Activities For Dogs In North Carolina On Rainy Days

The first step is actually figuring out where you want to go, which all comes down to what you want to do and see. As mentioned above, some of the best and most beautiful spots are the mountains and shoreline. See which appeals to you more before you start gathering unnecessary supplies while forgetting others. Our best suggestions are the likes of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Hanging Rock and Crowders Mountain if you want breathtaking views, whereas Cape Hatteras might be better for more laid-back trips. Once you've picked a spot, look at actual trails, check their dog-friendliness and their difficulty so you can gauge what you'll need and don't forget to take inventory of what items you already have.

Once you've picked your spot and trail and taken inventory, identify what supplies you might still need and don't forget, plan for all weather! If you're already stuck the rain now, chances are you might again, so be properly prepared with rainproof gear from backpacks to clothes (for both you and your dog), especially if you're carrying any valuables like a camera. Start by doing some research online to see what kind of reviews and suggestions others have for that style of trip. For instance, if it's a tougher vertical hike, make sure you have shoes or boots with good grip or tread. Waterproof tent covers and other gear is also helpful in the rainier seasons. Once you've figured out what you need, call around to your local outdoors shops and see who has a majority so you can go check it all out in person and make sure it's a good fit.

While you'll likely know if certain pieces of gear will work, it's usually better to test out others while you're not in the middle of a hike. After all, getting caught in a downpour and finding out your backpack isn't truly waterproof can be an expensive lesson. Go check out some of the gear in person and bring your dog with you! Most outdoor stores, whether they're chains or just local establishments are dog-friendly (just make sure to call ahead). Go take a look at the gear in person and if you think it's a fit buy it. Then comes the fun part: testing. If you get waterproof gear and it's already raining, you'll have the perfect chance to see how it works WITHOUT the threat of having no alternative. Use the rain to your advantage and test everything out before you load it up with supplies and belongings. Pack a backpack with towels, suit your dog up in their raincoat and see how both fare (including your dog). If it all works in the test run, the chances are good you'll have the right supplies for the actual trip. If not, you can always return them and try again. By the end of the day, you'll have a trip planned, your supplies in order and have spent some good time with your dog, all aiming to get you set for your next great adventure!

There are several different options you can choose when it comes to tours. About half of the dog-friendly tours are walking tours, which means those are likely ruled out in the rain (unless you also chose to pick up some solid rain gear and the hosts are willing to brave the weather as well). But that still leaves the other half of your options. If you're into cars, you can always check out the Antique Car Museum in Asheville, as dogs are allowed inside the gallery and the museum itself. You can also check out Streetside Classic Cars in Charlotte, but they actually sell vintage cars, so you'll want to make sure you bring in a dry dog and not eat up too much time, as they do have other customers to tend to, even if you're just poking around. Caswell No. 1 Fire Station in Kinston is another great option, as it has a bunch of historic firefighting equipment and vehicles on-site. Finally, if you're into weirder stuff, check out the Museum of the Bizarre in Wilmington. It's like a smaller Ripley's filled with oddities and they openly welcome dogs (plus it's only a few dollars and dogs are free!).

Once you've picked a spot (or if you've got a full day of rain and nothing to do, decide to make a tour of it), call ahead to make sure none of their policies have changed plus check hours and prices as well so nothing is a surprise. Then grab your supplies (including an umbrella to keep you dry, as most places are much more dry-dog-friendly, when you think courteously) and go! If you can cram multiple in, you'll have hours of things to do between driving and taking the tours and if you're careful, you can do it all without getting drenched!

Of course, there's no obligation to stopping more than one place. If you just want some lunch and something to do, keep it simple. For the more adventurous and dedicated types, start by finding a bigger city nearby, as it will likely provide more options. Charlotte and Raleigh are great choices, as are laid-back towns like Asheville and Wilmington and they might even have other dog-friendly businesses to check out as well. Start by picking a city nearby and seeing how many dog-friendly restaurants (and others) are in the immediate vicinity. Pick a few that are clustered close together so you can minimize travel time and maximize trying some tasty food. Then, lay out a plan that won't have you straying too far from your transportation (unless you're fully equipped with weather-appropriate gear).

Once you've picked several spots, start looking online or making phone calls to see which areas dogs are allowed in and which areas provide significant overhead coverage on the patios (let alone find out which ones are open). If you find a few that don't work, supplement them with other options or find other establishments that will be good fill-ins such as pet boutiques or dog-friendly antique shops. Once you've identified a few suitable locations, you're ready to go.

Once everything is in order, you can grab your dog and your supplies and hit the road! You'll be in food heaven in no time. Our only advice at this point is to keep your eyes on the weather in case it turns for the worse or lightens up to the point where you don't need our rainy day advice anymore. Also, don't overeat! There's nothing like having to lumber around on a full stomach and have no room for new things to try at your next stop. Now go enjoy!