By Meredeth Barzen

It’s that time of the year when Twin Citians start getting the itch to get the heck out of Dodge. The dog moms at Sidewalk Dog are no exception, and since we can’t all escape to some tropical paradise, we’ve been thinking about taking a weekend up north—warmth provided not by proximity to the equator, but by the company of our four-legged best friends. And so, we provide to you some ideas for dog-friendly lodging when you decide to load the Weimaraner into the station wagon and soak in some new, snowy scenery. And, since we’re having a hard time relinquishing the whole “tropical vacation” idea, a recipe that will transport you in spirit to a warmer clime. And remember to pack the blender.

A Gunflint guest and her four-legged friend enjoy one of the lodge's special dog-lovers' weekends.

Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais:

The folks at Gunflint Lodge sure aren’t shy about broadcasting their doggie devotion: Five special dog lovers’ weekends throughout the year take care of that. The next one, March 18-21, will include will include dog massages, a dog photographer, a dog Olympics, dog socials, a skijoring demonstration and anything else your canine’s heart could desire. And even if you don’t stay over an officially dog-themed weekend, dogs are always welcomed with water bowls, treats and an extra throw sheet in each cabin before you arrive. Says owner Bruce Kerfoot, Gunflint’s doggie guests are “sometimes easier to host than people.”

Bluefin Bay

Bluefin Bay, Tofte:

Not only does Bluefin Bay have dog-friendly rooms, but some of them even include Jacuzzis and/or fireplaces. You and your pup will be welcomed enthusiastically at this shore-side getaway with treats at the front desk and affection for all four-legged guests. Bluefin has been pet-friendly since it began 25 years ago, and its new sister resort, Surfside on Lake Superior, has kept up the tradition with pet-friendly units of its own. Plus, there are plenty of places for Fido to roam on the North Shore, like Tofte Park (conveniently located right next to Bluefin), where dogs can actually take a dip in the lake—in the summer, that is. Check out Sidewalk Dog next month for more on Bluefin.

A Superior Shores lakehome

Superior Shores, Two Harbors: Stop by for a treat at the front desk on your way back to your rented condo at this lakeside retreat. Though many guests don’t realize dogs are allowed in certain rentals, owner Darrin Young often brings his border collie and golden retriever to work with him. Says Sidewalk Dog reader Jenn Reed Moses, “Superior Shores is awesome. My dog, who is scared of strangers, actually started putting her paws on the front desk to ask for treats—I was mortified, but the staff loved her and were great about it.”

One of Caribou Highlands' condo units.

Caribou Highlands Lodge, Lutsen:

This Lutsen getaway offers a number of dog-friendly rooms, and in the unlikely event that you get bored, can suggest lots of fun activities for you and your pups, like hiking up to the Poplar River, exploring the nearby state parks or skijoring. Caribou’s Martin Pettersson recommends “being proactive and making your reservations early, since the pet-friendly units are very popular and tend to fill up very fast.”

Stanley the Bernese at a Sea Villa townhouse.

Sea Villa Townhomes at Lutsen Resort, Lutsen:

These one- or two-story townhomes near Lake Superior’s shore tempt people with wood-burning stoves and a beautiful pool/whirlpool/sauna complex. Doggies are drawn to the walking trails and abundance of squirrels. This dog-friendliness was a crucial factor when Carol Taylor, who owns one of the Sea Villas, was shopping around. “Basically, if I couldn’t bring my dog [Stanley, a Bernese Mountain Dog], I wouldn’t want to own,” she says, adding, “Judging from the notes in my guest book, I can tell that being able to bring dogs to the villas is greatly appreciated.”

Sweetgrass Cove

Sweetgrass Cove Guesthouse & Bodywork Studio, Grand Portage:

Secluded on a lovely Lake Superior bay, this guesthouse welcomes well-behaved and “well-groomed” dogs—so it wouldn’t hurt to give Günther the Great Dane a bath before showing up. Though owner Rick Anderson’s beloved Irish terrier Lucy passed away recently, “Now more than ever,” he says, “I welcome my guests with dogs to remind me just how beautiful that relationship can be.” Great hiking trails and the very dog-friendly nearby town of Grand Marais make for a fun doggie visit, and ready access to a massage table makes your stay extra-relaxing.

Now where did you pack that blender?

Piña Coladas, SidewalkDog.com Style:

½ c. white rum

½ c. coconut cream

2 c. pineapple juice

4 c. ice

Blend until smooth, pour yourself a glass, and throw your dog a bone. Why should people get all the treats?

Olive Juice Studios took these amazing photos for the various pages of SidewalkDog.com. Thanks to the following dog-friendly businesses: Covered, aloft Minneapolis hotel, Java J’s Coffee and — last but not least — the fabulous Olive Juice Studios.

By Meredeth Barzen

How unfair would it be to skip town for a snowy vacation and leave Snoopy behind? Denver’s Hotel Teatro has you and your pooch covered. As the city’s first dog-friendly boutique hotel, they offer total service: The entire staff is on hand to take your doggy out on potty breaks or on a trip to Dog Savvy (a nearby dog boutique and spa, where your pup can even get a relaxing blueberry facial!) Plus, the hotel’s new Pets in the City package keeps four-legged guests comfy, cozy and entertained with food, water, chew toys and treats—there’s even a copy of Colorado Dog Magazine so you can keep up on regional dog happenings. And since the hotel is located in the city’s hip LoDo district, you and yours will have plenty of trendy sidewalks to peruse. This winter, when Denver calls, you can answer with a ‘woof.’

By Meredeth Barzen

What better way to weather the beautiful (though lesser-known) Dog Days of Autumn than to pack up the car and take a road trip to one of Minnesota’s myriad dog-friendly vacation spots? In nearly every part of the state, you’ll find lodging that would love to accommodate you and your dog.

The Outing Lodge interior is rustic and cozy.

Start in the South, with Red Wing’s Moondance Inn. The Inn’s 1904 Victorian rental house is a spacious, no-frills, private country getaway for you and your four-legged pals. Upriver, Stillwater boasts The Outing Lodge, where owner Carlota Estevez’s chocolate lab accompanies guest pooches on miles of wooded walking trails surrounding the lodge.

For rugged dogs who love to romp, Lake Superior is the place to let loose. The Inn on Lake Superior really rolls out the welcome mat with a check-in goody bag, which includes a tennis ball, a bandana, an “In case I get lost” dog tag, treats and a list of local pet services. Also in Duluth is Fitger’s Inn, where vacationing dogs find a dog bed, bowls for food and water atop a water-resistant mat and a welcome treat waiting for them.

The picturesque shores of Bluefin Bay.

Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery and Cottages in Lutsen is always looking for guest dogs to keep Jazmin the Shih Tzu company, and Bluefin Bay gives them space to roam right on the shores of the Great Lake.

For those heading out west, Mulberry Row in Detroit Lakes is home to Ebby, a chocolate lab/weimaraner mix who sometimes writes about her visiting friends on the B & B’s Web site. And for dogs who really want to see “Up North,” the Gunflint Lodge in Grand Marais is always pet-friendly, particularly during special “pet-lovers” weekends.

Then again, for Twin Citians who want to save gas money but still get away, downtown Minneapolis offers two dog-friendly

W Hotel in the Foshay Tower has a complete menu of pet services.

hotels: The Chambers (for fancy-pants pets), and the brand-new W hotel, where dogs are supplied with their own concierge.

Now there’s no excuse not to scour the state with your canine playmate. Get packing!