Gay Key West Resorts – The Nomadic Boys

BLOG - Gay Key West Resorts - The Nomadic Boys

Key West is super gay! This small island in south Florida is a notorious gay mecca, with a whopping 30% of its 25,000 residents identifying as LGBTQ.

The island’s history as a gay destination dates back to the 1950s when well-known LGBTQ celebrities like Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Jerry Herman, Leonard Bernstein and Elizabeth Bishop have since made it their home. Subsequently in 1983, Key West became the first place in the US to elect an openly gay mayor (Richard A. Heyman), then in 2000, the island’s motto became: “One Human Family“.

We’ve visited Key West on several occasions and always had a blast, especially on the gay scene on Duval Street. There are so many things to do for gay travellers and with regards to to the hotels, it was never a case of ‘please can we have a double bed’, but more – ‘which of these many gay hotels should we stay at on this trip?’

There is an impressive number of different gay Key West resorts to pick from, so we’ve put together our 10 favourite, which also includes gay hotels and guesthouses.

Island House

Island House is notorious across the entire LGBTQ community of south Florida. It’s also one of the largest male-only clothing-optional resorts we’ve ever been to.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Key West Gay Travel Resources

Grandview Gardens B&B – Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in West Palm Beach, Florida

Grandview Gardens B&B - Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in West Palm Beach, Florida

GRANDVIEW GARDENS B&B – ELEGANT WEST PALM BEACH B&B

Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast is in the center of West Palm Beach’s downtown, in the Grandview Heights Historic Neighborhood.

We’re just five minutes from City Place, the renovated and upgraded civic center – walk to fine dining, theaters, outdoor cafes, clubs and bars, and boutique stores.

Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast is also close to The Convention Center, Palm Beach Atlantic University, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and the resort island of Palm Beach, and just ten minutes by car from The Palm Beach International Airport.

We offer bicycles for guest use.

We’re surrounded by tropical gardens on Howard Park, just across from the Armory Art Center.

See the Grandview Gardens B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

West Palm Beach Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Miami Beach Pride’s Biggest Events – The Nomadic Boys

BLOG - Miami Beach Pride's Biggest Events - The Nomadic Boys

“Miami Beach Pride is one of the biggest and best gay events in South Florida which you will not want to miss!”

While Miami Beach Pride may not be one of the biggest pride events in the world, it’s certainly one of the most exciting and unique…how many Pride events do you know that take place along a beach?

My partner Teraj is a Miami native so, naturally, we have visited this vibrant city many times over the past few years. In particular, we love going to Miami Beach Pride and always attend in full glitter and rainbow paraphernalia! In this guest post, I’ve set out why we love it so much, from all the many special events, social mixers and must-attend parties.

Here’s my rundown of the most anticipated parties during Miami Beach Gay Pride.

Official Miami Beach Pride Pool Party

Nothing says “Miami” quite like a pool, a few cocktails and of course, lots of hot guys! Miami Beach Pride gets this spot on with the official Pride Pool Party. What I love about it the most is that they always feature amazing international DJs every year, like DJ Ralphi Rosario, Dan Slater and Dani Brasil. This is where you want to see and be seen (especially if you enjoy watching hotties in skimpy bathing suits)!

General admission is usually only around $40. For a bit more, you can also get a VIP access, which includes an open bar with a private terrace. 

You will naturally find us in the VIP area getting our dose of Vitamin D and soaking up all those yummy cocktails!

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Miami Beach Gay Travel Resources

The St. Augustine Lighthouse – 2TravelDads

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

Five Gay Fort Lauderdale Guesthouses – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Fort Lauderdale Guesthouses - The Nomadic Boys

Not only is Florida one of the best spots for an awesome summer vacation, but Fort Lauderdale also happens to be one of the gay capitals of the southeast coast.

A local and affordable guesthouse is one of the best ways to spend your time in Fort Lauderdale, and where better than a gay-owned or clothing optional one?

There are a number of great places to stay in and around the famous Wilton Manors, the heart of the city’s gay scene. You’re spoilt for choice in terms of guesthouses in gay Fort Lauderdale and it can be hard to decide which one suits you best. Especially when you want to be as close as possible to Wilton Manors, but also to the popular gay beaches in the area.

So, we’ve put together a list of our favourite gay guest houses in Fort Lauderdale to help you pick the perfect spot for your next beach holiday in Florida.

1) The Grand Resort

Five minutes walk from the beach, with a wonderful host of staff and a spa that’s to die for, the Grand Resort and Spa is our favourite gay guest house in Fort Lauderdale.

While it’s a little bit on the pricey side, the privacy, level of service and amenities make it an excellent place to stay for a weekend getaway or a full holiday.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

gay Fort Lauderdale Gay Travel Resources

 

Finding the Miami Gay Beach – The Globetrotter Guys

Miami Gay Beach - The Globetrotter Guys

Miami is exactly like what you will have seen on the T.V. and in films! It’s a trendy, vibrant and very cool beach destination. Miami has been a gay hotspot for many years with gay bars, gay beaches, gay events such as the winter party and a large gay population – we can definitely see the attraction to living and visiting here.

We came to Miami looking to relax before we went on an Atlantis gay cruise (check out ‘What is a gay Atlantis cruise really like…’) and so headed straight for the gay beach in Miami. There are actually two ‘official’ gay beaches in Miami and if that’s what you are looking for, you have come to the right place!

Sometimes when you head to a destination, finding the ‘gay beach’ can be a challenge, however all the gay beaches in Miami are very easy to find. Here is how to find each of them:

12th Street Gay Beach, Miami
South Beach Miami is where the majority of the gay nightlife can be found, so it should come as no surprise that this is where you will find the most popular gay beach in Miami.

The area is very easy to navigate. Streets are numbered running east to west and start at 1st Street at the south end of South Beach and increase in number as you head north.

By Sion and Ben – Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys

Miami Beach Gay Travel Resources

 

St. Petersburg’s LGBTQ Center – Traveling in Our Fabulous Gay World

St. Petersburg LGBTQ Center

In our travels from coast to coast in the USA we usually stop by the LGBTQ Center when we arrive in a city. So far in the past 18 years we have found two outstanding ones. In the past we have written about the one in Denver. On our way down to Florida last month we visited the St. Petersburg LGBTQ Center. Jim Nixon is the Director and Liaison and is one of the most professional and friendliest Directors that we have met. The LGBTQ liaison serves as an accessible and friendly ear to city’s LGBTQ community and elevates LGBTQ related concerns to the city executive and other city offices. Serving as both a spokesman for the Mayor’s Office to a local LGBTQ demographic as well as a representative of LGBTQ interests in the leaders of St. Petersburg Government. He plays an advisory role within the government branches.

The LGBTQ Welcome Center in June 2014 in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District. Only the third in the nation. As a function of Metro Inclusive Health, serves the area as an LGBTQ visitors’ resource, coffee house, youth center (safe space) and provides a wide range of business resources, education activities and entertainment events.

Among the many things that they offer are:

  • Visitor Information with our partnership with Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater
  • Relocation information with our partnership with the St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
  • Supportive Membership Program for referrals of LGBTQ Businesses
  • Local LGBTQ Artist and Maker Boutique
  • Coffee and Scooped Ice Cream Parlor
  • HIV Testing and Social Program from LGBTQ Youth and Seniors

Website: https://www.lgbtqwelcomecenter.org/

They are located at 2227 Central Avenue St. Their hours are Monday thru Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, noon to 5 PM. Their phone number is 727.201. 4925.

Here is a link to the city website where they are very proud of their LGBTQ community. Just scroll down to read about the LGBTQ part: http://www.stpete.org/mayor_s_office/index.php

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS goes to Jim Nixon and what he is doing in the LGBTQ community in St. Petersburg. More people in other cities needs to be as kind and considerate and professional as he is.

Jim Nixon

Don and RayAlways 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/

Las Vegas Gay Travel Resources

Gay Tampa – Nomadic Boys

Gay Tampa - The Nomadic Boys

Tampa is a lot of fun and very gay friendly!

It has a young and diverse population due to the large community of students, expats and the strong sports culture with two notorious home teams: the “Tampa Bay Lightening” hockey team and the Tampa Bay Bucaneers” American football team.

All gay travellers to gay Tampa will find something to love about the city, in particular the GaYborhood in Ybor. For general inspiration, check out our best things to do in Tampa guide. Meanwhile, this is our detailed gay guide to Tampa focusing on the best bars, clubs, places to stay and more.

The gay neighbourhood of Tampa is based in the city’s historic district called “Ybor City”, specifically along 7th Avenue. A coalition of businesses in the area created a LGBT Chamber of Commerce business group called “GaYbor”, from which the gay neighbourhood of Tampa affectionally takes its name.

In GaYbor, you will find the main gay clubs, bars, bathhouses of Tampa, as well as a number of boutique and vintage shops like La FranceIn the evening, especially on weekends, 7th Avenue comes alive as the crowds hit the gay bars like Bradleys and Honey Pots (see more below).

The GaYborhood is also home to Tampa Pride, which takes place on the last weekend in March with a Diversity Parade. Also look out for the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festivalheld every October.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Gay Tampa Gay Travel Resources

 

Ten Things to Do in Gay Tampa – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Tampa - The Nomadic Boys

Tampa is a city packed with so many things to do for couples of all ages. We spent 4 days here and never once got bored.

There is always something happening in Tampa, with a festival to celebrate almost everything, like a Greek Festival, Italian, festivals for Margarita cocktails, cigars, cupcake and even a Mac & Cheese festival! The most famous is the Gasparilla pirate festival in January, which celebrates José Gaspar, a Spanish pirate who used to roam and plunder across the Gulf of Mexico.

For the latest events taking place in Tampa, check Visit Tampa Bay’s website, as well as the Visit Florida website. For romantic inspiration, continue reading below for our 10 coolest things to do in Tampa for couples, based on our first hand experience.

1. A stroll through history in Ybor City

Ybor City is Tampa’s historic neighbourhood, once home to a prominent cigar industry. It is named after Vicente Martinez-Ybor who in 1880 selected this spot as the base for his industry. Back then, this was a tiny isolated village. Mr Ybor attracted thousands of immigrants, mainly from Cuba, Italy and Spain, who came here to work and subsequently developed a strong Latino culture here. At one point, Ybor City become a prominent base for Cuban revolutionaries like Jose Marti and Paulina Pedroso.

After Mr Ybor’s death in 1896, his cigar industry thrived, reaching a peak in the 1920s, when there were more cigar factories in Ybor City than in Cuba. Sadly it started to decline after the Great Depression hit in 1929, and also due to the growth of the cigarette industry. This led to a mass exodus of people between the 1930s-1980s from Ybor City. However since the 1980s, Ybor City has had a huge renaissance, becoming not only a hotspot for tourism, but a popular nightlife area with an excellent gay scene on Seventh Avenue.

We highly recommend taking a walking tour with a company like Ybor Walking Tours to learn more about Ybor City’s fascinating past.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Gay Tampa Travel Resources

Get Naked in Florida – Go Girlfriend

naked in Florida

It seems only natural to celebrate the wonderfulness of getting naked in Florida! Take its hundreds of miles of sand and surf opportunities, add it’s mostly hot and sun-kissed southerness and you have the ingredients to enjoy ample opportunity to bare it all and enjoy life au naturel.

As with any new experience, we suggest you start your nudist experience with a step you can be comfortable with. Maybe you and your partner begin with a nude beach or a day access to one of the resorts below – just to explore being naked together and see how things feel. All the options below promote body acceptance and welcome you into the experience at your own rate. I guarantee once you’ve begun your own naked journey, you will celebrate this newfound freedom for the rest of your life!

Forget the mindset of nudist resorts as a rustic, commune-style backwoods campsites only for hippies. Both Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Caliente Club and Resort offer modern, upscale, multigenerational nudist experience that brings nudism to the modern age. Their facilities deliver modern amenities, grounds and facilities to impress and entertainment options to find your groove just as well as similar clothed resorts throughout North America. The difference is life can be enjoyed au naturel … and once the sun kisses your skin and you’ve settled into the reality that hardly anyone has that ideal body type; the bliss of this newfound freedom is a treasure to enjoy!

By Stacy Rosien – Full Story at Go Girlfriend

Florida Gay Travel Resources