10 Ideas You’ve Got to Add to Your Dog's Bucket List

Create a lifetime of memories with these 10 pawsome bucket-list ideas for your fur-ever friend.

By: Erin Gifford

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Photo By: Mercury Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline

Photo By: Steve Mason

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Snooze at a Dog-Friendly Hotel

There are hotels that allow dogs, and then there are hotels that dote on their four-legged overnight guests. At Kimpton Hotels, their policy is "if your pet fits through the door, we'll welcome them in." At no extra charge, mind you. Look for plush pet bed loaners, water bowls, mats and even a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants and dog parks. Some Kimpton properties have a Director of Pet Relations, while others, like Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Washington, DC, have doggie influencers, like Piper (pictured above).

Get Pampered at a Doggie Spa

Whether your dog needs a paw-dicure or is eager to update her look with a cut and color, she can get it all done at Paradise Pet Lodge in Woodinville, Wash. Pet stylists offer a wide variety of spa services to help your dog relax and rejuvenate. She'll be a whole new dog when she comes home with feather extensions and crystal ear gems. Or, head to Nemacolin Wooflands Pet Resort & Spa in Farmington, Pa., for nail paw-lish, berry facials and mini massages.

Frolic at a Dog-Friendly Pub

At The Dog Bar in St. Petersburg, Fla., their slogan is "Sit. Stay. Drink." Naturally, The Dog Bar is a must-go to watch your dog frolic at outdoor play areas complete with ramps, tunnels and swimming pools while you enjoy a pint and a game of ping-pong. Or, head to Pub Dog Colorado in Colorado Springs, which has a doggie menu with favorites like puppy patties, chicken breast soup and pupsicles, as well as a 3,000-square-foot off-leash area for socialization.

Set Sail on a Canine Cruise

Cruise Chicago's waterways with your furry BFF on-board Mercury's Canine Cruise. Enjoy a narration of Chicago's history and architecture with your leashed pooch on your lap as you both take in the sights. This 90-minute cruise includes water bowls, plenty of deck seating and newspaper-lined restrooms — just in case. Or, try a 45-minute sightseeing Canine Cruise with Potomac Riverboat Company in Alexandria, Va. Take in the views from the boat before docking and exploring historic Old Town Alexandria on foot.

Become a Social Media Superstar

If you haven't heard of Minnie and Max, go straight to their Facebook page, which has been liked by more than 1.4 million people. These adorable pugs launched to superstardom after their owner posted a short video called "The Pug Head Tilt." Good Morning America found the video, and the rest is pug history. If your pooch has dreams of becoming a social media star, Minnie and Max's owner, Steve Mason, has a few tips: Use clever captions, keep videos short, use interesting angles and, most importantly, have fun.

Play All Day at an Amazing Dog Park

There are dog parks, and then there are paws-itively amazing dog parks. One that you've got to visit with your furry friend is Pilgrim Bark Park in Provincetown, Mass. This one-acre park has two sections where dogs can socialize off-leash, including one for small dogs and one that's open to all dogs. Local artists designed benches and structures, including a replica of the Mayflower ship. Dog Wood Park in Jacksonville, Fla., is another incredible dog park with a fenced 25-acre park, hiking trails and Lake Bow Wow, a swimming lake.

Run on a Leash-Free Dog Beach

Imagine running free, the wind whipping through your fur as you splash in the waves. If this is your dog's fantasy, get your pup to a leash-free dog beach. In Southern California, a favorite is Huntington Dog Beach just south of Los Angeles where dogs can kick back in the sand, hang ten on a surfboard or catch as many tennis balls as they can. Carmel Beach on California's Central Coast and Fort De Soto Park on Florida's Gulf Coast are also known to be especially dog friendly.

Run in a Race for Dogs

Sure, you could run in the neighborhood 5K, but why not bring along your furry BFF to join in the fun? In Salt Lake City, the Chasing Tail Run includes both a four-mile run through downtown and a 1.5-mile Doggie Dash. In Jacksonville, Fla., the annual Chariots of Fur Beach Run & Festival is a fantastic way to exercise with your dog on the beach while benefiting local animal rescues. When you arrive, look for doggie mascot Ben Fur to get a wet lick for luck before the race.

Give Back as a Therapy Dog

We all want to give back, even your dog, so consider grooming your pooch to become a therapy dog. The Alliance for Therapy Dogs is dedicated to helping dog owners share the joy and love their dogs can bring to the sick and elderly at hospitals, special needs centers and nursing homes. Some therapy dogs can even help those with mental illnesses and those grieving the loss of a loved one. Dogs go through a testing process where their temperament and handling is observed to ensure they're a good fit to become a therapy dog.

Prance in a Parade

What pup wouldn't want to strut their stuff in a parade? It's a bucket-list must-do. Enter the Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade, which takes place every year on the Sunday before Halloween in Long Beach, Calif. More than 500 dogs dress up in costume to parade in front of several thousand dog-loving spectators. Another must-do parade is the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in New York City, which includes a costume contest and big money prizes. And yes, you will see dachshunds dressed as hot dogs.