The Best LGBTQIA+ Travel Destinations Across the United States

There is only one American city where we need to include on the list of the most LGBTQIA+ cities in America: San Francisco, California. Known as the LGBTQ capital of the world, San Francisco's influence is vast – with pioneers like Harvey Milk, the fight against AIDS and the fight for marriage equality.

Today, San Francisco is home to countless small businesses, cultural icons, festivals, and gay-owned bars. There is no “gay neighborhood” in San Francisco; It's everywhere. It's a city where everyone is welcome and where boldness is rewarded.

My hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has always felt like a safe haven to be yourself. The city prides itself on its tradition of inclusion, which goes beyond celebrating Pride; Minneapolis supports and includes people from all backgrounds and lifestyles all year round.

This Midwestern city is home to countless LGBTQIA+ spaces, from gay cafes and breweries to iconic nightclub The Gay 90s, to the Twin Cities' first sports bar that exclusively broadcasts women's sports on their TVs, A Bar Of. Theirs . Minneapolis is also incredibly artsy, with countless theaters and art museums, including my favorite, Theater Latté Da.

One of the most diverse and welcoming cities in the world, there are so many things to love about the nation's capital. With a diverse LGBTQIA+ community, Washington DC is home to people and preferences of every color of the rainbow. I've lived near Washington DC for three years and am always impressed by the volume and diversity of LGBTQIA+ historic sites, including the Dr. Franklin E. Kameny Residence and Furies Collective Headquarters, as well as businesses owned by homosexuals. . We have a never-ending list of things to see and do in Washington DC

Start planning now if you want to attend World Pride 2025 in Washington DC — I imagine the hotels will book up quickly!

Did you know that Houston is not only home to the largest LGBTQIA+ community in the conservative state of Texas. And one of the first destinations to market to gay travelers through a website dedicated to LGBTQIA+ visitors? Houston's annual Pride celebration attracts more than 750,000 visitors from around the world, and the Montrose neighborhood is full of queer bars and restaurants.

A cultural melting pot and one of the most diverse cities in the country, Houston is also home to diverse arts institutions, great theaters, botanical gardens, and a diverse culinary scene. Remember: cowboy boots are strongly encouraged.

Honolulu, Hawaii – and the entire island of Oahu – are a veritable melting pot; not only are the people who live here diverse, but so are the people who visit. I've lived near Honolulu for almost half of my adult life and fell in love with the laid-back vibe of this welcoming city.

Whether you want to relax on one of Hawaii's best “gay beaches,” Queen's Surf Beach, or enjoy a handful of queer bars in town, there's something for everyone in Honolulu. This island community is also one of the only places I've traveled where I truly feel like I can be myself everywhere I go. Plus, the Honolulu Pride Parade is one of my all-time favorites!

As the capital of the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, Boston, Massachusetts is both proud and tolerant. With one of the largest LGBTQIA+ populations on the East Coast, Boston's queer neighborhoods – South End and Jamaica Plain – offer a variety of local pubs, dance bars and lounges that attract a queer crowd. In addition to the annual Boston Pride Week which takes place each June, the city also hosts an annual LGBT film festival each spring.

If I were traveling to Boston I wouldn't pass this up the 1-Mile LGBTQ Past Walking Tour provided by Boston By Foot. Step back in time from the 1840s to the 1980s as you learn about Charlotte Cushman's cross-dressing roles, the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project, and much more.

Atlanta is the national headquarters of LGBTQ South and home to a vibrant and growing queer community, as well as inclusive establishments, an arts scene and iconic events.

With a surprisingly large number of LGBTQ-friendly hotels and attractions, Atlanta is one of our favorite southern cities for a weekend getaway. In addition to its popular Pride Weekend – which takes place October 12-13, 2024 – Atlanta also hosts Black Pride Weekend, the largest of its kind in the United States, which takes place annually during the weekend. of Labor Day.

Nestled in the Finger Lakes, Seneca Falls is a beautiful little town full of charm. It is also the birthplace of the women's rights movement and suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, as well as the current home of the Women's Rights National Historical Park. This small museum traces the history of the first Women's Rights Convention, held in the city from July 19 to 20, 1848. There is no better place to express your solidarity with the individuals and movements dedicated to equality and justice.

Outside of town, LGBTQIA+ travelers will enjoy the Equal Rights Heritage Center in nearby Auburn, as well as numerous recreational activities, including the Seneca and Cayug Lake wine trails and Ithaca, a welcoming college town on the cutting edge. south of Cayuga Lake.

A historic gem nestled in northwest Illinois, Galena is one of Illinois' best LGBTQIA+ getaways. Home to a thriving LGBTQIA+ community and numerous queer-owned businesses, including some of America's highest-rated B&Bs, cultural cuisine from around the world, and welcoming establishments of all kinds, this Midwest city's welcoming vibe is unmatched .

One of our favorite companies is the queer-owned Galena Bakehousewhich serves delicious pastries in a historic building.

We love Maine's charming coastal towns. In Ogunquit, you'll find pride flags adorning gay-owned homes and businesses, contributing to a sense of community. With a bustling downtown full of fine restaurants, art galleries, trendy beach boutiques, bed and breakfasts and more, Ogunquit is a peaceful respite for anyone living in the American Northeast.

Be sure to see a show at the Ogunquit Playhouse, a charming historic theater, and dance at Mainestreet, Ogunquit's premier dance club, as diverse as it is inclusive.

Ferndale, Michigan is known for its community spirit and “all are welcome” philosophy. Our editor Sarah McCosham lived in Ferndale while in graduate school and fell in love with this wholesome little town. “I moved to Detroit alone when I was 22. I didn't know anyone, but I was quickly adopted by my neighbors, all of whom were longtime residents and the kind of people who collect your mail when you are on vacation or shoveling your sidewalk after it snows (and it snows a lot in Michigan!) I also became a regular at the local food co-op and coffee shop and loved spending Saturdays browsing the small businesses. from very charming and walkable downtown Ferndale.

Indeed, this city of 19,000 residents and its “Great American Main Street” feature public art that celebrates its community pride, while it would be difficult to find a local business in the city that *doesn't have* no rainbow flag on its flag. showcase. In fact, “Fabulous Ferndale” is home to Affirmations, *the* hub of Southeast Michigan's LGBTQ+ communities and allies for 30 years – and the city's Ferndale Pride is Michigan's largest free-to-the-public LGBTQAI+ festival . .