There’s nothing quite like traveling with your furry friends. Before you get ready to pack their bags with treats and toys, check out our roundup of The Colony’s best dog-approved adventures and travel tips.
Pet-Friendly Hotels
Comfort and convenience are key when planning a vacation for you and your four-legged friend. Picking the right hotel to match both your needs can be tough, but thankfully, you have options. Most of the hotels in The Colony are canine-friendly. Check below for each hotel’s pet policy. Please note all hotels welcome service animals with proper documentation.
- Comfort Suites: Pets up to 25 pounds allowed. A $25 fee applied per night, per pet.
- Holiday Inn: Pets up to 50 pounds. A one-time pet fee of $75 charged at check-in and a pet agreement must be signed.
- Homewood Suites: Small to medium pets allowed, up to 50 pounds. A non-refundable $125.00 pet deposit is required.
- Hyatt Place: One dog (up to 50 pounds) or two dogs with a combined weight of 75 pounds or less, per room allowed. A $75 non-refundable pet fee will apply for up to six nights stay; for seven to 30 days, an additional $100 cleaning fee required.
- La Quinta: A $20 fee applied per night, with a max charge per stay of $40. Contact the hotel directly to confirm room availability and pet policy.
- Residence Inn: Maximum of two pets allowed (70 pounds or less). A flat, non-refundable fee of $100 will apply. Guests have access to an off-leash dog park next to the hotel.
- Staybridge Suites: Pets up to 50 pounds allowed. A $75 non-refundable pet fee will apply for up to six nights stay; for seven or more nights, a $150 non-refundable fee will apply. A pet agreement and a record of vaccinations is required at check in for each dog, up to two per room.
Pup Play Time
Whether your dog loves to explore the great outdoors or simply stay by your side, there is no shortage of adventures for both canines and owners.
Explore The Colony’s 23 miles of shoreline with a serene trail hike. The Colony Shoreline Trail spans 3.5 miles along Lewisville Lake’s eastern edge and offers wide-open views of the waterfront. Take a walk or jog along The Tribute Shoreline Trail’s roughly 3-mile route and loop around the city’s most northern peninsula. Both lake trails offer complimentary parking and doggy waste stations. The trails themselves are composed of sustainable stamped concrete and decomposed granite surfaces that are easy on the earth and puppy paws.
SCHEELS, the World’s Largest All-Sports Store, offers a pet-friendly shopping experience like no other. The massive retailer located at Grandscape features everything from the top athletic wear brands to the hottest trends in fitness and even home décor. While there, stop by the pet shop for an incredible selection of treats, toys and accessories.
Plan your trip in conjunction with the annual Bow-Wow Luau at Hawaiian Falls. Once a year, the water park opens for man’s best friend to enjoy. Canine lovers and their pups can splash around, play games, compete in contests and raise money for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds benefits The Colony Animal Shelter Injured Animal Fund, which provides life-saving care to the animals who need it most.
Public Dog Parks
Your pup can release energy and meet other canine companions at two unique dog parks. On the north side of town, the city’s Pawsome Playground offers ample space for pets large or small. Both the 0.85-acre small dog area and 2.1-acre large dog area include shaded seating areas, dog-waste stations, trash receptacles, a drinking fountain including a dog bowl and decorative fire hydrants.
Bacon’s Dog Park inside The Shacks at Austin Ranch offers plenty for pets and owners. Have some off-leash fun at either the small or the large dog areas within the one-acre park. Each area features large shade trees, interactive play structures and seating for owners. Adjacent to the park is a spacious pet-friendly patio connecting six small restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the dog park. You can even order a craft beer or wine from Grrrowler’s Taproom and have it delivered via bucket
Meals with Man’s Best Friend
Patios across town offer delicious meals and accommodations for humans and dogs alike. The Shacks at Austin Ranch is home to a variety of restaurants sure to please. Take your pick from Dirty Burger Bar, OMG Tacos, Tacklebox Seafood, TEN Ramen and TURBO – Coffee Kitchen Wine then have a seat on the patio overlooking Bacon’s Dog Park.
Truck Yard welcomes all good boys and girls to their open-air beer garden. Grab a craft brew, a bite to eat from any of the on-site food trucks, and settle in among the eclectic décor. With live music Thursday through Sunday and rotating food trucks, there is always something new to experience at Truck Yard. If you’re bringing human friends along, head to the front of the joint and play some oversized yard games like Connect 4 and Battleship. Be sure to go upstairs and check out Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum, the roadside attraction featuring over 1,400 themed and decorated toilet seat covers.
Have a rockin’ time on the wide-open patio of Rock & Brews with generous portions of comfort food from their music-themed menu. The restaurant, founded by two KISS members, is filled with rock memorabilia and artwork inspired by the biggest names in music. You can often find live music on the patio during the warmer months.
Almost everywhere you look in The Colony, you will find a pup-friendly patio. Dine on the shores of Lewisville Lake at Angelina’s Don Francisco’s or relax on the water at Rockin’ S Bar & Grill.
Tips on Travel
Traveling with your pup means planning for more than just yourself. Check out these helpful tips to get you and your companion to and from The Colony.
- Bring a sturdy leash and collar with proper identification tags. ID tags should include your dog’s name, your full name, and cell phone number in case of an emergency while traveling. If your fur kid is microchipped, have a copy of the chip number.
- Pack enough food and treats to get your pup through your intended length of travel and then some. Be prepared with an extra couple of days’ worth of food and supplies.
- Bring a copy of your pet’s up-to-date vaccination records and veterinarian’s contact information in case of emergency.
- If you are flying into town, whether through Dallas Fort Worth International or Dallas Love Field Airport, be sure to schedule a vet visit prior to departure. Most airlines require a certification of health before check-in. It may also be a good idea to take a picture of health records, including current rabies vaccination.
- If you are traveling by car, remember to never leave an unattended animal in your vehicle. While this is an important reminder year-round, please take more caution during the hot Texas summers. Locate pet-friendly stores and rest stops along your route so you don’t have to leave your dog unattended.
- Remember it’s a vacation. Although traveling can be stressful at times, try to remain calm. Your dog may pick up any nerves or anxiety. Bring along their favorite toy, blanket and/or crate to help them feel more at home during their stay.
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