FIDO-FRIENDLY
TOP DOG PARK CITIES UNLEASHED
Dog parks give four-legged travelers a place to run, play, and burn off energy while on the road.
We all want our four-legged furry friends to get fresh air and exercise, especially after being cooped up in an RV all day. When looking for a spot where they can run and roam, pet parents can check LawnStarter.com’s ranking of the best U.S. dog park cities.
The 2026 survey gave Boise, Idaho, the number-one ranking, followed by Portland, Oregon; San Francisco; Las Vegas; and Henderson, Nevada.
To compile the list, the LawnStarter blog team collected data from 100 U.S. cities. They considered the number of dog parks per 100,000 residents, individual dog park ratings, online search interest, and climate, among other factors.
The blog also noted some dog park trends for 2026. These include a growing number of indoor dog parks; parks with canine fountains and splash pads; and places with dog park bars, such as Hops & Hounds in San Antonio, which serves human refreshments and pup cups.
And while dog parks entertain social and well-trained dogs, some pups prefer more peaceful playtime. In Boise, Together Treasure Valley Dog Island in Ann Morrison Park is a year-round destination featuring a 5.4-acre fenced in area for “shy dogs,” along with a pond for dogs to swim and play around.
If you’re in Cincinnati, reserve a site at FRVA’s member-only campground, which features full-hookup and electric sites, free Wi-Fi — and a dog park, among other amenities.
Read more about the dog park city survey at lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-dog-park-cities.
THE NEED FOR SPEED
NASCAR RACING EXPERIENCE
High-speed racing experiences put fans in the driver’s seat at iconic tracks nationwide.
Race fans across the United States can take the wheel of a real NASCAR race car and drive on the same tracks NASCAR legends have raced. Driving 101, which operates the NASCAR Racing Experience, offers such thrills at 18 premier speedways nationwide.
In this realistic racing program, there’s no lead car to follow, and participants race without an instructor alongside them. The drivers compete in actual NASCAR race cars driven by Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and others.
Spots are limited during each speedway session. For fans attending a NASCAR race weekend at one of the participating tracks, the popular Monday dates for a NASCAR Racing Experience spot are available for early booking.
Participating tracks include Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway. Visit the NASCAR Racing Experience website (nascarracingexperience.com) for a full listing of all 18 raceways, along with schedules, pricing, and other information.
BOOKSHELF
CELEBRATING THE FOOD OF ROUTE 66
This year, as a fabled American road celebrates its 100th birthday, author and lifestyle blogger Linda Ly brings the tastes of the highway to life in The Route 66 Cookbook: The Best Recipes from Every Stop Along the Way (Quarto Publishing).
The Route 66 Cookbook serves up 66 recipes by iconic diners and restaurants.
In the introduction, Ly writes: “Every type of eatery exists on the Mother Road, from old-fashioned soda fountains and new-school breweries to century-old sit-down restaurants and fine dining at original Harvey Houses. And each of these places along the way reflects the country’s cultural patterns.”
Ly takes readers down the famous route via recipes culled from many of its restaurants, combining armchair travel with a traditional cookbook. It features 66 recipes; they range from Grilled Thick French Toast prepared at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant & Bakery in Chicago, where the route began, to Spicy Seafood Soup served at The Albright in Santa Monica, California, at its terminus.
Other selected fare includes Egg Cream from Monarch Pharmacy and Soda Fountain in Baxter Springs, Kansas; Halibut Ceviche from The Turquoise Room at La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona; Chef’s Special Pastel from Doctor Kustom Bistro in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Strawberry Margarita Pie from Chiquita Rosita’s in Barstow, California.
The recipes Ly chose were inspired by restaurants, local chefs, and regional culture. From classic drive-in and diner fare to steakhouses and fine dining, and typical American cooking to German, Mexican, and Indigenous cuisine, the cookbook encourages readers to try a variety of new dishes.
Chef’s Special Pastel from Doctor Kustom Bistro in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a featured recipe.
The book travels Route 66 from east to west, with chapters organized by state. Chapter 1 begins with Illinois; Chapter 8 concludes with California.
“Follow the food on Route 66, and you’ll find that every stop has a story,” Ly said.