Best Dog Vacations Midwest – Best friends make the best travel companions, especially when they let you make all the decisions and choose the snacks. We’ve rounded up 15 fido-friendly road trip destinations in the Midwest for when your dog’s appetites can no longer be contained. Read on to learn more about this dog-friendly road trip, what to bring, where to stay, and more!
Make sure your PAWs are ready! Here are some tips to ensure your road trip is a success.
Best Dog Vacations Midwest
First, make sure your puppy is up-to-date on vaccinations and is physically able to make the trip. Also, make sure your French flea and tick treatment is up to par! If your pup is an anxious rider, ask your vet about medications or other solutions to make him more comfortable.
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Not sure what to pack for a puppy? Here’s a list of essential items to consider adding to your suitcase.
For more information on how to prepare your pup for a great road trip, check out Road Trip Basics for Dogs: 5 Tips for Driving Before You Hit the Road.
From Minnesota to Ohio and the Dakotas, the Midwest is a region like no other! If you’re ready to see something you’ve missed or revisit some amazing sites, check out these dog-friendly vacation destinations.
Not to mention fun, Bemidji has a lot to offer both pups and road-tripping humans. We recommend visiting Lake Bemidji State Park to enjoy sunsets on the water and mup-friendly hiking trails.
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Afterwards, head to Bemidji Brewing’s patio for beer and delicious food, plus free treats and water for your pup.
Our pick for dog-friendly accommodations: Candlewood Suites Bemidji. This location allows two puppies up to 80 pounds for $25 the first night, $15 per night thereafter.
Duluth is Minnesota’s best vacation spot and one of the most dog-friendly. Duluth is home to many excellent dog-friendly restaurants and breweries: we love the patios at Sarah’s Table Chester Creek Cafe or Ursa Minor Brewery in Pa-ticular.
As for outdoor activities, visit Elys Peak for a break with a stunning view. If you’re feeling adventurous, Duluth offers a unique experience for you and your dog; Lake Country Air & Beaver Air Tours is an airline that offers short air tours of the North Shore. Adults pay only $119 per person and dogs fly free!
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Our pick for a dog-friendly stay: Sheraton Duluth Hotel. Dogs up to 80 pounds are welcome and a guest liability waiver must be signed at check-in.
The Dells are a must-see for you and your pup in the Midwest. Start your tour with a river ride from Dell’s Boat Tours, and if you and Fido are still wandering, head to Devil’s Lake State Park for some terrier-ific views.
Hungry after that fresh air? Keg & The Patio and Brat House Grill both have dog-friendly patios, and the latter has a special menu just for kids. If you’re in the mood for a beer, visit the dog-friendly beer garden at Port Huron Brewing Company.
Our pick for pet-friendly lodging: While there’s no shortage of pet-friendly lodging options in the Dells, our recommendation is Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort, where you can bring two pets for $15 per day per floor.
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Whitefish Dunes State Park, a popular scenic area around Lake Michigan in Door County, has excellent hiking opportunities that also have access to a dog-friendly beach area on Lake Michigan.
After walking, swimming and socializing, stop at the Gibraltar Grill for delicious food and great music. Maybe the pup will even get a feature on the Dog Pals page on your website!
Our pick for dog-friendly accommodations: Hillside Inn of Ephraim. Puppies are allowed with approval, so call ahead. Other great accommodation options can be found here.
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Take a dip in the water and travel to Mackinac Island in UP Michigan. Soak up the sun and ride the ferry from Sheppler’s Mackinac Island Ferry (Fido Ride Free). We know that you history buffs ask to see a recreation of an 18th century fort and a fur trading village, and you’ll have your fill of Colonial Michilimackinac.
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Looking for something to treat your sweet tooth this holiday season? Visit the famous Rybas Fudge Shop and try delicious T-R-E-A-T for pups and humans. It’s the best of both worlds.
Our picks for dog-friendly accommodations: Stay on the island at Mission Point Resort or the Holiday Inn Express Mackinaw City, just a short drive from mainland Michigan ($30 one-time fee per pet).
Ready to have fun? Cleveland is home to tons of dog-friendly attractions, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, which offers access to some of the most beautiful views of the canal and wildlife. If your pup is more into the city, get tickets to the Cleveland Scavenger Hunt: A Ball Round the Mall, where you and Fido can search the city for landmarks, art and more.
Bring your woofer to Nano Brew Cleveland’s dog-friendly patio and Lux Kitchen, which is the city’s top spot for food and dog-friendliness.
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Our pick for a dog-friendly stay: Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown is a great place to relax and it’s dog-friendly! Their pet policy allows 2 dogs up to 50 pounds with a $35 deposit and a $35 nightly fee per dog.
Let’s set up our indy road trip GPS! First stop is Broad Ripple Park, a beautiful spot on the White River with lots of doggos. From there, check out the Cultural Trail that connects Indy’s six cultural districts. You’ll find tons of breweries, coffee shops, and shops along the way (Mass. Ave is a must-visit!).
You will definitely be hungry after your day of playing, so head to Cafe Patachou for high quality breakfast and lunch! After your meal, visit Hotel Tango Distillery for cocktails with your friends.
Our Dog Boarding Pick: Ironworks Hotel Indy loves dogs, and if you call ahead, they’ll even prepare your room with a dog bowl, a custom Ironworks rug, and a treat!
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There’s no dog-friendly vacation resort for your road trip like the Windy City! If you’ve got your pup to join you on your long walk, head to Puptown Dog Park in Margate Park. Chicago has some of the best garden and outdoor stores in the Midwest; Take Fido to the Farmer’s Market Garden Center for some retail therapy.
Pizza is a Chicago staple and 6 Mutts Chicago Food Truck offers pizza options for you and your pup. What goes well with pizza? Beer.Lake Bluff Brewing welcomes you and your dog on the patio to enjoy the view and brews.
Our pick for a dog-friendly stay: Staypineapple Hotel An iconic spot in The Loop of Chicago! Not only are they pet friendly, but according to their website, they are “obsessed with pets.”
Treat your pup to a trip to Des Moines. We recommend checking out the beautiful, dog-friendly Krudenier Trail, which runs through the beautiful Lake Gray and connects with other local trails at a relatively low elevation.
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Afterward, consider a patio stop at dog-friendly Ghazal’s, a central spot serving gyros, wraps, salads and sandwiches.
Our pick for a dog-friendly stay: La Quinta Inn & Suites Des Moines West Clive. Like almost all La Quinta locations, this place allows puppies with some restrictions. Find details here.
Another great destination for pet-friendly walks is St. Head outdoors to the Ellen Clark Sculpture Park and Dog Park for a glimpse of the St. John’s University campus. You should also add the iconic Gateway Arch National Park for some fun and very beautiful photos!
Head to The Boathouse in Forest Park for American-style dining on a dog-friendly patio. If you’re looking for more variety on your menu, try Tom Avenue Grill for the largest dog-friendly patio around.
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Add Kansas City to your vacation checklist for a Midwest road trip. You and your dog can catch a movie at the Boulevard Drive-In Theater or go for a walk at Shawnee Mission’s off-leash dog park.
You can’t leave Kansas without trying KC BBQ. Woodyard Bar-B-Que has tons of great KC-style options, and a dog-friendly patio perfect for you and your pup to dine together.
Our pick for dog-friendly lodging: Residence Inn Kansas City at Legenda is a comfortable stay that allows 2 pets (max. 50 pounds) for a fee of $150 per room.
If you’re looking for some history on your dog-friendly road trip, Omaha is a great place to stop. Memorial Park features trails and monuments honoring fallen soldiers from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Then head to the Omaha Dog Bar, where your dog will have the opportunity to socialize with many other dogs while enjoying the “bar” of dog treats.
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J. Coco is a great place to unwind from a busy day and enjoy a nice meal or dinner on your patio with your friends. They offer great organic food and let your pup know how cute he is (even if he already knows).
Our pick for a dog-friendly stay: Element Omaha Midtown Crossing is an affordable hotel with great amenities, including pet-friendly accommodations.
Rapid City is one of the Midwest’s great, often overlooked gems. When in town, stop under the construction of the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is ten times larger than Mount Rushmore and will be one of the tallest monuments in the world when completed. You will enjoy short hikes, spectacular views, and Native American heritage of the Midwest.
Consider some drool-worthy eats at Murphy’s Pub and Grill’s spacious and beautiful patio.
