Pet friendly historic places

[Cerevisaphile]

We just finished our first trip in the RV and the best of it was that the dogs loved being with us. On the way back we had a pillow between us where they took turns sleeping between us or enjoying the scenery.

As an immigrant i am interested in seeing sites with historic value...gettysburg, desert of maine, williamsburg etc...unlike europe where most public outside places are accessible with pets I noticed that america is not very dog friendly.

What experiences do you guys have traveling with dogs ? Do you know of any good historic places that allow dogs ? Specifically in the north east...or on the east coast in general..

[legolas]

Pangaea Ron wrote:
The OP seems to be a responsible owner, and probably controls and picks up after his/her pets.

The issue that I have is with people that bring their pets to historic sites (vulnerable to damage), view points, festivals, etc. where visitors need to avoid tripping over (hopefully) leashed dogs in crowded situations. My granddaughters are often frightened by even nice, overly friendly dogs. Please leave them in the car/RV.

These activities are provided for pet's owner's to enjoy, and the pets could care less. A more appropriate venue would be away from people where their pets could better interact with the outdoors in a more natural and unrestricted environment.

Oh Please, the OP asked for information about dog friendly places, not your treatise on why you don't like dogs there.

OP you have gotten some good pointers (no pun intended) on where to look. I have also found that some of the NP's have kennels. The GC South Rim has a nice kennel. We did a circuit last year from Flagstaff to Capital Reef, Escalante, Bryce, Zion, GC North, GC South, Sedona and back to Flagstaff. We take our dogs walking/hiking when-where we can but also like the freedom to be able to go into galleries, museums etc where they may not be allowed. So a kennel is a great option to leaving them all day in the RV.

[Queen_s_Castle]

The Civil War battlefields at Gettysburg and Manassas and the Mt Desert Island/Bar Harbor, Maine area is extremely dog friendly(personal experience). Many sites around Cape Cod welcome them as well. With a little research you can find a lot of places of historic interest to visit with your dog/s. Don't get discouraged by Grinches, a well behaved, well socialized pet can enhance your trips in a myriad of ways.

[Crowe]

They can...so can ignorant uneducated people with rotten children...

Please do not bring people with lack of respect of history or their uninterested offspring to historic sites...

Yes, indeed, they can. I've seen people climb all over the statue dedicated to fishermen lost at sea in Gloucester. Kids using memorials at Gettysburg as Jungle Gyms. People topple gravestones in historic cemeteries. And what about those boy scouts that toppled ancient rocks for the fun of it?

Respect isn't taught by keeping one away. Respect is taught by teaching appreciation and abiding by unwritten rules.

[Cerevisaphile]

Pangaea Ron wrote:
If I remember from the OP... this was about pets. visiting historical sites.

Please don't.

Thanks, your opinon has been noted ...have a nice day..

[Pangaea_Ron]

If I remember from the OP... this was about pets. visiting historical sites.

Please don't.

[Cerevisaphile]

Pangaea Ron wrote:
See Item #8

8. Pets damage sites by digging, urinating and defecating in them. They can destroy fragile cultural deposits and frighten other visitors and native animals.
Please do not bring pets onto archaeological sites.

Historical Site Etiquette

They can...so can ignorant uneducated people with rotten children...

Please do not bring people with lack of respect of history or their uninterested offspring to historic sites...

[Pangaea_Ron]

See Item #8

8. Pets damage sites by digging, urinating and defecating in them. They can destroy fragile cultural deposits and frighten other visitors and native animals.
Please do not bring pets onto archaeological sites.

Historical Site Etiquette

[Cerevisaphile]

Thanks dernhelm and crowe....

[Crowe]

We took Jesse and Jake to Ft. Knox in Prospect, ME, this past week. They are allowed everywhere on the grounds, except the observation tower. Jesse had a ball climbing all the stairs and investigating all the nooks and crannies. Jake didn't like the dark areas much but was otherwise fine. The fort was built in 1845 during the Civil War and was never used. It's in remarkable shape for it's age.

[Dernhelm]

See my old and now-closed thread
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/20288033.cfm

for some suggestions, though mostly in the West.

[Dernhelm]

Coming late to this thread, but I've been traveling with my dogs for several decades. Many people are telling you to "check in advance" and that's good advice, but there's more to it than just googling where you want to go and checking for pet rules. If a desired location seems unfriendly, send email or a written (!) letter with SASE to the Supervisor and ask NOT "can I bring my dog," but INSTEAD, "what activities are ok for well-behaved dogs on leash?" I've had great success even in some National Parks using this approach. I also ask at state welcome centers, "What historical sites are dog-friendly?" The trick is to ASK and stress "well-behaved and on-leash." Then when you get there, be sure the site supervisors, Rangers or whatever know you'll follow the rules.

[Nutinelse2do]

Quote from the intrepid traveler... Just FYI..... From a "responsible" dog owner and obsessed dog lover, to quote DH..

"The biggest problem with allowing dogs in a park, from a wildlife management perspective is that dogs disrupt the natural behaviors and habits of other animals. Although you may not see your dog as a predator, the scent he leaves behind is a predator’s. This makes animals wary of crossing a trail and can bar them from accessing places they would normally go. An example of this is the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep in Anza Borrego. I often times see people bringing their dogs into the Borrego Palm Canyon with them. The sheep get by drinking very little water, most of their water intake is provided by the plants they eat. Sometimes (in the hotter summer months for example) they use the springs to provide the necessary water they need. When the area smells of dogs they are prevented from accessing their water supply, which can adversely affect the population."

Don't blame me, I didn't write the rules. If I did, well,....... Never mind 🙂

America is slowly becoming more pet friendly. Businesses are learning there are couples who are choosing to have dogs instead of children, and are realizing the revenue they are losing by being dog unfriendly. Our dog is our baby, and we made the decision long ago.... If our dog can't go, we don't go.

The internet is full of pet friendly web sites and dog beaches.

Happy travels!

Cheryl

[rbtglove]

We've taken our dogs with us in our RVs for about 30 yrs now and have found that there are many more places that are dog friendly now than there used to be. I alaways do an internet search when I plan trips and generally always find places that will allow dogs. Some areas are more dog friendly than others. The national parks and wildlife areas and many historic sites are exceptions and generally very restictive. There are some though like the Kennedy Space Center that do have kennel facilities and some have specific trails where you can walk your dogs. We were just in the Black Hills and MT rushmore would not allow dogs anywhere but at Crazy Horse you could take them anywhere except on places with hardwood floors. There are a lot of resturants with outside eating areas that will allow dogs - doesn't hurt to ask.

[2hams]

Also try dogfriendly.com

Old town walking tours are often dog friendly. St Augustine and Albuquerque are.