3 minute read
BRING YOUR DOG
by Maidit
Aiken is a pet-friendly kind of place
By Lindsay Vance
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It’s always more fun when you can bring your dog for a day out on the town or a weekend getaway. If you’re like me, my dogs are basically my children and choosing a lifestyle in a pet-friendly town like Aiken was important. Travelocity even voted Aiken as the pet-friendliest city in the southeast. Here are some of the things you can do with your dog in the area.
Pet-Friendly Hotels
With a variety of pet-friendly hotels in Aiken, it’s easy to include your dog in your travel plans. Especially with a place like The Willcox, where your dog gets a treat upon arrival and departure, and even special turndown service in the evenings. In addition to our hotels, we have a great selection of Airbnb rentals that can accommodate your dog as well.
Dining with your dog is pretty common to see around here, especially in the downtown area. Many restaurants in Aiken allow outdoor dining with your pet and will even provide a bowl of fresh water. Grab lunch somewhere like the patio at Mellow Mushroom in The Alley, where you can enjoy the scenery of charming downtown.
Events and Entertainment
Now that you got a bite to eat, why not a little happy hour with your furry friend. The Alley Taproom is a pet-friendly spot to grab a drink with friends and have your your dogs join too. There are also events like Amp The Alley, a free event in The Alley with live music every Thursday in the summer. Aiken has many events and festivals you can enjoy with your dog, and some even support our local animal shelters, like the monthly “Yappy Hour” at the SPCA Albrecht Center.
Shopping
How about surprising your pup with a shopping day? There are great stores like Downtown Dog where you’ll find unique gifts and treats. Most of their treats are made in-house and my dogs absolutely love them! There is also a week in August called the “Dog Days of Summer” where participating shops downtown offer sales for humans and homemade treats for your pet.
Exercise
Now that we’ve covered sleeping, eating, fun and shopping… How about your dog burning off some of that energy? Aiken has some amazing outdoor spots to explore with your dog. For example, The Hitchcock Woods has more than 70 miles of trails to cover. Many local parks allow off-leash fun for your dogs, but be sure to check posted rules and guidelines before you go.
There’s something that makes you smile when you see a dog wag their tail and enjoy time with their owner. You’ll surely see plenty of that here in Aiken. To check out the video on this topic and other videos about our local lifestyle, visit youtube.com/ livinginsouthcarolina. Now go pack their bag, bowl and ball because your dog needs a vacation in Aiken, and so do you!
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