Hey, road trip fanatics and dog lovers! Buckle up because we’re going on a road trip with my senior dog, Chevy, from Miami’s sunshine to Nashville’s soul, and I’m sharing all the tips below.
But let’s be real, going on a road trip with a dog, especially a long one like this, takes planning and pup-arations.
In this post, you will learn about dog road trip essentials, car essentials, where to stay in Nashville, where to find dog-friendly places in Nashville, the dos and don’ts for a smooth journey with your dog, and more. Let’s begin!
The Ultimate Guide To Road-trippin’ With Your Dog
Car essentials
First things first, let’s talk car essentials. Think of it as packing for your pup’s VIP lounge on wheels. Here is a post about the 13 car road trip essentials you will need before you leave:
- Car Seat Covers
- Blanket, Dog Crate, or Car Seat
- Travel Water & Food Bowls
- Dog Car Seat Belt
- Dog Poop Bag (Biodegradable)
- Dog food and treats
- Toys and chews
- Pet First-Aid Kit
- Harness and Leash
- Dog Paperwork & Vet Records
- Med Essentials
- GPS Tracker
- Towels and Wipes
Read all the details in the post below:
Where to stay
- On the Road: Opt for pet-friendly hotels or consider Airbnb gems with backyards. Websites like BringFido can be your best friend here. Remember, not all motels and hotels welcome furry guests, so you better book ahead or be prepared to pay pet fees.
- Nashville Nights: Music City is surprisingly dog-friendly! Hotels like Drury Inn & Suites and Omni Nashville Velvet Cloak welcome your pup with open paws.
We even found a pawsome Airbnb with a private deck overlooking the Cumberland River. We paid a one-time $75 pet fee for Chevy, but the apartment has plenty of parking for FREE.
@the_nina_store Nashville morning! #travel #foryou #pets #family ♬ original sound – Nina
Dog friendly places to go in Nashville
Nashville is not just for honky-tonks and hot chicken (though those are tempting). This city embraces pups with open arms (and maybe even a few belly rubs). Here are some activities for dogs to check out on the BringFido website and some of our favorites, my No.1 favorite is the last one 😉
- Centennial Park: Unleash your inner frisbee master in this sprawling green space. Chevy loves chasing squirrels (don’t tell him they’re faster!). If you need another reason to go, it’s FREE!
- Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: This park is also FREE, has a dog park and was close to our Airbnb! We visited Nashville in Nov-Dec, so we took beautiful pictures and videos in this park!
@the_nina_store Nashville, TN #foryou #coldweather #travel #nina ♬ Dreams (2004 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac
- Percy Warner Park: Another great park to take your dog. If you and your dog like hiking, this is the spot!
- Downtown Dog Park: This is a small park we found walking around our Airbnb along the Cumberland River. It’s super small, but Chevy made many friends! We crossed the Pedestrian Bridge and visited our next spot on the list.
- Cumberland Park: One of the best spots to see Nashville Downtown and take pictures. Be sure to be there before sunset; you will thank me!
- Last but not least, Broadway Street, is the heart of Nashville! This was my favorite place to go (multiple times during our stay).
@the_nina_store This way ➡️ 🥃
♬ How Bizarre – OMC
I know it’s a street, not a place, but there is something special about it. You can walk with your dog up and down Broadway and near streets all you want, from Honky Tonk bars (some are dog-friendly) to souvenir stores; there is always something new to see or music to hear! Ohh the music, that was the BEST!
Where to eat with your dog
Since we are already on Broadway, let’s find something to eat in the city of country music.
Nashville’s most popular food is chicken, it is aaall about the chicken! But, if you are like me and like vegetarian options, you can also find that. I’ll recommend the spots we liked, starting on Broadway and then around the city.
- Honky Tonk: Some of these bars are dog-friendly, you just have to ask, and they may be willing to let your dog inside. Be mindful of the noise since our pups are more sensitive to loud music and can get confused.
- The Stage on Broadway: This a pet-friendly bar that we enjoyed a lot! It’s smaller than the popular and crowded Honky Tonks and also has excellent live music and a good vibe. Chevy got a lot of compliments from the band and the staff!
- Pinewood: We liked this spot cause we just walked there from our Airbnb and sat in the patio area for breakfast.
- Frothy Monkey: This popular gastropub has a dog-friendly patio and even offers a “Pupcake of the Day.”
Do’s and Don’ts for a Fur-tastic Road Trip
- Do: Plan your route and research pet-friendly stops. I used Google Maps and saved all the places I wanted to visit in Nashville and stops on the way.
- Don’t: Overdo it on driving. Spread out the journey with overnight stays. We tried to drive for more than 8 hours, and I don’t recommend it at all. We ended up stopping somewhere in Georgia in the middle of the night to sleep in the first motel on the side of the road we found because cause we were exhausted.
- Do: Pack plenty of water and snacks for your pup.
- Don’t: Forget to bring waste bags and clean up after your dog.
- Do: Exercise your dog regularly on rest stops and at your destination.
- Don’t: Leave your dog in the car unattended, even for a short time!
- Do: Have fun and make memories with your furry copilot!
Bonus tip: Download the BringFido app! It’s a lifesaver for finding pet-friendly places, from restaurants to parks.
Road trip to Nashville with Chevy? 10/10, would recommend! With a little planning and some good vibes, a road trip with your dog can be an unforgettable adventure.
So, pack your bags, grab your pup’s leash, and hit the open road! Remember, it’s not just about the destination; it’s about the journey! Here is a video of Chevy taking a nap during our road trip.
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