Spending time in nature and around animals brings tremendous joy to many people, and Virginia is a wonderful destination for animal lovers.
Virginia’s pet-friendly culture is widely seen from its large offerings of pet-friendly accommodations and amenities to allowing pet owners to bring their dogs with them to various attractions throughout its regions.
It is an increasingly common sight to glimpse dogs accompanying their owners in outdoor spaces of restaurants, wineries and breweries in the Commonwealth. Colonial Williamsburg is a pet-friendly area where dogs are frequently spotted in Merchants Square walking along downtown streets with their owners and enjoying a meal together on an outdoor patio. Dog sightings are also commonplace throughout Norfolk, where you regularly see dogs on the grounds of breweries and bowls filled with water left outside of local shops in case the area’s four-legged friends get thirsty.
Why not take a scenic drive and let your pets soak in the extraordinary views of the Virginia wine country? There are currently over 280 wineries across the Commonwealth, and while nearly all of them are pet-friendly, establishments such as Chateau Morrisette, Hill Top Berry Farm and Peaks of Otter Winery—all of which are located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains—go above and beyond for furry companions.
Dogs are also permitted in many Virginia parks and attractions, however, owners will need to adhere to leash rules. Prepare a picnic and bring your dog, and roam the grounds at George Mason’s Gunston Hall, which is set on 550 acres with scenic hiking trails. Or enjoy a beach vacation with your pup in tow. Virginia offers several dog-friendly beaches perfect for four-legged friends, including Cape Charles Beach on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, York River State Park in Williamsburg and more. When making plans, be sure to check with the local beaches for rules and regulations before packing up the dog.
Head to Bear Creek Lake State Park, west of Richmond, for a fun-filled day of outdoor recreational activities or explore the Shenandoah Valley region by visiting Shenandoah National Park or Natural Bridge State Park with your dog by your side. For a pet-friendly campground, check out Natural Bridge/Lexington Koa, which offers a variety of lodging options and amenities.
Not limited to just campgrounds, Virginia offers a large selection of pet-friendly accommodations including hotels, cabins and even boutique hotels across the state, like the Graduate in Richmond and in Charlottesville, so you can explore different cities with your furry friends.
With so many places to go and stay, animal lovers will feel right at home in Virginia.
Author: VisitVirginia
