Are you on a mission to visit all the gayborhoods in the world? Weird, because ME TOO. I’ve compiled a list of the well-known and not-so-well-known US gayborhoods, US gay villages, and *extra* queer-friendly US towns and cities that are ALL worth visiting. As harmful anti-LGBTQIA legislation continually passes in the US, it’s important now more than ever to protect and support gayborhoods, LGBTQ-owned businesses, and destinations that go above and beyond for LGBTQ+ travelers and locals.
Around 3 years ago, while teaching in South Korea, I came out to myself in my journal, a series of little notes I wrote over and over “I think I’m gay.” Lesbian TikTok was confirmation, I was in fact a big ol’ lesbian. I broke up with my partner, quit my teaching job and moved to the gayest place on earth, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I was seeking community…. and tropical paradise. If I was a doctor, I’d prescribe community, the ocean, and Puerto Vallarta to every late in life lesbian.
The more I leaned into my authentic self and queerness, the happier I became. I made lesbian and queer friends and went to my very first queer women event in Puerto Vallarta and it changed my life. I felt validated, affirmed, and safe to share my experiences and be myself. I felt seen for possibly the first time in my life.
Soon after, I traveled to Egypt, a beautiful destination where it’s illegal to be gay. There are no gayborhoods, gay pride parades, no pride flags or lesbian bars. Egyptians find ways to be themselves and have an underground community. I was told over and over, it’s fine. They “make it work.” I missed queer culture and being able to be visible. I didn’t want to live or travel for a long time in places where I had to hide. Luckily, I have the privilege and choice to make that decision. I want to acknowledge that a lot of queer folks around the world do not have privilege to simply be out and love who they love, openly.
After Egypt, I started intentionally exploring more gayborhoods and gay-friendly destinations like Madrid and Barcelona, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal. I started seeking out queer women meet-ups, LGBTQ-owned businesses, gay-friendly destinations and my TikTok exploded. I realized I was not in fact the only gay on the earth that craved being surrounded by gays and rainbows and thus my mission and this blog post was born. This ones for you (and me). 🙂
USA Gayborhoods, Gay Villages, and *extra* Queer-Friendly Towns and Cities
I recently read a book from the early 2000s about the “death of gayborhoods.” It proclaimed gayborhoods were dying and that there is no longer a need for gayborhoods and gay bars and queer spaces. Gay marriage is legal and “most” of the population is accepting, it said. Queer people can finally just live and be themselves. As a late in life lesbian and traveler, I respectfully wholeheartedly, passionately, fucking disagree. While straight people may be comfortably moving into gayborhoods and more likely to be found at drag performances, I believe that queer spaces and queer community will never die.
If you’d like to join in on the mission or would like to travel to more LGBTQ-friendly destinations, see the list below! Click here to download the USA GAYBORHOOD BUCKET LIST!
Arizona
- Melrose, Phoenix
Arkanas
Eureka Springs “The Gayest Small Town in America”
Welcome to the Bible Belt’s LGBTQ+ oasis and “gay vacation paradise.” With over thirty percent of its population identifying as LGBTQ+, people say “not even the streets are straight” in Eureka. Eureka Springs is also the first city in Arkansas to issue its first same-sex marriage license for Arkansas in 2014.
Eureka Springs is a vibrant (v gay) small town located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. It’s popular for its charming Victorian-era city center and the natural beauty surrounding it the small town. Make sure to check out Nibble’s Eatery, an LGBTQ-owned restaurant with gourmet salads, sandwiches, soups, and a good coffee. Paranormal fanatic? Stay at America’s most haunted hotel, Crescent Hotel and Spa. For something fun, stay at Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits. There are plenty of things to do in Eureka. Lakes and rivers surround the town making it a perfect destination for outdoor lovers to hike and camp. Eureka Springs hosts three Pride events a year during the Spring, Summer, and Fall, called Diversity Weekends.
California
- Tower District, Fresno
- Guerneville
- The Broadway Corridor, Long Beach
- Castro District, San Francisco
- Palm Springs
- Lavender Heights, Sacramento
- Hillcrest, San Diego
- San Jose
- West Hollywood, Los Angeles
- Oakland
Colorado
- Capitol Hill, Denver
- River North, Denver
Connecticut
- New Haven
Delaware
Rehoboth Beach “The New P-Town”
Move over P-Town, there’s a new flaming gay beach destination in town. Rehoboth Beach is a charming coastal town with gay beaches, trendy restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. “Rehoboth,” ironically (or iconically) means a “place for all.” The residents have created a warm and inviting community for all to relax and be authentically yourself.
Walk along the always-lively Boardwalk, shop at 200+ gay-owned shops, and relax at the beach. There are two popular gay beaches: North Shore is popular with women+ while Poodle beach is for the boys. For a fun day trip, head to one of Delaware’s most beautiful state parks, Cape Henlopen State Park.
Come for Pride in September, or the Jazz Festival and the Sea Witch Festival and Parade in October.
District of Columbia (Washington DC)
- Dupont Circle, Washington DC
- Logan Circle, Washington DC
- Columbia Heights, Washington DC
Florida
- Gulfport
- Riverside and Avondale, Jacksonville
- Key West
- Lake Worth
- Miami Beach
- Audubon Park, Orlando
- Coytown, Orlando
- Thornton Park, Orlando
- Wilton Manors
- Ybor City, Tampa
- Grand Central, St. Petersburg
- Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale
Georgia
- Midtown, Atlanta
- Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta
- Ansley Mall, Atlanta
- Decatur
Idaho
- North End, Boise
Illinois
- Andersonville, Chicago
- Edgewater (Hollywood Beach – gay beach)
- Northalsted, Chicago (aka “Boystown”)
Indiana
- Beverly Shores
- Bloomington
- Downtown, Indianapolis
- Herron-Morton Place, Indianapolis
- Mass Ave Arts District, Indianapolis
Kentucky
The Highlands, Louisville
Locals say Louisville is the gayest city in Kentucky (though Lexington is a close second). The city received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index from 2015 to 2018 and hosts two Pride Festivals each year.
The Highlands is Louisville’s official gayborhood. It’s an artsy neighborhood located along Bardstown Road near the city’s downtown area. The Highlands offers an array of LGBTQ-owned businesses, delicious Southern-style restaurants, and independent shops.
Louisana
- Faubourg Marigny, New Orleans
- French Quarter, New Orleans
- P-Town (aka Pigeon Town/Pension Town), New Orleans
Maine
Ogunquit “Maine’s Official Gay Neighborhood”
If Maine had an official gay neighborhood, it would be Ogunquit. This breathtaking coastal town is filled with LGBTQ-owned restaurants, galleries, hotels and night clubs. Ogunquit is made up of two areas. The Village is where most of the gay bars are and Perkins Cove is a quaint, walkable area with shops and restaurants. In Ogunquit, you’ll find three miles of stunning beaches (gay beach included).
The high season in Ogunquit is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Make sure to make reservations early!
Maryland
- Mount Vernon, Baltimore
- Frederick
Massachusetts
- Jamaica Plain, Boston
- South End, Boston
- Salem
- Somerville
- Northampton
Provincetown (aka “P-Town”)
For decades, Provincetown, aka P-Town, has been one of the most popular (if not, THE most popular) gaycation spots in the US, and in the world. Famous in the 1960s as a colony for free spirits and artists, it’s now a safe place to be out and proud.
Commercial Street, P-Town’s main street, is lined with LGBTQ-owned shops, galleries, delicious restaurants, and packed with queer tourists from around the country. Come for Provincetown’s Pride Week every first weekend of June. Or, P-Town’s week-long Provincetown Carnival, the town’s biggest LGBTQ event. Click here for more information and current happenings.
Michigan
- Douglas
- Ferndale, Detroit
- Eastown, Grand Rapids
- Kerrytown, Ann Arbor
Saugatuck
Saugatuck is one of my personal favorites. If you love cute, small towns, you’ll love Saugatuck. Saugatuck and its neighboring town, Douglas, are the most gay-friendly small towns in Michigan. Best of all, it’s just a three-hour drive from Chicago.
Check out its 140+ LGBT-friendly businesses, including LGBTQ-owned resort, The Dunes Resort!
Minnesota
- Downtown Duluth, Duluth
- Loring Park, Minneapolis
- Northeast Arts District, Minneapolis
- North Loop, Minneapolis
- Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
- Uptown, Minneapolis
- Pine City
Missouri
- Westport, Kansas City
- The Grove, St. Louis
Nebraska
- Old Market, Omaha
Nevada
- Fruit Loop, Las Vegas
New Hampshire
- Keene
- Somersworth
New Jersey
- Asbury Park
- Atlantic City
- Cape May
- Collingswood
- Jersey City, Hudson County
- Maplewood, Essex County
- Mill Hill (Trenton), Mercer County
- Ocean Grove, Monmouth County
- Plainfield, Union County
- South Orange, Essex County
New Mexico
- Albuquerque
- Santa Fe
New York
- Chelsea, New York City (Manhattan)
- Christopher Street, West Village/Greenwich Village, New York City (Manhattan)
- Hell’s Kitchen, New York City (Manhattan)
- Inwood, New York City (Manhattan)
- Washington Heights, New York City (Manhattan)
- Park Slope, New York City (Brooklyn)
- Jackson Heights, New York City (Queens)
- Allentown, Buffalo
- Park Avenue, Rochester
- Hawley-Green Historic District, Syracuse
- Lark Street, Albany
Cherry Grove & Fire Island Pines
Welcome to “America’s First Gay and Lesbian Town.” During the 1930s, queers from New York City began heading to Fire Island for its remoteness, they were able to express themselves freely. Decades later, Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines, are one of the most popular gaycation spots in the US. Come for LezVolley, the premier sapphic sporting event of the summer.
North Carolina
- Asheville
- NoDa Arts District, Charlotte
- Plaza-Midwood, Charlotte
- South End, Charlotte
- Durham
Ohio
- Highland Square, Akron
- Northside, Cincinnati
- Detroit-Shoreway, Cleveland
- Edgewater, Cleveland
- Lakewood, Suburb of Cleveland
- Clintonville, Columbus
- The Short North, Columbus
- German Village, Columbus
- Oberlin
- Yellow Springs
Oklahoma
N.W. 39th Street, Oklahoma City
Welcome to Okla-homo City where “ya’ll means ya’ll.” Oklahoma City is home to delicious restaurants, museums, gardens and parks… and one of the largest LGBTQ+ districts in the South. Oklahoma City’s gayborhood, Northwest 39th Street, has become a hot spot for of queer bars, retail stores, restaurants, and the city’s queer population.
Oregon
- Old Town, Portland
- Burnside Triangle, Portland
Pennsylvania
- Midtown, Harrisburg
- East Passyunk Crossing, Philadelphia
- Washington Square West (a.k.a. The Gayborhood), Philadelphia
- West Mount Airy, Philadelphia
- New Hope, Bucks County
- Shadyside, Pittsburgh
- Mexican War Streets, Pittsburgh
Puerto Rico
Condado, San Juan
Puerto Rico is one of the most accepting travel destinations in the Caribbean for los gays and ranked one of the best places to travel for lesbians. Gays flock to San Juan for its tropical climate, delicious food, and welcoming culture. San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital city, is very LGBTQ-friendly, with gay bars, clubs and delicious restaurants throughout. Condado, the tourist district in San Juan, is the most popular gayborhood and has plenty of LGBTQ+ activities and things to do. Also, check out Santurce, another gayborhood on the island.
Rhode Island
- Newport
- Providence
Texas
- Austin
- Midtown, San Antonio
- Galveston, Galveston County
- Oak Lawn, Dallas
- Montrose, Houston
Utah
The Marmalade, Salt Lake City
Isn’t Utah Mormon country…? Well, believe it or not, Salt Lake City, Utah is known for having one of the largest LGBTQ communities in the US and ranked top 10 gayest cities in America according to a Gallup poll. Salt Lake City was the first city in Utah to pass anti-discrimination ordinances based on sexual orientation, had an openly lesbian mayor and has a street named after the famous gay rights activist Harvey Milk. It has long been a city known to be welcoming, diverse, and accepting.
The Marmalade District is considered by many to be the friendliest LGBTQ neighborhood in the city, filled with pride flags and fruity folks. Located in the northeast portion of the city, Salt Lake City’s gayborhood is home to many LGBTQ-friendly and LGBTQ-owned restaurants, bars, and businesses.
Vermont
- Burlington, Burlington
Virgina
- Carytown, Richmond
Washington
- Capital Hill, Seattle
West Virgina
- Lost River
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1 Comment
Doug
March 3, 2023 at 8:41 pmHi Courtney- What a great list of all the 100+ areas across the USA! I was able to download your bucket list but I’m not able to download or print the 100 top gate areas. Do you have it available in a different format that I can save it or print it out?
Have a beautiful weekend!
Doug in North Carolina.