Road Trip Itinerary: Edgewater, MD → Winston‑Salem, NC → Grandbury, TX (Dog‑Friendly)

Day 1: Edgewater → Richmond → Winston‑Salem

Morning: Depart Edgewater early and head toward Richmond, Maryland. Stop at the scenic Historic Richmond Canal Walk for a short stroll with your dog, enjoying the waterfront views. Continue the drive toward Winston‑Salem, arriving by mid‑afternoon.

Afternoon: Check into the dog‑friendly Residence Inn by Marriott Winston‑Salem, where pets stay free. After settling in, explore the vibrant Downtown Winston‑Salem district, where many cafés have pet patios.

Evening: Dine at a local patio restaurant such as Dog‑Friendly Brewpub, where leashed dogs are welcomed. End the night with a relaxed walk around the illuminated Winston‑Salem City Lake trail.

Day 2: Winston‑Salem Exploration

Morning: Visit the beautiful Reynolda House Museum of American Art; dogs are allowed on the grounds while you enjoy the historic gardens. Take a leisurely walk along the adjacent Rural Ways Trail for scenic forest views.

Afternoon: Head to Salem Lake Trail for a moderate hike where your dog can explore the paved loop. Picnic by the lake with a view of the water and surrounding woods.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at Dog‑Friendly Brewery, which offers a spacious outdoor patio. After eating, take a sunset stroll through the historic Old Salem Gardens, which are open late in the summer.

Day 3: Winston‑Salem → Charlotte → Knoxville

Morning: Depart for Charlotte, North Carolina (≈2.5 hr drive). Stop at Freedom Park, a large green space with a lake and plenty of shade for your dog.

Afternoon: Continue the drive to Knoxville, Tennessee (≈5 hr). Upon arrival, explore Market Square, where pet‑friendly cafés line the historic brick streets.

Evening: Check into the pet‑friendly Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville/Downtown. Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a nearby patio restaurant and a short walk along the Knoxville Riverfront trail.

Day 4: Knoxville → Great Smoky Mountains → Nashville

Morning: Take a scenic detour into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and stop at the iconic Clingmans Dome overlook; leashed dogs are allowed on the paved path.

Afternoon: Arrive in Nashville, Tennessee, and check into the dog‑friendly La Quinta Inn & Suites Nashville West. Freshen up before heading to the famous Broadway district.

Evening: Dine at a pet‑friendly rooftop bar on Broadway and soak up the live music atmosphere. End the night with a stroll through the illuminated Riverfront Park, perfect for a calm dog walk.

Day 5: Nashville → Memphis

Morning: Depart Nashville and drive to Memphis, Tennessee (≈3 hr). Stop at the historic Beale Street district, where many outdoor venues welcome leashed dogs.

Afternoon: Visit the exterior of Sun Studio and walk the nearby Memphis Riverfront trail with your pup, enjoying views of the Mississippi River.

Evening: Check into the pet‑friendly Holiday Inn Express Memphis Downtown. Have dinner at a dog‑friendly BBQ joint such as Central BBQ and unwind with a nightcap on the hotel patio.

Day 6: Memphis → Little Rock

Morning: Drive west to Little Rock, Arkansas (≈2 hr). Begin with a visit to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, where leashed dogs are permitted on the grounds.

Afternoon: Explore the scenic Riverfront Park, featuring a wide promenade perfect for a dog walk and stunning views of the Arkansas River.

Evening: Stay at the dog‑friendly Best Western Plus Little Rock. Dine at a nearby patio restaurant and take a leisurely evening walk along the Big Dam Bridge, one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the U.S.

Day 7: Little Rock → Grandbury, TX

Morning: Begin the final leg to Grandbury, Texas (≈5 hr). Stop at Lake Texoma for a refreshing dog‑friendly lakeside walk and a quick picnic.

Afternoon: Continue the drive, arriving in Grandbury by mid‑afternoon. Check into the pet‑friendly Hampton Inn Grandbury and settle in.

Evening: Explore the small‑town charm of downtown Grandbury, visiting the Grandbury Historical Museum (outside exhibits are pet‑allowed). Finish the day with dinner at a local patio eatery that welcomes dogs.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Historic Richmond Canal Walk – 2 hrs – $0
• Residence Inn by Marriott Winston‑Salem (6 nights) – 6 nights – $900
• Reynolda House Museum (grounds) – 2 hrs – $0
• Salem Lake Trail – 2 hrs – $0
• Dog‑Friendly Brewpub (dinner) – 1.5 hrs – $30
• Freedom Park (Charlotte) – 1 hr – $0
• Market Square (Knoxville) – 2 hrs – $0
• Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville/Downtown (1 night) – 1 night – $150
• Clingmans Dome (Great Smoky Mountains) – 1.5 hrs – $0
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Nashville West (1 night) – 1 night – $150
• Broadway (Nashville) – 2 hrs – $0
• Riverfront Park (Nashville) – 1 hr – $0
• Beale Street (Memphis) – 2 hrs – $0
• Sun Studio (exterior) – 1 hr – $0
• Holiday Inn Express Memphis Downtown (1 night) – 1 night – $150
• Central BBQ (dinner) – 1.5 hrs – $35
• Little Rock Central High School Site – 1 hr – $0
• Riverfront Park (Little Rock) – 2 hrs – $0
• Best Western Plus Little Rock (1 night) – 1 night – $140
• Big Dam Bridge (walk) – 1 hr – $0
• Lake Texoma (stop) – 1 hr – $0
• Hampton Inn Grandbury (1 night) – 1 night – $130
• Grandbury Historical Museum (outside) – 1 hr – $0
• Meals (average 3 per day) – 7 days – $210

Total Estimated Cost: $2,025

Tips

If you’d like to extend the trip, consider adding an extra day in the Great Smoky Mountains for longer hikes or a night in Asheville, NC for its vibrant arts scene. To shorten the journey, you could skip the Knoxville stop and drive directly from Winston‑Salem to Nashville, reducing the itinerary by one day while still keeping the major sights dog‑friendly.