We flew into Miami in early April, headed to gay Miami Beach for its seventh annual Pride celebrations and the sun-kissed climate of the Florida coast, not knowing what to expect from a city rebuilding the visibility of its LGBTI community. What we found during our short but eclectic time perched on the shores was the magnificent fire that first gave inspiration to the original pride marches of the late 1960s and sparked a movement that began to change the nation; and it’s alive and well.
This year, Pride in Miami Beach returned to the true roots of the LGBTI movement, aiming to bring diverse communities together in understanding and provide a safe space for self-expression and enjoyment for everyone – something that other prides have arguably lost sight of in recent years, in favor of weekend-bender parties.
In gay Miami Beach for the first time, and reveling in the delights of a sunny Pride, we decided to take in some of the other attractions of the city. From historical to culinary, architectural to stylish and a nightlife unique to only few LGBTI capitals – it’s all for the taking in beautiful Miami Beach…
By Dan Beeson – Full Story at Gay Star News
Miami Beach Gay Travel Resources
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One of the enjoyable things about visiting a major city in the US is that most enable you to see the country through a slightly different prism: New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami… all offer a very different perspective and experience. Boston, in Massachusetts, may not be one of the country’s biggest cities, but the viewpoint it brings is one of history. Massachusetts is the state where the Pilgrim Fathers landed in the Mayflower in 1620 and it’s where the US War of Independence began in the mid-1770s.
Whereas some US cities can be dated back to the turn of the 20th Century, and the arrival of the local railroad, Boston – which in the late 1600s was the third biggest port in the world after London and Bristol – has a history going back well over 300 years. It’s also the heart of New England, regarded as one of the most beautiful areas of the US. For visitors from the UK, the city has recently become a little more accessible. Norwegian Airlines launched another of its low-cost routes from Gatwick at Easter. Book enough in advance and flights to Logan Airport cost as low as #149 each way.
I flew on a 787 Dreamliner, one of the most modern and greenest planes in the air. It features windows with dimmer controls, hours of entertainment via its Android Inflight Entertainment System, plus plug-in points for phone and laptop chargers. If, like me, you fly Premium, you can also access the brand new Number One lounge at Gatwick, to kick start your trip in style. Once there, here are some suggestions for how to make the most of your trip – whether it’s just an extended weekend or longer.
1. Boston’s Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5km walking route in downtown Boston that includes 16 historical points of interest. It takes in the Old State House, the Granary Burial Ground (which although small, actually contains well over 5,000 bodies!), and the sites of the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party.
When we travel from coast to coast we usually do not know where to dine to have a memorable dining experience. Once we find a fabulous place, we go back again and again and again. We have been traveling to Palm Springs, California for 15 years and from the first time we went there we found one of our favorite restaurants in the entire country. Melvyn’s Restaurant which is located in the Ingleside Inn in downtown Palm Springs. We first heard about the restaurant on the television program, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.
Members of the LGBT community say the shooting that killed 50 people early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando won’t stop them from travel and business as usual.
“From the LGBT perspective, it will not deter us from going to Orlando,” John Tanzella, president and CEO of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association told CBS MoneyWatch. “If anything, it will likely drive more travel to Orlando as it’s typical in our community to want to show support.”
That holds true, Tanzella said, whether it involves travel to celebrate LGBT victories or to show solidarity with a community in mourning. “One example on the positive side is before the U.S. had same sex marriage, Argentina did. Our members were selling travel to that country including honeymoon trips,” Tanzella said.
When I arrived in New York last week, I was told that I had brought summer with me. Apparently, it had been cold and rainy most of the spring until the weekend of my arrival – and hearing this made me feel reassured again about having spent all of May in Austin (in case you haven’t noticed yet – I’ve got a major case of FOMO and ‘scarifying’ a month in New York for four weeks in Austin wasn’t an easy decision for me to make!).
To be honest, I was considering extending my stay in Austin for another three weeks (yes, I loved it that much – more on that to come next week) but then my travel plans were changed by circumstances beyond my control (more on that soon).
And that’s why I ended up spending only eight days in my adopted home. Knowing that my time in New York would be short and sweet, the goal was to make the most of it. This meant: make sure to have a decent New York bagel (check), have a pizza at Roberta’s (check, and it was so worth nearly missing my flight for it)!
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Hale KupuKupu is constructed from old growth redwood planks in the single wall design traditional to the islands during the plantation period of the 1930s and 40’s.
Hale KupuKupu offers a quiet and tranquil experience, reminiscent of a lifestyle from an era gone-by. The outside surroundings of the house provide natural beauty and unmatched privacy.
I have to apologize if I’m getting on your nerves with my constant ravings about Austin – I’ve already sang the city’s praises here and here – and I can’t stop gushing about Texas’ quirky capital. I arrived in New York last week and have been enthusiastically talking about how great Austin is ever since my plane touched down here, almost forgetting that I’m in my favorite city in the world.
But my last week in Austin was a great one, and I finally got the local introduction to the city that I had hoped for: from someone who had lived in Austin for many years and knew the city inside out. Together, we hit up some of East Austin’s coolest bars (including the fabulous Weather Up bar, which I learned had a branch in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights neighborhood, just around the corner from where I lived two years ago – not sure how I had missed that place back then!).
I was introduced to the magic of pinball arcades (I need to bring them to NYC – so much fun!), finally watched a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse while enjoying craft beers and a surprisingly tasty meal, wishing I could always enjoy restaurant service and booze in a movie theater (apparently Brooklyn is getting an Alamo Drafthouse in a few weeks – I am excited!), and had a midnight diner meal at the Magnolia Cafe which came to fame thanks to the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Breathtaking views from every room. You might want to call it a lodge – We call it “C&M Bunkhouse” We can even marry you! Many options available – BBQ Dinners and Breakfasts can be included by a professional chef (Dinners Thursday’s thru Sunday nights) and other nights by request. If you want to be private and not partake in the meals provided, there is a Kitchenette included in YOUR living space. You can also have access to our master kitchen and living room area.
Enjoy the quiet and time away from the City. Boise is close (30 minutes) and there are two stores 20 minutes away. 15 miles from Historic Idaho City and 12 miles from the famous Hilltop restaurant off Hwy 21.
Elk, wild turkey, quail, and deer at our doorstep (no hunting) in spring and fall.
16 miles from Downtown Boise, Up Hwy 21 and then 2 miles up the dirt road, you’ve arrived at a peaceful, beautiful slice of heaven.
Wrap around deck gives you a private show the the best sunrises and wildlife the mountains have to offer.
Hot yoga room, In house gym, patio Jacuzzi, Amazon TV, and more.
Hiking, Water sports near by. We even have a hiking trail 100feet from our front door.
Summertime? Paddle boarding, fishing, kayaking right here (10 minutes away).
Wintertime? Snowshowing right here, and Bogus Basin ski resort less than an hour door to door.
Spring and Fall, enjoy the 6 mile hiking trail and all the beauty and wildlife.
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: