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The Top 5 Gay Summer Destinations

From Philadelphia to Alaska, here are our top picks for the summer of 2015

By on June 25, 2015

Photo by raunov/Flickr
Photo: raunov/Flickr

It’s the summer travel season and LGBT travelers have plenty of opportunities to escape to some great destinations. TheĀ City of Brotherly Love is celebrating a milestone, America’s Favorite Playground is having a blast, The Conch Republic is heating things up, RSVP is chilling up north, and The Big Easy is keeping it decadent. Here are the details on our 5 top picks.

Philadelphia

Photo by M. Fischetti for VISIT PHILADELPHIAĀ®
Photo: M. Fischetti
On July 4, 1965, a group of courageous gay and lesbian activists from across the Mid-Atlantic area laid the foundation for the LGBT civil rights movement with demonstrations in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. ThisĀ Fourth of July weekend, you can join with key LGBT leaders and activists and top entertainers for the National LGBT 50th Anniversary Celebration. The four-day event includes a wreath laying at the Gay Pioneers historical marker, LGBT history exhibits, educational panels, parties, a National Interfaith Service, a “Gay Pioneers” film screening, a concert, fireworks, and a street festival in Philadelphia’s officialĀ “gayborhood.” It will takeĀ place just days after the Supreme Court marriage equality decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. More information on visiting Philadelphia is available at visitphilly.com/gaytravel.

Atlantic City

Sand Blast has been one of the Mid-Atlantic area’s hottest eventsĀ for more than a dozen years. But its move last year from New Jersey’s Asbury Park to Atlantic City was a little rocky. The event, which had previously drawn as many as 4,000 participants, was attended by approximatelyĀ 1,100 men and women. This year, Sand Blast’s longtime producer Brad Hurtado and been joined byĀ Bruce Yelk, one of Philadelphia’s leading event and nightlife producers.

The pairĀ have assembledĀ a lineup of parties and entertainment for 2015 that is nothing short of epic. From Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19, there will be 10 different parties with leading DJs such as Rome’s Phil Ramono, D.C.’s Mike Reimer and New York’s Eddy Elias. In addition, Margaret Cho will perform on Saturday evening at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The Borgata and The Claridge Hotel are both serving as host properties and offering special packages. MoreĀ informationĀ on Sand Blast can be found here.

Key West

Key_West_Island_House

Florida’s southernmost city of Key West isĀ one of the top LGBT destinations in the world. And while the temperatures soarĀ in August, it doesn’t slow down the fun. From Thursday, Aug. 13, to Sunday, Aug. 16, Key West will host Tropical Heat,Ā four daysĀ of all-male festivities include multiple theme parties and bar tours with special adult entertainment stars. In addition, participants are able to take advantage of Key West’sĀ many offerings including the popular Blu Q catamaran tours. More information on visiting Key West is available atĀ fla-keys.com.

Alaska

RSVP’s cruises to Alaska are always popular and this year’s 30th Anniversary Alaska Cruise is no exception. Guests will sail for a week, Saturday, Aug. 1, through, Saturday, August 8, Ā on Holland America’s Westerdam. Ā The cruise will depart from Seattle andĀ sail directly north to Alaskaā€™s capital city, Juneau. The cruise will continue with a scenic sailĀ through Glacier Bay, the largest UNESCO-protected biosphere in the world, and make additional stops in the Alaskan cities of Stika and Ketchikan and the Canada’s Victoria before returning to Seattle. Ā As part of itsĀ celebration of 30 years, RSVP isĀ pulling out all the stops with an all-star lineup of RSVP signature entertainers along with stellar new talent includingĀ Will & Graceā€™s Leslie Jordan. The cruise is nearly sold out but a limited number of staterooms are available starting at $1,999 per passenger. More information on all of RSVP’s offerings is available atĀ rsvpvacations.com.Ā Ā 

New Orleans

Southern-Decadence
Photo by EgOiStE/Flickr

Let’s be honest, there’s rarely aĀ bad time to visit New Orleans —Ā but one of the best is duringĀ Southern Decadence. TheĀ unique, grassroots celebration dates back to 1972, and has grown to more than 150,000 annual participants. The core eventĀ is a three-day block party held in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Over the years, numerous special parties in the city’s many bars and nightclubs have been added. Traditionally spanningĀ Labor Day weekend, this year’s Southern Decadence will be Wednesday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 7. Ā More information on visiting New Orleans is available at neworleansonline.com.

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