When we told our two rescue dogs we were going on a staycation, they did what they always do — one did her tippy-tappy dance and the other stared at us with his deep, philosophical suspicion. By the time we pulled into Fearrington Village, even the skeptic had his nose pressed against the back window taking it all in. Here is a look at our dog-friendly staycation at Fearrington Village.
Spoiler: it was the best overnight trip we have taken with our pups yet.
Two Rescue Dogs Walk into a Village: Our Dog-Friendly Fearrington Staycation
First Stop: Al Fresco Lunch at The Belted Goat
David and I arrived hungry, so we headed straight for The Belted Goat to get that sorted out. I grabbed a table outside while David went inside to order, and the dogs settled in to observe their surroundings. The outdoor setting is relaxed, easy, and the kind of place where having dogs under the table feels completely natural. There are water bowls throughout the outdoor area, plus plenty of space to spread out. Tables also come with umbrellas to provide extra shade and sun protection. The restaurant has a walk-up window, so once you order indoors, you wait for a text to let you know your food is ready and then go grab it.
David and I ordered the grilled cheese and soup lunch. I got their tomato basil bisque and David got the chili. We also got a beverage from Galloway’s Beer & Wine Bar to bring outside.
The Main Event: Meeting the Belties
If you do not know about the famous Belted Galloway cows — the “Belties” — at Fearrington, stop everything and look them up. They are these gorgeous black-and-white belted cows that have been part of the property for decades and are the local celebrities.
Our dogs were riveted. We stood there longer than we would like to admit, watching two rescue dogs contemplate the mystery of large spotted cows in a pastoral North Carolina village. The cows were equally as intrigued and was truly one of my favorite parts of the trip. No notes.
A Stroll Through the Shops
Here is something you may not know: the shops at Fearrington Village welcome dogs inside. We wandered through Dovecote, Nest, and McIntyre’s Books with our two in tow, and they were received with warm welcomes and fanfare. In fact, there were dog treats to be given at Nest and the folks in the bookstore made a point to come get ear scratches.
McIntyre’s is an absolute gem of an independent bookstore, and there is something deeply wholesome about browsing books with a dog leaning against your leg. We highly recommend it.
Note: Dogs are not allowed in The Belted Goat or The Spa Shop for sanitary reasons unless they are service animals.
Evening Wind-Down: Takeout from the Inn Bar
Rather than a formal dinner, we grabbed takeout from the bar restaurant at Fearrington House Inn and brought it back to the room. This turned out to be the perfect call. The dogs had had a full day — cows, shops, walking, lots of new smells — and honestly, so had we. We ate in the room while they snuggled up in front of the fire, and it was exactly as cozy as it sounds.
We started with their homemade pringles to share. David ordered the burger, which comes on an everything seasoning bun, and I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken.
Morning: Coffee, Strolls, and a Proper Breakfast
Morning with dogs at Fearrington is chef’s kiss. We took an early stroll around the property — dewy, quiet, absolutely beautiful — before slipping over to the Garden Room to grab coffee. There is nothing better than a good cup of coffee after a walk with your dogs in a place that pretty.
We brought it back to the room, let the dogs do their morning flop-and-stretch routines, and eased into the day. It, of course, included neighborhood watch.
Then came breakfast — which is included in the stay. We dined outdoors at the restaurant, dogs settled at our feet like the well-traveled gentleman and lady they now considered themselves. It was unhurried, lovely, and the kind of meal that makes you wish every morning started that way.
The Bottom Line for Fellow Dog Parents
Fearrington Village is genuinely, thoughtfully dog-friendly — not in a “we tolerate your pets” way, but in a “bring them everywhere, they’ll love it” way. Between the walkable grounds, the welcoming shops, the outdoor dining, and the absolute magic of watching your dogs encounter Belted Galloway cows for the first time, it is a staycation we would do again in a heartbeat.
Our two angels came home tired, happy, and full of good smells. We came home feeling like we had actually rested.
That is a win by any measure.
Have you taken your dogs to Fearrington? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Thank you to Theresa Chiettini and the staff at Fearrington Village for hosting us. As always, all opinions are my own.
