Passport Magazine’s savvy traveler writers are not just globetrotters, they are also domestic travel dynamos who have explored the best places to visit in the USA. Here are five of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the USA that our writers have personally experienced and recommend for all travelers.
“Keep Austin Weird” became a slogan so popular and impactful that it was famously copied by Portland, Oregon and other cities around the nation. Is Austin weird? Yes, in a wonderful way. It’s a college town, a liberal hippie hideout, a tech-industry magnet, and an outdoorsman’s paradise. And, despite being super liberal, Austin is also the capital city of one of America’s reddest Red States. So yes, Austin is f*****g weird, and that’s exactly why people love it.
One thing is always true of Asheville: she’s unafraid to be exactly who she is. Tucked away in the quiet majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville brims with an authenticity that draws you in. Her wondrous natural surroundings and vibrant neighborhoods invite locals and visitors alike to live their truths. We’re sharing our LGBTQ+ residents’ favorite places and pursuits in Asheville, including bars and restaurants, fun outdoor activities for couples, arts and cultural events, and beloved businesses that are LGBTQ+ owned.
Providence, Rhode Island, was founded on the principles of freedom, independence and acceptance. That spirit is still alive today in this bustling city, which is home to a thriving, diverse, and dynamic community. Blending the urban sophistication of a big city with the charm of a small New England town, Providence is known for its walkability, fabulous restaurants, and sophisticated arts scene. Conveniently located between Boston and New York City, Providence is easy to get to by car, train or plane.
New Orleans can burst into song at any moment. Music flows out of open-door clubs. Street-corner jazz bands stir up classics and impromptu dancing. Even Louis Armstrong International Airport welcomes travelers with occasional live bands at baggage claim. Iconic second-line brass-band processions are the best, though, because they can come out of nowhere, usually marking a marriage or memorial, and everyone is invited to join in. Music, dancing, parades, rainbow flags—this is New Orleans, serving free-form fun and a side of gumbo. It’s a perfect LGBTQ-friendly long-weekend getaway, where you won’t need a car, but you will need a hearty appetite.
Scottsdale Arizona is one of the premier destinations in the country for “snowbirds.” Always a great choice to escape the winter cold (well, really a great choice any time of year), Scottsdale’s appeal is enhanced even further by a series of new openings, bringing the already enviable hotel and dining scene to new heights, as well as activities from upscale shopping to interesting exploration. Here, where tried-and-true meets new-and-innovative, there’s a wealth of choices from your first breakfast of the day to your last drinks at night. If you haven’t been to Scottsdale in a while (or, God forbid, have never been there), it’s time for a visit.
