Things to do with your dog

5 Fun and Easy Dog Friendly Day Trips

by Donna Kelliher Photography 0 Comment

Ready to shake off the winter blues and make the most of spring with your favorite four-legged co-pilot? Whether you’re craving salt air or wooded trails, these dog friendly day trips are just the ticket.

1. Ogunquit, Maine

If your dog loves the smell of the ocean and the feel of sea spray on their snout, Ogunquit is calling. Leashed pups are welcome to stroll along the Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile paved cliff walk with panoramic ocean views and plenty of shady benches for breaks. The quaint downtown is full of dog-friendly patios and shops, and while beach access is seasonal for dogs, the walk and atmosphere are worth the trip year-round.

Want someplace your dog CAN romp on the beach even in summer? Check out this guide for beaches that welcome dogs on the dog days of summer!

One of our dog friendly day trips will take your dog to Ogunquit, ME

2. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation – Princeton, MA


 Just an hour from Boston, Wachusett Mountain is a breath of fresh forest-scented air. With 17 miles of dog-friendly trails winding through the woods and leading up to summit views, it’s ideal for adventurous duos. Choose an easy path for a laid-back walk or a moderate climb for brag-worthy selfies at the top, your pup will love the variety (and all the good sniffs).

3. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum – Lincoln, MA

If you’re looking for a day trip that blends art, nature, and time with your pup, the deCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes from Boston, this outdoor museum features more than 60 large-scale contemporary sculptures spread across beautifully landscaped grounds and yes, leashed dogs are welcome!

Be sure to bring water, waste bags, and plenty of treats—because every good art critic deserves a snack.

4. Halibut Point State Park + Rockport, MA

This north shore gem in Rockport combines rocky coastlines, quarry views, and ocean breezes. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore Halibut Point’s scenic trails, which loop past a dramatic granite quarry and out to the Atlantic. After your hike, head into Rockport for a seaside lunch on one of the town’s many dog-friendly patios or grab a cone and people-watch along Bearskin Neck.

5. SoWa Open Market – South End, Boston, MA

A Sunday favorite for city pups and their people, the SoWa Open Market is a vibrant mix of creativity, community, and canine-friendly fun. Located in Boston’s South End, this open-air market features a curated selection of local artists, handmade goods, vintage treasures, fresh produce, and some of the best food trucks in the city. Leashed dogs are welcome, and there’s no shortage of new smells, friendly faces, and pet-loving vendors. FYI: Make sure your dog is up for this busy market before you go.

The SOWA Open Market is a great dog friendly day trip

Pro Tips for Dog-Friendly Adventures:

  • Always double-check local rules—some spots have leash requirements, entrance fees or seasonal pet restrictions.
  • Bring water, waste bags and yummy treats.
  • Spring through early summer offers the best weather and scenery before the heat and bugs arrive.

Whether you’re looking for breezy coastal charm, peaceful forest escapes or a day in the city these day trips are tail-wagging approved. Happy adventuring!

xoxo

Donna

Fall Sessions are booking quickly, don't delay if you want to capture this magical season! Fall hiking with your dog is one of life's great pleasures. A few things worth knowing before you head out though. Last chance, applications close at midnight today! Does your dog deserve to be our Frenchie of the month??? Apply at the link in my bio. Last chance to be our Frenchie of the month and create amazing artwork to celebrate your bond. Applications close tomorrow, 9/10 at midnight! Link in bio. Fall is coming. I know, I know. But hear me out. So much love and fun in a small, but mighty package 💖. Apply to be the Frenchie of the month at the link in my bio! This one's for the senior dogs. So much love and fun in a small, but mighty package 💖. Apply to be the Frenchie of the month at the link in my bio! Do you share your life with a Frenchie? Lucky you! Learn more and apply to be the Frenchie of the Month. Link in bio.

Donna Kelliher Photography

Website: https://www.DonnaKelliher.com

Donna Kelliher is a fine art pet photographer and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA, certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) based just outside Boston, serving Greater Boston, the North Shore, and beyond. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and has spent more than twenty years behind the camera, her career beginning in dog sports photography before she shifted her focus to fine art portrait work. Her photography has appeared on the covers of Clean Run, Dog World, and Dog Sport magazines many times over, along with interior features in each, and her images appear in three books: The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book, 2nd Edition, The Science Behind a Happy Dog, and Do More With Your Dog. Her work is also currently on display in a gallery exhibition celebrating dogs in art. What sets Donna apart is a rare combination: a trained fine art photographer who is also a hands on dog trainer with real experience working with every temperament, from timid and fearful dogs to high energy and reactive ones. That expertise was hard won. Donna spent years afraid of dogs herself after being bitten as a child, and worked through that fear so completely that she now trains and rehabilitates dogs with serious behavioral challenges, and competes in agility with her own dogs, Believe and Asher.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Are you human? Please solve:Captcha