Wherever you go, they go. Bring your best friend along for this trip guaranteed to get tails wagging with plenty of on- and off-leash outdoor activity. Complete with treats and eats, Fido will be wondering who heeled who while you both sample some of the dog-friendly activities Nash County has to offer. Acres of parks, outdoor beer gardens, and Tar River wildlife await. So grab your four-legged friends and get ready to make the most of the dog days of summer in Rocky Mount.
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Stay: River and Twine Tiny House Hotel
To you it’s a boutique tiny house hotel. To your dog, it’s the biggest dog house they’ve ever seen. River and Twine–the largest tiny house hotel of its kind in the world–invites you to stay small in its tiny house village. For $25/day on top of the rental fee, you and your dog (under 40 pounds) can enjoy cozy quarters with all the creature comforts you need. Each house is equipped with a kitchenette, private bath, bed linens, heating and air conditioning, and WIFI to keep you connected. Outside, roast your pal a fresh hot dog over the communal fire pit or cook them a special treat on the grill. Toss them a ball on the green lawn of the Rocky Mount Mills campus. It’s your dog’s vacation, too.
Other dog-friendly hotels where you can bunk up with your buddy:
Residence Inn
Candlewood Suites
Days Inn
Comfort Inn
Baymont Inn
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Walk: Tar River Trail
If your dog is on-ready alert to tell you he sees a SQUIRREL, hook your leash and go for an adventure walk on the Tar River Trail. The 7.1-mile paved trail winds through Rocky Mount from Sunset Park to the Sports Complex, connecting five city parks in between.
From Rocky Mount Mills, pick up the trail just over the Little Falls bridge on your right. Hike by the Tar River Falls and through Battle Park to the gorgeous pedestrian wooden bridge. It’s an easy trek, about 3 miles round trip, from your tiny house.
There’s lots for your pup to explore. Rocky river banks where he can splash into the Tar. Plenty of sticks to find and bring you to throw from lush green forests. You’ll see the Tar River Dam. Watch for curious pups who may want a closer look at turtles and river otters.
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Play: Best Friend’s Dog Park
Go off-leash at Best Friend’s Dog Park. This 9-acre park has plenty of room to give your pal some freedom to run around. Three fenced areas are well-marked for dogs of different sizes and activity levels. Give Fido a chance to show off his moves on the agility course. He can tackle ramps, tunnels, and hoops, taking turns with other dog challengers.
This pooch’s paradise is a social place, so expect to make some new friends, both two- and four-legged. There’s no shortage of things to sniff, from new friends to trees to benches. No food is allowed, but there are a few communal water bowls, as well as water fountains for pet owners.
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Treat: Muttley Crew Boutique
If you are looking for K-9 couture, walk over to Muttley Crew Boutique at the Nash County Farmers Market (open Saturday). Nothing can make a slobbering mug look cuter than a custom collar that reveals their inner thoughts like "Ball is Life," or "Mama’s Boy." Fun, bright prints will make your furry friend stand out and be the envy of those sporting a less glamorous look at the dog park. This cute booth is also the spot to pick up special treats–cookies shaped like hotdogs or martinis and chewy cow ears, pig snouts, or mini beef burgers. A grateful bump from a wet nose or a sloppy kiss is sure to follow.d
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Eat: Rocky Mount Mills Restaurants
Outdoor seating abounds back at the Rocky Mount Mills campus where you’ll find a collection of dog-friendly restaurants and brewpubs designed to help you relax, unwind, and eat with your leashed best friend. Featuring food for almost any mood, your hardest decision will be where to go.
TBC West Tacos and Taproom is the spot for a rack of creative tacos like "Nana’s Short Rib" and "St. James Shrimp." Plenty of picnic tables and a generous lawn are available at this casual, friendly restaurant.
At Koi Pond Brewing Company, you’ll find an ever-changing variety of unfiltered ales made with local ingredients. Pale Ales, IPAs, stouts and more including some with some pretty fun names like Angry Squirrel and Double Dragon. They have a few snacks to purchase, but welcome you to bring your own from a nearby restaurant. Playful pups won’t mind if you take on a game of giant Connect Four or settle in for local music and trivia.
If you’d rather take it easy after your adventures, order a wood-fired pizza to go at Tipsy Tomato. Pick up a six pack or a bottle of wine from Goat Island Bottle Shop. It’s just a short stroll back to your tiny house where you can sit with your best friend and settle down in front of the fire pit.