Are there any dog-friendly museums?
If you’re traveling to new and exciting places, you might want to take in the region’s history with a visit to their museum.
Explore these dog-friendly museums you have to visit on your next vacation.
Related: Take Fido to Dinner at These 15 Dog-Friendly Restaurants!
Dog-Friendly Museums
1. International UFO Museum and Research Center, Roswell, New Mexico
Open daily from 9 to 5, the International UFO Museum and Research Center is a must-see (even if you don’t believe in those little green men).
- Take a tour of the story behind the July 1947 crash of the UFO in Roswell, and peruse the research library that dives deep into alien history. It even has alien-inspired artwork.
- Catherine Martinez, the library associate, says since many people live out of the area, they “understand travelers like to bring their pets along for the journey.”
2. Kit Carson Home & Museum, Taos, New Mexico
Free to children 13 and under and your well-behaved pooches, the Kit Carson Home and Museum is located right in the middle of Taos – just off Highway 68 on Kit Carson Road – and a short walk from Taos Plaza.
- This frontier-style museum is dedicated to renowned fur trapper and frontiersman, Kit Carson.
- Come explore his colorful life through Carson’s circa-1925 home that features photos, 19th-century artifacts, (like an adobe baking oven), and Carson’s U.S. Army saber and scabbard.
Check out the Kit Carson Museum
3. Miramont Castle Museum, Manitou Springs, Colorado
Do you want to visit a real castle, but don’t want to make a trip to England or Scotland? Then tour on over to Manitou Springs Colorado to see the Miramont Castle Museum.
- With a mission to preserve and restore the architectural integrity of this Victorian times Castle, as well as provide an educational experience of the regions indigenous people and artifacts, this museum is a must-do.
- The castle provides visitors with 30 rooms done up in authentic Victorian Times decor (many with views of the beautiful mountains).
- If you’re hungry, take a stroll over to the Queen’s Parlor Tea Room where you can nibble on Victorian and modern-day fare made fresh each day.
Dogs are welcome, but they ask that you tape your pooch’s ID tags, as patrons do appreciate a quieter atmosphere in the Castle.
Check out Miramont Castle Museum
4. Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut
Want to experience a mystic seaport? Then “sail” on over to the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut.
- This interactive “campus” offers things to explore both on the water and off.
- The outdoor museum resembles a New England coastal village with a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities.
- Before you leave, be sure to check out the more than 500 historic watercraft.
Want to bring Fido along for the fun?
According to Dan McFadden (Director of Communications);
“Dogs have such an important place in maritime history, so we are happy to allow them to enjoy our 19 acres along with their humans.”
Check out what the Mystic Seaport Museum has to offer
5. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.
Bring Fido (leashed, of course) through nature at its best.
- At the National Arboretum, you can experience fountains, ponds, and streams, along with a wide variety of flowers and fauna.
- Scott Aker, (head of horticulture and education at the arboretum) says; “The visitors that do bring their pets are attracted by the beautiful scenery, and the fact that our campus is very large (446 acres of open space), and that it is seldom very crowded.”
- According to their website, the mission at this unique museum is to “enhance the economic, environmental, and aesthetic value of ornamental and landscape plants through long-term, multi-disciplinary research, conservation of genetic resources, and interpretative gardens and exhibits.”
If you love nature, then this is the place you’ll want to explore.
Get more information on the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. here.
6. Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May, New Jersey
For interactive fun in the sun or rain, bring the family (and your pooch) to the Naval Air Station Aviation Museum in Cape May, New Jersey.
- With over 26 aircraft displays, military memorabilia, photographs, engines, and interactive exhibits, this destination location has something for everyone – you can even learn about WWII history outdoors with your dog.
- According to Emily Moulder, (communications and events manager); “The openness and family-friendly atmosphere make it an ideal location for all members of the family including the family pet.”
Check their online events calendar for new and exciting things coming soon.
7. Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona
With 80 acres to explore with your pooch, the Pima Air & Space Museum is the place for aircraft enthusiasts from around the world.
- Here you can check out over 150 planes, helicopters, and Navy Fighters and more.
- There’s something for every age including Soarin’ Saturdays for Kids with STEM programs, and a boneyard for you history buffs.
- Plus, be sure to watch their online calendar for special scheduled events.
While all leashed dogs are allowed on site, note only Service Dogs are permitted on the riding tours.
Check out what the Pima Air & Space Museum has to offer.
8. Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, Maine
Come visit the oldest and largest public transportation museum in the world – make new memories as you connect with the past.
- At the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, you will see over 250 vehicles including buses, historic trolleys, and railroad cars.
- The 330-acre campus is filled with all things vehicle-related.
What about your canine companion?
“We’re always delighted to welcome canine visitors, and tend to make a fuss over them,” says Sally A. Bates, executive director of the museum.
“Well-behaved dogs enjoy the same museum experience as the rest of their family members – they ride on trolleys, go in the exhibit barns, and even ‘shop’ in the museum store.”
Sound like the perfect adventure?
Check out the museum’s information here.
9. Spanish Military Hospital Museum, St. Augustine, Florida
Travel back in time to learn about medical practices and procedures in the Colonial Spanish Period of St. Augustine.
- They offer a 40-minute fully-guided tour with demonstrations of “cutting edge” colonial surgery techniques by the museum staff.
- The old-timey apothecary shows visitors how herbs used in colonial times were the origins of some of the most popular medicines today – many of these herbs can be found in the Apothecary’s garden at the Museum.
- If you’re lucky, you may be chosen to have one of the “skilled surgeons” perform a virtual surgery on you, which also includes discussions on the importance of good health practices.
- It also details some of the modern uses for colonial medicines.
According to museum owner/operator Barbara Wilson:
“We are major pet lovers. Because we believe our pets are our family, we love it when tourists are able to bring their pets on vacation. Every dog or cat that comes in, whether they tour or not, receives a treat.”
Travel back in time to the Spanish Military Hospital Museum
Not all vacations have to be filled with fun in the sun. Check out these pet-friendly museums to have some engaging and educational family time with your pooch.
