PET FRIENDLY Washington & Lee University W&L

Though Washington & Lee does not allow pets in its on-campus housing, we are going to give it our "pet friendly" honorific because George Washington was mad for dogs. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, he owned more than 50 dogs over the course of his life, starting with a Dalmatian named Madame Moose (extra bonus pet-friendly points for the awesome name). He was keen on spaniels and terriers, and is considered to be the father of the American foxhound, the result of his breeding black and tan hounds with French hounds. Washington also reportedly hunted ducks with a Newfoundland he called Gurmer.

Robert E. Lee was also a lover of pets, and grew up with a black and tan spaniel named Spec, who used to attend church with the family. Spec's mom, Dart, was a rescue and, it turned out, a very good ratter. She and a Maltese cat who remains unnamed in Lee's autobiography kept the house and stables free of vermin. According to Lee, food for Dart and the cat was put out on the same plate, and Dart was not allowed to eat until the cat had had her fill.

When you and your pup are ready to eat, hie thee over to The Red Hen, which advertises its menu as "inspired Shenandoah cuisine" and is the one pet friendly restaurant in Lexington. For more options, you can take a short ride to nearby Nellysford, to Wild Wolf Brewing Company, which has a beautiful dog friendly beer garden complete with a koi pond. Its menu offers up such tasty options as Smoked Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Rice, Maple-Glazed Salmon, and BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos.

Also a quick hop from Lexington is El Jefe Taqueria Garaje, with a fantastic selection of high flavor tacos as well as an extensive collection of tequilas and craft and Mexican beers. We love that it has multiple pet friendly seating options to choose from.