Dog walking in Agua Dulce

Padre Island

Corpus Christy is a coastal city in the state of Texas stretching through Nueces, Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio Counties. If you want to have a great day here with your pup, start exploring the city at the southern part of Padre Island, which can be reached, via John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway from the city center. Moving along Park Road 22, you will come to one of the most pet-friendly places in the city – South Padre National Seashore. Your pooch is allowed to be with you and enjoy almost all the facilities around except the deck of Malaguite Pavilion, the boardwalk going down to the beach and the short stretch of beach right in front of the Pavilion. For your and your pooch’s convenience, there is a special pet-friendly walking trail that goes straight from the parking area down to the beach to avoid any misunderstanding with whether pets are allowed or not. Your canine friend can have as much fun as he wants as long as you keep him on his leash and follow the rules. There are also many dog-friendly cafes on the island, such as Black Sheep Bistro, which has a dog-friendly patio. You can also try the Boathouse Bar and Grill, which has two levels to its patio!

Port Aransas

Approximately 180 miles southwest of San Antonio, you will find the dog-friendly city of Port Aransas. This is an amazing place to bring Fido with you and have a great day out. You can start by visiting Port Aransas Beach, keeping your pooch on the leash at all times while you soak up the atmosphere of the seashore. And when your pup is tired of being on a leash, you are welcome to visit a spacious Port Aransas Dog Park in the green area of the island, which offers 29,000 square feet of joy and excitement for your pup. You can let him play off-leash and choose between two separate areas for small and large dogs. The place has lots of grass and a good balance of shaded areas to romp, frisk and chase each other. Feeling hungry? Then head for the city center, where you’ll find plenty of dog-friendly dining spots, including Beach and Station Street Grill. This eatery offers seafood and welcomes your best bud at the outdoor seating area.

Rockport

The hot and humid city of Rockport is happy to welcome you and your pooch with a refreshing seashore atmosphere. A green triangle of the city, Memorial Park, has had a dog-friendly spot within it since June 2012 – Rockport Dog Park. Bring your pup for an off-leash exercise routine at one of the separate areas for large and small pooches, or go for a calm, on-leash walk on the walking trails in Memorial Parks itself. The park now has all the amenities your fur-iend may need, including a doggy fountain, lots of shade, some agility equipment and lots of grass and trees to sniff and explore! Your trip from Agua Dulce to Rockport will take a bit more than an hour if you go via TX-35 North. And if you find the city appealing and decide to stay for a while, there are plenty of dog-friendly hotels along Broadway Street. Days Inn Rockport allows pups up to 50 lbs. with no additional fees per night, and Hunt’s Castle offers a refundable deposit for a pet per night.

Ingleside on the Bay

The sparsely populated city of Ingleside on the Bay is another place in San Patricio County to bring Fido for a nice vacation or as a stop on a road trip. The place is not a great tourist attraction and there aren’t very many people, but this is a place where your pup can have an un-fur-gettable experience! Bring your pooch to try the Dolphin Connection Texas’s tours deep down into the ocean and see the sea life! Tail-waggers are allowed to join their owners on a small tour sizes -- given the small amount of tourists in the town, this is to your advantage! -- to gaze at dolphins and interact with them in their natural habitat! It seems like your bud can make a few new friends… with flippers! Make sure to make a reservation before coming to the city to secure your spot on the tour.

South Olmito

Olmito is a charming locale in Cameron County with a population less than 1,500. You won’t want to miss Catherine B. Stillman Dog Park, located in the southern part of the city. It’s located close to the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center as well as convenient shopping, and offers gorgeous views of the Olmito Lake. Your pup will be excited to visit the park, which is fully fenced and has two separate areas for dogs to play, socialize or exercise. The place also has a water doggy fountain for splashing and drinking, trees to run around chasing each other’s tails and benches for tired owners to catch a breath. The trip from Ague Dulce to Olmito is not the shortest one; even if you choose to hit the road via US-77 South and I-69 East South, it will take a bit more than two hours. So if you don’t want to make the round trip in one day, there are many private dog-friendly AirBnB rentals you can book in advance to stay for a night or two.