean that families and their dogs can take in great tourist attractions together.
2) Orlando
Disney may have a corner on the market in Orlando, but the city has recently been applauded for its efforts to become more dog-friendly. The Winter Park area, which is home to a great off-leash dog park and Sam Snead’s, a restaurant made famous when Gov. Jeb Bush signed the doggy dining law, is particularly welcoming to pets, and there are plenty of hotels — and even some posh resorts — that now accommodate families traveling with their canine companions. Add to that Florida’s natural beauty and state parks (there are eight in the Orlando area), and you’ve got yourself one happy dog.
Dog Treat: Lots of dog-friendly outdoor dining and more than seven off-leash dog parks in the area.
3) Asheville, N.C.
Walking trails and a dog-friendly downtown with lots of outdoor eateries make this a great vacation spot to share with canine companions. Asheville’s residents are known for their laid-back attitudes and carefree spirits, and they are particularly amenable to canine-accompanied tourists.
Dog Treat: Dogs are welcome everywhere, even the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, and the city also boasts two dog parks and a dog-friendly national park.
4) Jasper
Ever wonder how a dog might act in the wild? At the 74 Ranch in Jasper in rural North Georgia, where there are 50-plus acres of rolling farmland, dogs of guests are allowed to roam free. The area is fenced, so no one can get lost, and it features private beaches, fishing ponds and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Or explore the natural beauty of the region on your own, staying at a B&B in nearby Ellijay.
Dog Treat: Wide-open spaces, no leashes.
5) Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Visit a classic, old-school beach that’s perfect for a furry friend. Lovely Fernandina, known for its Victorian houses with gingerbread trim, is a dog-friendly place, allowing pooches on the city’s beaches before the heat sets in and after it begins to fade (before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. daily). The Florida House Inn gives dogs a brand-new tennis ball upon arrival and offers owners tips for dog-friendly dining around town.
Dog Treat: Sand and surf; outdoor eateries for dogs and their families.
Where to stay
Washington, D.C.
Crowne Plaza, 14th and K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005; Phone: 800-465-4329; www.ichotelsgroup.com; Rates: From $195
Hotel George, 15 E St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001; Phone: 202-347-4200; www.hotelgeorge.com; Rates: From $190
Morrison House Hotel, 116 S. Alfred St., Alexandria, Va. 22314; Phone: 703-838-8000; www.morrisonhouse.com; Rates: From $269
Orlando
Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd. Orlando, Fla. 32819; Phone: 800-232-7827; www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/Portofino-Bay-Hotel/Overview.aspx; Rates: From $295 per night
Sheraton Safari Resort 12205 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, Fla. 32836; Phone 407-239-0444; www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1162; Rates: From $109
Residence Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista 11450 Marbella Palm Court Orlando, Fla. 32836; Phone 800-331-3131; www.marriott.com; “Dog package” starts from $139
Asheville, N.C.
Abbington Green B&B, 46 & 48 Cumberland Circle, Asheville, N.C. 28801; Phone: 800-251-2454; www.petfriendlyasheville.com/b&bs.html; Cost: From $185
The Black Walnut B&B, 288 Montford Ave. Asheville, N.C. 28801; Phone: 800-381-3878; www.blackwalnut.com; Cost: From $260
Jasper
74 Ranch: 9205 Ga. 53 West Jasper, Ga.; Phone 706-692-0123; www.seventyfourranch.com/pet_friendly.htm; Cost: From $75/night
Boulder Creek B&B Northwest High Country Ellijay, Ga. 30540; 706-276-7979; www.bouldercreekellijay.com; Cost: From $85
Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Florida House Inn, 20-22 S. Third St., Amelia Island, Fla.; Phone 800-258-3301; www.floridahouseinn.com; Cost: From $109
Hampton Inn Amelia Island, 2549 Sadler Road, Amelia Island, Fla.; 877-411-3436; www.hamptoninn.com; Cost: From $109
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