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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

Virginia’s Historic Triangle – 2TravelDads

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Virginia's Historic Triangle - 2TravelDads

Most of us who grew up in the USA had lots of history classes that referred to all kinds of sites and events on the East Coast, and specifically Virginia. The Historic Triangle is the name of one of the coolest places to visit in Virginia:  Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.

Between visiting the Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown and Colonial National Park, and then Colonial Williamsburg itself, you’ll learn a ton and have a blast doing it!

Virginia’s Historic Triangle – Jamestown

Jamestown is much more than just an archaeological site. It’s a complete historic experience, both inside and out. There are a few different areas to visit for a complete experience.

Settled by the British in 1607, Jamestown was the site of the Virginia Company’s first village site. When they arrived they needed food and to figure out their place in the land. Over time, they killed or displaced countless indigenous people and claimed the land for their own.

The story of Pocahontas is centered around Jamestown and the relationship between the existing residents, the Powhatan Indians and the British settlers. The stories you see in Disney movies or learned in school aren’t entirely accurate as to the glossy side of things, but give enough of the story that you can figure out what actually happened if you think about it.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Virginia Gay Travel Resources

The Cottages at Chesley Creek Farm – Gay Owned Cabin in Dyke, Virginia

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The Cottages at Chesley Creek Farm - Gay Owned Cabin in Dyke, Virginia

COTTAGES AT CHESLEY CREEK FARM: SECLUDED BLUE MOUNTAIN CABINS

The Cottages at Chesley Creek Farm are romantic vacation rental cabins for two in the Blue Ridge Mountains, far away from the hustle and bustle; a place to commune with nature and unwind from the stress of city living, kids, and commitments.

Located in Greene County, about 18 miles NW of Charlottesville, our four cottages — Creek House,LaurelWood, Ridge, and Pines, and the Log House — are situated on 300 acres in the mountains of the Blue Ridge, surrounded on one side by a 1,000 acre parcel and on the other side by a 1,500 acre parcel. They are the last houses on a dirt road leading up Brokenback Mountain.

See the Cottages at Chesley Creek Farm Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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

Seven Great Places in New Orleans (Outside the French Quarter) – Keep Calm and Wander

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Image credit: Anne Ganucheau

It’s hard to think about New Orleans without immediately conjuring images of the French Quarter in your mind. The Big Easy’s historic hub is picture-perfect: Creole-style buildings railed with ornate iron balconies line the streets while roving jazz bands and happy party-goers join in a colorful parade of humanity.

It sounds like a great place to visit, and it is. But Louisiana’s largest city shouldn’t be defined by the 422 acres comprising the French Quarter. 

To show love for the Big Easy’s underhyped hot spots, here’s a look at 7 Great Places in New Orleans – outside the French Quarter – that you should check out the next time you visit. 

Great Places in New Orleans – Audubon Park

You’re committing a grave injustice if you don’t visit lush Audubon Park while in New Orleans. One of the most unique green spaces in the country, the park is filled with hundred-year-old oak trees, expansive lagoons, and beautifully dripping strands of Spanish moss.   

While the scenery is breathtaking—you could easily spend an entire day just relaxing in nature here—John James Audubon’s namesake park offers awesome activities for recreation-seekers.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

New Orleans Gay Travel Resources