Author John Steinbeck's cross-country travels with his poodle Charley were the basis for his well-known travelogue Travels with Charley. When the book was published in 1962, it wasn't common to take a road trip with your pup. Now, more than 60 years later, it's not unusual for man and woman's best friend to accompany his or her owner on a day trip to sample a new brewery or on a longer vacation. 

Pet-friendly venues, from restaurants, hotels, inns, and campsites to dog parks and walking and hiking trails, are the norm. Pet-friendly stores stock all the latest doggie clothing, toys, treats and more, and when owners want a day to themselves doggie day-care centers welcome pups with a range of options from grooming to spacious play areas.  

Have a destination in mind for you and your pooch? Google the name of the town, add "pet-friendly," and lots of options will pop up.  

Explore the Outdoors 

Just like their humans, dogs like to get outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature, although they are no doubt more interested in the myriad smells along the trail or the sight of scampering squirrels. City sidewalks beckon, as do parks where they can play fetch or visit with other dogs. Some pups have even scaled several, if not all, of New Hampshire's 48 4,000-foot peaks.  

New England's highest peak welcomes your canine companion. Doggie photos on the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington are a must. Two things to remember to keep your pup comfortable: the summit is very rocky so take that into account if they have delicate feet, and inclement weather—rain, fog, sleet, high winds, snow—is possible even in summer. Pets must be leashed at all times and are not allowed in the summit buildings.  

The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail spans 83 miles across the northern White Mountains region of the state from Woodsville on the west to Gorham on the east, and passes through communities like Lisbon, Littleton, and Whitefield, where restaurants, breweries, and shopping await. There are easy access points all along the trail for a walk or a run with your pet.

Play fetch with your canine companion in North Conway's Schouler Park directly in front of the Conway Scenic Railroad, and later stroll the sidewalks of the quaint downtown and grab a coffee and a pastry at one of the cafes with outdoor seating. Many dog-friendly businesses, here and elsewhere, place water bowls outside their doors.  

The open space at Settlers Green in North Conway is a great place to walk your pup while other members of your party shop the outlet stores. Some of the stores welcome well-behaved dogs that are leashed.   

Dogs are welcome at Great Glen Trails in Gorham, where 28 miles of trails in the beautiful mountain setting are available for walking and running. 

With the sparkling waters of Lake Winnipesaukee as a backdrop, it's a pleasure to stroll through Meredith's Sculpture Walk with your doggie friend. On rainy days, check out the Canine Connection, an indoor dog park, where pups can work off some of their energy.  

On a hot summer day, both you and your doggie can cool off with an easy 1.5-mile stroll along a shaded loop to a waterfall at the Walter/Newton Natural Area in Plymouth. Dogs must be leashed. www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/walter-newton-natural-area-trail  

Dine Out with Your Doggie Friend — Bone Appetit! 

If a restaurant has an outdoor seating area, chances are it's pet-friendly. Check out these venues and get ready for good grub, refreshing drinks, and maybe a treat or two for your faithful friend. 

Twin Barns Brewing Company in Meredith, with its outdoor beer garden, is a perfect spot to quench your thirst and grab a burger. The dog-friendly spot serves up dog treats, too, from the Cup & Crumb bakery in Moultonborough. Don't leave without checking out the dog swag.

Several restaurants in downtown Plymouth are pet-friendly and allow dogs to join their owners in their outdoor seating areas. Grab a cone for you and a pup cup for Fifi or Cooper at M'n M Scoops, or order from the breakfast or lunch menu at Chase Street Market and relax outdoors and watch the world go by with your pooch at your side. The Last Chair specializes in pizza and in-house brewed beer for the humans and a pup cup for your companion. Leashed dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly patio at Phat Fish, where the menu leans toward American bar and grill style.  

Several spots in the Littleton/Bethlehem area welcome dogs at their outdoor seating areas. The Little Grille at The Depot on Cottage Street in Littleton has five umbrella-covered tables outdoors, while Wildbloom Beer on Littleton's Main Street invites dogs into their taproom, where craft beer is the specialty of the house. Rek-Lis Brewing Company in Bethlehem has a number of outdoor tables where patrons can sip a brew and order from the menu, while their pups hope they'll get to share some of the grub.   

North Conway is overflowing with pet-friendly restaurants. Patio seating, pizza, and local beers are the perfect combination for you and your pooch at Flatbread Company. Bowls of water are available for your dog at Peach's Restaurant, while you choose from the human menu at this favorite breakfast spot. Just up the road from North Conway is the Red Fox Bar and Grille in Jackson, which serves wood-fired grilled entrees and pizzas, and has a dog-friendly covered patio.  

Nighty Night! 

Each hotel, inn or motel has its own pet policy. All charge a fee for pets that stay in your room. Some limit the weight of your dog or the number of dogs allowed. Some require proof of rabies vaccination. Picking up poop is mandatory. Many offer treats to make your pet's stay more enjoyable. It's best to make reservations ahead of time, as most places allocate just a few rooms in their establishments as pet-friendly rooms.   

Woodstock Inn Brewery in North Woodstock has a number of rooms for you and your pet. Up to two dogs are allowed, and are welcomed with treats, food and water bowls, and clean-up bags. Your pet is also welcome to join you at the Brewery's outdoor dining area.    

Dogs are regarded as royalty at The Inn on Golden Pond in Holderness, where the full treatment includes a doggie breakfast menu, a quarter-acre fenced, on-site dog park, and a private beach where your pup can practice her doggy paddle. Six rooms are set aside for travelers and their doggie friends, and dog sitting is available for those evenings when you have a dinner date! 

The Mountain View Grand in Whitefield believes dogs should receive VIP treatment during their visit. The dog-loving staff will gift you with a doggie swag bag, and your puppy will luxuriate in all the head scratches and belly rubs offered. Dogs must be 40 pounds or less. Three pet-friendly rooms are available and fill up fast.   

The Adair Country Inn in Bethlehem has four pet-friendly rooms, one of which has a fenced-in yard. Pets will appreciate the walking trails that crisscross the 182-acre property.  

Two pets of any size are welcome at the Residence Inn by Marriott North Conway, and an outdoor patio means your pet can join you for the complimentary breakfast.  

If you'd rather camp out than stay in a hotel or inn, check out Saco River Family Camping in North Conway, which has two dog parks, one for smaller animals and the other for larger pets. Pets must be on leash.  

Ten dog-friendly rooms are available at the Top Notch Inn in Gorham, with a grassy area outdoors to walk your pet. The Inn welcomes two dogs up to 50 pounds.  

Let's Go Shopping 

Four Your Paws Only in North Conway is a pet specialty store and bakery with a wide variety of gifts for pets and pet lovers, doggie raw and chew bars, play groups and monthly events.  

Drop into Tailswag, a pet boutique on Littleton's Main Street, and choose from a wide selection of toys, leashes, apparel and more to outfit your pet in style. Dogs on leash are welcome in the store, but those with very active pups can schedule a private appointment to make the shopping experience more pleasurable for both the dogs and their owners. 

Treats, toys and fashionable apparel from 603 Paws in Meredith are the perfect gift for your pet or a fellow pet lover. The store also features gifts for humans who love animals.   

Doggie Day Care 

Sometimes, your vacation plans involve time away from your pet. On those occasions, you'll want to check out the region's doggie day care facilities. 

Pets get pampered by the staff at K9 Fun Town in Twin Mountain for the day, overnight or for extended stays. Group play, mental stimulation and nap time are included in the day's schedule. K9's staff can also take care of all your pet's grooming needs.   

One Dog Day in Lincoln/North Woodstock gives pets a vacation getaway in a scenic location with walks along a river trail, swimming in the Pemigewasset River on a hot day or in the spring fed lake at Deer Park Resort. Daycare only; no overnight boarding.   

White Mountain College for Pets in Holderness provides training, lodging and day care for your pet. Creative activities enhance their day camp or sleepaway dog camps.  

Doggie day care, overnight boarding, a grooming salon and a self-service dog wash are featured selections at Pet Rendezvous in Center Conway.

Eileen Alexander, a New Hampshire native, made a short detour through North Carolina before returning to the Granite State. She has a yen for old homes with character, colorful flower gardens, and expansive mountain views. 

See this article and more in the summer edition of Journey Home, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty's magazine focusing on New Hampshire real estate and local living.