Gay/Lesbian friendly places to visit.

[LJC1861]

So, we all know about the biggies.....Miami/South Beach, Provincetown, NYC, and many others I'm sure. How about some places that we might not be aware of?

I'll start. Asheville North Carolina.

It has one of the largest Lesbian communities in the South if not the entire USA. The running joke is that the town should be names A-SHE-ville! There are lots of gay and lesbian social groups that cater to all ages. There are lots of touristy things to do including the Biltmore Estate, Chimney Rock, Museums, theater, shopping, restaurants. All in all it is a very open and culturally aware little city. It is also right up in the Blue Ridge mountains and right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. That makes for some great hiking as well and the leaves in the fall are not to be believed. Come and visit......I'll play tour guide!

Linda

 

[Empare]

I LOVE Asheville! It is a great city to visit! I live about 3 1/2 hours from it. I try to make it out a least one a year. The Biltmore Estate is a really cool place too. I've got a green thumb so the gardens around the Estate keep me entertained year after year. Great recommendation LJC1861!

 

[rainbowboy74]

Thanks for the tips, Asheville sounds like a great place to visit. I have always loved travelling and visiting new places. For me it's just as much about culture, along with the sites and nightlife.

I know it's might be considered a biggie, but Toronto has an amazing GLBT community and a very beautiful city for many reasons. The community is awesome, but more than that, be it The Toronot Islands, Casaloma, Paramount Canada's Wonderland (a little North of Toronto), CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Harbourfront, the list could go on, but if you have never been I would recommend it.

Looking for a smaller place, I would recommend Banff, Alberta. Totally beautiful. Although a small town, very accepting and so much culture to soak up. The mountains, Lake Louise, shopping, restaurants, and the lodges are totally amazing and not as pricey as I once thought. Just a small tidbit of info.

K .. any other places to see ... lets keep is going peeps.

 

[nordkin]

How is Ashville to visit in Mid March. My partner and I are looking for someplace to celebrate our 19th anniversary and would like to go somewhere we have never been. We are in the DC area so it is only a few hours away. My partner is concerned about how warm it will or will not be. Thanks-- Donna

 

[spotdog]

It's a long way from WDW, but Seattle, WA seems to be gay/lesbian friendly to many of my friends. I know the downtown theatres are.

 

[vascubaguy]

I haven't been to Asheville in years, but I've been wanting to head back to see Biltmore at Christmas with all the decor.

I used to hang out in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem area all the time. There seemed to be a pretty good GLBT crowd there, though not sure it's very touristy. I was coming down from the anti-GLBT area of Martinsville, Virginia, so the triad area was an escape.

Of course now I'm over in Norfolk, Virginia.... much more GLBT friendly. It also has lots of touristy stuff, and within hours of all kinds of touristy things. The beach, amusement parks, colonial williamsburg, yorktown, lots and lots of museums, and us of course.

 

[LJC1861]

Last year it was fairly warm.....but who knows this year. Spring is always kind of iffy.

Let me know if you do decide to visit. I can help with places to see, and even play tour guide.

Linda

 

[nwdisgal]

It's a long way from WDW, but Seattle, WA seems to be gay/lesbian friendly to many of my friends. I know the downtown theatres are.

Yes I am from there, and there are a lot of activities and places geared towards the gay community - especially on First Hill.

I miss my gay friends in Seattle. Wah! .

I live on Maui and although I occasionally see gay couples who are visiting here, we don't have much going on locally except a once a week venue at Hapa's. In fact for being in a Blue State, this place is pretty darn closeted as a whole. . I know quite a few people (men especially, but women too) that I suspect might be gay here, that aren't out with it. It's definately a don't ask, don't tell, environment around here. I have recently seen the local economy doing more to attract gay travellers here, including an all men's spa opening up. I hope as more gay couples travel here, retire here, and/or move here, that things open up more.

 

[PennyW]

Seattle, WA seems to be gay/lesbian friendly

We are really wanting to go to Seattle. I've heard so many great things about it.

We've been to P'town twice and had a blast both times. It's one place that you can truly be yourself, hold hands walking down the street, and feel like you're the majority for once.

We went to Asheville last April and had a good time. We rented a house from two gals that was within walking distance to town. There were lots of neat stores and restaurants to check out.

I've been hearing interesting things about the Rehoboth Beach area in Delaware. Need to check it out...sounds like a good excuse for a vacation! Anyone have any info?

 

[LukenDC]

I'm pleased to report that Washington, DC is very gay friendly. The city and surrounding suburbs are home to a very large gay/lesbian community. The Washington city council has two gay members and the one Republican council member has hosted fundraisers at her home for the GLAAD. There are many gay/lesbian bars and restaurants as well as fantastic historic sites and cultural attractions.

 

[airhead]

northampton,MA or Ogunquit,ME and don't forget Newburyport,MA!

 

[spotdog]

nwdisgal, please pass on any information about any gay/lesbian friendly places to stay or visit on Maui.

 

[mickeem]

I have to vote for Rehoboth beach in del-mar-va... (Slower lower delaware..)
Not quite a P-town, but really close.. Great little shops,and restaurants, and the baordwalk in the summer is a fun place. Nice bed and breakfasts, and on good days, the surfing is pretty good!.. They even have come up with a gay/nude beach. I cant remember the exact location, its little distance from the general beach. I have not gone there, but my relatives , who have a summer home there, told us about it... lol..




__________________
Traci

 

[toto2]

Time to blow my horn !


Montréal , of course ! A whole erea of town is called "le village" and has tons of bars , restaurant and shops. Plateau Mont-Royal erea is not "gay" persee , but very , very gay friendly, as is the whole town. We will have the first ever Outgames this summer , at the same time as gay pride ( calle Diver-cité)

The tourist web site for the city has a whole erea just for gay travellers.

From the web-site:

In Montréal, you’ll always feel safe and secure, especially in the Village, as it is known locally, one of the largest gay neighbourhoods in the world. The Montréal gay community, known for its wild nightlife, is renowned for its lively, colourful events, including the Artfest in July, the Divers/Cité gay pride parade in August, the image&nation Film Festival in September and the Black & Blue Festival in October, which draws a million participants every year. With its ability to stage major events, Montréal was awarded the 1st World Outgames – Rendez-Vous Montréal 2006, a sport and cultural festival.

The Beaudry métro station, bearing the colours of the gay community, is located at the core of the neighbourhood, which stretches east to west along Sainte-Catherine Street, the main business thoroughfare, from Saint-Hubert to Papineau Streets.

The Village is full of energy during the daytime, too. A telecommunications hub, the neighbourhood also features a wide variety of service industries, including cafés, boutiques, antique shops and restaurants for every palate.

To really get a feel for the place, take a stroll along the narrow, winding side streets, particularly Lartigue Street, and admire the carefully restored brick homes and shaded backyard gardens. Along Sainte-Rose Street, you’ll see old dwellings that have retained their wrought-iron carriage gates.

The Art Deco architecture of the impressive Saint-Jacques Market building and the Écomusée du fier monde on Amherst Street are worth a stop. Continue strolling along Amherst Street and visit the antique shops that specialize in objects from the 1930s to the 1960s. The southern end of the street affords a striking view of the elegant Clock Tower in the Old Port. Also, the two-hundred-year-old fortress-like walls of the Molson Brewery are visible near the port."

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp

 

[LukenDC]

Toto2, I'd love to visit Montreal!

 

[joanjett1976]

This summer will be the best time to visit GLBT Montreal!

Ogunquit, Portland OR has a thriving young Lesbian community, Vancouver BC...

 

[toto2]

Toto2, I'd love to visit Montreal!

Well , you are not too far !

I've have met two guys from NJ who check airfaire and jumps on planes two or 3 time a year to visit , on a whim !

If you drive , in 6 hours you are here !

 

[nwdisgal]

nwdisgal, please pass on any information about any gay/lesbian friendly places to stay or visit on Maui.

I'll keep my eyes and ears open and post here if I see or hear of anything. You would think they would have more going on here, because I've seen a fair share of gay and lesbian couples visiting.

The only night club I've heard of is Hapa's AB Fab night - and that is just once a week.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

We just got back from Vegas, and i was pleasantly surprised at how gay friendly it was. the last time i was there was just 2002, and i noticed an enormous difference. first of all, there was "family" everywhere we looked. when we checked in at the Aladdin they didn't even bat an eye when i said one king bed, and ditto at the spa when we had a couples massage. i was hesitant at first of all this, but by the end of the trip we felt completely comfortable occasionally holding hands as we walked on the strip or through the casinos. there was even a gay club in the Aladdin!