Portland, Oregon just snagged a top spot on the list of America's best cities for pooches and their pet parents. Before the summer travel season heats up, USA Today Blueprint has rated the Rose City among the country’s most dog-friendly vacation destinations. This is a real tail-wagger for the city known for its lush parks and pet-obsessed populace.
The rankings were based on cold hard facts: the number of dog-friendly accommodations, places where you and Fido can dine together, and spots for enjoying a bit of sun and surf with your four-legged friend. The report, which came out on March 13, had Flagstaff, Arizona playing lead dog as the top city for dog-friendly vacations in the United States, thanks to its high volume of pet accommodations. But Portland wasn't far behind in the praise department.
What makes a city a haven for hounds, you ask? The answer is a combination of access and amenities. USA Today Blueprint looked at metrics including the quantity of dog-friendly restaurants, bars, beaches, and trails, all to determine where Spot can vacation with the same zest as his human. Flagstaff boasts a remarkable stat, taking the top spot for the highest concentration of pup-welcoming places to stay.
Portland's own merits include a notable number of eateries where dogs are treated like royalty, leaving pet owners with ample options for dining out with their four-legged companions. While Flagstaff gained the third spot for its density of pet friendly eating establishments with 39 restaurants per 100,000 residents, the Rose City's leash laws and pet policies are not to be sniffed at either. Its cachet as a pet-paradise is growing, much to the delight of dog devotees.
As summer approaches, pet owners can now consider Portland a top pick for a getaway that doesn't require a pet sitter. So pack the dog bowl and leash, because in these dog-doting cities, rover is more than welcome to roam.
