Most Pet-Friendly Cities in North America

The list of top 10 dog-friendly vacation destinations in North America is an annual compilation by the experts at DogFriendly.com. Created for folks that want to bring their pet with them on vacation, the list of winning cities took into account the number and quality of dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores, dining and other things to do with your four-legged friend.

Take a look below to see this year's top rated cities:

1. Boston - Take a boat or whale watching cruise. Walk the Freedom Trail, visit Salem and explore history at Minute Man Park. Your leashed dog is also welcome on the subway.

2. Vancouver - Walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge and park. Take a walking tour of Historic Gastown. Take the ferry and visit nearby Victoria and beautiful Butchart Gardens.

3. New York - Stay in luxury at many fine hotels. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Take a walking tour of lower Manhattan. Ride the carriages. Watch a morning show. Shop in many famous stores.

4. San Francisco - Luxurious hotels, outdoor dining, the Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach and many off-leash areas. Ride the cable car to the Fisherman's Wharf area and stroll with your dog.

5. Austin - Visit Zilker Botanical Gardens, catch  a horse and carriage ride, dine in outdoor cafes. See the bats leave the Congress St Bridge at dusk. Use the city's many parks.

6. Portland - Enjoy over 20 off-leash areas, an amusement park and the famous Rose Gardens. Dine at the Lucky Lab. Visit the Saturday Outdoor Market and hike in the Colombia River Gorge.

7. Northern Virginia - Dine or enjoy happy hour in dog-friendly Alexandria. Take the Canine Cruise on the Potomac. Visit outdoor monuments  in Washington and Virginia.

8. Orlando - Stay at resorts such as the Portofino Bay and Sheraton World. Take a boat cruise, shop Winter Park, and dine at Sam Snead's where Jeb Bush signed the doggy dining law. 

9. San Diego - Off-leash dog beaches. Stay at Loews Coronado Resort. Shop at dog-friendly Otay Ranch Shopping Center complete with a dog park. Dine outdoors. Visit nearby Julian.

10. Dallas/Fort Worth - Ride a carriage, visit Pioneer Plaza, take a walking tour. Visit Fort Woof dog park and the Stockyard in Fort Worth. Dine on Texas BBQ at outdoor restaurants.

Honorable Mentions: Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Salt Lake, and Seattle.

For more details on these hot spots, including more information about the rankings, please visit http://www.dogfriendly.com/top10.

You can also find pet-friendly lodging at cities all over the world with RTM's Pet Travel Directory.

(Sources: DogFriendly)