Plan a New England getaway with your dog with this dog friendly guide to Cape Elizabeth, Maine! Just five miles south of Portland with easy access to the great outdoors, Cape Elizabeth is a place where you get away from it all without getting too far out of the way. Its craggy shores and unspoiled sandy beaches skirt the southern shores of Casco Bay. This area is most well-known for its lighthouses, including Maine’s oldest and most prominent, Portland Head Light.
Read on for my top recommendations for dog friendly places to eat, stay, and play in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
Dog Friendly Hotels in Cape Elizabeth
Inn by the Sea: For pet-friendly accommodation in Cape Elizabeth, look no further than this oceanfront, luxury resort. Located on the first floor and available at no extra fee, their dog-friendly suites have direct access to private decks and the inn’s expansive lawn, making daily walks and playtime a breeze. Pamper your pooch with pet massages and gourmet pet menus, or leave Fido at home for the night with pet sitting services available on request. Explore the surrounding area with recommendations from the knowledgeable Inn staff about nearby walking trails, pet-friendly beaches, and free-range parks. Our favorite nightly ritual: snuggling up with s’mores around the fire pit set up on the Inn’s lawn each night.
Dog Friendly Restaurants in Cape Elizabeth
Sea Glass: Inn by the Sea’s premiere restaurant welcomes dogs at the outdoor seating or in the fireplace lounge. This more casual dining area offers a limited menu but does have tasty treats available for your pup. It’s a great place to relax if the weather is rainy or chilly.
Bite Into Maine: Located in Fort Williams State, this outdoor food truck offers the quintessential Maine experience – fresh lobster rolls! Enjoy a traditional roll or one of their nontraditional takes, like one with Wasabi mayo, while enjoying the scenic surroundings of Portland Head Light.
Dog Friendly Things to Do in Cape Elizabeth
Fort Williams State Park: Located adjacent to the famous Portland Head Light, Fort Williams State Park offers more than 90 acres of space where you and your doggo can enjoy a picnic, walk along the paths, and explore the cliff-side loop and rocky beach. Be sure to check out the large off-leash area at the south end of the park. It’s the perfect spot for you and your pup to meet new friends.
Explore More: Best Lighthouses in New England
Higgins Beach: This half-mile sandy stretch near the mouth of Spurwink River is a popular spot for pups to play in the waves. From May 15 to Labor Day, dogs are only allowed on the beach before 9am and after 5pm. In off-season, well-behaved dogs are welcome off-leash at any time.
Do you have tips for a dog-friendly visit to Cape Elizabeth, Maine? Share in the comments!
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This is such a useful guide and your photos are absolutely stunning!
Thank you for reading!
This looks fantastic for doggos with the dog-friendly beaches as well lobster rolls! 😉
Thanks, Josy!
Nice information. Pet-friendly. I like reading this one. Thanks for taking time!
Thank you for taking the time to read!
Your dog is adorable! I don’t have a dog right now because we’re traveling long-term, but I want to get one as soon as we settle down. 😀
That’s great! They do make it harder to travel, which is why I love finding dog-friendly places like this! Thanks for reading!
Your dog is absolutely adorable! What an amazing guide, would love to travel to Cape Elizabeth if I had a dog 😀
Thanks for taking the time to read, Becky!
This is so helpful! I’ve been wanting to plan a trip to Maine and into Canada with my dog in the next year, so I’ll have to check out Cape Elizabeth!
You absolutely must! Highly recommend Acadia National Park in Maine as another dog friendly spot as well!
Cape Elizabeth looks like a gorgeous place to visit! And I love the tips you gave. I am wanting to travel more with my dog instead of leaving her behind with family, so this will come in handy! A lot of destinations I visit are not pet friendly, but its great to know of one that is!
Yes I’ve been making so much more of an effort to bring my dog with when I travel. It’s more work but is well worth it! Happy travels and thanks for reading 🙂