Condé Nast Traveler readers have ranked Savannah among the friendliest cities in America. But is Savannah dog friendly? Our intrepid travel pack sniffed around for intel on visiting Savannah with dogs. Here’s what we found out.
Is Savannah Dog Friendly?
To determine if Savannah is dog friendly, we started by taking a tour. Dozens of tour companies allow dogs on their walking tours of Savannah. Naturally, I chose Oliver Bentley’s Historic Dog Walk Tour for our introduction to the city. We explored the historic quarter for about two hours with our guide, Eric, and his Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Eric is the founder of OliverBentlys.com, home of Ollie B. dog biscuits. At the end of the tour, all good boys (and girls) receive their own bag of the artisan treats.
During our Oliver Bentley tour, we walked around some of the lush, green squares of the historic district. Another fascinating spot to wander with your dog is Bonaventure Cemetery. The cemetery covers over 100 acres of winding paths and Victorian monuments. Leashed pets are welcome to explore on foot or on a dog friendly Savannah Cruzers golf cart tour. No matter how you choose to get around, I recommend Bonaventure Cemetery when visiting Savannah with dogs.
There is something for everyone when it comes to dog friendly Savannah accommodations. We stayed at a retro motel called the Thunderbird Inn. This hip property offers cool perks like Moon Pies at turndown service and complimentary popcorn in the lobby. However, the private dog park is the #1 reason to stay at the Thunderbird Inn when visiting Savannah with dogs! The park is attached to the main office and is accessible 24 hours a day. The dog friendly travel pack loved playing ball in the synthetic grass while I enjoyed my complimentary morning coffee.
So, Is Savannah dog friendly? My pups each give it an enthusiastic four paws up! The only word of caution when visiting Savannah with dogs is to avoid the steamy summer months. Winters are relatively mild, but I found it difficult to find restaurant patios set up for doggie diners. I’d love to return in the spring or fall to explore further.
