From water bowls outside downtown shops to designated off-leash areas at parks, Washington is the perfect place for a dog-friendly getaway. Many destinations enthusiastically embrace dogs of all shapes and sizes. You’ll find leashed dogs are welcome on numerous trails in state and municipal parks, and countless breweries and restaurants have pet-friendly seating areas.When traveling with your canine companions, you’ll find plenty of lodging options to choose from, too.
Here are some great destinations for a dog-friendly vacation in Washington State.
City Trips
Seattle
Washington’s largest city, Seattle, is crazy for canines, with an impressive selection of welcoming parks, brewpubs, and restaurants. Several of the city’s green spaces have off-leash areas, including Magnuson Park, Golden Gardens Park, and Denny Park. City pups and their owners can also enjoy world-class art viewing at the outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park. The 9-acre park boasts a waterfront setting on Elliott Bay and features monumental artworks.
While restaurants with pet-friendly seating abound, the neighborhoods along the north side of the Lake Washington Ship Canal are especially popular for friends of Fido. Hangouts like Mean Sandwich and Reuben’s Brews in Ballard and Norm’s Kitchen & Bar in Fremont are popular options. And a bit north, overlooking the shore of rippling Green Lake, Bongos has a casual beach vibe, a pet-friendly sandpit with games, and tasty Caribbean fare.
Among the city’s many hotels that welcome four-legged guests, Kimpton’s three properties have long been pioneers in pet hospitality. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle welcomes dogs of all breeds and sizes with in-room water bowls, pet beds, and treats, and the concierge can arrange pet-sitting and dog-walking services.
Spokane
Lively, historic downtown Spokane is anchored by one of the best pet-welcoming urban greenspaces in the state: Riverfront Park. This 100-acre city oasis created for rhe Expo ‘74 World’s Fair boasts bridges and pathways overlooking dramatic Spokane Falls, perfect for an adventure with your pooch. Nearby Kendall Yards Night Market (held Wednesdays mid-May through September) welcomes shoppers and their pets, as do the fragrant botanical gardens of 90-acre Manito Park.
Wine lovers can bring their dogs to a few different wineries, including Barrister Winery in the Cork District and Latah Creek Wine Cellars in nearby Spokane Valley. Bark, a Rescue Pub, partners with the local Humane Society to help match rescue pups and kitties with new owners. Stop in to visit with sweet adoptable animals while enjoying tasty sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards, and cocktails and local beers.
You and your pup can rest your heads at the stately Historic Davenport Hotel, which was built in 1914. This distinguished member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection warmly welcomes guests with dogs.
Vancouver
With miles of pet-friendly trails alongside the Columbia River, including the tree-shaded Waterfront Renaissance Trail and beautifully designed Waterfront district, vibrant Vancouver is a terrific base for an urban dog-friendly getaway with access to outdoor recreation. The city itself has numerous parks and walkways popular with folks who have four-legged friends, including downtown’s Esther Short Park and nearby Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Although pets aren’t permitted inside the building, leashed dogs are welcome for walks along Officers Row and the site’s parklike fields.
In the city’s upbeat Uptown Village neighborhood, Trap Door Brewing is a great spot for sipping ales and noshing on delicious pub fare alongside your trusty canine companion, as is downtown’s Locust Cider taproom. And at the Vancouver Waterfront, you’ll find a bounty of restaurants and winery tasting rooms with pet-welcoming patios, including Ruse Brewing & Crust Collective for pizza and beer and Airfield Estates Winery for acclaimed Washington wine.
Spend a comfy night with your dog at the Heathman Lodge, with its airy rooms with hardwood floors and a small but dedicated leash-free outdoor area for walking and playing.
Bellingham
With its compact and walkable downtown, enchanting Fairhaven historic district, plus easy access to beautiful beaches and verdant woodlands, the friendly collegiate city of Bellingham is ideal for a pet-friendly vacation in Washington. This is one of Washington’s premier craft beer destinations, and several popular local brewpubs have canine-friendly decks or patios, including Aslan, Kulshan, Wander, and Gruff; you can also bring your dog with you to play mini golf and other games at Flatstick Pub.
For outdoor fun, many parks and trails include off-leash sections and dog-friendly areas, including scenic Lake Padden and Whatcom Falls Park. Leashed pets are welcome to join their owners on anything from a short ramble to an arduous hike at Larrabee State Park, with its sunset views of the Salish Sea.
For a meal overlooking Bellingham Bay, bring your pup to the patio at Bellingham Cider Company, which turns out contemporary Pacific Northwestern fare and house-made ciders. Rest comfortably at the hip Heliotrope Hotel, a stylishly converted mid-century modern property with large rooms, a well-lighted pet-walking area, and grain-free treats and food and water bowls.
Small-Town Getaways
Walla Walla
Plenty of vintners in Walla Walla tout their affection for canine guests, including Balboa Winery, Foundry Vineyards, and Amavi Cellars, which even provides treats and water bowls in its outdoor dining areas. Fans of well-crafted beer should head to Burwood Brewing for a pint; you can bring your own pup or play with the resident labradoodles, Lola and Molly.
In this town known for its terrific restaurants, you’ll also find several first-rate spots with pet-friendly seating, including AK’s Mercado, Colville Street Patisserie, and Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, which has a lovely covered patio and serves flavorful Mediterranean fare. Spend your evenings at The Finch, a sleek and airy updated late 1960s motel with 80 whimsically designed rooms, an imaginatively curated contemporary art collection, and a welcoming pet policy.
Leavenworth
Dogs can bark it up Bavarian style in Leavenworth, where Waterfront Park offers a trail full of interesting scents along the Wenatchee River, and leashed dogs are welcome on many of the area’s scenic hikes, including the Icicle Ridge Trail and the Peshastin Pinnacles Loop.
After working up an appetite, head to München Haus’s festive beer garden—you’ll find covered outdoor seating, cold beer, and hot brats—which seems to have a dog at every table. With its pool, hot tub, and day spa, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort offers plenty of creature comforts for humans and dogs—perks include pet food and water bowls, treats, and plush dog beds.
Port Townsend
The historic waterfront town of Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula is one of the most inviting dog-friendly vacation spots in Washington. The bustling, compact downtown is perfect for puppy strolls, with many of the boutiques and cafes providing water bowls on the sidewalk. You’ll also find a number of green spaces where dogs can frolic, including Mountain View Dog Park and the small off-leash area at beautiful Chetzemoka Park, which is perched on a tree-shaded bluff overlooking the Salish Sea. You can also bring your leashed pets to explore the fascinating military buildings and seaside trails and beaches at Fort Worden Historical State Park.
Enjoy colorful cocktails, Hawaiian-inspired gastropub fare, and a dog-welcoming deck with awesome water views at Quench Waterfront Kitchen & Bar. And bring your pup for an overnight stay at the charming, intimate Swan Hotel, which has rooms and cottages steps from salty-aired Point Hudson Marina.
Outside of Port Townsend, you’ll find plenty of other communities and destinations throughout the Olympic Peninsula that welcome pets. Explore coastal beaches and state parks or take a hike in the Olympic National Forest. Download a handy map and explore more dog-friendly destinations here. The peninsula is the perfect place to embark on a road trip with your four-legged friend.
Travel Tip: If you’re getting to Port Townsend by ferry, keep in mind that pets are welcome on Washington State Ferries (although they must remain in your car or on a leash on an exterior deck; they’re permitted in interior passenger areas only in a carrier). If you’re planning to visit Olympic National Park, please read the park’s BARK guidelines.
Outdoorsy Adventures
Long Beach Peninsula
With its miles of wide, sandy beaches (where leashed dogs can frolik) and many pet-friendly hotels and vacation rentals, the Long Beach Peninsula makes an excellent dog-friendly getaways in Washington. Stroll with your furry friend along the seaside Discovery Trail or hike along the spectacular oceanfront trails of Cape Disappointment State Park.
Several pubs and restaurants on the pninsula and along the Columbia River in Ilwaco welcome dogs, including Cove Restaurant at the acclaimed Peninsula Golf Course, which offers its very own “patio pup” menu. Just steps from the beach, the hip and homey Adrift Hotel & Spa allows pooches (no breed or size restrictions) in all of its smartly appointed rooms.
Columbia River Gorge
This scenic corridor of the Columbia River boasts jaw-dropping scenery, hiking trails, and local wine. Wine connoisseurs traveling with their pups can stop into dog-friendly tasting rooms such as AniChe Cellars, Hawkins Cellars in Underwood, Domaine Pouillon Winery in Lyle, Jacob Williams Winery in Wishram, and Maryhill Winery in Goldendale. For dining, Clark and Lewie’s is a laid-back, pup-friendly spot in Stevenson with fantastic views of the river and a big patio, and Walking Man Brewing has a dog-welcoming patio.
Most of the dramatic hikes in the Gorge are suitable for leashed dogs, including Hamilton Mountain at Beacon Rock State Park, Catherine Creek Recreation Area, and—naturally—Dog Mountain, which requires permits for weekends during the busy spring wildflower season. And on the famed Coyote Wall trails, you only need to leash your dogs from December through June.
With its tranquil woodland setting and myriad activities and amenities, Skamania Lodge is a wonderful resort to overnight with canine companions.
Related: Dog-Friendly Gorge Road Trip
Methow Valley
Just east of the North Cascades, the towns of Mazama, Winthrop, Twisp, and Carlton invite pups and their people to enjoy year-round fun in the Methow Valley. You won’t have to leave your pooch behind during winter; three non-motorized Sno-Parks within the Mount Baker and Methow area—Canyon Creek, Glacier Creek, and Mount Baker NRA—have dog-friendly trails. Bonus: There’s a good chance of seeing a dogsled team. The Methow Trails System offers another 130 miles of groomed, dog-friendly snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, many of them open during the warmer months for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking.
After getting some exercise, fuel up on the seasonal patio of pet-friendly East 20 Pizza, which serves up a variety of pies with ifun toppings. The Patterson Lake Cabins at Sun Mountain Lodge are outfitted with porches, full kitchens, and fireplaces—perfect for a relaxing retreat.
Whidbey Island
Just a short ferry ride from the Metro Puget Sound region, Whidbey Island feels utterly relaxing, with its breezy beaches, hidden coves, and charming small towns. Sip local beers at dog-friendly Penn Cove Brewing, which has locations in Freeland and Coupeville. The fittingly named Spoiled Dog Winery is another pleasing spot for you and your dog to relax. One of top places to sample the island’s famed Penn Cove mussels is the pet-friendly deck of Saltwalter Fish House and Oyster Bar in Langley.
For recreation, Patmore Pit and Marguerite Brons Memorial Park offer large fenced-in spaces where pups can roam off leash, and stunning Double Bluff Beach also has an off-leash policy and is often named among the best beaches for dogs on the West Coast. At glorious Deception Pass State Park, you can bring your pet on a leashed trek among 38 miles of rugged trails.
Overlooking a scenic waterway that often attracts whales, the historic Captain Whidbey Inn offers eco-chic rooms and cabins, some of which are dog friendly.
About the Author
Freelance editor and writer Andrew Collins is based in Mexico City but returns frequently to the Pacific Northwest, where he is the editor of both the official Washington State Visitors’ Guide and the Visit Seattle Official Visitors’ Guide. He regularly updates several Washington chapters of the Fodor’s Pacific Northwest guidebook and is the author of Ultimate Road Trips US and Canada. Collins writes about travel for The Points Guy and several other publications. You can read his work at AndrewsTraveling.com.