There’s very little as bleak as Ocean City in January.

Anonymous wrote:Residence Inn in Ocean City. They take dogs. Restaurants and grocery stores are generally open enough because people actually live there year round, or you have a short drive to Berlin and other cute small towns.

My condolences on your loss.

I agree with this option. It's relatively close and easy to book. It gives you some services at the hotel and around and plenty of opportunities for rest. And it is pet friendly.

+1 for Charleston or Savannah if you want a city. If you're looking for somewhere a little more peaceful, there are some lovely B&Bs in Beaufort, SC.

This place is lovely -- ask for a room with a view of the water:
https://cuthberthouse.com

Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's is relaxing and allows pets. We've also driven to Blackberry Farm in TN (pricey but also pet friendly).

OBX is great for a cozy get away and there are lots of houses that take dogs that are inexpensive tho time of year. If walks on the beach, doing puzzles, reading books, and sitting in a hot tub sound appealing, I’d totally do that. Not much to do though besides that.

Anonymous wrote:We had a great time driving to Charleston and Savannah. You couldn’t there or in one of the cute little small towns outside either one. It is a longish drive but boring and not stressful.

+1 to Charleston

Residence Inn in Ocean City. They take dogs. Restaurants and grocery stores are generally open enough because people actually live there year round, or you have a short drive to Berlin and other cute small towns.

My condolences on your loss.

We had a great time driving to Charleston and Savannah. You couldn’t there or in one of the cute little small towns outside either one. It is a longish drive but boring and not stressful.

I had a good time at Cape May in the winter. Mostly dead, but cozy and the beach in the winter was pleasant. Cheap. The local grocery IGA was fine for the basics.

Anonymous wrote:I would go up to Vermont

Brrrrr!

Check out the Hillbrook Inn and Spa. It’s near Harper’s Ferry and has some pet friendly suites. Very relaxing place and an easy drive. I’d call to make reservations so you can be sure you’re reserving one of the pet friendly suites.

Anonymous wrote:I would drive to the ocean and find a rental that takes dogs. Doesn't even need to be "nice" ocean since it's winter. Just calm, refreshing waves that you can bundle up and listen to.

+1

This is what I would do. Find a place at the OBX or something. Doesn't matter that it is cold. Maybe even better, since there won't be a lot of people. Make good food. Cuddle. Walk the dog.

I would go up to Vermont

I would drive to the ocean and find a rental that takes dogs. Doesn't even need to be "nice" ocean since it's winter. Just calm, refreshing waves that you can bundle up and listen to.

My FIL, whom we were caring for, passed away last week and DH and I are so fried from everything that’s gone down the past 3 years he was with us. We both need to decompress from the work and the death. We don’t want to think about anything.

Where can we drive to for a week away of just sheer relaxation, where we can also bring the dog? We have to get out of the house. Too many memories and also too many things to do, like clean out his in-law suite. We need pure distraction and downtime.

We somehow aren’t even able to focus enough to pick a place. Help us get started…