By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Fall is pretty much the best time to travel, whether you want to pack a sweater or a swimsuit. The busiest travel season is over, which means fewer crowds and often better deals on flights and accommodation. So, here are some of the top LGBTQ+ destinations to book this fall.
New Orleans, Louisiana
If you’ve ever experienced the oppressive hotness and humidity of a summer day in NOLA, imagine how much more pleasant a cool(er) fall day would be. With Southern Decadence in September and plenty of French Quarter Halloween festivities, New Orleans is a perfect gay destination for fall.
Key West, Florida
Even in the fall, it’s as if summer never really leaves, and you can still catch a few rays poolside or on the beach. As a gay destination, Key West is famed for plenty of clothing-optional resorts and hotels and a bustling nightlife that doesn’t cool down even as the temperature drops.
Palm Springs, California
There’s something about Palm Springs as it re-emerges from its scorching summer months and into the cooler season. The Midcentury architecture oasis in the desert seems to bloom, offers fantastic cultural options like Modernism Week in October, and even celebrates its own Pride in November.
New York City, New York
NYC is an excellent option for fall as the tourist season winds down significantly. Whether you want to catch shows on Broadway, experience world-class arts, or do some world-class shopping, you know New York has it. Plus, if you want to see the foliage change, Central Park is a mesmerizing oasis of changing leaves in the city’s heart.
Asheville, North Carolina
This surprisingly queer gem in the deep-red state of North Carolina may not have the nightlife scene of a sizeable LGBTQ+ city, but it certainly has the quirkiness with plenty of artists, street art, and architecture. In the fall, Asheville becomes a gallery of changing leaves, which is viewed perhaps the best from the balconies of the breathtaking Biltmore estate.
Boulder, Colorado
With some of the best treks in the country and 300 days of sun, Boulder may not be an LGBTQ+ nightlife destination, but it certainly has abundant options for outdoor activities. As an LGBTQ+ haven in the state, it has its fair share of queer bars and clubs if that’s the physical fun you’re looking for.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
The Northern tip of Provincetown is well-known for its many LGBTQ+ events year-round, including Spooky Bear for Halloween in October. Find a quaint bed & breakfast and enjoy the many restaurants and bars for a perfect transition to cooler weather – because it is pretty much always sweater weather in Ptown.
