Dog Friendly Vacations Near Chicago – Chicago is a vibrant, vibrant city! When you’re ready for a quiet, peaceful, dog-friendly hike, try the options below.
Although I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, I also long to escape to the woods for a nice long walk to clear my mind. Fortunately, many parks and trails around Chicago are dog-friendly. Over the years, we’ve discovered some of the best dog-friendly hikes in the Chicago area.
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Star Rock State Park, about 90 miles from downtown Chicago, is home to a series of sandstone canyons and waterfalls along the Illinois River. It is a
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Chicago is a popular day trip, so if you can afford to hike mid-week, I highly recommend avoiding the weekend crowds.
Hungry Rock is a great destination for every season! Winter brings icebergs and buzzards to the river. Spring boats flow through waterfalls, and there are lush forests and flowers. In autumn, the trees show brilliant autumn colours.
There are plenty of trails to choose from, many of which are “round trips” from the lodge, so you can always turn around at your convenience. The Sandstone Point and Overlook trails take you through a series of trails, planks and steps into several canyons. There are often plenty of places in streams and pools for your pup to splash around.
In the northern suburbs, Deer Grove Forest Preserve is one of my favorite dog-friendly hikes near Chicago. Once you enter the woods, you’ll never believe how close you are to the surrounding business district!
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The trail is conveniently located along Dundee Road in Palatine, with easy access from several parking lots and well-marked connecting trails.
If you’re looking for a long hike in the Chicago area, head to Glen Falls in the southwest suburb of Darien. At 9.5 miles, it’s the longest loop I know of in the area, and many people come here for long-distance hikes. Along the gravel path you pass several streams and of course waterfalls.
You may be wondering why a dog park is on the list of dog-friendly hikes, but Lakewood Dog Park in northwest suburban Wauconda is a great place to go for an off-leash hike!
Once you leave the large fields where most dogs and their people hang out, you can follow the paths in the forest. The park covers 66 hectares, so there is plenty of room to explore!
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For dog-friendly urban “walks” in Chicago, look no further than the Lakefront Trail. There are 18 miles of trails along Lake Michigan for walking, hiking, biking or ice skating. I love the stretch from Oak Street Beach (pictured below) south to the museum campus, which offers panoramic views of the city skyline.
There are parks and cafes along the way, so you can make this city walk an all-day activity. Take a short walk down the road to Navy Pier, Lincoln Park and Grant Park for a unique view of Chicago.
Here are our favorite dog-friendly hikes in and around Chicago. Do you have a favorite you want to share?
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Sorry, we could not find any pet friendly properties in our database. Make sure your search is spelled correctly or try entering fewer characters. When you travel, of course you want to take your furry friend with you to experience new places. Dog parents are often drawn to the idea of traveling with their beloved pets, and having a dog-friendly vacation is easier than most people think.
I’m a freelance travel photographer and writer, and since adopting my rescue dog Quigley about 6 years ago, we’ve traveled the world together, including 34 states and 6 countries! Our pet-friendly vacations include desert camping, cocktails at the Waldorf Astoria and more.
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Traveling with Quigley is one of my greatest joys, and I hope these tips help you experience the joy of traveling with your own pet. No matter where you want to go in the United States, from the Northeast to the Midwest, there are plenty of dog-friendly vacations you can enjoy with your four-legged friend.
The Northeast is a region of contrasts. From Maine’s rugged countryside to New York’s exciting art scene, the region’s diversity has long attracted travelers of all styles.
Boston is truly a destination that has it all. Quigley and I lived in the city for several years, and together we explored every nook and cranny, moving easily from the bustling city center to the hustle and bustle of large parks and charming colonial neighborhoods. Bostonians know how to enjoy the sun, as the area enjoys it year-round, but summer and fall are the area’s best seasons for dog lovers.
Feeling patriotic? Many of America’s most important historical landmarks are located along the Freedom Trail, a brick path that guides visitors past historical markers that tell the story of the American Revolution. Boston Common is fenced and has an off-leash dog park for socializing. Nearby hikers can visit other historic sites, such as Acorn Street in Acorn Hill (one of the most photographed streets in America), or the Public Gardens, home to the Make Way for the duckling statue of Mrs. Mallard leading her family. little duck
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Boston is known for its outdoor culture and themed festivals, like the annual Dog Day, which is literally a celebration of dogs!
Do you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Dress your pooch in the cutest life jacket and hop on one of the many ferries to Provincetown, a very dog-friendly town. When Quigley first swam in the ocean, there were miles of gaps that dogs could get into.
For the more sophisticated dogs and parents, P-Town has a dog park with an art gallery. Explore fine dining and retail at your leisure, as well as more than 20 pet-friendly restaurants and countless shopping opportunities.
If you’re looking for leaves while fishing, visitors will find plenty of options nearby. Nashoba Valley Winery is one of many orchards that let dogs pick apples. Those who want to (figuratively speaking) get lost among colorful trees for a few hours can visit one of the many nearby nature reserves, such as the Blue Hills.
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New York City has it all – landmarks, food, parks, shopping and art, to name a few. Those who enjoy walking around the city and taking in the sights will be happy to hear that stray dogs are welcome in New York City.
Bring your camera and see the city’s top attractions. Classic attractions like Thesda Terrace, Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, and DUMBO (a pet-friendly neighborhood in Brooklyn) are all places you and your dog can explore in several dog-friendly locations. If your dog likes to relax, there are many dog parks in New York.
No trip to New York is complete without checking out the shops. Thankfully, your dog can go on one last shopping spree with you! Gin’s, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, rgdorf’s, and Barneys are all known to allow well-behaved, leashed dogs, but you must call ahead to confirm. If you have a smaller dog and want to bring him along, you can go to Macy’s in Herald Square and ride the original wooden escalator together. Dogs are also welcome in many stores, and some Nordström locations even have custom dog biscuits for savvy dog shoppers.
New York is a paradise for foodies, including dogs! But apart from Boris and Horton’s, the city’s first health department-approved dog-friendly restaurant, other restaurants have very strict requirements for dogs to enter the restaurant! But fear not; there are plenty of outdoor spaces throughout the city for foodies, and many bars and breweries are pet-friendly.
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Traveling for Christmas? Bring your pooch to the holiday window shows downtown at classic dog parks like Canada Pooch Premium Park. Then enjoy hot cocoa and puppaccino next to the Rockefeller tree.
Coastal wilderness meets small-town charm in Bar Harbor, Maine. Entrepreneurs further down the street take their love of dogs to the next level and open e.g. Coffee Hounds (where they insist on showing pictures of your dogs online) and Bark Harbor (a boutique pet store and bark shop). Stewman’s, a favorite local seafood restaurant, proudly posts a welcoming sign on the deck welcoming dogs.
Just a 15-minute drive from the city center, visitors can reach Acadia National Park. It includes 158 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of roads that pets can explore with their active parents.
For a relaxing experience, head to the Jordan Pond House
