Part 23 of our 25-part Southeast road trip series takes us to the Granite State — and New Hampshire is one of the most ruggedly beautiful and dog-friendly destinations in the entire Northeast. From the dramatic peaks of the White Mountains to the charming seacoast towns of Portsmouth and Hampton Beach, New Hampshire packs an extraordinary range of landscapes into a compact and very drivable state.
🐾 Why New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has a fierce independent spirit — "Live Free or Die" isn't just a motto, it's a way of life — and that spirit extends to a genuine welcome for dogs throughout the state. The White Mountains are one of the great hiking destinations in the entire Northeast, with hundreds of miles of dog-friendly trails. The Lakes Region around Lake Winnipesaukee is a beloved summer destination with a relaxed, dog-welcoming culture. And Portsmouth is one of the most charming and historically rich small cities in New England.
🏨 Pet-Friendly Hotels & Stays
The Wentworth by the Sea — New Castle
A grand historic resort on a tidal island near Portsmouth that welcomes pets. Stunning water views and a prime location for exploring the New Hampshire seacoast.
The Omni Mount Washington Resort — Bretton Woods
One of the most iconic and grand resort hotels in all of New England, welcoming pets in select accommodations with stunning White Mountain views.
The Manor on Golden Pond — Holderness (Lakes Region)
A beautiful English manor-style inn on Squam Lake (the filming location for On Golden Pond) that welcomes pets.
Kimpton Armory Hotel — Manchester
Zero pet fees in the heart of New Hampshire's largest city, a great base for exploring the state.
🍽️ Pet-Friendly Restaurants & Cafés
Black Trumpet Bistro — Portsmouth
A celebrated Portsmouth restaurant with a dog-friendly outdoor area. Creative New American cuisine with a strong focus on local and sustainable ingredients.
Flatbread Company — North Conway
A beloved White Mountains restaurant with a dog-friendly outdoor area. Organic wood-fired pizzas and a warm, community-focused atmosphere.
Hermanos Cocina Mexicana — Concord
A beloved New Hampshire Mexican restaurant with a dog-friendly outdoor area in the state capital.
🍺 Dog-Friendly Breweries
Stoneface Brewing Company — Newington (Seacoast)
One of New Hampshire's most acclaimed craft breweries with a large dog-friendly outdoor space near Portsmouth.
Tuckerman Brewing Company — Conway (White Mountains)
A beloved White Mountains craft brewery with a dog-friendly taproom and outdoor area. Their Pale Ale is a New Hampshire classic.
Woodstock Inn Brewery — North Woodstock
A beloved White Mountains brewery and inn with a dog-friendly outdoor area in the heart of the Franconia Notch area.
🌲 Dog-Friendly Parks & Trails
White Mountain National Forest
Hundreds of miles of dog-friendly trails through the most spectacular mountain terrain in New England. The Franconia Notch area and the Presidential Range are particularly stunning.
Franconia Notch State Park
Dog-friendly trails through a stunning glacial notch, including the Flume Gorge trail (leashed dogs welcome) and the Echo Lake area.
Lake Winnipesaukee — Lakes Region
New Hampshire's largest lake with numerous dog-friendly parks, beaches, and trails around its 72-square-mile shoreline.
Odiorne Point State Park — Rye (Seacoast)
A beautiful coastal state park with dog-friendly trails along the rocky New Hampshire seacoast.
🗺️ Suggested Road Trip Route
Start in Portsmouth (Stoneface Brewing + Black Trumpet) → north to the Lakes Region (Lake Winnipesaukee) → north to the White Mountains (Franconia Notch + Tuckerman Brewing) → finish at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. Best enjoyed over 3–4 days.
🐶 Pro Tips
- The White Mountains are extremely popular in fall foliage season (late September to mid-October) — book accommodations well in advance.
- Mount Washington's summit road (Auto Road) does not allow dogs — enjoy the many dog-friendly trails in the surrounding national forest instead.
- New Hampshire has no sales tax — great for shopping for dog gear and supplies.
- The Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains is one of America's great scenic drives and is very dog-friendly.
Have a favorite dog-friendly spot in New Hampshire we should add? Drop it in the comments!
🐾 This is Part 23 of 25 in our Southeast Dog-Friendly Road Trip Series.
← Part 22: Vermont | ↑ Back to the Series Hub | Part 24: Maine →