This Southern Coastal City Is A Dog-Friendly Paradise Where You'll Both Be On Vacation
Traveling with a pet certainly poses its challenges. From finding a dog-friendly hotel to being unable to go into restaurants due to health department codes, it's no wonder why so many people opt to hire a dog-sitter and simply leave their pup behind. However, if you're a firm believer that your pet needs a vacation every now and then, too, then you probably know that certain cities are just more dog-friendly and more likely to welcome your furry friend. For doggo parents who are looking to embark on a getaway with human's best friend, there's one particular southern city that takes dog-friendly travel to a whole new level.
We're talking about Savannah, Georgia. The city, with or without a dog, is totally worth a visit, from its great southern cooking to its haunted history as one of the biggest ghost towns in the U.S., but luckily, you don't need to leave your little buddy behind. The picturesque East Coast city is well adapted for traveling with a pet to the point that you can bring your dog out to eat with you, stay in the hotel with you, and even go on some city tours with you.
A history lesson for you, and an outdoor stroll for your pup
Savannah has been dubbed the most friendly U.S. destination by tourists, and that rule applies to the way dogs are treated here, too. Let's start with the outdoor activities. Savannah is a beautiful city that's great for spending time in the great outdoors. Simply stroll along River Street in the Historic District where you can catch great sights of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge along the Savannah River. Grab a bite at either District Smokehouse or District Seafood, both offering ample outdoor seating. Finish your meal off with nearby Leopold's Ice Cream, where your furry friend can come along.
Far more than just outdoor seating at eateries, there are even tours where you can bring little Fido along, from ghost tours to architectural tours to history tours. There's even Oliver Bentley's History Dog Walk Tour, a company tailored to tours meant to include your pup. They specialize in not only teaching the human tour guests about Savannah's history but also advising visitors where they can find the best spots in town to bring their dog along.
If you're visiting in the spring, no trip to Savannah is complete without checking out the azaleas at Bonaventure Cemetery. These bright pink flowers completely take over Savannah's largest cemetery. Best of all, you can bring the pup along, and even if you don't visit in the spring, this is a great outdoor area for you and your dog to enjoy.
There are plenty of indoor activities, too
Unlike many U.S. cities, you won't be strictly limited to only outdoor activities when traveling with your dog. What makes Savannah particularly dog-friendly is that you can bring your fur baby to plenty of places around the city. For a sweet treat, you simply must try Byrd Cookie Company. Choose from flavors like classic chocolate chip and Georgia peach. Don't worry, your dog can get a taste, too. Byrd Cookie Company offers a rotation of flavors for pups under their "Byrd Dog" collection.
With a name that lures folks who travel with their pups in, Black Dog General Store, to no one's surprise, is also dog-friendly. Conveniently located in Savannah's Historic District, this store sells human clothing and dog gear, so you and your pup can leave Savannah with a stylish souvenir.
With the Historic District being where the majority of the dog-friendly attractions are, along with being one of the most picturesque in the city, it makes sense to want to stay in the heart of the action. The Alida Hotel is pet-friendly and centrally located with rustic decor, spacious rooms, and that quintessential southern charm.