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Tag: dog-friendly

  • Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile – Dog Friendly Hotel in Southern Utah

    Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile – Dog Friendly Hotel in Southern Utah

    Top Dog Friendly Hotel in Southern Utah

    Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is an awesome dog-friendly hotel in Southern Utah. It’s not your typical dog-friendly hotel, pets are not only welcome but expected. Located in Kanab, Utah, it is the perfect base camp while volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and exploring Southern Utah. The recreation options are endless! Plus, while you’re enjoying Best Friends Roadhouse hospitality, you’re also supporting their life-saving animal work. 🧡

    Sunrise in Kanab, Utah
    Sunrise at the Roadhouse

    We have stayed at the roadhouse multiple times, along with other hotels in Kanab, during our visits over the last 10 years. Here is why we love and recommend Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile (besides being dog-friendly): first-rate customer service, easy online booking, unique and well-appointed guest rooms, a walkable location, and convenient onsite services. Let’s get into the details.

    “The only reason we invite people is to open the doors for the pets!” 😉

    – JoAnne Rando-Moon, Front Desk, Best Friends Roadhouse

    Picture of Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile

    We all love the small touches. Our top two favorite activities at Best Friends Roadhouse are kitty bingo and s’mores by the bonfire. The smell of cedar, pine, and juniper in the evening, surrounded by the red rocks, is the best and warms the soul. Kitty bingo is hilarious- a fun night of community, meeting new people, lots of laughs, and kittens running around the Mercantile. Keep an eye on their calendar because they also offer live music and other events!

    Kitty Bingo-

    Pet-Friendly Hotel Amenities in Southern Utah

    For pets: a fenced, spacious park, a personalized nameplate, a pull-out bed and cubby holes, welcome treats from the staff, a pet-washing station, and their very own drinking fountain. The fenced pet park offers plenty of room to run and a splash zone for hot summer days. There is also a small run area. ALL of this and the pets stay free.

    From the cozy beds to the outdoor park, our dog Allen gives the Roadhouse 5 paws up.

    For people, shopping and a continental breakfast at the Mercantile, a laundry station with products included, technology (An INTELITY® in-room control and information tablet), and excellent Wi-Fi (which is a priority for us because we work while traveling).

    Here is Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile employee, Michael, to tell you more –

    Another huge plus for us is being able to walk to the many wonderful restaurants in Kanab. You can read about our favorites HERE.

    Charcuterie tray from Kanab, Utah Restaurant

    Best Base Camp to Explore Southern Utah

    Location, location, location! Kanab is ideally located close to National Parks and Monuments, Public Lands, State Parks, Geological Attractions, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. We’ve visited many times, and our “things to do list” is still long. There is so much history and some of the most beautiful areas in the country. Below are a few ideas for your next visit.

    Zion National Park. If you want to bring your dog hiking, there is one dog-friendly trail. Read more HERE.

    Man walking dog in Zion National Park

    Explore Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.

    Bryce Canyon National Park Hoodoos
    Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park
    Grand Canyon National Park
    Grand Canyon View

    Hike to the Sand Caves, Hidden Lake, and around Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

    Hidden Lake
    Sand Caves

    You can also go ATVing or sledding at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

    Man walking dog Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

    Escape the crowds and take a drive through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We loved driving and hiking, and we hardly saw anyone. Below is one of the coolest stops at Grosvenor Arch. Incredible!

    Camping, Swimming, and House Boating at Lake Powell. There is so much to do in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

    Volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

    And our favorite thing to do is volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary! If you don’t have time to volunteer, we highly recommend scheduling a tour of the sanctuary. You will learn about the inspiration behind Best Friends and meet animals along the way. If you’re interested in volunteering, make sure to schedule ahead of time- they fill up quickly and book out a year ahead of time.

    Volunteering with the dogs fills my heart. There are many different jobs to be done, from cleaning to taking them for walks. I don’t like to do my own dishes, but I could wash dog dishes all day long. My volunteer days at the sanctuary are my best days. It’s emotional and hard to put into words- it’s so fulfilling. I love working the morning shift and then grabbing lunch at Angel Village Cafe. Lunch is always vegan, delicious, and is only $5! You can find the menu HERE.

    Life can change in a blink; do more of what stirs your soul.

    ©Tracy Blowers

  • Top Resort In Duluth, Minnesota

    Top Resort In Duluth, Minnesota

    Pier B Resort Hotel in Duluth, Minnesota

    Pier B Resort Hotel is a top resort in Duluth, Minnesota. The location, amenities, and service are unbeatable. Recently, we stayed for one night on our way up from Minneapolis to explore the north shore. Pier B is situated on the edge of Lake Superior on 7.4 acres! This is what we liked the most, there is plenty of space to play and hang out without feeling like you’re right on top of the other guests. And, the fact that Pier B is dog-friendly.

    Allen loved all the different areas to explore, walk, and meet other dog friends.

    Best Location in Duluth for Ship Watching

    The views from the rooms are amazing. I took the below photo of the kayakers from our room! Pier B is the best location (even from your room) for watching the ships come into the harbor and under the iconic historic aerial lift bridge. The Lakeside Patio gives you front row seats to listen to the ship horns and the aerial bridge. Plus you can watch the kayakers, sail boats, fishing boats, birds, and more.

    Kayakers on Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota
    Ship coming into Duluth Harbor under Aerial Bridge
    People watching a sailboat in the Duluth Harbor at Pier B Resort

    We enjoyed drinks on the patio while listening to live music. Then, we ordered dinner from Silos, the onsite restaurant, to take to our room. The Mushroom Swiss Burger with grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, garlic and chive sour cream, and Swiss and Gruyere cheese is delicious. Terry had the Parmesan Herb Walleye, a pan-fried, parmesan panko crusted walleye, served with lemon caper aioli, wild rice pilaf, and seasonal vegetables, that he said was one of the best he’s ever had.

    They offer a great new system for ordering breakfast (due to COVID) that the front desk thoroughly explains at check-in. It’s super easy, just checking off on a paper menu what you want to eat the next morning. Then, you pick it up at your designated time. We really liked this option. Our food was hot and tasty.

    Best spot for sunrise photos of Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge

    Another favorite amenity at Pier B Resort Hotel is all of the patios and decks, each offering an incredible view and all are easily accessible. They are great locations to eat breakfast and take in the sunrise. An up-close and intimate view.

    Sunrise of the Duluth Aerial Bridge at Pier B Resort

    Because we were only there one night, we didn’t have time to check out all the amenities. There are so many fun things to do including the outdoor sport court, lawn games, electric scooters, biking, paddle boards, and boat rentals. Plus, the surrounding area offers endless recreation. There is shopping, breweries, Canal Park, museums, or driving up the north shore for scenic views and hiking like we did.

    Patio at Pier B Resort

    Visit the Pier B Resort Hotel for more information www.pierbresort.com.

    Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

    © Tracy Blowers

  • Black Rock Mountain Resort – Park City, Utah

    Black Rock Mountain Resort – Park City, Utah

    New dog-friendly resort in Park City, Utah

    Black Rock Mountain Resort is a brand new four-season (dog-friendly) resort in Park City, Utah. I highly recommend driving up U.S. Route 189 from Provo, Utah when you visit. The towering mountain and deep canyon views are striking! A few miles before arriving at the resort, you pass Jordanelle State Park and Reservoir, the vast deep blue water resting under the Wasatch Mountain Range is breathtaking. Then, as you come around a corner, Black Rock Mountain Resort is standing tall on the edge of the Uintas Wilderness with the best views of the whole region.  

    We love this location because it is so close (literally minutes) to Park City but not right in the middle of town. Park City is really busy so I appreciate the easy access to the resort, parking, and use of the resort’s shuttle service. Because the resort is so new, we wondered if they had worked out the kinks and they definitely have. We were impressed and appreciated all the help we received from check-in to check-out. We were greeted at the door and asked if we needed assistance with our bags. Every staff member went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and answered questions about the area. One team member even gave a welcome treat to our dog, Allen. That’s all it took for him, he gives Black Rock five stars.

    The best mountain views

    The entrance to the resort is beautiful with wide-open space, plenty of seating, a fireplace, and The Market with locally sourced coffee. You can also pick up a quick breakfast, sandwiches, smoothies, tea, and whole fruit at the market.

    Black Rock Mountain Resort Lobby - new dog friendly resort park city

    The On The Rocks bar is gorgeous with more incredible views of the mountains. I could have relaxed here all day. There is also a full-service restaurant. The Overlook Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Chef is passionate about buying locally and is inspired by Utah’s unique environments from the mountains to the desert. The restaurant wasn’t quite open when we stayed but is open now and the food looks delicious (click the restaurant name to see all the mouth-watering pictures – I can’t wait to go back).

    On The Rocks bar Black Rock Mountain Resort Park City
    Mountain view Black Rock Mountain Resort Park City Utah
    New dog-friendly resort in Park City

    Another reason this is an awesome travel destination is all the adventuring. It’s easy to only think of skiing. The area offers hiking, fly-fishing, golfing, mountain biking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, Utah’s Olympic Park, and so much more. It’s nice because there really is something for everyone and something for all skill levels.

    Mountain views with hot tub - new dog friendly resort in park city

    The resort offers so many activities, you might not even want to adventure out. 😉 You can relax in the outdoor heated pool or hot tubs, take a temperature-controlled sauna or unwind in the steam room. There are the cutest outdoor fire-pits to cozy up and stargaze at that big beautiful Utah sky. They also have a huge lounge with big-screen TVs, pool tables, foosball, ping-pong, and gaming.

    New dog-friendly resort in Park City

    Because we always need more Allen…

    Here’s a view from the other direction.

    New dog-friendly resort in Park City
    New dog-friendly resort in Park City

    Cheers to traveling and experiencing new places!

    Learn more about Black Rock Mountain Resort: www.blackrockmountainresort.com

    Another very cool pet-friendly hotel in Utah is Best Friends Roadhouse in Kanab, Utah.

    Find more amazing places to explore in Utah by using my search feature on the home page.

    ©What Stirs Your Soul Media

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