A Paw-some Pet-Friendly Weekend on Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville-Weeki Wachee
Woof! I am Halo, Florida’s Adventure Coast’s Tourism Dog Ambassador, and I want to tell you about my paw-some weekend in Hernando County, Florida. I know there are some dogs that enjoy a no-bones weekend, but for me, I am all about the adventure! That is why I am so happy to call Weeki Wachee, Florida home. Located in the heart of Florida’s Adventure Coast, there is no shortage of fun things for dogs, and their humans, to do. Of course, many people come here for the mermaids, manatees, and mangroves, but there is so much more to explore!
Kicking Off The Weekend in Hernando County, Florida
Every Friday afternoon, I wait patiently by the front door for my human to arrive home from the paw-ffice. A quick tip: the more excited you are when they arrive, the more likely they are to take you out for a walk. And it worked, within minutes of him walking through the front door last Friday, he grabbed my leash and uttered my favorite words, “let’s go Halo!”
We went straight to one of my favorite dog-friendly places in Spring Hill, Marker 48 Brewing. They do have a beer named after a cat, but I won’t hold that against them. This craft brewery has live music all weekend, and my human really seems to enjoy the craft beers they make in-house. I happily catch up with all of my four-legged friends at this pet-friendly brew pub!
The Ulti-mutt Sunny Saturday in Hernando Beach
Saturday morning we hit the ground running. The first stop was Weekiwachee Preserve where we saw all kinds of wildlife and more birds than I can count on four paws. I had to stay on my leash, but I still had a great time sniffing all the new smells, listening to the sounds of nature, and of course, not chasing the birds. I would never want to end up in the doghouse!
We worked up quite an appetite and made our way down to Hernando Beach Tropical Grill, a seafood restaurant right on the water. While my human enjoyed a Maine Lobster Roll, I waited patiently under the tiki for someone to drop some of their ½ lb Angus Burger on the ground. It must have been good because not a drop hit the floor. But everyone there was very fur-iendly and gave me plenty of pats on the head.
After lunch, my human surprised me with a pontoon boat rental in Hernando Beach. Everyone knows I love the water! It was a sunny Saturday and on warm days, I know that he enjoys a trip out to the Hernando Flats. I am always happy to go along for the ride. For me, it’s the feeling of the wind blowing through my golden fur.
Once back on dry land, we made our way over to The Lazy Lizard. My human and I could not resist the live music we heard as we docked the boat. At The Lazy Lizard, your people can enjoy live music five nights a week. I always try to encourage humans to get the BBQ Danish Ribs, because one of these days, someone has to throw me a bone! But for some reason, everyone always seems to order the full pound of peel-and-eat shrimp. The Lazy Lizard is definitely a must-visit for any dog who loves smelling good food and keeping good company.
It was time to call it a night, so we made our way home. I curled up in my favorite bed, with visions of those birds dancing in my head. It’s a ruff life, but someone’s got to do it!
Bone Appétit! Sunday Brunch and Shopping in Florida's Adventure Coast
I awoke Sunday morning to sunshine streaming into the windows. This means one thing – more adventure! I couldn’t wait to see what my human had planned for me.
Leash in one hand and car keys in the other, my human and I headed out the front door. We traveled east toward Masaryktown, which could only mean one thing. Bow Wow! It was time to head to Five South Market for their Sunday brunch. As a four-legged foodie, I can tell you Five South Market is a must-visit for any hungry hound. You’ve got to smell, I mean taste, the Sausage Egg Gravy Pizza Waffle. We sat outside under blue skies and warm sunlight and I even watched my human play a strange game of fetch with a friend. They called it bean bags. Whatever it was, it sure was a tail-wagging experience!
When we brunch at Five South Market on the weekends, I know what’s coming next. And sure enough, shortly after leaving, we pulled up at the Airport Farmers & Flea Market in Brooksville for some re-tail therapy. Most people come to browse the 400 vendors ranging from farm fresh produce, bakeries, gardening materials, home décor, and other various products. For me, it’s homemade dog treats that always catch my eye.
After the market, we made one more stop at the Good Neighbor Trail for a brisk walk before heading home. And wow, did this weekend give me plenty to bark about. The best part is that we get to do it all again next weekend!
If you're looking to sniff out a new place to explore with your humans, you can’t go wrong with a weekend here in Florida’s Adventure Coast. With plenty of dog-friendly restaurants and outdoor activities to choose from, it's quick paw-sibly the perfect place for a pet-friendly weekend getaway And, as soon as you hit the Hernando County Line, bark a few times; your human will crack open the window. As I always say, don’t be afraid to stick your nose out the window every now and then to feel the salty breeze in your fur.
