PAWsome Dog-Friendly Adventures

If you love traveling with your four-legged children, you have to plan ahead to make sure you stop at places where they are welcome. Good thing we've done the planning for you! Read on for a roundup of businesses and places of interest that welcome fur babies as well as people.

Basic City Beer Co.

Basic City Beer Co. offers a chance to kick back and have a beer with Fido, as long as he’s on a leash. You’ll enjoy a range of tasty craft beers as well as bistro-style sandwiches and Billy Pie brick oven pizza. Basic City has lots of room to spread out, both inside and out, and the tap room is close to downtown Waynesboro, Constitution Park, and the Greenway, all nice places to stroll with your dog.

Seven Arrows Brewing

Another good spot to taste craft beer is the taproom or deck at Seven Arrows Brewing. Select from 12 beers on tap and enjoy upscale pub fare from onsite Nobos Kitchen. Dogs are welcome inside and out.

Barren Ridge

Take a short drive into Augusta County to find Barren Ridge Vineyards. As long as there are no ticketed events happening, leashed dogs are welcome to check out the incredible view of the vineyards and distant mountains while their owners enjoy their favorite wine by the glass or bottle or sample a flight of different varietals.

Ice Cream

Do you and your pooch enjoy sharing a cold treat? Both Kline's Dairy Bar and Willy’s Ice Cream have pet-friendly outdoor tables where you can share a cone and a pup cup with your furry pal. Kline’s makes fresh and delicious custard-style ice cream every morning using a time-consuming (but worth it!) production method called “continuous freeze,” which reduces the air incorporated into the ice cream and results in a denser, creamier product. Chocolate and vanilla are always on the menu as well as a weekly special flavor (or two). Willy’s is known for their delicious, classic soft serve, as well as specialty desserts such as a banana split or brownie supreme. Check out their Facebook page on Fridays to see the weekly “Friday Favorite,” then head to Willy’s to receive 10% off of that special treat.

Dog Friendly Hotels

Making your dog stay in the kennel when you travel can be really sad for both of you. Why not spare the heartbreak and bring Fido along? While many hotels allow pets, they may charge additional fees and limit the size of your pack. Waynesboro’s pet-friendly accommodations are all within easy driving access of downtown and other attractions. They include Best Western Plus, which allows dogs up to 80 pounds in its pet-friendly rooms and features an outside area with baggies ($15/day). The Comfort Inn also allows dogs, but limits them to 25 pounds ($20/pet fee); the Days Inn allows dogs (two-pet limit, $15/pet); and for extended stays, the Residence Inn allows dogs, cats, or birds (two-pet limit, $100/stay, 50 pound maximum).

Waynesboro Parks

Leashed dogs are welcome in the Waynesboro parks, and the trails in Ridgeview Park as well as the Greenway offer lots of distance to stretch your legs. The crown jewel for the off-leash crowd, however, is Coyner Springs Park, which includes a large, dedicated area for dogs to romp off leash. This 145-acre park features a large open area for off-leash fun. It should be noted, however, that this area is not fenced. There’s also a large section of the park that is wooded with trails (dogs must remain leashed here) and lots of water (and mud) for romping.

National Parks and Forests

Shenandoah National Park is one of the few national parks allowing pets on most of its trails. In fact, as long as Rex is up-to-date on his shots, stays on a leash, and you stay responsible, he is allowed to hike nearly 500 miles of trail as well as in campgrounds! Make sure you provide drinking water, pack out his waste, and check him for ticks when you finish. Dogs must be leashed in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest while on the hiking trails, but may be released in undeveloped areas.

If you’re thinking of getting a pet (or fostering one!), check out the Augusta Regional SPCA, Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center, or Augusta Dog Adoptions.

Always make sure your dog is leashed and well-behaved when you take it in public. Dogs must be vaccinated and licensed.