S tay THEN play,!
Where to vacation with your dog
You may consider your dog more of a BFF than a pet, so why not bring Lulu or Max or Biscuit along on your next family getaway? A number of Connecticut hotels, parks, and even restaurants will welcome your fourlegged friends with open arms… and here are some of the options:
Washington, Conn.
A tranquil and luxurious stay awaits you at the Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection ( aubergeresorts. com/ mayflower) in Washington, where you may bring up to two dogs for a charge ( unless yours is a support animal). “Up to two dogs of any weight or breed are welcome to stay in our elegant rooms and suites. We will provide pet amenities in the guestroom prior to arrival, which will include a dog bed, food, and water bowl,” said Israel Benyair, general manager. The resort, situated in the stunning Litchfield County countryside, has indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, and landscaped gardens for picnicking. The spa offers relaxing treatments or you may take a fitness class, learn to fly fish with a guide, or sign up for a special program— a mixology class was offered recently, for example— so check the website to see what’s offered. A destination nearby in Roxbury is the Mine Hill Distillery. The threeacre property on the Shepaug River has four buildings including the tasting room based in an old cigar factory and the 1872 Roxbury Station, an event space. Hot air ballooning is possible as there are companies that offer this in the area. For dining, The Mayflower offers the Dining Room, Garden Room, and Taproom ( pub menu) for fine meals that use farm- fresh ingredients. There are also restaurants in Litchfield, including the dog- friendly Marketplace Tavern, which is housed in the old town jail. The menu has short ribs, meatloaf, and ahi tuna, among others.
Mystic, Conn.
Families and foodies nowadays love going to Mystic as there is plenty to see and eat. Mystic Seaport Aquari
um ( fully open at press time) is loved by kids and Mystic Downtown and Mystic Harbor is the kind of place you’ll see dogs walking on leashes. The Dog Watch Mystic restaurant welcomes your pooch at outside tables. The menu has barbecue, lobster rolls, fish and chips, and the establishment has a fire pit and live music. Overnight stays with dogs are permitted at the Harbour Inne & Cottage ( harbourinne- cottage. com), which is within walking distance of the fun. Guests are allowed up to two “quite and well- behaved and in control” dogs or cats, said owner Claude Favreau. “We are five blocks from the center of town, on the waterfront. You can bring a canoe and launch it from here. We’re right on the Mystic River,” he said. Cottages sleep up to six people. They have two queen- size beds and a pull- out sofa. The kitchen has supplies and there are wood- burning stoves. The inn also has hotel rooms that were not open at press time due to COVID- 19 rules Favreau said, but this can change, so call ahead. Favreau said he’s seen people and pets from just about “everywhere and every country, all over the United States. Every imaginable kind of dog has been here. I’ve had them every size, as small as you can imagine and as big as you can imagine,” he said. Greenwich, Conn. A luxury getaway that is dog- friendly is the elegant Delamar Greenwich Hotel ( delamar. com) that welcomes guests to bring their canine pets. “Delamar guests with doggies may select from a Pet Services Menu, which offers special services, such as walking, grooming ( at a local groomer), and dog massage. The pampered pooch will receive a comfortable bed, a personalized welcome kit, and bowls with bottles of water,” said Jenny Beesmer who handles communication for the hotel. Delamar Greenwich Harbor welcomes dogs less than 100 pounds for a charge of $ 50 per night; a portion of which will be donated to a local animal charity. The pet- friendly rooms are on the first floor. If you’re in town and want to shop on Greenwich Avenue, you can bring your dog on leash. Some retailers leave out dog bowls and treats. Grass Island Dog Park, close to the Delamar Greenwich Hotel, which has a preserve with walking trails if you need and your dog need some exercise, is also nearby. Greenwich Common, a little pocket park on Greenwich Avenue, offers a small grassy area where people can walk their dogs on leash. Greenwich is known for its fine dining, and many of its eateries are in walking distance from Delamar Harbor Greenwich, which also has the stylish L’Escale Restaurant, serving French food. Litchfield, Conn. The genteel Litchfield Inn ( litchfieldinnct. com) offers a lavish stay and allows small dogs for a fee. The town has three dog- friendly state parks in the vicinity. Three- and- a- half miles from here is Topsmead State Forest with the country Tudor- style estate of a Connecticut businesswoman Edith Morton Chase. Dogs are permitted on the grounds and hiking
Every imaginable kind of dog has been here. I’ve had them every size, as small as you can imagine and as big as you can imagine. [ Claude Favreau, Harbour Inne& Cottage]
trails but not in park buildings and must be leashed, cleaned up after, and under the owner’s control while visiting. The inn has uniquely decorated guest rooms and New England- style dining in the restaurant with vegetarian, seafood, and meat dishes. Breakfast comes with the room stay on Saturday and Sunday. While in Litchfield County, make a wine trail stop at White Silo Farm in Sherman where your dog can go too and stay outside. Here wine is produced and bottled on premises from home- grown fruit. There’s an 18th- century dairy barn converted to a tasting room and production area. Visitors can walk in the field or sit in the outdoor garden area and enjoy their own picnic lunch or purchase a box lunch or cheese platter.
Hamden, Conn.
Hamden has several beautiful parks ( visit portal. ct. gov/ DEEP/ State- Park) and you might consider a visit to a couple of these if you love hiking with your dog. Sleeping Giant State Park, features a 2.1 mile Tower Trail that is open year- round and allows dogs on leash. An interesting feature about the park is the two- mile mountaintop that looks like a sleeping man ( giant) and its highest point of Mount Carmel which has an observation tower. The large open- air fieldstone building is four stories high, built between 1936- 1939 by 60 workers through the Works Progress Administration during the Depression. There are lots of trails at West Rock Ridge State Park which is on the New Haven and Hamden town line. Some that allow dogs on leash include Regicides Trail, which is a moderate nearly seven- mile hike and features a lake. Afterward, you might try one of several casual restaurants in Hamden. The old- fashioned Glenwood Drive- In has hot dogs, lobster rolls, chili cheese dogs, and cheeseburgers among platters that come with fries and coleslaw. Take- out is available. A place you might stay with your dog is the Clarion Hotel & Suites ( choicehotels. com/ connecticut/ hamden/ clarion- hotels) in Hamden which allows dogs up to 25 pounds for an extra charge. These rooms are conveniently located on the first floor. The town has Hamden Dog Park at Bassett, a shady spot with a community vibe where dog bowls are available and your pet can run and play on gravel, so no muddy messes.