Traveling with your dog can be stressful, but it can also be a lot of fun if you plan ahead. By planning ahead, you can make sure you have dog-friendly stops and places to stay during your adventure. If you’re planning to take a trip to “The Magnolia State”, use this Mississippi dog-friendly travel guide to start your research:

4 Dog-Friendly Activities in Mississippi

Not all points of interest during your travels will allow your dog to join you. Making sure you have dog-friendly things to do on your trip itinerary can make your trip fun for both you and your dog. Here are some dog-friendly activities in Mississippi to consider including in your trip:

1. Elvis Presley Birthplace

If you’re an Elvis fan and your travels bring you near Tupelo, consider making a stop to explore the Elvis Presley Birthplace. This is a historic museum site specifically dedicated to preserving the small home where Elvis Presley was born. Your dog is welcome to join you in the outdoor sections as long as they are leashed and well-behaved.

2. Biloxi Shrimping Trip

Should you and your dog be fans of boat trips and your travels will take you near Biloxi, make some time for a Biloxi Shrimping Trip. This hour-long tour will take you out along the Gulf Coast and surrounding waterways while teaching you all about the shrimping industry.

Plus, your dog is welcome to join you. These tours are public and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, show up early if you want to get on board for one and make sure you have cash on hand. These trips are cash-only once you’re on the boat.

3. Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center

The Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center in Columbus is a great stop for nature lovers. There are a variety of outdoor trails throughout this four-mile natural trail system. And, your leashed dog is welcome to join you on all of them.

The shortest trail is well under a mile and is called the Lake Trail. It’s an easy walk that loops around the lake. It also connected to the Bluff Trail, which more difficult. It’s a limestone pathway that winds through the woods and follows the top of a 70-foot bluff. From here, you can see scenic views of the old Tombigbee River channel.

There’s also an observation deck. From there, you can take the Old Channel Trail and you can look for fossils as you walk. The Scout and River Trails slope up through the woodlands and they make a loop together. There is definitely a lot to explore here and it’s a good idea to make a trail plan and bring some items for safely hiking with your dog.

4. Peddlers Junktion

Peddlers Junktion is located in Laurel and is a paradise for people who like thrift stores, vintage goods, and antiques. This vendor mall features 45 vendors that specialize in vintage items and antiques. Plus, your dog is welcome to join you as long as they are leashed and well-behaved.

3 Dog-Friendly Hotels in Mississippi

After a day full of fun, you want to make sure you have somewhere for you and your dog to stay. Because not all hotels are dog-friendly and dog-friendly rooms tend to get booked quickly, it’s important to do your research and reserve a dog-friendly room in advance. Here are some dog-friendly hotels in Mississippi to help kickstart your research:

1. Tru by Hilton Meridian

Should you need to stay overnight in Meridian, consider booking a room at the Tru by Hilton. In addition to convenient amenities, including free WiFi, free parking, and free breakfast, this hotel is also dog-friendly. Two dogs up to 100 pounds are welcome to join you for your stay.

There is an additional pet fee, which is $35 per dog and per stay. As long as your dog will be well-behaved, you are allowed to leave them unattended in the room if they are crated. There are also grassy relief areas on-site with waste stations available.

2. Devereaux Shields House

Deveraux Shields House is a bed and breakfast located in Natchez. Rooms are available in three locations – the 1893 Main House, the 1873 Cottage, and the 1893 Bost House. Dog-friendly rooms are available in the Cottage.

Two dogs are welcome to join you for your stay. There is an additional pet fee, which is $15 per dog and per night. You can leave your dog unattended in your room as long as they are crated and well-behaved.

There are grassy relief areas on-site and there are waste baggies available in case you forget to bring your own outside with you. There are also food and water bowls, leashes, treats, and dog beds available.

3. Hyatt Place Biloxi

If you’ll need to stay overnight near Biloxi, consider booking a room at Hyatt Place. This coastal hotel is located right along the Gulf of Mexico and it’s dog-friendly. Two dogs up to 75 pounds are welcome to join you for your stay.

There is an additional pet fee, which is $75 per stay. As long as your dog is well-behaved when you are not around, you can leave them unattended in your room. Just make sure you place a Do Not Disturb sign on the door before you leave.

There are grassy relief areas on-site with a waste station for your convenience. Also, there are dog treats available at the front desk.

3 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Mississippi

Although you can always rely on the food you bring with you, fast food drive-thrus, and convenience stores, it can get boring and also cause you to miss out on the local flavor. Instead of missing out, check out some of these dog-friendly restaurants in the Mississippi dog-friendly travel guide and consider grabbing some food if your travels will bring you nearby:

1. The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint

The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint is a local favorite that serves old-fashioned Southern BBQ. It’s a great stop in Ocean Springs to get a taste of the local flavor. Plus, your dog is welcome to join you on the outdoor patio or at an outdoor seat.

From pulled pork and ribs to brisket, baked beans, mac and cheese, and more, there’s something on the menu for you if you like BBQ. Just make sure you leave some room for dessert, especially if you’re a fan of banana pudding.

2. Walker’s Drive-In

Although eating in your car can get messy, a drive-in restaurant is a great option if you need a dog-friendly restaurant. Walker’s Drive-In is located in Jackson and gives you plenty of delicious southern cuisine to choose from.

Plus, it offers a casual atmosphere where your dog is welcome. You can either stay in the car with them or sit with them at one of the tables on the outdoor patio. In addition to fantastic food for you, there are also often individually packaged dog treats and water available for your pup.

3. The Camp Restaurant

The Camp Restaurant is located in Natchez and sits along the Mississippi River. Your dog is welcome to join you at the pet-friendly seating in the beer garden. In addition to scenic views, this restaurant also has a variety of brews with 18 beers on tap from Southern breweries.

On top of that, they have a variety of items on the menu from standard flavors to American bar dishes with a twist. You’ll find a variety of entrees, salads, tacos, burgers, sliders, appetizers, and more. But, the burgers are the most popular with the locals.

This Mississippi dog-friendly travel guide is a good start, but it certainly doesn’t cover everything. If you find somewhere else you want to stop, just make sure it’s dog-friendly before you add it to your trip plan.

If your travels will take you somewhere else, take a look at the other dog-friendly travel guides available. Here’s to safe travels and wagging tails no matter where your adventures take you!