Exploring Lesbian Key West: Events, Bars & More – Once Upon a Journey

Lesbian key west - Once Upon a Journey

Come Explore Lesbian Key West This Summer

The Florida Keys are known for their laid-back style and open, welcoming, and accepting atmosphere. Making it a favorite destination for LGBTQ+ travelers already for decades! And especially lesbian Key West is the place to be!

With their ‘One Human Family’ motto, Key West doesn’t just tolerate difference; they celebrate it.

It’s the southernmost point of the continental USA, and here queer businesses thrive, rainbow flags flutter all year, and there’s a rich queer history dating back as early as the 1950s! Key West was even among the first cities in the States to elect an openly gay mayor, Teri Johnston.

And it’s not only an amazing travel destination because of its welcomeness but also because of its amazing weather, beautiful nature, stunning waters, and fantastic restaurants. There is a lot to see and do here!

Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Key West Gay Travel Resources

Planning a Florida Keys for Gay Families Vacation – 2TravelDads

Florida Keys for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

I had dreamed of a Florida Keys vacation since I was a teenager and first saw pictures of Key West and all the places to visit in the Florida Keys for gay families. Well, we’ve finally taken a family trip to the Keys (several actually!) and worked really hard to create the best Keys itinerary with kids in mind.

We stayed in several tropical resorts, including some vacation rental options, and have great recommendations for where to stay as you explore. Also, keeping in mind smaller crowds and the abundance of nature in this beautiful archipelago, this vacation plan is great for having a one-of-a-kind experience beyond the busier spots in the Keys.

No matter how you slice it, the Florida Keys is a road trip. Sure, you can fly into Key West, but you can also fly into other Florida airports and then drive the Overseas Highway as far as you can. And that’s when we get to the big questions about planning your vacation here.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Florida Keys Gay Travel Resources

Kiki Corner of Wilton Manors – Wilton Manors Gay Guesthouse

Kiki Corner of Wilton Manors - Wilton Manors Gay Guesthouse

Wilton Manors Gay Guesthouse –
Everything You Need for a 5-Star Stay

Sexy living at our Wilton Manors gay guesthouse with a heated pool, just 2 BLOCKS to all the bars, eateries and clubs of Wilton Drive. We offer separate guest rooms, or you can rent the whole place. Relax by the pool and in our 8 person outdoor hot tub all day.

We have Nice sized rooms with large closets, comfortable beds with soft pillows, and lush linens. Everything is provided for a 5-star stay.

Looking for a place for a family reunion or a group of close friends? Kiki Corner is perfect to rent as a whole for a friends gathering or a retreat. Our Wilton Manors escape feels like a mini-resort, with tropical grounds and some rooms having OUTDOOR SHOWERS for the naturalist in you. Clothing optional outdoors only please.

Queen sized air mattress on legs for a standard height air bed pictured. Another sleep space available on the extra wide sofa.

See the Kiki Corner Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Wilton Manors Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Visiting Florida’s Paradise Coast – 2TravelDads

Visiting Florida's Paradise Coast - 2TravelDads

Visiting Florida’s Paradise Coast With the 2TravelDads

Having been all over Florida and spent a lot of time in the Everglades and South Florida, I can say that there are so many things to do in Naples / Marco Island that it’s one of the best areas to have a family vacation. We’ve done several Florida Gulf Coast road trips and the Paradise Coast (that’s what they call Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades) is consistently fun and gorgeous.

As we share our favorite activities in Naples and Marco Island, remember that we’re traveling with kids that have a variety of interests. They give us real-time feedback when we’re playing tourist and help us decide what to share and not. They’re just as much involved in having a fun trip as us parents are, so know that what we’ve picked for fun on the Paradise Coast has both kid and adult approval.

Note: Hurricane Ian was HARD on Naples and Marco Island. Both locations suffered a lot of damage and many businesses were either destroyed or hit hard. While recovery efforts for some have been swift, others didn’t fare as well and it will take time to get back to normal, or to their new normal.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

West-Central Florida Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Silver Springs State Park – 2TravelDads

Silver Springs State Park - 2TravelDads

Silver Springs State Park is our favorite place to take visitors when they come to Florida. Between having the most gorgeously clear water and the most remarkable wildlife encounters, It will become your new favorite Florida State Park too. Even if you’re not normally into outdoorsy things, that atmosphere and all the things to do here will make it a place you want to return to every year.

We’ve picked our favorite things to do and have put together everything you need to know for visiting, from trails to kayaking, including how to paddle here from the Ocala National Forest.

History of Silver Springs State Park, Florida

Back in the golden age of Hollywood, Florida had a big role in shooting adventure films and underwater scenes. Silver Springs was at the heart of major motion picture production due to its extremely clear water and very deep head springs. The jungle setting also was the perfect backdrop for any number of exotic locations, but conveniently located in Florida.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Florida Gay Travel Resources

Florida’s Rainbow Springs – 2TravelDads

Florida's Rainbow Springs - 2TravelDads

Rainbow Springs State Park is just like it sounds: rainbowy and beautiful. One of the lesser known state parks due to its off-the-beaten-path location, it’s worth planning an adventure to visit. We love hitting up our favorite Florida springs for manatees and swimming in the summer, and this beautiful place is at the top of that list.

Visiting Florida’s Rainbow Springs

So much of what we share is National Park-centric, but we’ve really come to love Florida’s state parks, and some, like this, contain some of the most beautiful sights we’ve ever seen. Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Florida is the type of place you’ve seen in fantasy movies or whimsical paintings. Seriously pretty beyond pretty. And it’s so much fun for a visit too!

When you do a Florida Gulf Coast road trip you’ll see some pretty incredible sights, from manatees in Crystal River to fiddler crab colonies in Fort Myers Beach, but nothing is quite like this place. Being the headwaters of the Rainbow River, you know it’s bound to be beautiful and a bit magical.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Florida Gay Travel Resources

Exploring Big Cypress With Kids – 2TravelDads

Exploring Big Cypress With Kids - 2TravelDads

Exploring Big Cypress With Kids

Have you heard of Big Cypress National Preserve? No? On the northern border of Everglades National Park there’s a pretty cool Florida landmark. No, we’re not talking about the Tamiami Trail, even though Highway 41 is fun to drive, but we’re talking about this awesome National Park site. It’s a part of the National Parks Service and it’s really cool with its swamps and trees, boardwalks and alligators.

Being a part of the larger Everglades ecological system, is it worth planning time JUST in Big Cypress National Preserve? Absolutely! Exploring Big Cypress with kids is very different from what you’ll experience in river of grass in Everglades National Park and is a great day trip from Miami or Naples, Florida. You’ll love it!

Located smack dab in the middle of the southern tip of the state, between Miami and Naples, Florida, is Big Cypress National Preserve. You’ll have to drive through the preserve if you’re going between the two, so you might as well stop. On the north end, the park is bordered by I-75, aka Alligator Alley, and to the south Florida Highway 41, the Tamiami Trail.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Central Florida Gay Travel Resources

Disney World Galactic Starcruiser: Is It a Hotel? 2TravelDads

Disney World Galactic Starcruiser - 2TravelDads

I’m going to dispel all the confusion or misunderstanding about the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World. Everyone asks “What’s the Star Wars hotel like?!” and I will absolutely tell you, but I won’t give any big spoilers.

If you read no further, let me just say this: the Disney World Galactic Starcruiser is NOT a hotel, but an actual immersive theater experience. If you go into thinking that it’s a hotel for visiting DIsney World, you’ll be so confused and potentially upset. If you know you’re signing on for a legit space cruise that’s basically an ongoing production all around you, you’ll absolutely love it.

The Disney World Galactic Starcruiser Story

I think it’s important to understand that the Galactic Starcruiser is a Star Wars story, and not just a hotel you check into. Having the mindset that you’ll be participating in a story is key to both enjoying and getting the most out of the Galactic Starcruiser experience. From arrival to departure, every element of your stay is a part of the story.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Orlando Gay Travel Resources

Gay St. Petersburg – The Nomadic Boys

Gay St. Petersburg - The Nomadic Boys

Everything you need to know to plan your vacation to gay St. Petersburg in Florida: gay bars & clubs, queer events, places to stay, travel highlights, and more…

St Pete is the thrilling hub of west Florida. We’ve visited several times and always left with smiley faces wanting to return for more. It offers everything you would want – a super friendly vibrant LGBTQ community, glorious beaches, an exciting gay scene, and home to the largest gay Pride event in all of Florida.

St Petersburg also receives over 360 days of sunshine each year and has rightfully been nicknamed “Florida’s Sunshine City”. And wherever the sun shines is a place the gays want to be, which is why many people from across the United States head to St Pete to make it their new home. 

Everyone Loves Gay St. Petersburg

Perhaps the stand-out reason why we love St Pete so much is the vibe. Everyone is so friendly and warm here. No one ever seemed to be stressed out and we were only ever met with smiles – from the many (straight) people on the beach offering to take our romantic sunset pic (“awww guys you’re so cute!” – they said to us) to the rows of rainbow flags that proudly line the streets of Downtown during Pride.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

St. Petersburg Gay Travel Resources

Northern Florida for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

Northern Florida for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

There are so many great things to do on a Northern Florida vacation, from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach and inland! We love to explore this state, not just because of its sunshine, but because of its beautiful nature, fascinating history, and cool cultural finds. Living here means that we get lots of visitors, so this is the road trip plan we give them when they visit us and want to have fun in North Florida.

From tip to tip, the state has some wonderful places for family travel just perfect for exploring seeing a different side of the state, but the coast is really a gem. This vacation plan is ideal for a balance of seeing the sights and getting plenty of time to relax on the beach.

How to Get to Northern Florida

To begin this awesome vacation, fly into Daytona Beach or Jacksonville airports, pick up your rental car and use either of these cities as a starting point for your North Florida trip. When you book your rental car remember that you can always return it to a different location, but you’ll usually save money by returned your rental vehicle to the original location.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Florida Gay Travel Resources