National Dog Day - Columbus, Ohio

By BT Editor
August 26, 2022
Dog friendly Columbus photo by Experience Columbus
Photo by Experience Columbus

According to research, more than half (54%) of American travelers plan on taking their pets with them when they travel. If you’re having a “ruff” time finding a vacation spot that’s fun for you and your furry friends look no further than Columbus, Ohio. Columbus is one of the country’s best destinations for all visitors, whether you’re traveling on two legs or four legs.

BARK, the world-renowned brand responsible for the toy and treat boxes that make our dogs jump for joy each month, has a dog-friendly office in Columbus, and the city is full of dog-friendly restaurants, lodging, shopping and attractions to help you and your pets get the R&R you deserve.

In time for National Dog Day (August 26), here are some fun ways you can spoil your pooch Columbus-style:

Dog-friendly hotels:

BrewDog DogTap Columbus
BrewDog DogTap Columbus - Photo courtesy Experience Columbus

BrewDog USA offers the world’s first craft beer hotel, Doghouse Columbus. In addition to being attached to one of the city's most popular breweries and a 6,000-square-foot interactive craft beer museum, each of the hotel’s 32 beer-themed rooms features beer on tap and even a shower beer fridge. As the name implies, the hotel is entirely dog-friendly, with an on-site dog park and dog beds and treats in every room. They even offer the world’s first craft beer for dogs, the Subwoofer IPA.

In addition to Doghouse Columbus, the city is home to several other dog-friendly hotels. The Graduate Columbus even has an in-house greeter Scarlett, a bulldog who loves the Buckeyes.

Dog festival:

WAG Festival_courtesy WAG Festival
WAG Festival - Courtesy WAG Festival

Every dog has its day, and in Columbus, that day is August 27, when thousands of pet owners and their dogs gather for the annual WAG! festival. The free event takes place in the city’s Metro Parks and features product samples from established vendors and live entertainment in the form of agility and disc demonstrations from Southern Ohio Flying K9s and Sky Dogs. Plus, WAG! is the biggest event in Ohio for helping dogs in need and brings dog-serving rescue groups and organizations together with thousands of donors and potential adopters.

Dog-friendly breweries:

Dogs at Land-Grant Brewing Company_Photo by Fred Bender
Land-Grant Brewing Company - Photo by Fred Bender

Columbus is a craft beer destination, and pups are welcome on many of our brewery’s patios and in our beer gardens. In addition to BrewDog USA’s DogTap Columbus and BrewDog Franklinton locations, other popular spots include Seventh Son Brewing and Land-Grant Brewing Company.

When you’re ready to fetch a drink or a bite, or go shopping with your furry companion, just make sure to look for the "Dogs Welcome Here" window decal while you're out exploring Columbus.

About National Dog Day

Founded in 2004 by Animal Welfare Advocate and Pet Lifestyle Expert, Colleen Paige, National Dog Day celebrates all breeds, mixed and pure and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, either from public shelters, rescues and pure breed rescues.

National Dog Day honors family dogs and dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day - protecting our families and homes, for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and helping to locate and rescue victims of accidents and tragedy.

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However, it’s easy enough to stock up with supplies before entering the park. The town of Forks on Hwy 101 about halfway between the Quinault and Crescent Lodges has a large supermarket called Thriftyway. One tasty restaurant just a couple of miles from The Quinault Lodge is the The Salmon House Restaurant. It’s all about salmon here and a takeaway picnic is a good way to go because lake Quinault is just a few steps away. Don’t miss that yummy marionberry, or any berry, pie or cobbler, which are popular in the spring, summer, and fall. Another couple of dining experiences worth mentioning, but not actually in the park, are Hama Hama Oyster Saloon on Hwy 101 on the east side of the park. It’s all about oysters here; I mean the freshest and tastiest you have ever had. Another restaurant with both fabulous food and a view is Ocean Crest Restaurant on Hwy 109 on the coast about 30 minutes from The Lake Quinault Lodge. This is one of those places where you wonder who the heck is in that kitchen, because they definitely know what they are doing. Hiking Sol Duc River Valley, Olympic National Park - Istock/Bkamprath Hanging around the lodges, particularly sitting in the lobby near one of those nice big open fireplaces, can be intoxicating, but it’s the trails that offer the biggest rewards. All of the trails in the park have good signage and are well maintained and many have parking lots and restrooms. And no need for a map or GPS system because the trails are easy to navigate. However, there are plenty of trail maps to view and purchase online, but it’s easy enough to just pick up a free map at any of the lodges or park ranger stations. The trails run the gambit of difficulty with many flat broad paths and others that are more narrow and steep. As with any hike it’s best to have a partner, water, and comfortable walking shoes. Good to have waterproof shoes with good gripping soles because it can be a bit wet. And don’t forget that umbrella. There are signs warnings about wildlife including Roosevelt elk, black bears, and mountain lions but we didn’t see any. However, we did see several black-tail deer. But luckily no Sasquatch sighting. Our four favorite hikes were the Rain Forest Nature Trail and Gatton Creek Trail both near The Quinault Lodge, the North Fork Sol Duc Trail on the road to Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, and Barnes Creek Trail near The Crescent Lodge. These trails offer lush rain forest, old growth forest, streams, and falls. It’s certainly fine to back track and redo a section of a trail and it’s okay to just stop, close your eyes, listen, smell, and let your body feel the air. Don’t miss The Giant Sitka Spruce Tree near The Quinault Lodge is a 1,000-year-old, 190 feet tall, and 17 feet in diameter tree that is quite simply amazing. The Salmon Cascades is about halfway up the road to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. In the late summer and fall this is where you will see coho salmon leaping up the treacherous falls attempting to return to their spawning pools. The small town of La Push on the Pacific coast is a good place to take in some of the Olympic National Park coastal beauty. There’s plenty of trail hikes and on-the-beach sand walks to do. Lake Crescent - Istock/YinYang Lake Quinault or Lake Crescent sunrises and sunsets will positively set the tone for a great day on the trails or a relaxing evening planning your next day’s adventures. There are a variety of fees and passes for visiting The Olympic National Park. We used our lifetime National Park and Recreational Area Senior Passes. No matter what the costs the pay back you get from experiencing nature up close and personal on the trails of The Olympic National Park is well worth it. This is one of those trips you will remember for a long time to come. Jerry Olivas - is a travel writer and photographer specializing in "do-it-yourself" adventures worldwide. Some of his work can be found at European Travel Magazine. He has lived and worked in England, Italy, and Israel and is based in Carlsbad, Carlsbad, California, USA