In need of a getaway where your four-legged companion will be just as relaxed as you are? Forget leaving the pets at home, and just bring them along to one of these dog-friendly Ontario destinations:

1. Blue Mountain 

Retreat to the Blue Mountain Inn, which welcomes canine friends. For $50 added to the price of a room, your pet receives a comfy bed in its size, dog bowls and treats. Blue Mountain is a ski resort, but also offers attractions such as a ropes course, gondola and zip lines, a mountain coaster, mini golf and aquatic activities. For a picturesque walk with your pet, go hiking in Explore Park or drive out to Wasaga Beach, which has a designated area for dogs. Lastly, make sure to visit Copper Blues Bar + Grill in Blue Mountain Village. They have a Pup ‘N Patio menu featuring beef liver and dog-friendly cupcakes!

2. Haliburton Highlands

For a picturesque cottage stay, visit Minden House Cottages: dog-friendly and adorable highland cottages on the Gull River. In nearby Haliburton, Headlake Rotary Park allows dogs to roam and run leash-free from dawn to dusk. The Haliburton Sculpture Forest is great fun for families, and you can book tours or go self-guided to see the 40+ sculptures any month of the year. Lastly, carve some time out to patio-sit at Haliburton Highlands Brewing with your furry friend and a cold beer.

3. Prince Edward County

Here, the luxury of wine country extends to man’s best friend. The Lakeside Motel allows dogs poolside, at the restaurant (yes, they also have a doggie menu), and around the elegant property. Three Dog Winery has a dog-friendly lawn and patio where guests can enjoy regional sips in a shaded pergola, or around a fire pit. For the ultimate treat, bring your pet to The Sniffery in Bloomfield for a private enrichment session, where they’ll relish in an “outdoor play-space chock full of sights, smells and snacks to stimulate the mind, body and taste buds with the freedom to explore safely”. The Sniffery also makes their own treats from local ingredients, which you can purchase alongside “Barkuterie” boxes.

4. Doggie Fest, Toronto

That’s right– the last destination is a festival in the city. In late July or August, Doggy Fest hosts its Summer Carnival, during which over 30 pet vendors set up in a local park for a day of tail-wagging fun. There are off-leash areas, dog splash pads and play areas, photobooths and lounges. Breed meetups, prize giveaways and lure courses are scheduled throughout the day. The best part is, this festival is completely free to enter. Doggie Fest also hosts smaller get-togethers throughout the year for holidays if you’re a Toronto local. Otherwise, book your summer trip around the festival, and make sure to stay in a dog-friendly hotel such as Hotel X or Kimpton Saint George.

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