Do you hate leaving your loyal four-pawed companion with a dog sitter? The next time you’re ready for an escape during the dog days of summer, pack up the pup to join in on the fun. This two-day trip is built around pet-friendly places to visit, eat, and stay that promise a tail-wagging good time.
Day 1: Morning
After a few hours in the car, your dog will likely be ready for a run by the time you reach the Point Pelee area. Stop by Hillman Marsh and explore the 4.5-km Marsh Trail.
Then, make your way to Kingsville to catch the ferry to Pelee Island. Once you’re on the Island (it’s about a 1.5-hour ride), enjoy a pre-booked Island Explorer Experience offered by Pelee Island Adventures. Please be sure to inform Pelee Island Adventures that you intend to bring your dog on this experience so that they can brief you on their safety requirements for using the golf carts with your dog.
After a craft beer tasting, you’ll pick up a four-passenger golf cart and a packed picnic lunch and explore the Island at your leisure. After dinner on the dog-friendly patio at Stone House 1891, you can take the 8 pm ferry back to the mainland or choose to call it a night at The Wandering Dog Inn. Note there is currently one pet-friendly room so be sure to book ahead.
If you choose to return to the mainland that evening, choose from one of the excellent dog-friendly accommodation options in the area:
- Lungovita Beach Retreat, in Essex, is a glamping retreat with geodesic domes and bell tents, as well as hot tubs and saunas, a swimming pool, bonfire pits and more.
- The Walnut Grove Bed and Breakfast, in Harrow, is a country home with a beautiful pool and gorgeous rooms.
- The Grove Hotel, in Kingsville, is a hip hotel with its own on-site craft brewery.
- The soon-to-be-opened Grove Motel, in Colchester, is sure to be retro-cool and very fun.
- The pet-friendly oTENTiks at Point Pelee National Park are an affordable option that take camping to the next level.
Day 2: Morning
If you stayed in Point Pelee for the night, take the first ferry back to the mainland.
If you spent the night on the mainland, enjoy breakfast where you’ve stayed and start off your morning with a nice long hike. The following parks and conservation areas welcome dogs on leashes. We ask you to keep your dog on a leash because these protected areas feature a variety of habitats. An excited pup may want to wander but it’s important to keep them on the designated trails for both their safety and that of other wild life.
- Chrysler Canada Greenway – With 50 km of off-road nature trails, the Greenway has many different hiking options, but the Schwab Farms Community entrance will take you to some of Ontario’s richest agricultural lands and beautiful Carolinian forests.
- Holiday Beach Conservation Area is filled with scents to enrich a hike with your dog!
- Point Pelee National Park – If you’re travelling with kids, download the Parka Photo Missions app and turn your dog walk through the park into a fun photo scavenger hunt!
Day 2: Afternoon
A lunch and beverage tasting experience is an enjoyable way to bring your dog along for an activity, and there are plenty of pup-friendly purveyors in the area:
- The owners of Beerded Dog Brewing Co. in Harrow are such huge supporters of rescue dogs that it inspired their business name.
- Wolfhead Distillery, in Amherstburg, has a huge dog-friendly outdoor patio, and the servers are happy to bring a water bowl to your table.
- GL Heritage Brewing Company, also in Amherstburg, is a dog-friendly space.
- In Windsor, Chapter Two Brewing, Frank Brewing Co., Sandwich Brewing Co. and Walkerville Brewery all welcome four-legged friends.
- Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery welcomes dogs into the winery and for walks along the winery’s waterfront. The winery also sells dog treats and novelty items.
If you were on the mainland for your first night, consider staying a second night at the same place to minimize pet cleaning fees. If you stayed on Pelee Island on your first night, choose from one of the excellent dog-friendly accommodation mentioned above.
For your evening activity, take a stroll around the friendly town of Leamington. If you’ve timed your trip right, you may even get to enjoy one of the many free summer concerts at the SUNSET Amphitheatre. While you’re in town, enjoy dinner on another dog-friendly patio, like Freddy’s or Cured Craft Brewing Co..
Day 3: Morning
If you have time for one more fun activity before hitting the highway back home, treat your pooch to a paddleboard experience on Lake St. Clair. Urban Surf allows dogs to tag along and sit on their rental boards.
