STAUNTON — Tourists visiting Staunton and the Shenandoah Valley are asking more than ever to take their pets with them on vacation.
“I think this increase can be attributed to the fact that millions of Americans have adopted pets during the pandemic, including myself, not to mention all the time we have spent with our pets while working. home and not travelling,” said Sheryl Wagner, director of tourism for VisitStaunton.
Nearly 23 million households in the United States have taken in a pet since the start of the pandemic, which represents nearly 1 in 5 households, according to the ASPCA.
Now that businesses have reopened and travel demand is strong, tourists want to take their furry friends with them. In a Mars Petcare survey, 65% of pet owners are interested in traveling with their four-legged friends.
Pet-friendly booking is the third most used search filter for Hilton hotels. And dogtrotting.net said pet tourism is the travel trend of 2022.
“Staunton was an early adopter of pet-friendly travel, but we’ve seen an increase in outdoor dining options where pets are welcome since the pandemic,” Wagner said.
Shop & Dine Out in the city center in particular has really won over visitors as a unique tourist experience and is likely to be around for quite some time. On weekends, the downtown Main Street closes while restaurants create pop-up patios and outdoor seating, an initiative put in place during the pandemic to create a safer environment that has become part of Staunton’s charm.
Staunton pup-cations
Outside businesses along the charming brick sidewalks of Beverley Street – Staunton’s Main Street – are water bowls for dogs to stop and have a drink while residents wave to shopkeepers and neighbours, creating a welcoming environment for pup-cation visitors.
“Fancy spending an evening drinking beers with your best furry friend? Raise a glass because many breweries in Staunton are dog-friendly,” according to VisitStaunton.com.
Redbeard Brewing and Skipping Rock Beer Co. allow well-behaved dogs on patios, and Shenandoah Valley Brewing and Queen City Brewing welcome dogs indoors.
Other unique pet-friendly options in Staunton include Table 44’s Dogio Menu, Kline’s Pup Cup Ice Cream, and The Well-Balanced Paw for holistic treats.
Tourists looking to bring their puppies on vacation have become so popular that VisitStaunton has created a blog dedicated to helping visitors plan the perfect pup.
It’s ‘Yappy Hour’ at Shenandoah National Park
According to GoPetFriendly.com, 42.9% of pet owners enjoy hiking with their pets and Shenandoah National Park is all about that.
Shenandoah is one of the few national parks that allows pets on the trails. There are less than 20 miles of more than 500 miles of trails that do not allow pets, said Helen Morton, director of sales and marketing for Delaware North at Shenandoah National Park.
“Many of our guests travel with dogs, and we have designated ‘pet-friendly’ rooms at each of our properties,” Morton said.
Park amenities offer a Pampered Pooch package at Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge that includes accommodations, pet fees, dog treat, Shenandoah dog leash and bowl, and bottled water.
And yes, they even offer a Yappy Hour menu at Big Meadows Lodge. Tasty treats include Puppy Patties, Yard Birds and Rice, Field and Stream Puppy Bowl and, for dessert, the Dog Sundae.
Check out goshenandoah.com/specials/getaways for puppy vacation packages and nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/pets.htm to plan your next hike with fido.
Nice hotels
Pandemic dogs are adapting to the return of parents to the workplace. To ease the stress and anxiety of putting your pup in a kennel while on vacation, hotels and hostels in downtown Staunton offer dedicated pet rooms. The 24 South Hotel was a pioneer in dog-friendly accommodations and the Blackburn Inn has opened some rooms for your furry family members.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in the number of guests traveling with their pets,” said Michelle Davis, General Manager of Hotel 24 South.
At Hotel 24 South you will receive an amenity bag containing dog treats and potty bags.
“Staunton is a very dog-friendly town with many restaurants like Byers Street Bistro offering patio seating and services like water bowls and treats,” Davis said. “After lunch you can also check out the Well Balanced Paw, a holistic pet store also located in the historic Wharf area.”
When Fido needs some time to burn off some energy, Davis recommends guests visit Gypsy Hill Dog Park, as this fully fenced park features separate areas for small and large puppies, agility equipment, and benches. .
Now that you’ve learned that the Shenandoah Valley is the perfect place for pets, here’s how to plan the best pup-cation ever.
Travelers with pets recommend visiting bringfido.com to find pet-friendly places to stay. To learn more about what to do in the Shenandoah Valley, visit VistShenandoah.org.
— Monique Calello (her) is a reporter for The News Leader in Staunton, Virginia. You can reach her at mcalello@newsleader.com. Follow on Twitter @moniquecalello.
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