Activities For Dogs In West Virginia On Cold Days

Of all the great Halloween events, costume contests can easily be some of the most fun and entertaining. Many of them are also surrounded by other festivities, dog-themed activities like trick-or-treating and may even come with food and drink involved, making Halloween events all-encompassing with the potential to provide hours of fun. But the events aren't the only way you two can spend some time together. Lots of pet shops and boutiques carry canine costumes this time of year, so you can also hit the dog-friendly shops and see what's available for the two of you to pair up as. For the creative types, you can also make your own (which may also give you a leg up on the competition), which is a great shared activity in itself as you size and shape their outfit just for them. New Hope Animal Rescue in Hurricane hosts an annual contest and there are several more scattered around the state throughout the month. Check your local listings about 3 to 6 weeks in advance to see what's coming up.

While Halloween events can be lots of fun for the whole family, it may not be enough to put some in the spookiest of spirits. Those are reserved for haunted tours. Thanks to a rich and sometimes dark history, West Virginia has a fair amount to offer, one of the best being the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry. Well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome on the creepy 90-minute walking tour which details both the history of and haunted history of the town. If you want to kick it up a notch or just add another to the list, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum also offers regular and haunted tours, though it should be noted that they only allow small dogs that can be carried or put in a stroller - and there are no elevators, which means the stroller will have to be lifted up the stairs on all four floors.

There are at least 10 or so easily identifiable places to visit that offer fantastic lodging, festivities and more, each with their own slight twist on the holiday themes. Wheeling does lights better than almost anybody, Fairmont is niche with traditional Italian and Charleston is all about the show. Our favorites? Hurricane and Harpers Ferry (we'll use the prior as an example for steps 2 and 3). Take a close look at what each town offers during the holidays and decide what appeals to you most. Then, get to work booking your dog-friendly accommodations.

Not every town will have a lot of dog-friendly activities, so it's best to outline them before you go. We picked Hurricane as one of our favorites simply because there are a lot of both indoor and outdoor activities in close proximity. For example, there is an animated light show to drive through, a parade and a tree-lighting ceremony. Best of all, they even have a Reindog parade with prizes for the best dressed/best costume. You can also see what shops are nearby are dog-friendly, though it might take some calling around.

Once you've got all the details worked out and your accommodations booked, you're set to go! Pack your bags and remember to bring enough warm clothes for both you and your dog to enjoy the festivities without getting frostbite. And don't forget, when you get there and start attending events, look for other dog owners and see if there's anything you might have missed that they may know about so you can pack your Christmas vacation as full as you'd like to!

The first step is actually finding an appropriate place to go. There are tons of trails all over the state but not all of them are dog-friendly, so you'll need to do some research beforehand to save yourself future issues. One of our best suggestions is White Grass in Davis, as they allow dogs on several of the trails and have enough to keep you entertained for multiple visits should you so choose. They also offer lessons, so if it's something you don't currently do but would like to learn, you'll have the opportunity to before you hit the trails with your tails in tow.

Once you've picked an appropriate spot to go, call and get the details of where dogs are allowed and what reservations you'll need to make. Most like White Grass have designated trails and also may have other restrictions in place (for instance, White Grass requests that guests with dogs not use the main parking lot for safety reasons). During peak season, even ski rentals can be scarce, so you'll want to do the legwork up front so you're not rushing to find some last minute. Then, make sure you have warm enough clothes for both you and your dog (as well as protective gear for their feet for longer trips or exceptionally cold days).

Once you have your reservations, detailed information, winter gear and directions, grab your dog and go. Upon arrival, follow the appropriate instructions and get yourself and your dog checked in, then make sure to get a map or explanation on where you're allowed to go. Once everything is in order, head outside, strap on your skis and hit the trails!