Last Updated on 05/22/2025 by Lindsey
In the old days – post-Stonewall, pre-LGBTQ rights – we had Spartacus and Damron. These gay travel guides were packed with listings for gay bars, clubs, saunas, bookstores, and LGBTQ-friendly hotels. They helped gay travelers find safety, community, and connection in unfamiliar places.
As times changed—and as travel info became more accessible and digital—those old-school guides faded out. But the need for thoughtful, identity-aware travel advice never went away. Now, a new wave of LGBTQ travel books is stepping in to fill that gap, with a fresh take and a broader lens.
When my book finally comes out, it’ll be in good company alongside new LGBTQ travel books like these two recent releases:
The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: Interviews, Itineraries, & Inspiration from Insiders in 50 Proud Places Around the Globe (Lonely Planet)
Lonely Planet’s LGBTQ+ Travel Guide promises queer travel itineraries and insider takes on 50 LGBTQ-friendly destinations. Instead of the usual “here’s where to party during Pride” roundup we’ve seen a million times, this book gives locals the mic to share queer-inclusive city guides.
Some of the destinations are familiar–we all know Amsterdam and Bangkok are LGBTQ-friendly. Other picks might surprise you. Instead of Fire Island or Ptown, there’s Saugatuck, Michigan.
This book dives deep into 20 destinations, each seen through the eyes of a local queer resident (or couple).
Other destinations are recommended in themed roundups for things like family-friendly getaways, art-forward adventures, or adrenaline junkie escapes, so you can browse based on your travel style…speaking of which, I have an amazing travel style quiz in my book if you don’t know yours yet 😉
“Know Before You Go” boxes cover the basics, like best time of year to visit, language, and notable Pride or LGBTQ events worth checking out. Author Alicia Valenski—a queer, neurodivergent travel writer—grounds it all in a personal introduction to the logistical hurdles of traveling while queer and the importance of connecting with community on the road – all things I’m pretty passionate about, too!
My take on Lonely Planet’s new gay travel guide:
I was really excited to see this one come out (pun intended) as someone who’s relied on Lonely Planet to plan trips in the past. I really wanted them to get this right and the stakes felt high. Here’s what I loved and what I wished were different:
What I loved:
- The photos weren’t just pretty, they told a story. Flipping through the Bangkok section brought me back to Thailand.
- The book doesn’t just say “here’s where to go, ”it unpacks why queer travel matters and where it’s headed, with a mix of expert quotes and first-person stories.
- The local tips were what I often want and rarely get – the sort of actually useful feedback you get when you talk to a friend who’s from there. Take the Melbourne guide’s note about public transit fare inspectors and hefty fines. My wife tells that exact story from her study abroad days.
What I’d change:
- Some guides totally nailed it (Justine and Sam did an amazing job with Anchorage recs and I love how they rightly spotlighted native Alaskan things to do. Others read more like those “How I Spend My Sundays” pieces in the NYT: interesting to skim, but not for travelers trying to make the most of a trip.
- Six of the 20 deeply profiled destinations are in the US. I would’ve liked to see more balanced coverage. Especially given the current climate for LGBTQ travel in the US. I would’ve also settled for more deeply profiled destinations to explore and less pick-and-mix at the end!
Out in the World: An LGBTQIA+ (and Friends!) Travel Guide to More Than 100 Destinations Around the World (National Geographic)
Out in the World covers over 100 destinations—some you’ve heard of, some that’ll surprise you—in a way that skips the usual gay-bar-and-Pride parade formula and digs into more holistic, grounded travel.
Think cozy inns in the Cotswolds, beachy getaways in Curaçao, and even the occasional campy stop at Dollywood.
The guide is organized by theme, from “Romantic Rendezvous” to “Boozy Trips and Trails” to Christmas getaways for your family – bio or chosen.
Every entry includes the travel basics – practical info like when to go, where to stay, and what to know. Some of this information is evergreen, some is general, and some is queer-specific, like when’s Pride or where the gayborhood is.
It felt like a comprehensive travel guide. I could see myself paging through, planning a road trip. This would be especially useful for families traveling with LGBTQ+ kids, who want to feel confident and safe on the road. I’ve answered emails from more than a few of you on safe road trips, so there’s a huge unmet need for advice like this.
My Take on National Geographic’s LGBTQ Travel Book
I was excited to dive into this guide—queer travel recs with a personal touch and a wide lens? Yes please.
Here’s what stood out (and what didn’t quite hit the mark):
What I loved:
- The Hudson Valley made the list! It’s always fun to see your own backyard included as a place worth visiting.
- Entries focus on what to see and do in a destination – not just the gay bars. Queer nightlife (and gay-owned hotels, and other businesses) were there too – but we got the full-person treatment, which was nice for a change.
- Out in the World covers a wide range of places, so no matter where you live you can find close to home adventures and far-flung escapes.
What gave me pause:
- After they misattributed the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage as Hawaii (it was Massachusetts, my home state), I wondered about the overall accuracy of the guide.
- Some of the destinations includes weren’t LGBTQ friendly at all (like Maldives, where homosexuality is illegal).
- While I appreciated the wide focus, overall the book lacked the core things I associate with the Nat Geo brand: rich storytelling, depth of insights, and standout photos.
Have you had the chance to check out either of these gay travel guides? If so drop me a line and let me know what you loved most – and what you’d like to see covered in the new crop of LGBT travel books!
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