Washington DC: Travel to a Dog-friendly City

by Michele C. Hollow

Washington DC: Travel to a Dog-friendly City

If you travel to Washington, D.C., you'll spot dogs doing everything from playing Frisbee on the lawn of the National Mall to dining at outdoor cafes and enjoying themselves at select hotels.

Two of my favorite dog-friendly hotels are Hotel Helix and The Liaison. The staff at Hotel Helix will equip you with a map of dog-friendly places. There are no weight or size restrictions. Upon my arrival with my pup, the staff upgraded our room, made sure there was a doggy bed and sent up yummy red velvet cupcakes.

When we walked into our room at The Liaison, we noticed a large offering of dog treats with a plate of pate. I had to stop my son from tasting it because it was dog food prepared by celebrity chef Art Smith, who worked as Oprah's personal chef.

Touring the Town

D.C. is a walking town -- especially around the National Mall (where most of the museums and many national monuments are located). We walked to the White House, walked past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, and stopped for a snack at a stand on the mall. Dogs are welcome at all of these places, but must stay behind when you go museum-hopping.

Nearby Excursions

Alexandria, a great town for walking, welcomes dogs at most shops and outdoor cafes. Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome at Hotel Monaco Alexandria.

Visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center with studios of 140 artists. Also nearby is the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, which was frequented by George and Martha Washington. The shop looks like it did in 1792, with 8,000 early medicinal herbs still in place.

Michele C. Hollow is a journalist and author who specializes in writing about animal welfare. Her blog, Pet News and Views, covers pet care, wildlife, and people who work with and on the behalf of animals.

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