Traveling as a queer person should be fun, festive, and fabulously empowering, not receiving side-eye from strangers. So pack your best sunglasses and sass. These are the ten most gay-friendly states to visit in the U.S., where you can hold hands, strut your stuff, and live your best gaycation, plus a must-see queer hotspot in each.
The 10 Most Gay-Friendly States to Visit
1. California
Palm Springs pool parties, San Francisco rainbow crosswalks, and LA drag brunches that leave your heart (and Instagram) full.
Hotspot: The Abbey in West Hollywood – legendary, over-the-top, and yes, you will feel famous just walking in.
2. Massachusetts
Provincetown on Cape Cod is like a glitter bomb exploded in the prettiest way possible. Drag brunches, lesbian festivals, and cozy streets.
Hotspot: Ptown Bear Week – a festival so iconic it’s basically a vacation within a vacation.
3. New York
West Village strolls past the Stonewall National Monument, queer nightlife that never sleeps, and Brooklyn cafés with extra pride.
Hotspot: Stonewall Inn – history, cocktails, and vibes that remind you why queer visibility matters.
4. Connecticut
Small but mighty, with charming queer-friendly towns and historic exhibits celebrating LGBTQ+ life.
Hotspot: The Hartford Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – indie films, drama, and drama-free acceptance.
5. New Jersey
Tucked between NYC and Philly, full of queer-friendly beaches, bars, and festivals.
Hotspot: Asbury Park’s LGBT Boardwalk – seaside glamour, drag shows, and summer joy you’ll never forget.
6. Vermont
Cozy B&Bs, scenic views, and progressive vibes that make you want to sip cider and embrace your inner fabulousness.
Hotspot: Queer Vermont Festival – an annual gathering celebrating community, art, and sass.
7. Rhode Island
Tiny state, huge welcome. Coastal charm, historic queer-friendly neighborhoods, and a vibe that says: you belong here.
Hotspot: Providence PRIDE – an intimate, local celebration of queer culture with a huge heart.
8. Oregon
Portland and Eugene serve drag brunches, LGBTQ+ art walks, and Peacock in the Park — a literal drag picnic show.
Hotspot: Darcelle XV Showplace – one of the longest-running drag venues in the world.
9. Washington
Coffee, rain, and queer art collide in Seattle. From Capitol Hill nightlife to LGBTQ+ festivals, this state knows how to keep it fabulous in drizzle or sun.
Hotspot: Seattle Pride Parade – a massive, inclusive event where raincoats and rainbows are equally celebrated.
10. Illinois
Chicago’s gayborhood is legendary: nightlife, queer history, and yes, deep-dish pizza.
Hotspot: Boystown – bars, restaurants, beaches, and a sense of freedom and community that makes every visit worth it.
Traveling as a queer person isn’t just sightseeing; it’s claiming your space, your joy, and your story. In these ten gay-friendly states to visit, you can do all of that while sipping cocktails, snapping selfies, and unapologetically being fabulous.
About The Author
Best known as one of the cofounders of luxury gay vacation company, Zoom Vacations, Bryan has been a high school English teacher, personal trainer, freelance writer, and a hotel marketing and events sales manager. He grew up in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and his childhood was filled with outdoor adventures. His roots in the outdoors, coupled with his inquisitive teacher’s mind and his appreciation for health and fitness (as well as for fabulous hotels and resorts) have led him to adventures in every continent, including Antarctica. He has toured the ancient catacombs of Rome, swam with horses where Australia’s rainforest meets the reef, haggled with Hong Kong merchants, danced the Samba in Brazil, and has even studied ecology and group dynamics in a Scottish commune.
In addition to his duties at Zoom Vacations®, Bryan also served on the Board of the Directors of the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) for four years, and as Board Chair for two. He was one of nine travel experts featured on the Travel Chanel’s hit show, “Vacation Challenge” and was the South America Gay Travel Expert for four episodes on Logo’s Gay Travel show, Bump. In addition, Bryan has hosted gay travel shorts for Comcast, and he is the gay travel expert for several gay online and print publications worldwide.
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