Do you swear to drink the beer, the whole beer and nothing but the beer? Solemn Oath Brewery summons dogs and their owners to make friends and indulge in fine craft beer at Illinois’ best dog-friendly brewery. Grab something from one of the food trucks on a rotating schedule and dine inside a dome with your dog in the enchanting Solemn Oath Community Dome Forest outside. Pair your meal with a Snaggletooth Bandana IPA or the Nightmare Cyclist, a sinister Schwarzbier. After you drain your beer, cruise down the road to one of the best indoor dog parks in the country, Wag 'N Paddle.

Share an evening walk by the river before calling it a night at Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk.

Named after a Native American legend, Starved Rock State Park is rich with history dating back to the 1700s. Today, the most dog-friendly state park in Illinois’ more than 2,600 acres are home to 13 miles of trails and 18 canyons that you can explore with your leashed pup year-round. Waterfalls from snowmelt and heavy rains are viewable in spring, and migrating bald eagles are abundant in winter. Summer is the perfect time to take your dog fishing or boating on the Illinois River. In the fall, don’t miss views of the autumn foliage from the canyon overlooks.

Reserve a scenic site at the pet-friendly Starved Rock State Park Campground. Or, book a stay in one of the four pet-friendly lodgings at nearby Kishauwau Cabins and relax around the outdoor fire pit after a day of hiking.

See the Windy City from the water aboard a Seadog Cruises Chicago by Hornblower speedboat, Illinois’ most dog-friendly attraction. The popular Lakefront Speedboat Tour is a fast-paced, 30-minute voyage that highlights some of Chicago’s most famous sights. For a slower pace, the 75-minute River and Lake Architecture Tour is for laidback Labradors who want to experience the Chicago River Locks and the epic downtown architecture. Seadog Cruises love dogs so much that people who bring a four-legged passenger along receive a discount on regularly priced tickets.

Salty sea dogs won’t have to wobble far on dry land to rest up. Sheraton Grand Chicago is a short stroll from the Chicago Riverwalk and welcomes dogs for free.

Fish Lake Beach Resort, the most dog-friendly campground in Illinois, welcomes furry campers at their 60 overnight campsites including many on the banks of Fish Lake. In addition to walking on leash throughout the 113-acre property, your pup can enjoy making friends in the large, fully fenced, off-leash dog park that features picnic tables and shade trees for his humans. He’s also welcome to join you fishing, kayaking, or out on a rowboat. Back on dry land, take him for a hike at nearby Volo Bog or Moraine Hills State Park. Dogs of any size are allowed at tent and RV sites for no additional fee.

Sociable pups who love mixing with other mutts can take a day trip to Prairie Wolf Dog Park in Lake Forest. You and your pooch will quickly understand why Illinois is nicknamed The Prairie State. Illinois’ best dog park is a 44-acre countryside retreat that offers hiking trails through the woods, wide pathways in meadows and mowed tracks between native grasses. If you want to practice Fido’s recall, visit one of the small fenced training areas, or test out his retrieval skills with a floating fetch toy in the swimming pond. Before he hops back in the car, use the hose by the entrance to clean his muddy paws.

Lounge with your Labrador at La Quinta by Wyndham Bannockburn-Deerfield. This affordable hotel is located near the dog park entrance and has a pet relief area outside.

Far from the crowds and spectacle of the Grand Canyon sits the charming Little Grand Canyon in Shawnee National Forest. This top trail to hike with your dog in The Prairie State starts off on a gravel pathway that winds through the forest and offers views of the Mississippi and Big Muddy rivers. Then, using a natural stone staircase, hikers descend into the canyon on a more rugged section of trail. At the bottom, the canyon walls stretch 100 feet on either side with a small creek running through them. Little Grand Canyon is a 3.5-mile loop trail rated moderate due to the steps to the canyon floor. For an easier hike, enter at the parking lot and turn back at the observation area.

Fido doesn’t need to tie the knot to experience the Labrador Lakehouse Inn & Wedding Venue, although he might fall in love with Maggie, the inn’s resident Labrador.

Oliver, Director of Pet Relations, is happy to welcome canine guests to share his little slice of heaven at the Lefevre Inn and Resort in Galena. If Fido is a Poodle like Oliver, his pet fee will be waived. Illinois’ best pet-friendly B&B is less than two miles from downtown but feels a million miles away. Nestled on 10 acres, the resort features eight private rooms with wood-burning fireplaces, two cottages, and a garden-view apartment. Upon check-in, pups are presented with a welcome bag of toys and home-baked treats.

Lefevre Inn and Resort allows two dogs up to 50 lbs for an additional fee of $55 per pet, per stay (unless she’s a Poodle).

Get ready for Chicago’s premier pet-friendly black-tie gala, PAWS Chicago Annual Fur Ball. Held at the legendary hotel, The Drake, Illinois’ can’t miss dog event invites more than 800 guests and their canine plus ones to walk the red carpet, participate in live and silent auctions, enjoy a dinner buffet and dance into the night. Four-legged guests can expect an indulgent evening of excess, including crystal goblets at the dog buffet, paw-dicures, massages and pet-friendly spritzes in the Dog Spa.

You won’t have to walk far after the gala if you secure a pet-friendly room at The Drake. Fido will be pleased to see his complimentary dog bed when he gets back to his room.

If our Best of Illinois preview left your dog drooling for more, we hope you check out our book - Ruff Guide to the United States. Remember to use gift code BEST to get a copy for just $10. Happy Travels!