The top 11 US destinations for LGBT travellers
San Francisco Pride (Getty)
There are many places around the world that are fabulous to visit for LGBT travellers, and a fair amount of the very best are in the US.
Below we round up the 11 very best US destinations for LGBT travellers from all across the country, and let you know where you can stay while you’re there.
1. San Francisco
Where to start? San Francisco is something of a gay mecca, but the most famous gay-friendly part of the city is the Castro District, which features a giant rainbow flag.
As well as an abundance of bars and shops, this area is home to the GLBT History Museum and Rainbow Honor Walk, which pays tribute to famous GLBT people.
San Francisco (Mister 10)
Another area to check out is SOMA (South of Market), with some bars in the area catering to those into leather and other fetishes.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, check out the superb apartments and rooms available to rent thanks to misterb&b hosts.
For example, Peter is offer a spacious private room in San Francisco nearby Castro Street, with a separate entrance for guests.
2. New York
New York was the epicentre of the LGBT equal rights movement of the 1960s and ’70s.
It is, of course, the location of the Stonewall Inn and where the Stonewall Riots took place in 1969.
The city hosts various LGBT activities throughout the year, and houses many gay bars and clubs.
The Stonewall Inn in New York (Mister 10)
Other places to check out are Riis beach in Rockaway, Queens, as well as Fire Island out on Long Island.
If you’re after somewhere to stay, Randy has a private room with its own backyard in the heart of NYC’s gay neighbourhood close to Central Park and Times Square.
3. LA/Hollywood
LA has a long history of gay-friendly culture, attractions and more, with the most famous neighbourhood being West Hollywood, aka WeHo.
Los Angeles (Mister 10)
As well as LGBT nightlife, shopping and dining, be sure to check out Will Rogers State Beach and gay cruises departing from the city to Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii.
If you’re heading to LA, Hektor is listing a studio on misterb&b in WeHo, close to supermarkets, gyms, restaurants and bars.
4. Chicago
Boystown Chicago – aka East Lakeview or Northalsted – is the largest gay area in the city and features events all year, including Northalsted Halloween Parade, the Northalsted Market Days and Chicago Pride Fest.
Chicago Theatre (Daniel Schwen)
The next biggest gay neighbourhood to check out is Andersonville, which is home to several gay bars, one bathhouse and the annual festival Midsommarfest.
If you’re visiting in the summer, head to Hollywood Beach, and if you’re there in September, check out Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ and International Film Festival.
Take a look at this apartment available to rent in Boystown starting at just 71€ per night.
5. Palm Springs
Similarly, The Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Palm Springs takes place every September, while Pride is on in November. Lesbians head to the city in March and April for Dinah Shore events.
Palm Springs (Patrick Pelster)
Palm Springs has plenty of gay bars and nightclubs, as well as gay resorts like the Desert Paradise Resort Hotel, All Worlds Resort and Escape Resort.
You can stay at this incredible place in Palm Springs with a guitar-shaped pool. Seriously. And it’s 132€ per night.
6. San Diego
This Californian city is known for its acceptance of the LGBT community and has many gay-friendly restaurants, bars and clubs.
San Diego (Mister 10)
Near downtown San Diego is Hillcrest, the heart of the city’s LGBT community. It flies an enormous pride flag, which is where the city’s Pride Parade kicks off.
If you’re after somewhere to stay, check out Marcus’ private cottage in Hillcrest, which comes with free reserved parking and costs just 84€ per night.
7. Fort Lauderdale
Gay-friendly Fort Lauderdale in south Florida is full of gay venues, and is the starting point of many gay cruises.
Fort Lauderdale (Elvert Barnes)
The city also has two pride festivals; Wilton Manors Stonewall Festival in June and Pride Fort Lauderdale in October.
Oh, and there’s MiFo Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, as well as Wicked Manors – gay Fort Lauderdale’s Halloween celebration.
If you’re looking for a place in the area, Bill is listing a whole cottage with private entrance, hot tub and secret garden – all for just 87€ per night.
8. Miami
And just up the road in Miami – which has Ocean Drive is the hottest gay area, featuring gay-friendly bars, clubs and restaurants.
Ocean Drive in Miama (chensiyuan)
Miami has had a sizzling LGBT nightlife going back almost a century, and now welcomes over a million LGBT travellers every year.
If you’re after somewhere to stay in Miami, why not take a look at this chic apartment located in South Beach.
9. Washington, DC
LGBT-friendly areas in DC include 17th Street, H Street, in Adams Morgan, Shaw, Dupont Circle, NoMa, Navy Yards, while the area has plenty of gay bars to enjoy.
A must-visit in Washington DC (Mister 10)
Scott is offering a two bedroom apartment close to DC’s popular gay spots at just 132€ per night.
10. New Orleans
One of the oldest cities in America, New Orleans’ gay heritage goes way back. As well as celebrating LGBT Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras Bourbon Street Awards, other LGBT events include Southern Decadence, New Orleans Pride, Saints & Sinners LGBT Festival, LGBT Halloween.
Southern Decadence in New Orleans (John/CC)
You can rent Mike’s chic one bedroom apartment located four miles downriver from the French Quarter for 75€ per night.
11. Seattle
Seattle is a gay-friendly city, and has celebrated LGBT culture at Gay Pride Week since 1977. Although it closed in 2015, The Double Header was thought to be the oldest gay bar in the US, dating back to 1933 or 1934.
A classic scene of Seattle Pride (Joe Mabel)
Seattle’s gay area is centred on Capitol Hill, with bars, shops and more – and if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in this gayborhood, take a look at this private room on misterb&b.
Have we missed your favourite US city for LGBT travellers?
Are you a fan of the scene in Tallahassee, Florida or Richmond, Virginia? Let us know your favourite US cities for LGBT travel in the comments box below.
Why is staying in somebody’s home better than a hotel?
While you may be able to sneak miniature soaps from a hotel, you cannot ever be sure that the hotel you are booking will be LGBT friendly.
Misterb&b is a website which hosts LGBT friendly apartments of locals in the city.
From the best places to eat and drink to the best landmarks to check out, hosts who live in the city will be able to give you another level of intel on the best way to navigate a city.
