Try One of DogFriendly.com's Top 10 Dog-Friendly Resort Areas in the United States

These tourist regions go the extra step to welcome your family and dogs. From budget to luxury they are great choices for this summer's getaway.

DogFriendly.com released its Top 10 dog-friendly resort regions in the United States for 2009. The rankings are determined by the DogFriendly.com staff and take into account the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, things to do with your dog, beaches, parks and dog-friendly patio dining.

1. Carmel / Monterey, CA - Many pet-friendly accommodations. Off-leash Carmel City Beach. Many walking and hiking options. Shop and dine in luxury.

2. Bar Harbor / Acadia, ME - Pet-friendly Acadia National Park. Shop in the historic downtown. Take a ferry or boat cruise.

3. Black Hills, SD - Lots of dog-friendly attractions and campgrounds. Mt. Rushmore worth visiting with a dog. See Badlands National Park.

4. St Augustine, FL - See the historic downtown. Lots of dog-friendly shopping and dining. Take a harbor boat cruise and a ghost tour.

5. Cape Cod, MA - Visit Cape Cod National Seashore. Many cruises and ferries. Also take in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

6. Key West, FL - Quaint B&Bs and outdoor dining. Dog-friendly attractions, boating and stores. See the Southernmost Point Monument.

7. Charlottesville, VA - Visit estates of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. Shop at the downtown mall. Visit dog-friendly Shenandoah Park nearby.

8. Mendocino, CA - Stay in a pet-friendly B&B or resort. Walk the seaside town. Go to the beach and dine outdoors.

9. Asheville / Blue Ridge, NC - Tour the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit the Biltmore Estate grounds and shop at Biltmore Village.

10. Amarillo, TX - Visit the famous Cadillac Ranch. Spend a day or camp at Palo Duro Canyon. Stay at the Big Texan Steak Ranch Motel.

Honorable Mentions

The following five places are also excellent vacation spots to visit with your dog:

-- Corpus Christi, TX
-- Grand Canyon, AZ
-- Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
-- Mackinac Island, MI
-- San Luis Obispo, CA

For more details click here. DogFriendly.com, founded in 1998 to provide dog travel information, offers a free website and paperback books.

Posted by Sheryl Rapee-Adams, Best Friends Network Volunteer
News release used with permission from PR Newswire
Photo by Michal Zacharzewski retrieved from sxc.hu