How These 5 Cities Are Redefining Pet-Friendly Travel in 2025
Remember when traveling with pets meant limited options and constant compromise? Those days are gone!
Across America, our furry friends are no longer just allowed but enthusiastically welcomed as legitimate travel companions. If you’ve been hitting the road with your four-legged family members lately, you’ve probably noticed the change: pet-friendly no longer means “we’ll tolerate your dog.”
In 2025, the best destinations are creating experiences designed with both you AND your pet in mind. After digging through mountains of data on everything from dog parks to pet-friendly patios, we’ve identified five cities are rolling out the red carpet for pets.
These innovative destinations are completely reimagining what pet travel can be and solidifying their status as the new gold standard.
1. Portland, Oregon: The Pet-Friendly Pioneer
Portland has consistently ranked among America’s most pet-friendly cities, but recent initiatives have cemented its position at the top for 2025.
What Makes Portland Stand Out:
- Access to Green Spaces: Portland boasts 33.3 dog parks per 100,000 residents, the highest ratio in the nation according to The Trust for Public Land's 2024 ParkScore Index.
- Pet-Friendly Businesses: A 2024 survey by the Portland Business Alliance found that 76% of downtown Portland businesses welcome pets, compared to the national urban average of 43%.
- Portland Pup Pass: Launched in January 2025, this city program provides visitors with a digital passport to access discounts at over 200 pet-friendly establishments, including restaurants, shops, and attractions.
- Transportation Solutions: Portland's TriMet public transportation system expanded its pet-friendly policies in late 2024, allowing leashed pets on all forms of public transit without carrier requirements during off-peak hours.
Book your Portland getaway on Whimstay here
2. Austin, Texas: The Southern Pet Paradise
Austin has transformed its already strong pet culture into a comprehensive travel experience that capitalizes on outdoor recreation and a booming pet-friendly hospitality sector.
What Makes Austin Stand Out:
- Pet-Friendly Accommodations: According to Booking.com's 2024 Travel Trends Report, Austin leads the nation with 68% of its hotels and lodging options offering pet-friendly rooms, compared to the national average of 41%.
- Off-Leash Recreation: Austin maintains 15 designated off-leash areas within city limits, including the renowned 275-acre Red Bud Isle peninsula, giving it the highest acreage of off-leash areas per capita among major U.S. cities.
- "Paws on Patios" Program: This city-sponsored certification program, which began in 2023 and expanded in 2025, has certified over 350 restaurants with pet-friendly outdoor dining areas that meet enhanced health and safety standards.
- Pet-Centric Events: The city hosts more than 40 annual pet-focused events, including the internationally recognized "Mighty Texas Dog Walk," which attracts over 10,000 participants annually.
Book your Austin getaway on Whimstay here
3. San Diego, California: Coastal Pet Paradise
San Diego leverages its perfect climate and coastal location to create an unparalleled outdoor pet-friendly destination with innovative beach access policies.
What Makes San Diego Stand Out:
- Beach Access: San Diego County features 8 designated dog beaches with year-round access, more than any other coastal county in the United States.
- Dog-Friendly Dining: According to a 2024 analysis by OpenTable, San Diego has the highest percentage (54%) of restaurants with pet-friendly outdoor seating among major U.S. cities.
- Pet-Friendly Transportation: The 2025 introduction of the "Paws Aboard" program allows pets on all harbor cruises and water taxis, making San Diego's waterfront fully accessible to pet travelers.
- Veterinary Access for Travelers: San Diego's "VetConnect" program, launched in 2024, partners with 28 veterinary clinics to provide emergency and non-emergency care for traveling pets, with a dedicated hotline for tourists.
Book your San Diego getaway on Whimstay here
4. Denver, Colorado: Mountain Adventure Hub for Pets
Denver has leveraged its proximity to outdoor recreation and implemented progressive urban policies to become a pet travel destination that seamlessly blends city amenities with mountain adventures.
What Makes Denver Stand Out:
- Pet-Friendly Hiking Trails: Within a 30-mile radius of downtown Denver, there are 142 pet-friendly hiking trails, more than any other major metropolitan area in the U.S.
- Altitude Acclimation Resources: Denver has pioneered resources for pets visiting from lower elevations, with the 2025 "Mile High Paws" program offering free altitude acclimation guidance and emergency veterinary support for traveling pets.
- Winter Pet Provisions: The city's "Winter Paws" initiative provides pet-friendly winter gear rentals and guidance for visitors unfamiliar with cold weather pet care, serving over 5,000 visiting pets in its first year.
- Pet-Friendly Breweries: A unique aspect of Denver's pet culture is its 47 dog-friendly breweries with designated pet areas, the highest number of any U.S. city according to the Brewers Association.
Book your Denver getaway on Whimstay here
5. Boston, Massachusetts: Historic Charm Meets Modern Pet Accommodation
Boston has transformed its historic landscape into a surprisingly accessible pet destination through policy changes and infrastructure investments.
What Makes Boston Stand Out:
- Historic Site Access: Boston's "Paws Through History" program, launched in 2024, allows leashed pets at 14 historical sites previously off-limits to animals, creating the most pet-accessible historical tour experience in the country.
- Public Transit Accommodation: The MBTA's 2023 policy change allowing pets in carriers on all forms of public transit was expanded in early 2025 to include a "Pet Transit Pass" option for regular travelers.
- Winter Weather Solutions: Boston leads in cold-weather pet accommodations with 76% of hotels offering indoor pet relief areas, compared to the national average of 27% in cold-weather cities (American Hotel & Lodging Association, 2024).
- University Partnerships: Seven Boston-area universities have opened their campus grounds to leashed visitors' pets and created designated pet-friendly study spaces, creating a unique "educational tourism" opportunity for pet owners.
Book your Boston getaway on Whimstay here
How These Cities Are Changing the Game for Pet-Friendly Travel
These five cities are actively designing travel experiences with pets in mind. The common threads among these approaches include:
- Integration of pets into public infrastructure and transportation.
- Recognition of pets as legitimate travelers with specific needs.
- Business community buy-in through certification and incentive programs.
- Preparation for emergencies and pet health situations.
- Seasonal accommodations that address climate-specific challenges.
If you and your furry companion are ready to hit the road together, these five cities offer experiences where neither of you will feel like an afterthought. Whether your pet loves splashing in the ocean in San Diego, hiking mountain trails in Denver, or exploring historic sites in Boston, there’s a destination perfectly suited to their (and your) preferences.
Remember to research specific pet policies before you go, as weight limits, breed restrictions, or additional fees may still apply at individual establishments even in these pet-friendly havens. Consider calling ahead to confirm the most current pet policies, especially for attractions you don’t want to miss. Pack your pet’s essentials, including medical records, familiar bedding, and favorite toys to help them adjust to new surroundings.
Most importantly, as these cities have demonstrated, you no longer need to compromise on your travel experiences just because your best friend has four legs.
With some planning and the right destination, your next adventure can be the most memorable yet—for everyone in your family, regardless of species.
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