Plan a great North American getaway with your pet

Any pet owners out there will know that leaving them behind can be the hardest part of going away on holiday, which is why many travellers choose to venture to places the entire family can visit. The USA’s varied landscapes and cities mean there’s no shortage of pet-friendly getaway destinations to choose from – and we’ve picked four of the best.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Maine – the USA’s most northeasterly state – has a rugged, lighthouse-filled landscape that serves as a wonderful choice for those in search of bountiful nature while travelling with pets. The town of Bar Harbor is a great place to start as the gateway to Acadia National Park, notable not only for its wild, maritime scenery but also for its dog-friendliness. Much of the park requires you to keep your dog on a lead but the range of hiking options and views on offer means this will feel like a small concession. And just outside the park’s borders you’ll find the 1,000-acre Little Long Pond, an off-lead area where your pets can race freely along wooded paths, through sleepy meadows and splash around in crystal-clear ponds. After an exhilarating day outdoors, spend the night at one of the area’s pet-friendly campsites, including Blackwoods, Seawall and Schoodic Woods. When it comes to dining out with pet in tow, Bar Harbor has plenty of canine-loving local restaurants; opt for an al fresco meal with bay views on the lawn of Jordan Pond House, or an oceanfront dinner at the pet-friendly Stewman’s Lobster Pound in Downtown Bar Harbor. Quimby House Inn & Spa is a particularly animal-loving place to stay.

Austin, Texas

Austin’s alternative, open-minded ethos also extends to pets, since the city is filled with both dog-friendly parks and urban activities. Chart a course straight to the Red Bud Isle Park, a quiet island on the Colorado River outside of the city centre where you’ll often find pups paddling in the blue-green waters. Go for a swim and work up an appetite before heading across town to the neighbourhood of Westgate and the Groovy Dog Bakery, which whips up a range of healthy treats suitable for pets, including the CinnaBone, BarkBQue and PeaMutt Butter biscuits. For owners who need refuelling too, there’s the Dog House Drinkery & Dog Park, with a laid-back bar, picnic tables and plenty of space for pets to roam. But pet-friendly Austin isn’t all parks and recreation; if you’re visiting in the summertime, you can take your dog on a kayak tour and catch a glimpse of the world’s largest urban bat colony under Congress Avenue Bridge. Or your dog can join you at a yoga class at Austin Doga. Retreat back to Aloft Austin Northwest, where a complimentary bag of doggy treats and toys will be waiting.

Asheville, North Carolina

The city of Asheville may be better known for its art scene than as a dog-friendly travel destination but it’s a very worthy choice for getaways with pets. Located beside the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s a city that’s both culturally cool and naturally blessed thanks to its inky Blue Ridge Mountains backdrop. Begin your visit with a trundle through town via the Urban Trail – a tour of the city’s art deco architecture with stop-offs at the Three Dog Bakery and a microbrewery (Asheville’s is dubbed ‘Beer City’ due to its many microbreweries). The highlight of any visit here, however, is Biltmore House – the largest privately owned home in the USA. Explore this 8000-acre estate and gaze longingly at its Loire Valley-inspired homestead. Head back to the Grand Bohemian Hotel after a day out, and get up early the next morning for a trip to the nearby Pisgah National Forest.

Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City has a wealth of options for pet owners looking for an urban escape. Other than being home to a range of excellent dog parks (Wiggly Field Dog Park is a playful derivation of the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field stadium), Chicago puts on novel events such as Bark in the Park, a baseball event where dogs can join you in cheering on the Chicago White Sox (you may even have a better chance at catching a foul ball). Sports games aside, the spacious Montrose Beach is dog-friendly and a lovely way to take in the city’s skyline. While you’re out and about, see if you can chase down the city’s Fido Dog Truck, which specialises in ice cream and treats made for dogs – perfect for enjoying on the Seadog Cruise along Lake Michigan or at one of the city’s patio cafés. Spend the night at the endlessly stylish Ace Hotel.