Historic Smithton is Pet Friendly

July 7, 2011

Your Dog Can Enjoy the “Dog Days of Summer” in Lancaster County Too!

Historic Smithton is Pet Friendly, Historic Smithton Inn

Your dog is a treasured member of your family, right?! So why would you board your pet during your much needed summer vacation? Now more than ever, pets are traveling WITH their people, and with a little planning, it’s possible to have a wonderful Lancaster County vacation with your canine companion in tow. Best of all is that you won’t need coop up your pooch in your room or car all day either – there are plenty of activities where you can bring your pet along!

The first step for planning your vacation is finding a pet-friendly lodging option, and the Historic Smithton Inn has a wonderful pet friendly suite you should consider. In Guest Suite #7, the Tailor's Cottage, you'll have a private entrance so you don't have to worry about interacctions between your pet and other guests. The Inn sits on over a half-acre, so there's plenty of room for your pet to run & play catch. Or if you prefer to wander a bit, there are nearby fields or wonderful neighborhoods you can explore. If the Historic Smithton Inn is booked up, here's a link to other pet friendly B&Bs or Hotels in the area.

With your lodging out of the way, it's time to start checking out the wonderful pet-friendly attractions, activities, backroads tours and restaurants that Lancaster County has to offer. Here’s a list to help you put together your vacation plan:

Dog Parks: Lancaster has two (2) off-leash dog parks you can enjoy : Bachanon Dog Park in Lancaster and Overlook Dog Park in Manheim.
Nature Hikes / Walks: We have absolutely wonderful nature trails and walks that both you and your pet can enjoy, a few include: Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Nolde Forest, and a collection of Rails-to-Trails walks
Shop: Take a stroll through Stoudtburg Village, an outdoor shopping area in Adamstown with several pet-friendly stores, check out the quaint shops of Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse or shop till you drop at the Tanger Outlets in Lancaster.
Buggy Rides: Abe’s in Bird-in-Hand, Carriage Rides at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse or Aaron and Jessica’s in Bird-in-Hand all allow your dog to tag along as you clippiuty-clop through Amish farms and countryside.
Amish / Historic Attractions: The following attractions allow pets in the exterior areas of the sites: Amish Farm & House, Wheatland (President Buchanan's residence), the Ephrata Cloister (listed in the book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die") and Landis Valley Museum for Pennsylvania German culture & history.
Covered Bridge Drive: Take a self-guided tour of PA Dutch backroads where you can enjoy the scenery and get a sense of country-life.
Amish / Mennonite Guided Tour: Tour the Countryside & learn about the Amish with a private tour guide in your car.

And finally, after a day of exploring, you’ve probably worked up a good appetite. The following restaurants allow pets in their outdoor seating areas: Isaacs Deli on Queen Street in Lancaster, Black Horse Tavern in Denver, Kettle Café in Intercourse, Iron Horse Restaurant in Strasburg. All of these choices are known for their delicious menu choices, from soups and sandwiches to full-dinner fare,offered in a fun atmosphere that you and your pet are sure to enjoy.

As you can see, vacationing with your pet in Lancaster County isn’t just possible, it’s downright fun! Start out by booking your pet friendly Lancaster County vacation at the Historic Smithton Inn, then make plans to enjoy the multitude of activities the area has to offer!