Doggy Getaway: Asheville, NC

If you’re looking for an easy dog-friendly getaway, you can’t get much more dog-friendly than Asheville, North Carolina. I took my two pups for a quick weekend trip and everywhere we went we were greeted with friendly faces. In addition to an endless amount of hiking opportunities the city also boasts dog-friendly dining, breweries, and shopping!

Hiking

It would be impossible to list all of the hiking options, but here are a few highlights:

nc-arboretumNC ArboretumThe Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. You won’t get those spectacular mountain views, but the natural scenery is beautiful and when the gardens are in bloom it is amazing.

Graveyard FieldsWhen you ask a local for hiking suggestions, this is usually at the top of the list. It’s about an hour outside of Asheville, but worth the drive. The three mile hike includes waterfalls, meadows, and, when in season, blueberry picking!

The Appalachian TrailIf you’re looking for a challenging, day-long hike, the AT offers plenty of options.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HIKING OPTIONS.

Dining

There is no shortage of outdoor dining options in Asheville and most of those patios are dog-friendly.

Mellow Mushroom The Mellow Mushroom is well-known for being dog-friendly in any city. It’s in a great spot for people watching while enjoying some casual food.

131 MainLooking for something upscale that will also cater to your pooch? 131 Main will satisfy the foodie in you. As an added bonus, there are heaters on the patio for cooler weather.

The CantinaCraving Mexican food? Or maybe tequila? This spot in historic Biltmore Village has a large patio to accommodate you and your four-legged friend.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DINING OPTIONS.

Shopping

Any pet owner knows it’s tough to do any serious shopping with your dog in tow, but if you’re just browsing or looking to pick up a few things, Asheville has more than it’s share of dog-friendly shopping.

Asheville Outlets…There are over 70 retailers and restaurants and most of them will allow your dog inside. As an added bonus, there’s a special dog area with a water fountain and grass.

Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar…Books by the thousands and wine by the glass. Need we say more?

Woof Gang Bakery…Of course this doggy utopia welcomes dogs! Find everything from dog treats and toys to leashes and dog-themed gifts along with a very friendly staff.

Breweries

No trip to Asheville would be complete without visiting at least one brewery. This city boasts more breweries per capita than any other city in the entire United States! Most of these breweries are dog-friendly but we have to give a special shout out to Green Man Brewery for being super accommodating as well as having an incredibly friendly staff!

Accommodations

Whether you’re looking for a hotel, a bed and breakfast, or a cabin in the woods, Asheville offers plenty of places for you to stay with your dog.

For a list of pet-friendly accommodations, click here.

There are also many pet-friendly options on Airbnb. My pack and I stayed at a very special Airbnb listing about 30 minutes outside of Asheville. The hosts were phenomenal and very welcoming of both of my large dogs. As an added bonus, there are great hiking trails on the property that your pooch can explore leash free!