USA

Gay Chicago, the Paris of the Midwest – The Washington Blade

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Gay Chicago - The Washington Blade

Chicago is a great city to visit any time of year. Fabulous architecture, incredible museums and affordably priced hotels (with no hidden resort fees) plus a great gayborhood (aka Boystown) means there’s lots to do.

GETTING THERE — I took my favorite airline, Southwest, which serves close in Midway Airport. From there you can hop on the Orange Line to your hotel. It’s a quicker ride than from O’Hare although American and United both have hubs there. To get around the city, you can ride the CTA. Get a Ventra card for ease of riding on both it and the “L” (aka the Elevated which is their Metro). They have a great elevated subway system as well as a good bus system. Rental car and Uber not needed.  

WHERE TO STAY — I always stay in the Lakeview East neighborhood. Bargain hunters will love The Inn at Lincoln Park (innlp.com or reservations at innlip.com) which has super low weekday rates and reasonable weekend rates. My other favorite is the Hotel Versey which is a music-themed hotel that is also reasonable and is a short walk to Boystown, the gay Village where everyone is welcome. 

Full Story at the Washington Blade

Chicago Gay Travel Resources

The St. Augustine Lighthouse – 2TravelDads

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The St. Augustine Lighthouse - 2TravelDads

If there’s one thing that’s iconic of a coastal vacation or anything maritime, it’s lighthouses. They’re tall, striking, weird buildings that really bring the feel of the ocean directly onshore. In the Pacific Northwest we have them every 100 meters (total exaggeration) because it is so stormy and foggy all of the time, and a lot of our lighthouses are pretty short. The St Augustine Lighthouse is huge and really beautiful.

Whoever painted the St Augustine Lighthouse was bored so really spiced it up. And it’s a fun place for all kinds of visitors of any age making it perfect for family travel. So here’s why you should drive ten minutes out of your way to climb the St Augustine Lighthouse. We swear, it’s not just a pretty lamp.

Where to Find the St. Augustine Lighthouse

Just a ten minute drive across the Bridge of Lions out of downtown lies the lighthouse, one of the best things to do in St Augustine. It’s visible from almost everywhere and it’s really beautiful. As far as other activities close by, you’ll probably be visiting the St Augustine Alligator Farm or Fort Matanzas, so you’ll already be close to the lighthouse. The Alligator Farm is just across the boulevard so is super close.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

St. Augustine Gay Travel Resources

Battlefield Bed & Breakfast – Lesbian Owned Bed & Breakfast in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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Battlefield Bed & Breakfast Farmhouse
Battlefield Bed & Breakfast Farmhouse and Solarium

BATTLEFIELD BED & BREAKFAST: LESBIAN-OWNED, DOG-FRIENDLY INN

Welcome to Gettysburg’s Battlefield Bed & Breakfast, where we are celebrating over twenty-five years as one of Gettysburg’s top B&Bs.

Battlefield Bed & Breakfast combines lovely, historic guest rooms with modern conveniences and luxurious amenities. We’re famous for our delicious breakfasts served daily. After breakfast, pass a little time with our morning Gettysburg historians, who can help bring Gettysburg history to life. 

Tired from a long day of exploration? Come relax with us at our evening social hour.

We have spacious common rooms where you can relax and mingle with our other guests. Our two bedroom suites have ensuite bathrooms.

See the Battlefield Bed and Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gettysburg Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Fort Matanzas National Monument in St. Augustine – 2TravelDads

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Fort Matanzas National Monument - 2TravelDads

The city of Saint Augustine, Florida is remarkable and full of history. There are so many things to do in St Augustine that you’ll never be at a loss, but for a special experience you MUST visit Fort Matanzas National Monument. Because it’s not directly in downtown St Augustine, it’s often overlooked but offers a variety of things to do and learn. We really love Fort Matanzas and sharing it with others visiting Florida’s Historic Coast.

Where Is Fort Matanzas National Monument

Only about 20 minutes south of St Augustine, Fort Matanzas sits directly on the Mantanzas River. The river is actually an inlet, a part of the inner coastal waterway. Either way, Fort Matanzas sits on the water with Anastasia Island, a barrier island, separating it from the Atlantic Ocean. The land is pretty marshy, but beautiful. If you’re visiting Daytona Beach with kids and want to plan a day trip to the Saint Augustine area, it’s an hour’s drive north and it’s totally worth it.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

St. Augustine Gay Travel Resources

Inn on Mill Creek – Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast in Old Fort, North Carolina

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Inn on Mill Creek - Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast in Old Fort, North Carolina

INN ON MILL CREEK: NATIONAL FOREST B&B NEAR BLACK MOUNTAIN

The Inn on Mill Creek, located on over seven private acres two miles within North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, offers the perfect balance of secluded privacy and close proximity to sightseeing, shops and dining in Black Mountain and Asheville.

Many of the Inn’s seven spacious rooms are popular with couples looking to get away for a few days. The 600-square-foot Lake View room in the Main House boasts a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows for a spectacular view. The Lake View also features a private screened porch to take in the sights and sounds of the forest, a gas fireplace, king bed and a jetted tub with steam shower.

The North Terrace room in the Main House, with its private entrance through a set of French doors and private room with large jetted hot tub, is another popular choice for a couples’ getaway. A four poster queen bed, full bath, gas fireplace and views of the woods and orchard are just some of the features of this beautiful room located on the north side of the Inn.

Our three Lake House rooms have two-person Jacuzzi tubs and gas fireplaces, making them a frequent destination for romantic weekend trips. Additionally, the rooms in the Lake House have direct access to a full guest kitchen as well as sliding glass doors to a shared deck overlooking our little mountain lake.

See the Inn on Mill Creek Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

NC Eastern Mountains Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

The Santa Monica Pier on a Perfect Afternoon – 2TravelDads

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The Santa Monica Pier on a Perfect Afternoon - 2TravelDads

Can you think of anything that is more Southern California than visiting the Santa Monica Pier? I don’t think we could name a single thing. Well, maybe a day in San Diego on the Beach surfing… But no, the Pier. Even though a day at the Santa Monica Pier seems like the most touristy and convoluted Los Angeles travel plan you can ever think of it’s actually well worth your time and a visit to LA isn’t complete without some beach time.

Yes, there are so many wonderful free things to do in the Los Angeles area and if you’re going to venture to the beach for the purpose of swimming and pretending to be from SoCal you might pick a different beach, like Manhattan Beach, but the Santa Monica Pier end beach are an ideal, easy to access destination and are just downright iconic.

Finding the Santa Monica Pier

When you ponder life in the West and the history of North America there are few things that pop out: the California Gold Rush, old west towns and cowboys, and then Route 66 and all of the struggles and stories in vintage history that are a part of it. The Santa Monica Pier is the very end of Route 66 (check out the Planet D for their Route 66 trip). As you walk out onto the pier you see the sign that calls it out.

The Santa Monica Pier is also directly next to the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as the PCH. The Pacific Coast Highway is a fantastic California road trip route.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Greater L.A. Gay Travel Resources

Cliff Cottage Inn – Gay Friendly Lodging in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

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Cliff Cottage Inn - Gay Friendly Lodging in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

CLIFF COTTAGE INN: ONLY B&B IN HEART OF HISTORIC EUREKA SPRINGS!

Location! Location! Location! Award-winning Cliff Cottage Inn is the only B&B right in the very heart of Eureka Springs’ Historic Downtown, just 17 steps to Main Street and all the best restaurants, clubs, galleries and shops.

Plus, you have your own pre-assigned reserved parking space at the inn – no need to walk a mile or more to get downtown or to drive around and around hunting for non-existing parking.

Most guests arrive at the inn, park and never have to drive again until ready to leave our magical village.A National Historic Registered and Arkansas Historic Preservation landmark, the luxury inn features three elegant beautifully restored historic homes all right next to each other with two suites per cottage.

Suites all have two-person Jacuzzis and showers, and their own living rooms or sitting areas – no dinky little bedrooms here! Lots of original art and antiques with a blend of the contemporary grace all the inn’s rooms… no tired frou-frou here!

You’ll enjoy lots of space and privacy for sharing some quality time together.

See the Cliff Cottage Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Cliff Cottage Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Lesbian Los Angeles – Once Upon a Journey

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Lesbian Los Angeles - Once Upon a Journey

When a lesbian thinks of Los Angeles, probably the first thing that comes to mind is The L Word. Even though a lot of their hangouts spots, such as The Planet, were not real locations, some of them were definitely based on locations in the city. In this guide, I will tell you all about the best lesbian Los Angeles, bars, clubs, parties and other events you definitely don’t want to miss when you’re in LA. So you can live your own The L Word story!

Lesbian Los Angeles

Los Angeles has been gay for many, many years. Way before the colonists came and took the land, the indigenous peoples living on the land that is now Los Angeles were very accepting of same-sex relationships and the idea of multiple gender identities. However, this was all taken away when the land was invaded.

Although New York City is where modern gay rights began, Los Angeles has played its own part in history. In 1948, Lisa Ben, an anagram of lesbian, started the first-ever lesbian magazine from her boss’s office at RKO Studios. In 1966, Los Angeles started the country’s first pride organization and had its first gay parade. But it wasn’t after Stonewall that the LGBTQ+ culture really started taking off.

Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Lesbian Los Angeles Travel Resources

Washington DC for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Washington DC for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

One day in Washington DC is actually enough time to see and do a lot. Don’t believe me? This one day itinerary for visiting Washington DC includes the best sightseeing around the US capitol, best things to do in DC, and an overall plan for an easy day trip to Washington DC.

Washington DC for Gay Families

We partnered with Best Western to visit Virginia and Washington DC, so for our recommendations for where to stay, check out our “hotels” section at the end!

VISITING THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS 

If you’re planning a day trip to Washington DC, you have to make time for at least one or two of the many Smithsonian Museums. Whether you’re looking for art or history, science or culture, there is a museum for every interest.

Most of the Smithsonian Museums are located along the National Mall, which is the long lawn between the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial. Several have cafes, so if you want to stay in the relative area, it makes for an easy day full of museum-going.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Washington DC for Gay Families – Gay Travel Resources

Elysian Fields Inn – Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Elysian Fields Inn - Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast in New Orleans, Louisiana

ELYSIAN FIELDS INN: NEW ORLEANS’ ONLY AAA 4 DIAMOND B&B!

Welcome to Elysian Fields Inn, a fully licensed New Orleans Bed and Breakfast located in the Historic Faubourg Marigny section of New Orleans.

Our neighborhood was just listed as one of the four hot neighborhoods in America by Travel + Leisure Magazine. Everything mentioned in the article is within a few blocks of our Inn.

The Frenchmen Street shops and restaurants, French Quarter and French Market are all just steps from our door. Stroll to the Riverwalk Marketplace where you can browse the numerous upscale shops before boarding the Streetcar for your tour of the Universities and grand homes of the Garden District along the famous St. Charles Streetcar Line.Elysian Fields Inn is located in the historic Faubourg Marigny section of New Orleans. Our guests enjoy the close proximity to the French Quarter (only 5 blocks) and the Frenchmen Street shops and restaurants.

See the Elysian Fields Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

New Orleans Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals