Best LGBTQ+ Inclusive Travel Destinations
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Orbitz but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note that all travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips.
Finding the best in just got easier. Orbitz has been leading the way for LGTBQ+ friendly and safe travel. l’m always on the lookout for safe spaces for more than just cis gay white men, and Orbitz makes sure all people in the LGBTQ+ communities are welcome and supported. Their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is not a trend they are just hopping on, they have actually been actively supporting the community for nearly two decades.
Orbitz launched its first LGBTQ+ inclusive ad, “See the world on your termsâ€, in 2001 and the following year launched gayorbitz.com, the first online travel agency to launch a website dedicated to the LGBTQ+ travel space. Over the years, Orbitz has continued their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the greater community has a whole by highlight important movements in the community like World Pride and supporting after the tragic Pulse shootings
Orbitz just launched a brand new microsite specifically aimed at helping you find all over the world and travel with pride. The new site hosts a wealth of information. Not only do they list the most LGBTQ+ cities and places to stay, they also have recommendations from local in the community influencers and celebrities, like my friends Gabi and Shanna from and Ravi from . As these recommendations are straight from the source, you can rest assured that you will be safe and accepted at these LGBTQ+ hot spots.
There are so many notable cities on the microsite like New York City, L.A., San Francisco, and Washington D.C., that are known hubs of LGBTQ+ fashion, nightlife, and style. Orbitz thoroughly combed the United States and the world for all the best locations where you can just relax and be yourself. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to many of these destinations, here are some of my favorites.
South Florida
South Florida is a huge destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. It’s so welcoming, you can hold hands with your partner and feel like you are in a safe space. Fort Lauderdale is known specifically for being welcoming for . Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Key West all offer a trip rich in arts, culture, and relaxation.
California
California boasts the beautiful Palm Springs, San Francisco, and Los Angeles as LGBTQ+ top destinations. Each city offers a different flavor befitting of any type of traveler and a thriving LGBTQ+ community.
I went to San Francisco in college and have been dying to go back ever since. Even though I wasn’t out at the time, I appreciated San Francisco’s rich LGBTQ+ history. Plus, there’s just so much to see and explore.
Los Angeles is the mecca for film, Hollywood glamour, and the best beaches. About a two hour drive away, Palm Springs offers a chance to let your hair down and rest and recharge while taking in art deco architecture and mountain views.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is not necessarily known as an LGBTQ+ destination, but I didn’t feel excluded in any way. I went for my bachelorette party and made know I was an LGBTQ+ bride. Vegas is famous for its entertainment and it didn’t disappoint! I went to brunch a Senor Frog’s where you can catch drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race and it was a blast.
I was out and proud in Vegas, and I felt totally safe. Plus, I can’t imagine the city who hosted the most iconic divas of all time to not be an LGBTQ+ city, right?
New Orleans
I have only been to once to New Orleans once with my husband. New Orleans was the first long trip we had been on together and we felt perfectly comfortable.
The city is famous for Bourbon Street and its nightlife, jazz, and decision cajun eats, but also for the intersection of Bourbon Street and Saint Anne is the hub of all things LGBTQ+ in New Orleans.
New York City
New York City is an obvious addition to this list. This is where Stonewall happened, this is where we celebrated 2019 World Pride, and this is where pretty much everything happens in terms of LGBTQ+ culture, nightlife and fashion.
There’s so much happening in New York. features NYC guides from local influencers that hit local haunts beyond what the tourist travel guides will tell you.
Atlanta
Atlanta, I love. I lived in Atlanta for 14 months and spent a lot of time in Midtown. Midtown is the LGBTQ+ district of downtown and there is so much art, culture, music, and film all right there. Even though I lived there, I’d love to go back and explore more as an out, proud, queer woman.
Chicago
Finally, our last US city is my favorite, Chicago. I know Chicago the best having lived there for seven years. It’s the city where I first realized I was fluid, where I went to my first Pride, where I went to my first Pride out and waved my flag as a proud member of the community and not just an ally.
I lived in Boystown, which is Chicago’s gay-borhood, and we used to ride our bikes or walk to Berlin to dance and SideTrack to get slushies, and go to other places like Andersonville that are LGBTQ+ spaces. There’s so much to do and Chicago will always have my heart!
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Travel Destinations
Orbitz also lists several great international LGBTQ+ destinations like Buenos Aires, Ibiza, Tulum, Lisbon, and Bangkok. I haven’t been to those cities personally, but I have been to a few of their other listings.
Rome is the most inclusive place to be LGBTQ+ in Italy and felt the safest being out there. I lived there for four months while traveling abroad!
London is basically a lot like New York with accents and not as good french fries. It’s an inclusive city with lots of people where no one really looks at you twice if you’re holding hands with your partner. London is definitely a place you can be yourself.
Paris was one of my . No one stared at me and Gio for being an interracial couple. There is no real issue with Paris being safe. It’s a big city and fashion mecca, and so great to visit as an LGBTQ+ traveler.
Prague I visited when I was younger and I feel like I didn’t really get to have the full LGBTQ+ experience. There are so many places in Prague that I would love to go back and visit.
Toronto is one of Gio’s absolute favorite cities. We’ve explored a lot of the shopping, but I’d love to go back and check out some of Toronto’s nightlife.
These are just a handful of the amazing LGBTQ+ inclusive travel destinations you can find and book on Orbitz. It’s an amazing resource full of information for your travels. I know traveling doesn’t look the same right now, we’re not necessarily traveling to big cities or internationally, but it’s alway good to know there are resources out there when the time comes.
You can also use Orbitz to plan for the future! They are booking for 2021 and there are so many articles on the best like the Matthew Shepard memorial in Laramie, WY and Provincetown, MA!
Orbitz is constantly expanding their content to make sure you have everything you need to travel safely and with pride!
