North Carolina’s eastern coastline is the place if you’re looking for pet friendly destinations to visit with your four-legged sidekick!  From the northern Outer Banks to the southern Crystal Coast, you’ll find a wide variety of excursions. These include historic lighthouses to tour and explore, charming coastal towns to wander through, and plenty of dog friendly beaches for splashing around with your pup.  Along the NC coast, there are three cities that stand out when it comes to welcoming dogs to their areas: Wilmington, Atlantic Beach, and Elizabeth City. Let’s dive right in to let you know about these great coastal travel spots!

Wilmington, NC

The town of Wilmington is the epitome of what it means to be pet friendly!  Just about anywhere you go in this charming coastal town you’ll see people and their dogs walking, shopping, and mingling with other people and their pups.  There are plenty of wonderful bistros, cafes, and restaurants with outdoor seating in Wilmington’s historic downtown area, and many of the coffee shops allow dogs to accompany their pet parents inside.  Also, more and more breweries are popping up here all the time, and many of them allow dogs to come inside the taprooms. As an added bonus, Wilmington is just down the road from Wrightsville Beach, which is a popular spot for pet parents and their furry family members.  Dogs are welcome to swim and play on the beach from October 1 – March 31, as long as they are on a leash.

Atlantic Beach, NC

Atlantic Beach lies on the southeastern part of NC, known as the “Crystal Coast”.  Here you will find crystal clear waters and refreshing sea air, mixed with plenty of pet friendly activities to enjoy in the area.  The best thing about this place is the truly dog friendly Atlantic Beach:  Leashed dogs are welcome on the beach all year round! There are also many dog friendly accommodations here that cater to pets.  One beachfront place in particular offers pet amenities that include doggie cookies, a dog washing station for cleaning off those sandy paws, and a fabulous park just for four-legged guests! After a day of fun in the sun, you and your furkid can visit one of the nearby restaurants that offers delicious local seafood and cuisine.  Many provide outdoor seating so you and your four-legged sidekick can dine together.

Elizabeth City, NC

Being named one of the best “100 Best Small Towns in America” and ranked as one of the best places to live on the east coast are just two of Elizabeth City’s claims to fame!  This historic and progressively growing area is located in the northeastern corner of NC and surrounded by waterways, making it also known as the “Harbor of Hospitality”.  You and your pooch will definitely experience the friendliness of the area when you visit, and you can both partake in the numerous activities and experiences that Elizabeth City has to offer.  There are coffee shops, book shops, cafes and bakeries that welcome your dog inside or outside. There’s also a state park with walking and hiking trails, great places to sniff, and plenty of benches to rest in between activities.  Don’t miss this charming city that is widely known for welcoming people and their pets!

About TripsWithPets:

TripsWithPets is the premier online pet friendly travel guide — featuring online reservations at over 30,000 pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the U.S. and Canada.  When planning a trip, pet parents go to TripsWithPets for detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities.  TripsWithPets also features airline & car rental pet policies, pet friendly activities, a user-friendly search-by-route option, as well as pet travel tips.