Sweet Caroline: Our Dog Friendly Sweet Spot
Fun Fact: Secretariat, the greatest racehorse who ever lived, was born in Caroline County on the property that now hosts Virginia’s State Fair.
We spent a few days exploring Caroline County and awarded 5 out of 5 stars to all categories below.
The only problem? I have so many favorite experiences on this trip, I can’t pick just one.
- Accommodations⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Dog Friendliness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- History⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Recreation⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Restaurants⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sightseeing⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Virginia State Fair—Caroline County’s annual fall event and central attraction—allows service animals only.
But great news! You don’t need to leave Rover behind on this road trip, because we mapped out a plan for seeing Virginia’s State Fair if you are traveling with your dog.
2023 Map of the State Fair of Virginia, Meadowevent Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell
We based our plan on a 3-day trip because there’s no way to see everything at the State Fair in one visit.
What you will need:
1. Dog friendly accommodations: We stayed at this house, listed on AirBnb, just scant minutes from the fairgrounds. We can vouch for its huge yard and cozy interior. (Already booked? BringFido lists other options and nearby Fort Walker offers dog friendly cabins to military personnel.)
We found the perfect spot for Spot!
Photo from AirBnb
2. A collapsible dog crate: We purchased inexpensive crates from Facebook Marketplace. These keep our dogs safe if we need to leave them alone in the rental for a bit and help prevent any damage from occurring due to separation anxiety.
Photo from Facebook Marketplace
3. Lots of dog friendly activities: Keep reading because we have this covered. The plan is for a tired Rover to sleep blissfully while you enjoy the Fair.
Friday
Dog Friendly Activities
Meadowview Biological Research Station, 8390 Fredericksburg Turnpike, Woodford
Appointment Needed. Call (804) 633-4336 & let them know that you will be bringing your dog.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
The Meadowview Biological Research Station even has its own LOVEworks.
We LOVE this place!
Just 30 minutes away from the State Fairgrounds, the Meadowview Biological Research Station showcases the stunningly beautiful national collection of endangered pitcher plants (Sarracenia).
The pitchers contain digestive juices and any insect that falls inside becomes dinner.
These carnivorous bog plants risk extinction due to an estimated habitat loss of over 97% in the southeastern United States.
Bogs are crucial to the environment because they retain water which helps prevent flooding.
In ecosystems, teamwork makes the dream work.
Pitcher plants play a key role in keeping the ecological balance of their bog habitat.
After touring the pitcher plant collection, Jake and Snowy are ready to explore the on-site Birding & Wildlife Trail.
The Meadowview Biological Research Station is a nonprofit (501c3) organization. Donations to help continue its crucial work to preserve and restore these rare plants can be made here.
Caroline County Animal Shelter, 14080 Devils Three Jump Road, Milford.
Closed Sunday
We stopped by the Caroline County Animal Shelter to say hello to the cuties.
We learned that the shelter can always use chew toys and especially bully sticks, which are listed on the shelter’s Amazon Wish List.
Friday at the State Fair
Midway Madness & Livestock Loop
Detail from 2023 Map of the State Fair of Virginia, (See source for legend.) Meadowevent Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell
Just FYI that general parking and the Livestock Loop are located on one side of Route 1. The entrance tunnel to the State Fair provides access to everything else located on the other side of the thoroughfare, including ticket booths and fair food.
Photo from Facebook-State Fair of Virginia.
Midway Madness
Push your limits with an unlimited ride wristband
Livestock Loop
My very favorite part of the fair is seeing all the babies at Livestock Loop.
While you’re at the Livestock Loop, be sure to catch a rodeo!
Photo from Facebook-State Fair of Virginia.
Saturday
Dog Friendly Activities
Caroline County Visitor Center, 23724 Rogers Clark Blvd., Ruther Glen
Every dog has its day and the two most awesome exhibits at the Caroline County Visitor Center are best experienced outside while walking your dog.
First, near the building’s entrance you will see Secretariat’s measured running stride. (The other line is so far away —25 feet—that it’s difficult to see!)
And a walk to the other side of the building gives a dog’s eye view of this stunning whale skeleton display, the best angle for a photo shoot.
Give a dog a bone.
These bones are models of the Eobalaenoptera fossil bones found at the Carmel Church Quarry in Caroline County.
Caroline County is full of surprises, including fossil finds. In fact, Caroline County was once beneath a sea. Now it is one of the most important fossil sites east of the Mississippi River, especially the Carmel Church Quarry which produced a fossilized whale skeleton from 14 million years ago. The Paleontology Lab blog is a great source to learn more about fossil hunting at Carmel Church Quarry.
State Welcome Center LOVEworks, I-95N – MM 107
Caution: This Vehicle Stops for Virginia’s LOVEworks
The dogs LOVE the opportunity to take another walk.
Roma’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza, 114 W. Broaddus Avenue, Bowling Green
Thank goodness for Roma’s which offers dog friendly seating, wonderful service, and excellent food without the sticker shock.
You won’t leave hungry. This is what Roma’s considers to be a single slice of pizza.
We found this helpful map of historic Bowling Green and decided it was time to walk the walk.
Historic Bowling Green Jail, 121 N. Main St. Bowling Green
Built in 1900, the jail became an important landmark in the nation’s civil rights movement due to Caroline County natives Mildred and Richard Loving. The Lovings each spent time at this Bowling Green jail after their arrests in 1958.
“Charged with violating Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act of 1924, Richard Loving, who was white, spent one night in Old Jail; his wife, a woman of color, spent four days and nights in the cramped female cell housed on the jail’s second floor.” Source: Virginia is for Lovers: Historic Bowling Green Jail
Historic Caroline County Courthouse, 112 Courthouse Lane, Bowling Green
Built in the 1830s, Mildred and Richard Loving pleaded guilty and were convicted here in 1959, of living together as man and wife, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth.
Town Hall, 117 Butler Street, Bowling Green
The LOVEworks at Town Hall served as a fitting grand finale and a reminder to us that
Love Conquers All.
On June 12, 1967 the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Lovings. Loving Day is now celebrated each year on June 12. Thanks to the Lovings, people of different skin colors in the United States won the right to intermarry.
Farmer’s Market, 211 North Main Street, Bowling Green
We were glad we stopped by on a Saturday because we timed our visit with the Bowling Green Farmers Market. The siren song of fresh produce called to me and I bought as many peaches and tomatoes as I could carry to the car.
Saturday at the State Fair
Festival Loop
We first stopped by the Farm Bureau Center to see artisans at work and an entire patchwork of quilts.
Horseshoe crabs make a cameo appearance at the Virginia State Fair. The Natural Resources Area & Geology Park feature these living fossils in an educational exhibit at Festival Loop.
Festival Loop provides an experience overload, including the Triple Crown Circus: the greatest show in Caroline County!
Photo from Facebook-State Fair of Virginia.
The Main Stage features a different concert every night. Here’s a sample of a few bands featured in past Virginia State Fairs.
Sunday
Dog Friendly Activities
Fort Walker, 13 A P Hill Drive, Fort Walker
Jake on Travis Lake
Fort Walker is not just a place where things go boom. It also features Caroline County’s best lakes and ponds for fishing and kayaking.
Snowy thoroughly enjoying Travis Lake
Fort Walker greatly exceeded all of my recreation expectations. After all, it served for years as the site for the National Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America
The process to visit Fort Walker is simple and can be completed by setting up an account on iSportsman before your visit:
- Watch the instructional videos on iSportsman regarding rules and regulations at Fort Walker.
- Complete the “Request for Unescorted Access” form provided on the website and submit in person or email. Allow at least 24 hours for approval.
- Acquire permits to hike, bike, kayak or fish through your iSportsman account.
Upon arrival, go to the Fort Walker Visitor Control Center to receive your ID badge.
Map from iSportsman.
John Wilkes Booth met his fate in Caroline County, Virginia. His escape route reached a dead end at the Garrett Farm in Port Royal on April 26, 1865.
See the map and directions, and look out for the historical marker on the northbound side of Route 301, indicating the site where John Wilkes Booth was shot.
This video provides the Cliff’s Notes version of Lincoln’s assassination and aftermath.
Brockenbrough-Peyton House, King Street & Caroline Street, Port Royal
Two days before John Wilkes Booth met his end, he arrived at the Brockenbrough-Peyton House, in historic Port Royal, but was turned away.
To learn about Booth’s entire escape route which includes the Brockenbrough-Peyton House, see The Washington Post article Tracking an Assassin.
While you’re in the neighborhood, keep roving around with Rover. Established in 1652, Port Royal served as an important hub on the Rappahannock River for shipping tobacco. On a short walk you will see the historic remnants from this era including the Fox Tavern, a George Washington slept here landmark.
Randolph’s on the River, 136 Main Street, Port Royal
We can’t say enough good things about Randolph’s on the River.
We recommend going to Randolph’s for the food, the service, the dog friendly seating, and of course, the view.
Sunday at the State Fair
Harvest Landing
At Harvest Landing, see the Giant Veggie Weigh Off. Would you like your pumpkin extra large? gargantuan? or Brobdingnagian?
Photo from Facebook-State Fair of Virginia.
Before you head out, be sure to peace out at the State Fair Gardens.
Photos from Facebook-State Fair of Virginia.
Bonus points if you find Meadowevent Park’s LOVEworks
Photo from Facebook.
Secretariat
Was
Here
Detail from 2023 Map of the State Fair of Virginia, (See source for legend.) Meadowevent Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell
While you’re at the State Fair, head over to the historic barns and take a self-led tour.
During the State Fair’s off-season, the historic barns are open Monday – Friday from 10am-4pm and dogs are welcome.
The foaling barn at Meadowevent Park where Secretariat was born
Secretariat’s performance in the 1973 Belmont Stakes is considered the greatest race ever run by a thoroughbred racehorse. He still holds the fastest time records for the three Triple Crown races.
Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte, groom Eddie Sweat, and owner Penny Chenery.
We recommend watching the movie “Secretariat” during your trip. It’s heartwarming. It’s inspiring. It’s legend. This movie tells the story of the greatest racehorse who ever lived, and it all started here in Caroline County.
This Secretariat-inspired LOVEworks sign at Meadowevent Park uses fence posts from the property, horseshoes, and the stable’s famous blue and white checker pattern.
Know before You Go
- Download Caroline County on your Google maps. We lost signal in a few spots, especially in Fort Walker.
- We used this county map combined with GPS to efficiently plan our trip.
- If kayaking is your thing, be sure to check out the Port Royal Water Trail Guide
- See Caroline County’s website for places to go and things to see, including 5 sites on the Civil War Trails Tour and the Sunderlin Bellfoundry.
- Caroline County has 4 Wildlife Management Areas: Mattaponi, Mattaponi Bluffs, Pettigrew, and Robert W. Duncan.
- Follow Mr. B’s Fish & Shrimp on the Go on Facebook and Instagram to find out when he’s in Caroline County.
Road Trip Reads
These books added context for our visit and can be found on Audible for easy road trip listening.
In March 1970, Caroline County, Virginia produced one of its most famous natives, a horse named Secretariat.
This book tells Mildred and Richard Loving’s long road to victory. They just wanted to be married and live together peacefully in their home.
The author takes a fresh look at the evidence and provides both broad historical context and minute details in a compelling biography of Lincoln’s assassin.
Roving through Virginia with Rover 
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