Vacations are better when we can bring along our furry family members, and Bryson City offers plenty of great dog-friendly activities. Here are some of our top nearby dog-friendly recommendations:
Lunch on the town. Many local restaurants welcome pets and even have special pet-friendly outside dining areas set up. Both Anthony’s Pizza and CJ’s welcome pets to their decks.
Have a beer with your pup. Mountain Layers has outdoor picnic tables by the river so that your pet can chill while you have a brew. Bryson City Outdoors Taproom welcomes pets inside and out.
A picnic for the entire family. Deep Creek picnic area and Island Park are both great places to take your dog and give him some much-needed exercise while you lunch near the banks of the river.
Groove with your pooch to the local live music. Big Wesser Riverside Pub frequently has live music during the summer and fall and they are very pet friendly.
Get out on the water. Both Almond Boat Dock and Alarka Marina on beautiful Lake Fontana permit pets in some of their boats (Be sure to tell them you are bringing your dog.). If you and your best friend are very brave, dazzle everyone by paddle boarding on the Tuck.
Hike. Dogs are welcome at the Swain County Rec Park trail, all trails in the National Forest and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Be aware that dogs are not allowed on the trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but they are welcome in the picnic areas.
Fryemont Inn is a Top Pet-Friendly Accommodation Near the Smokies
At the Fryemont Inn, closely supervised, well-behaved children are always welcome—and the same goes for your furry family members.
Most hotels charge a pet fee or at least require a pet damage deposit. Many have size limits on pets. At the Fryemont Inn, we don’t. We know our guests are responsible adults who will make sure that their pets will be well behaved while at the Fryemont Inn. And if Tigger has an accident that causes damage, our guest will be responsible for that damage. A happy pet is a well-behaved pet with a responsible owner. We accommodate both dogs and cats! If you have any questions about bringing your animal companion with you to the Inn, please get in touch.
Our Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
After many months at home, many of us are beginning to vacation again. But what about our pets? Don’t they deserve a vacation, too? We love our pets and we want to take them everywhere. But is bringing them along always the best thing for them? Not all pets love to travel, and some would love to go but aren’t properly prepared. How do you decide if your dog or cat is road-worthy?
Will My Pet Be a Good Traveler?
- Does your pet love to ride in the car? To take your pet on vacation, first you must get to your destination. If a car ride causes car sickness or anxiety (your pet is thinking, “They never take me in the car unless I’m going to the vet!”) then she probably won’t be a good traveler. Prepare her for a long trip with shorter trips.
- Is she up to date on all her shots? Does she have proper identification–a chip or collar with your contact information? You may think your pet is safe in your home or neighborhood, but what if she were to escape from your hotel room?
- Is she potty trained? If your pet piddles all over your house, then it’s not likely she would be welcome at any public accommodation. Is she picky about where she goes? Good pet travelers need to be able to get the job done quickly at a rest stop or in an unfamiliar area, even if her only choices are gravel or concrete when no grass is available.
- Can you trust her not to bark if she hears folks walking by your room? What if you leave her alone in the room long enough to go to dinner, are you sure she won’t complain loudly and disturb your neighbors?
- Have you trained her not to be a chewer Or are lamp cords, throw rugs and sofa cushions an invitation for a snack in the middle of the night when you are asleep? What about scratching? Can you be sure she won’t destroy a door in 45 minutes while you’re having breakfast in the dining room?
- Do you have a pet crate, and is your dog or cat happy in it for an hour or two at a time when you are away from the room? Or if not, can you trust her not to “make a break for it” when you or a housekeeper is coming or going from the room? For her safety and yours, she should be also be crated when she is riding in the car.
- Is she friendly and non-threatening to strangers, young, old, and four-legged? Some people are afraid of dogs, and small children can be very intimidated by a pet that is bigger than they are. Overly exuberant dogs can knock down an older person while only trying to be friendly. And what about other pets? Will she greet them in a friendly way?
- Will your pet walk calmly on a leash? If she weighs 75 lbs. and drags you around your yard, her enthusiasm with a new place may be a problem for you when it’s time to take her out.
If you answered “yes” to all the above questions, you are almost ready to hit the road!
Tips to consider before you leave home and while you are traveling to keep your pet (and everyone else) happy
- Pick your travel destination carefully. It’s important to have a pet-friendly hotel, but just as important to have places you can take your dog once you get there.
- ALWAYS ask the hotel when you make your reservation if it is OK to bring your dog. Even at the Fryemont Inn, where pets are welcome, not all our accommodations are pet-friendly. Never just show up with a pet presuming that it will be fine.
- Check with your vet to make sure your pet is up to date on her shots and has any necessary meds for the trip.
- Be sure to pack: a leash, food & water and bowls for both, toys, a crate if you have one, medicine, treats, and a litter box and litter for kitties.
- Pick up waste and dispose of it properly whenever you walk your pet.
- NEVER leave a pet unattended in the car.
- Keep her clean. Wipe her paws if they are muddy before she goes back into the room.
- Keep her quiet. Respect the other guests, staff and the property. If you can’t keep her quiet, we may have to ask you to leave.
- Make sure the front desk has your cell number just in case.
