Doggie Days Out
Man’s best friend deserves a summertime adventure as much as we do. If you’re thinking of traveling to Rhode Island and plan to have your fur babies in tow, here’s a few things you can do to make sure they enjoy vacation as much as you do.
Paddle with your pup on Saturday mornings with East Coast Paddle Sports in Wakefield. Experienced instructors lead a pet-friendly paddling course and offer a new and exciting adventure for your furry friend! Beginning with land training, paddlers learn the fundamentals for safely paddling with their dogs. Once paddlers and pups are comfortable, venture out and explore Point Judith Pond with the group and embrace the cuteness overload of this doggy paddle party.
Catch a flick at the Rustic Tri Vue Drive-In in North Smithfield and experience the nostalgic atmosphere of this 3-screen seasonal complex with your pooch by your side. Each screen offers a double feature and is priced per carload, not per person, so bring your friends and family for an affordable night out. The state’s last standing drive-in, this outdoor theater is open April through October.
Dog-friendly beaches dot the state’s coast and make for a great day for the entire family. Block Island allows leashed dogs on all of their beaches year-round. Visiting in the off-season for humans? Well, it’s dog season on state beaches, with leashed friends welcome from October 1st to March 31st.
If your pup likes to "go for a ride" try this outdoor adventure and recreation; ride the Rail Explorers and enjoy the stunning views!
Pups in Parks and Other Places
Looking to enjoy a pint with your pup? Check out Ragged Island Brewing Company in Portsmouth. This group of friends turned Brewmasters opened their doors in 2017 and immediately outgrew their brewhouse thanks to customer demand. Their new, expanded space in the Taproom allows for friends (furry or otherwise), family, and great beer to join forces five nights a week (Wednesday through Sunday) and offers a diverse menu to appease any beer-lovers palette. With exciting plans in motion to expand to a new space on Aquidneck Island, Ragged Island Brewing will soon become an agricultural, community-focused destination with even more space for you and your pooch to roam.
If a leisurely stroll is more appealing, Rhode Island offers a variety of beautiful walking trails and parks where you and your pup can get some steps in. Lincoln Woods State Park has great natural trails to explore or, for the smaller pups, stick to the main through the park where it is nicely paved and easy to walk. Head further south to Goddard Memorial State Park to enjoy one of the state’s most popular parks with spacious lawns and fields to run and play on and shaded trails to hike.
Traveling with pets in tow can sometimes seem like an arduous task, but not here in the Ocean State. There is plenty to see and do, with tons of options for pet-friendly lodging. Make it a vacation to remember with the entire family, and don’t forget to spoil your travel companion with lots of treats along the way.
