Greenport, New York is located on the far east side of the north shore of Long Island. There is just one small village to the east of it, Orient Point where you can take the Ferry over to New London, Connecticut and on up to Boston or Ptown. Greenport was founded in 1682 and was incorporated in 1838. It was first a ship building and whale and fishing village.
Of course that is all past history however when visiting there, it is interesting to read all about the history and visit many of the places. We have been there over a dozen times in the past 15 years and always look forward to our visits there. The population is only about a couple of thousand. Most all of the homes are very old but kept up beautifully.
In the summertime, tourists and visitors flock to Greenport. It is only about 100 miles east of New York City. You can drive or best to take the train or bus out to Greenport. You can walk all around town so a car is really not necessary.
They have great restaurants and we do think that we have dined at all of them over the years. Two of our favorites are Claudio’s (pictured at top) which has been in business there since 1870. They have three locations there including one right downtown and one on the wharf. their website is: https://www.claudios.com/
Another great restaurant is Lucharitos Mexican restaurant which is also located right downtown. It is one of the few restaurants that has a solid 5 Star rating and we certainly agree with that consensus! Their website is: http://www.lucharitos.com/ Whether you are into fresh seafood or Mexican you cannot go wrong dining at these two restaurants.
There of course are a lot of other restaurants to dine.
Greenport books up in the summer so be sure and make your reservations early. We recommend:
STIRLING HOUSE B AND B, http://www.stirlinghousebandb.com/
WELLS HOUSE B AND B, http://thewellshousebnb.com/
HARBORFRONT INN, http://www.theharborfrontinn.com/
GREENPORTER HOTEL, https://greenporterhotel.com/
All of these accommodations are within walking distance of downtown and close to the sights, museums, galleries and historical places in Greenport. For one of the best websites to visit before visiting Greenport is:
http://www.greenportvillage.com/category/attractions-in-the-village/
That will give you a great start before visiting there. The Arts are alive and well in Greenport and you will find everything that you expect in large cities. We have found that everyone is extremely friendly.
While there, but sure and visit the wineries as the north shore of Long Island is full of wineries and the beaches are wonderful. Greenport really has it all!
On a very personal note, our dear friend, Tom Monsell who has lived his entire life in Greenport recently passed away. We were there in August to help him celebrate his Birthday. We have many fond memories of our times with Tom in Greenport and with Tom when he would visit us here at our home.
His dear friend, Gail Horton is the executor of his estate and has been a very close friend of Tom’s for nearly 50 years. She contributes so much for the community of Greenport. She is a real jewel.
Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!
TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).
Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/
USA
Washington Pumpkins – Globetrotter Girls
October was a very special month for me. Why? Because I visited my first ever pumpkin patch! Despite having spent several autumns in the U.S. over the past few years, somehow I never made it to a pumpkin patch. But this year, thanks to my friends Tawny and Chris, I finally got to finally tick this quintessential fall experience off of my bucket list!
The pumpkin patch we went to turned out to be so much more than just a field filled with pumpkins (although, that alone was pretty awesome, seeing hundreds of bright orange pumpkin in different shapes and sizes on a massive field) – there was a corn maze, and a bunch of family-friendly activities like pig races, tractor-pulled hay rides, pony rides, a goat walk and some ducks running around.
I had a blast, especially trying to find our way through the corn maze with the help of quizzes (note to self: I really have to improve my knowledge on American history, ahem).
By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls
Washington State Gay Travel Resources
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Eating Out: Oakland, California
While it would surely raise eyebrows to deem dinner at Oakland’s Commis a bargain, it’s more than fair to call Chef James Shyabout’s elegant tasting menus a Michelin Stargain. Twinkling with two of the French tiremaker’s honorifics as of 2016, Oakland’s serene, cerebral seven-year-old culinary jewel box offers prix fixe adventures of eight ingenious small courses (plus a few more bonus bites sprinkled throughout the meal) for $125.
While that’s six times what you’ll spend for a satisfying steak dinner elsewhere in Oakland (more on that later), it’s a remarkable price compared to a constellation of other Michelin-winning prix fixes in the Bay Area: $398 at San Francisco’s Saison, $330 at Napa Valley’s Meadowood, $310 at the French Laundry in Yountville, and $235 at Manresa in Silicon Valley. (Prior to going out on his own, Shyabout cooked at the latter, as well as Spain’s legendary elBulli and England’s Fat Duck.)
Along with housing rates, the cost of opening and sustaining a business in the San Francisco environs have skyrocketed in recent years, to such an extent that, along with young, adventurous eaters, ambitious, eclectic chefs like Shyabout have rooted themselves in more affordable Oakland.
By Jim Gladstone – Full Story at Passport
San Francisco East Bay Gay Travel Resources
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Gay Norfolk, Virginia
The port city of Norfolk offers more than meets the eye as a hotbed of local arts culture and a focal point for Virginia’s dynamic culinary scene. On the eve of Hampton Roads Pride, I set out to meet the city beyond the shore. There is the Ghent neighborhood, which thanks to a new wave of hip bars, restaurants, and independent art shops, has made Granby Street home to plenty of young bohemians. Downtown is equal parts old and new, where the lofty high rises stand side-by-side cornerstones of the antebellum era. Steeped in the city’s colonial history is the ever-charming West Freemason, a living portrait of Americana past and present, with grand old homes and winding cobblestone streets.
I set up digs at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel (777 Waterside Dr., Tel: 757-622-6664. www.sheratonnorfolkwaterside.com), a 468-room low-rise hotel with a prime location in the heart of gay Norfolk proper. Amenities include a bona fide onsite business center and a large outdoor pool on the banks of the Elizabeth River, both of which are put to good use once I check in. My room is bright and airy, and comes complete with a small blue sofa and coffee table by the window. Free highspeed Wi-Fi sweetens the deal, too, as do the harbor views from my suite, all bright with lights against the night sky. I can’t wait to check out what the city’s culinary scene has to offer on my first night.
Pendant lights hang high above the brick-and-rafter spaces of Luna Maya (2010 Colley Ave., Tel: 757-622-6986. www.lunamayarestaurant.com). This upscale Mexican restaurant has earned a high standing for serving some of the city’s best Mexican fare. At the top of my menu is the flank steak, topped with a tangy drizzle of chimichurri, and paired with a limemuddled mojito. House specialties like the slow-cooked sweet yellow corn tamales, and the roasted Poblano peppers, stuffed with spicy chicken chorizo and chipotle enchilada sauce, are standouts among a big assortment of tacos and quesadillas.
By Chris Roney – Full Story at Passport Magazine
Image via City of Norfolk]]>
LaQuinta Inn & Suites Downtown – New Orleans
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Thank you for considering the LaQuinta Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown! This isn’t your everyday LaQuinta located only 2 blocks from the French Quarter in the heart of the Central Business District and only one block from the St Charles Street Car Line.
We’re also the proud recipients of the “LaQuinta of the Year Award” for excellence in customer service, cleanliness and sales.
Stay with us and experience all New Orleans has to offer at a great value in a great location! All rates include a daily hot continental breakfast buffet and complimentary wi-fi. This hotel is TAG Approved
See the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Downtown Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here
Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Louisiana
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Seattle by Night – Globetrotter Girls
What a week it’s been! The sun has shown itself more often than expected (and much more than the previous week), and I used every opportunity to get out and explore as much of the city as possible. I ticked all kinds of things off of my Seattle-to-do-list, like a stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park and along Alki Beach, a visit to the locks in Ballard and a short hike through Discovery Park.
The sunny weather had me check out all kinds of parks this week, from Union Lake Park and Seward Park to Freeway Park and Volunteer Park.
I went out on more neighborhood explorations and, thanks to Katie being in town, I also got to enjoy lots of good food and craft beer. It even stayed dry long enough to check out the Sunday market in Fremont, and we headed to Golden Gardens, which turned out to be a lovely beach instead of a garden, but ended up being one of my favorite finds last week. I think I definitely have to come back to Seattle in the summer.
By Dani – Full Story at the Globetrotter Girls
Washington State Gay Travel Resources
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A Sunny Day in Seattle – Globetrotter Girls
Seattle… I don’t even know where to start with you.
I wish I would’ve written this on Wednesday morning after my beautiful run through Seward Park with gorgeous views of Lake Washington in almost all directions (since the park sits on a peninsula). Wednesday morning was so nice that I thought to myself: ‘I’ll have to take half a day off and take advantage of this beautiful fall weather!’.
Well, while I was still researching things I could do outdoors that afternoon, the weather suddenly turned and it started pouring. And it hasn’t stopped since. I’ve seen more rain since I got here that I’ve seen in the entire previous nine months of 2016 combined! Those of you who’ve been following me for a while know that I am a summer girl, a sun chaser.
By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls
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TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: North Fork on Long Island, New York
Everyone knows about the Hamptons on Long Island which is on the South Fork of Long Island. The North Fork has now become a great place to live and visit. The North Fork goes from the town of Riverhead on the west side to Orient on the east. From Orient, you can take your auto on the Ferry north to New London, Connecticut.
On our last trip to the North Fork, we stayed at the Duncan Inn which was purchased last year by Duncan Kennedy, a very highly successful businessman who has years of service in the hospitality business. He remodeled and redecorated the Inn over the past year and it is really a wonderful place to stay with plenty of amenities. It is a newly renovated 20 room and suites motel. They have refrigerators to keep your food and beverages chilled and a microwave to heat them up. They serve coffee in the lobby, water and soda. in the mornings as well as snacks, juices, bottled water and soda. They are within walking distance to shops, restaurants and wineries in the area. They have a huge picnic area in the back to have food or cocktails or wine.
Duncan Kennedy is a real great host and takes great care with each of the guests staying with him. He knows what it takes to make guests want to return and stay there, and they do! While we were there, we met several guests that have stayed there several times. And he only purchased the Inn in December, 2015 and he already has a solid guest list of people who returns to stay there. Duncan Kennedy is one of the terrific and exception guys who have the ‘Passion’. He enjoys life and he enjoys what he is doing and it shows! We know that he will be extremely successful in this new venture.
For reservations, call 631.722.4024. Their website is www.duncaninn.com and their address is 1399 Main Road in Jamesport, NY. You can email them at info@duncaninn.com
Jamesport was originally founded in the 1690’s. Between Whaling and fishing and people coming there to visit, the town has withstood the test of time. While you are the area, there are a lot of commercial farms and orchards that yield corn, vegetables, berries, flowers, potatoes, apples and pumpkins.
In addition there in are several wineries in the area. Jamesport is home of Jamesport Vineyards and Martha Clara Vineyards and is very near to most of the other three dozen wineries in the area with 30 miles. A couple miles to the north they have the beaches of Long Island Sound. Jamesport is a wonderful place to visit and relax and the Duncan Inn is the perfect place to stay.
Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!
TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).
Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/
Gay L.A.
Many Chicagoans choose to move to Los Angeles in California and it is easy to see why. There is plenty of sunshine and a moderate climate to enjoy in gay L.A. The grid layout of the city makes it easy to navigate but traffic needs to always be taken into consideration. Public transportation is continually in the works and ride sharing with Uber has turned into a popular option.
People tend to be LGBT-friendly, thanks to a long history of political figures and activists. One National Gay & Lesbian Archives houses more than 2 million items in its archives celebrating that history. Early editions of Outlines, published by Windy City Times’ Tracy Baim, were found along with a multitude of others.
The country’s first gay church, the Metropolitan Community Church, and first gay synagogue, Beth Chayim Chadashim, both began in gay L.A. Out & About Tours provides a walking tour to see many LGBT historical landmarks and learn about the pioneers of the gay community.
By Jerry Nunn – Full Story at the Windy City Times
Los Angeles Gay Travel Resources
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Downtown Las Vegas
It’s Friday night and Las Vegas is buzzing, but not from the sounds of slot machines or the spinning of roulette wheels. It’s a different kind of buzz that fills the Arts District. A man stands at a microphone with the light of a neon sign serving as his spotlight. Passersby walk through the Arts District, taking in the various vendors’ stalls. A boy picks up a vegan chocolate bar, and the man, like a Greek stentor, shares his spoken-word poetry. A woman browses local artwork and as she moves on down the street she proclaims loudly, “I’ll have to pick that painting up later.”
Nearby, a group of gay boys files out of a local bar holding inventive sugary cocktails that each deserves its own PANTONE color. The poet continues to speak, creating a vibrant urgency, and people dance through the stalls to the beat of his trochees. The neon lights of Downtown Las Vegas’ Arts District are nearly drowned out by the illuminated vendors who have completely transformed the outdoor 18-block district into a creative amusement park of art and local culture.
The rumba of salsa music has old and young locals twirling under the disco-ball twilight. Clouds of smoke from the freshly deep-fried zeppole waft across the dance floor and mix with spray paint fumes puffing like a chimney from a young boy creating a mural. He’s plastering the wood wall with dragons, wizards, castles, and all his middle school fantasies. A hula-hooper leads an exercise class as crowds gather round holding bags of recently purchased handicrafts. “Do you feel free?” the instructor shouts to the dozens of men, women, and children hoola-hooping along. “Yes!” the crowd shouts back in a united voice that doesn’t match their wild gyrations. There is a new type of freedom in this city that visitors will discover in the sprawling creativity of revitalized downtown Las Vegas.
By Joseph Pedro – Full Story at Passport
Las Vegas Gay Travel Resources
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