Pre-Vacation To-Do List:

Find kennel or boarding service.
Schedule your pet’s stay.
Choke when you realize what it’s going to cost.
Bid that cute furry face goodbye…*sad face*.

There’s an easier way – 

Bring your four-legged family members with you on your trip to Cape Girardeau!  

Kick off the weekend at Hunter Valley Winery, where you can kick back on the patio overlooking the vineyards with a glass of wine and your dog by your side.  Gypsy is the super-sweet winery beagle and she’ll come say “hi” just as your food is arriving.  Smart dog!

You can’t go wrong with a shady stroll through the wooded portion of the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail, where your pup will have lots of new smells to investigate.  

If you can, plan your stay to include the Cape Riverfront Market on Saturdays May-October from 8 a.m. – noon; leashed dogs will love visiting with the guests and vendors (some who have treats just waiting for your furry buddy).

Your dog can stretch all four legs at Dogtown, the local dog park! There are separate areas for big and little dogs as well as a water fountain and a fun tunnel for your pet to adventure through.

Your lucky pet can pick out a souvenir of their trip to Cape Girardeau at Mississippi Mutts, a dog store and spa with homemade bakery treats. Maybe the free samples will help your pup narrow down just which treat to bring home! The tubs are a nice feature if Fido needs a spa day before heading home. Busch Pet Products is a specialty pet store that features a dog wash and spa, pet food and treats.

Really make a leisurely weekend out of it – there many pet friendly hotels in Cape Girardeau to choose from. The Auburn Place Hotel & Suites, Candlewood Suites, Drury Lodge, Drury Suites, the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites and the Pear Tree Inn are all happy to welcome you and your pet. If you’d like to bring along your pet AND your RV, Cape Camping & RV Park, the Landing Point RV Park and the campgrounds at Trail of Tears State Park are all pet friendly.

Pack those bags and roll down those windows so your furry friend can catch the breeze, just like Ninja is in the picture above…hit the road to Cape Girardeau!