By Hunter Lanier

There’s nothing worse than heading out for vacation and seeing your dog staring at you with sad eyes, wondering why you’re leaving without them. When you visit The Colony, there’s no reason to leave anyone behind. Not only is it convenient to bring your dog along on vacation, but there’s plenty to offer to ensure your fur kids enjoy themselves, too. Read on to find out all the great places you and your dog can visit in The Colony.

Canine Companionship in the Great Outdoors

Most dogs love a good walk. The Colony’s location amongst the beautiful landscapes of north Texas make it a prime spot for hiking. Consider The Colony Shoreline Trail, which runs alongside the picturesque Lewisville Lake, or The Tribute Shoreline Trail, which has its own wildlife habitat to preserve its native plants and flowers.

If your dog is always in search of the nearest body of water to jump into, we have the event for you. Every year, The Colony’s ever-popular waterpark, Hawaiian Waters, hosts Bow Wow Luau. For one day only, dogs take over the park for swimming, splashing, and relaxing in the lazy river! It’s the perfect opportunity for making great memories with man’s best friend

Everybody Loves a Dog Park

Elevate your dog park experience so both you and your pups get the most out of the excursion. The Shacks Dining & Dog Park is made up of six different restaurants, forming an outdoor food court connected by an outdoor patio built into Bacon’s Dog Park. You can enjoy a meal while your dog enjoys a little off-leash action. Stay a while and have cold brews delivered right to you inside the park.

If you prefer a more traditional setting, Pawsome Playground Dog Park is a nearly three-acre area split into two sections for small and large dogs. With so much open space, this is a great spot for a game of catch.

If the weather isn’t ideal for a day at the dog park, take the fun indoors and head to SCHEELS, the World’s Largest All Sports Store. With over 85 departments and two levels, there’s plenty for both you and your dog to explore. Don’t miss their pet section, filled with the latest toys, treats, and cozy beds.

Eat Together, Stay Together

The only thing that would make an open-air beer garden better is if you could bring your dog, and you can do just that at Truck Yard. Entirely outdoors, select your food from the rotation of food trucks, then hang out on the patio, where you’ll find live music, yard games, and craft beers brewed onsite. Before you leave, don’t forget to visit the Toilet Seat Art Museum upstairs!

Like Truck Yard, Rock & Brews lets you dine with man’s best friend. They serve American classics made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients. What really sets them apart, however, isn’t just that they were founded by two members of KISS, but that they have their very own dog menu! Treat your pup to dishes like The Good Boy, The Tail Wagger, and The Belly Rub. They can even cool off with their own can of Busch Dog Beer.

Cozying Up at Pet-Friendly Hotels

After a full day of adventure and play, recharge in one of The Colony’s pet-friendly hotels. Some hotels offer additional pet-friendly amenities, like the onsite off-leash dog park at Residence Inn, ideal for a little exercise before bed. Each hotel has its own unique pet policies, so you’ll want to be sure to review restrictions prior to booking. You can find a complete list of hotels in The Colony on their website.

A Weekend Getaway with Your Best Bud

Thanks to The Colony’s exceptional pet-friendly venues, you can easily escape with your dog on a much-needed vacation. Spend your days dining al fresco, getting in some retail therapy, and exploring the great outdoors on land and in the water before cuddling up for the night.

Start planning more pet-friendly fun in The Colony today, and give your dog a much-deserved getaway.

About the Author: Hunter Lanier is the head writer and content specialist for Tour Texas. When he isn’t writing about the many great places in the state of Texas, he’s writing books and screenplays. He may or may not own an armadillo in the future.