Dog-Friendly Travel

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Take a road trip with your pet to the multitude of dog-friendly spots in Michigan. When it comes to road trips, Michigan is a dog owner’s best friend. Bring the pooch to an array of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and hiking trails, plus a parade with dogs in costumes. 

Four-legged sleepovers 
Snuggle up in the pet-friendly hot-tub suites of Straits Lodge at Mission Point Resort, which overlooks the bluffs of Mackinac Island. The resort’s expansive front lawn facing Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac allows plenty of room for fetch or catch. Afterward, relax in one of the Adirondack chairs.
 
More stays that allow dogs: Barefoot Beach Resort, Oscoda; Candlelite Inn Bed & Breakfast, Ludington; Dapple-Gray Bed & Breakfast, Eagle Harbor.
 
Doggie dinner guests 
Your canine pal can loll at your feet while you dive into one of 16 craft beers available on tap at The Livery in Benton Harbor’s outdoor beer garden. The Upper Livery is an entertainment venue that regularly hosts live music. If you’re hungry, try a spent-grain pizza, the Cap’n Bones Rockstar BLT pizza is, well, a rockstar.
 
More dining with dog-friendly space: Art’s Tavern, Glen Arbor; Crane’s in the City, Holland; Julienne Tomatoes, Petoskey.
 
Roam with a view
Most state parks allow pets on leashes up to 6 feet long. And there’s plenty of room to walk on the 24 miles of Lake Superior shore at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula. The park near Ontonagon contains more than 25 trails, from flat and smooth to hilly and rugged.

Midwest Living Magazine

More great walks: Little Traverse Wheelway, Charlevoix to Harbor Springs; Michigan Legacy Art Park at Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville; Norman F. Kruse Park, Muskegon; Menominee River State Recreation Area, Norway.
 
Paw-some activities 
Fruit-loving owners and their canines are welcome at Tree-Menus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire. During harvest season, you can pick-your-own or purchase fresh-harvested fruits. Gather a group for a picnic at this 450-acre farm.
 
More dog-friendly attractions: Cherry Republic, Glen Arbor; Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners; Must Love Dogs Boutique & Spa, Grand Haven.

 

Midwest Living Magizine

DOG DAYS
Canines get their moment in the spotlight at these annual festivals.
 
DOG BOWL 2018 Frankenmuth, May
Pro-athlete pups leap into pools, catch flying discs and sprint through obstacle courses at the world’s largest Olympic-style event for dogs. Any pooch can enter the 25- and 50-yard fun runs.
 
WINE AND WAGS PARTY June
Bring your dog to navigate the agility course at Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery, or adopt a new companion at this fund-raiser for area shelters. Stick around for live music.
 
ALPENFEST Gaylord July 
Prizes go to the ugliest dog (it’s nothing personal) and to the best-dressed pooch in Friday’s pet parade at the town’s unofficial homecoming weekend.
 
NORTHPORT DOG PARADE  August
Join the throng of costumed canines parading through downtown to kick off the annual Northport Wine Festival.