Florida in 48: A Weekend Road Trip
Like many people in the U.S., we made the most of the long weekend this Memorial Day and decided to hit the road for a little fresh air, change of scenery, and fun in the sun before it gets screamingly hot here in Florida.
I would call this a semi-planned trip. I had it book marked in my brain but then my husband got sick and I had a ton of work to do, so I wasn’t sure we’d make it out (thankfully, he was fine and it was nothing COVID-related). But, at the last minute I decided to just go for it. Knowing full well it might be hard to find pet-friendly accommodations last minute AND for a holiday weekend, no less. But, if there’s anyone who’s up for a challenge, it’s me!
Our itinerary: We had certain places in mind that we wanted to visit, but we casually headed up the east coast of Florida and then across to the west coast.
Where we stayed: La Quinta Inn & Suites in Cocoa Beach, FL and Springhill Suites by Marriott in Ocala, FL Both are pet-friendly and do not have breed or size restrictions.
Pet fees: $75 and $30 per stay, respectively.
A little background: It’s been awhile since I’ve traveled with dogs. Mostly because the two I’ve had in the past few years were reactive and it just made navigating crowds and new spaces stressful for everyone. Add the heat and long car rides and we just opted to let them stay home. After the loss of our boy Lobo last year, we adopted Mr. Max back in October and he’s proven to be a great road dawg. But, because we’re still getting our sea legs, I have not yet perfected the practice. So, I welcome any and all your ideas and suggestions!
Packing for pups: For Christmas last year my dogs got their own suitcase. Yes, you read that right. At the end of 2020 we bought a camper and last year we took our first camping trips. I realized quickly that two large dogs need their own bag, lol. So for the holidays, I found a great rolling suitcase on Chewy, similar to this one and put it under the tree for them. :)
For hotel trips, I don’t have to pack as much, but as a minimum, I pack their food in individual Ziploc bags, separate bowls for water and food (their suitcase came with two collapsable ones), at least one large towel, treats, a favorite toy and a few emergency meds (e.g Trazadone, Imodium, a general antiseptic/hot spot spray and an ace bandage.) If you have it on hand, I also recommend taking along an anti-nausea drug like Cerenia which can help with car sickness. I also fill an old ice tea jug with water to keep in the car for water breaks. You can easily refill it at any hotel or restaurant stop.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Shout out to the Tiny Turtle for being so easy and accommodating with a down to earth vibe and menu to match. If we’re ever up that way again, we’ll definitely be back!
After driving for hours the first day we stopped in Cocoa Beach at this cute little Puerto Rican restaurant I found on Trip Advisor (basically during my bedtime search the night before). Besides just being super friendly, the staff at The Tiny Turtle were so sweet and accommodating to Max. It seemed like a never-ending flow of wait staff came out on to the patio to visit him once news got around inside. Anyway, I had a shrimp wrap and my husband had the tacos and Max had a plain patty from the kid’s menu. Everyone was a happy camper!
“We heard we have to pay the Max Tax before leaving”
Max soaking up all the attention (and hamburgers) at The Tiny Turtle.
After lunch, we checked into our room at La Quinta - Cape Canaveral. I can’t really rave about the accommodations here (you’re paying a premium for being a block away from the beach in a tourist town), but there were definitely some pros - 1. Friendly staff and super easy check-in/check out. 2. You can park directly in front of your room for easy access in and out. This is particularly helpful if you have reactive or anxious pets. 3. There was a big, empty field right across the street which was perfect for uninterrupted walks and potty breaks. 3. We were across the street from a dog park (look for Lori Wilson Park).
Disclaimer: I personally don’t use dog parks, but I know many do and in a pinch, sometimes you need one to burn off some energy.
After freshening up and doing a lap around the field we walked over to a local ice cream shop for a cold treat. When the kid behind the counter saw my husband waiting outside with Max he told me to have them come on in! Not only did they not mind having the dog in the shop, they ran to make him a pup cup of his own. Free of charge and with some head pats thrown in:)
(They also had what appeared to be a really cute patio out back to hang out on, but we skipped it because it looked like it was about to rain any minute. Hey, hey #floridasummers)
Crystal River, Florida
The next morning we grabbed some breakfast at the hotel and made an early exit so that we could west head across the state to the Crystal River area (this central coast town is part of a larger area dubbed Florida’s Nature Coast and if you’re not familiar with it I highly recommend checking it out). This chill little town is probably best known for its crystal clear (and highly protected) spring waters and park land that become the official home to manatees in the winter. The manatees congregate here by the hundreds in search of the warmth that the springs offer. Visitors can visit, feed, and even swim with them at designated times and locations. (I haven’t done that yet, but it’s definitely on my list!) We’re past manatee season now, but with summer’s high temps there’s plenty of casual, beachy relaxation to be had.
Welcome to Crystal River, FL!
You can park hassle and fee-free right off the tiny main street of Citrus Ave., use (clean!) restrooms and take a stroll around the big grassy lot (complete with water fountains for people and dogs). We stopped for another late lunch at Kane’s Cattle Co., a steakhouse with a large patio. The food was great and they brought a plastic bowl and a big bottle of cold water for Max to enjoy while we sat outside. After lunch, we strolled down to Hunter Springs Park, watched some people enjoy the beach and load their kayaks into the water.
Springhill Suites by Marriott
We loaded ourselves into the air conditioned car and headed to Ocala, about 30 min inland to check into the Springhill Suites. We welcomed the easy check-in and nice large room. Note: They have designated pet-friendly rooms, but the onus is on the guest to let them know at check-in that you’ll need one. Otherwise, you can incur a $250 cleaning fee. Yikes.
A few cons: There really isn’t anywhere to walk dogs, despite their website saying they have a dog “trail” somewhere. You’re right next to a large gas station and a busy road so make sure you have a good leash or secure system for taking them out if you stay at this particular location.
Homosassa, Florida
The next day we explored Homosassa, an old fishing village known for having tons of wildlife, water and boat activities, and the Ellie Schiller Wildlife State Park. After working up an appetite, we stopped at the Florida Cracker Kitchen, across from the historic Monkey Island attraction. We didn’t visit the monkeys (because of the dog and the heat, we skipped this), but we did enjoy a FANTASTIC brunch at this little restaurant across the water. It sits right on the dock where you can watch the boats go by. The menu was filled with yummy country kitchen options and the waitstaff was amazingly friendly. We talked with one of the waitresses about her own experience with German Shepherds and the cook even came out to greet Max and ask if he ate “people” food. Lo and behold, this sweet guy came out the back door with a doggie platter - an egg scramble with ham, sausage and bacon! What a kind gesture. He told us, “My daughter has a German Shepherd and she would never forgive me if I didn’t offer him a good meal!” They also brought us a water dish and plenty of cold water with ice. Besides leaving with full bellies (and a to-go bag), we have some great memories of this quaint and unique spot and would definitely return in the future (and hopefully see some monkeys).
As always, vacations seem too short, but it was time to get on the road and head back home. It was a great quick, getaway from our daily routines and schedule. Max slept for the next 24 hours - the adventurous life wears him out!
Side note: I feel compelled to mention that a lot of the beaches we visited didn’t allow dogs. Understandable for a few reasons, but still kind of a bummer. We got close, walking right up to the sand a few times and no one ever stopped us or gave us a warning, but it’s still important to know that you could be stopped and possibly fined.
That being said, we were blown away with how friendly - and pet-friendly - these small towns were. Everyone had a smile and lovely greeting. We joked that we could never be low-key and just keep to ourselves on a trip with Max - he is a people magnet!
I hope you found our little story inspiring and /or helpful in planning your next trip. I welcome your thoughts and comments - and of course, any of your recommendations for pet-friendly travel!
