North America contains some of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities anywhere, in my opinion. But how welcome you’ll be as an out bi, pan or lesbian traveler really depends on where you go. I’ve rounded up 10 most LGBTQ-friendly cities in North America for queer women travelers.
While some of these places are still on my bucket list, I’ve visited a majority of them and have been fortunate enough to call two of these LGBTQ-friendly cities home! So keep reading to learn the top destinations in North America for queer women!
Best Places in Canada for Queer Women
Canada is ranked in the 10 top countries worldwide for LGBTQ rights, according to Equaldex, which measures LGBTQ laws and policies in every country. While anywhere in Canada should be welcoming and friendly โ and we’ve got some of our favorite Canadian holidays for rainbow families listed here โ keep reading to see the best picks for queer women.
Vancouver, Canada
Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Vancouver is a welcoming and vibrant destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. You could easily spent a holiday exploring the city’s queer-friendly neighborhoods, from Davie Village, which hosts many queer clubs and businesses, to Gastown, where you’ll find art galleries and restaurants.
Vancouver’s Pride parade, held in August, is one of the biggest on the West Coast.
Head to Stanley Park for urban nature and First Nations totems, or hop a ferry to Vancouver Island, where you can explore Butchart Gardens, whale watch, sea kayak, or just relax in an incredibly peaceful place.
Toronto, Canada
On my first trip to Toronto, in high school, I was blown away by how diverse Toronto was. Toronto is still diverse and welcoming, including to lesbian, nonbinary, and trans travelers.
Church-Wellesley Village and Leslieville are popular queer areas, so book a hotel there or plan to spend several hours exploring the scene on foot.
While you can easily spend an entire holiday walking, dining and soaking in the culture, Toronto is a great gateway to agritourism in Prince Edward County. If wine tasting and farm visits are your idea of the perfect day trip, check it out!
Montreal, Canada
Living in the Hudson Valley, Montreal is a few hours away. I love going up for a long weekend, or to watch their Pride parade in August. Sainte-Catherine Street is the heart of the Gay Village, and it’s filled with sidewalk bars and cafes where you can soak in the street scene. During Montrรฉal Pride, there’s a party every night.
Outside of Pride, the vibe is a bit more laid back. Venture beyond the gayborhood to explore the hip Mile End neighborhood, do the water circuit at Bota Bota, a spa on a boat anchored in the St. Lawrence River, watch street performers in the Old Port, or spend a day at the massive Montreal Botanic Garden. Save plenty of room for food. Some of my favorites include Persian brunch at Byblos Le Petit Cafe, Qing Hua dumplings in Chinatown, and the Marchรฉ Atwater.
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Best Places in The United States for Queer Women
On the federal level, the United States does a fairly good job of protecting LGBTQ+ rights. On the state level, anything goes โ and let’s just say that some states are more committed to equality than others.
While the US is mixed these days on protecting equality, these US cities are some of the most inclusive places in the world.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is a vibrant and inclusive city. West Hollywood, a small city in its own right, is the historic gayborhood. WeHo has a big nightlife scene with tons of gay bars and clubs, but it’s also where you’ll find super-popular Runyon Canyon for a challenging trail hike.
Silver Lake and Echo Park are popular with queer women.
While I love to explore LA’s neighborhoods whenever I go visit my gay bestie, I always try to get out in nature. A few of my favorite places near LA include Griffith Park, the Huntington Library (for its incredible gardens) and of course the beach!
San Diego, CA
Inclusive and laid-back San Diego is a chill travel destination for fans of small cities. You can base yourself in Hillcrest, the gayborhood, and explore the gay bar and drag scene. Or you stay near the beach, which happens to be home to many of the city’s craft breweries.
The San Diego Zoo is not to be missed for animal lovers. They do incredible conversation work. I also strongly recommend a day hike at Torrey Pines, a nature reserve right on the coast.
If you couldn’t get enough queer drama on The Ultimatum Queer Edition, make sure to visit Coronado – that’s where several episodes of the show were filmed!
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco isn’t just one of the best LGBTQ cities in the US, it’s my former home. I love visiting whenever I have the chance. From the Castro to the Mission to sapphic Bernal Heights, exploring SF’s gayborhoods will keep you happily busy.
But if you want a few local recommendations, I always love:
- Doing a Mission District mural tour with Precita Eyes
- Walking along Ocean Beach and Sutro Bath, an old bathhouse ruin along the Pacific Coast
- Walking through Golden Gate Park and the Inner Sunset (San Tung is an old favorite if all that walking makes you hungry, and don’t miss the conservatory or the Japanese tea garden in the park, either!)
- Taking a day trip to see the redwoods in Muir Woods or Sausalito‘s houseboat community (and of course the Golden Gate Bridge)
- Hitting up a farmer’s market – either the Saturday Ferry Plaza market (where I used to work) or the Civic Center one on Wednesdays and Sundays
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans combines Southern hospitality with queer decadence, nightlife, and music. I have to admit, I avoided going to New Orleans for a long time because I thought it would be a huge party city. In some respects, it was. Drinking early โ like, with breakfast. While this might not be the best vacation choice if you’re sober, I was won over by NOLA’s thriving arts scene, beautiful public murals, and friendly attitudes.
New Orleans is a city of neighborhoods, and a pretty small city. You can pack a lot into a short trip.
Plan your visit around an LGBTQ festival, like Pride or Southern Decadence, held Labor Day weekend. Learn about the city’s queer history on a queer and sex positive walking tour of the gayborhood, explore queer Mardi Gras at the Presbytรจre museum, and support NOLA’s many queer-owned businesses!
While you’re there, take a kayak swamp tour to learn about the importance of the wetlands ecosystem to flood resiliency in Louisiana.
A lot of swamp tour providers do unethical things like bait alligators with marshmallows. We went with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours, who treat all wildlife with respect.
Las Vegas, NV
The secret is out: Las Vegas is one of the most queer-friendly places in the US!
Every January, Vegas hosts the Sin City Classic, a massive LGBTQ sports festival. Pride month is packed with events, including PRIDE OUTside hikes.
On my last Vegas trip, I caught a mermaid show at the Silverton Casino. I visited the Boneyard of the Neon Museum at night and learned about Vegas history through the bright, vibrant signs on display at the museum. But my favorite experiences were Las Vegas day trips outside the city, like exploring Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and kayaking Emerald Cove at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
New York, NY
New York City always ranks highly on lists of LGBTQ-friendly destinations. NYC has many gayborhoods, from the historic West Village (home to the Stonewall Inn) to Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen on the east side of Manhattan. Over in Brooklyn, there’s lesbian-and-family-friendly Park Slope or Bushwick, which has an arty queer vibe.
There are so many amazing things to do in New York, but a few of my favorites with an LGBTQ angle include:
- Queer walking tour of the East Village, followed by a drink at the Stonewall Inn (RIP Big Gay Ice Cream)
- Walk, picnic or bike ride in Prospect Park, Brooklyn (Local tip: go on a Saturday to enjoy the massive farmers’ market)
- Take your queer date for an adorable rowboat ride in Central Park
- Head to Fire Island, which is overtaken by queer women and enbies during LezVolley, a women’s volleyball tournament.
- Organize a queer bar crawl at local faves like Henrietta Hudson, Cubbyhole, or Ginger’s in Park Slope.
Portland, OR
Portland is a queer travel hotspot, with a massive queer nightlife and drag scene featuring queens like Jayla Rose, who appeared on “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.”
It’s also the home of Wild Diversity, which was featured in our QTBIPOC adventure roundup, and First Nature, a gay-owned tour company that offers adventure tours in Portland and nearby Columbia Gorge. I’m hoping to make it back for one of their truffle foraging tours one day!
Plan your PDX visit around a queer-friendly festival like the binary blurring Red Dress Party, held in June, Portland Pride (the city has a Black Pride festival in June, too), or QDoc, a queer documentary film that’s held in November.
Best Places in Mexico for Queer Women
When it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, Mexico actually outranks the US on Equaldex. This year Mexico takes spot #24 while the US falls a bit below that, thanks to the efforts of some legislators on the right to erase queer Americans from public life!
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City, the capital city of Mexico, has become a favorite of digital nomads. But did you also know itโs a great destination for lesbians?
If you love art, architecture, history and great food, Mexico City will not disappoint. The Frida Kahlo house is not to be missed given the artistโs bisexual orientation.
Handshake Speakeasy was voted the #1 bar in all of North America so if you’re a foodie like me you’ll want to go there. I have my eye on their matcha yuzu cocktail! La Dominga and Sungay Brunch both do drag brunches. Leave room for a taco crawl โ a Mexico City taco stand, El Califa de Leรณn, was just awarded a Michelin star!
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Located on Mexicoโs Pacific Coast, Puerto Vallarta has been a favorite of queer travelers for years. Zona Romantica is the gayborhood, and itโs where youโll find a concentration of queer bars, clubs, and LGBTQ-friendly hotels.
The most well-known gay beach is Playa Los Muertos, which isnโt just for the men. Look for the blue beach chairs.
From December to March, you can take an LGBTQ boat tour of Banderas Bay and watch humpback whales as they pass through on their seasonal migration.
Thrill-seekers can arrange an ATV tour through a forested canyon โ donโt miss the chance to go over the Jorullo Bridge, a suspension bridge over the Cuale River!
Pride travelers, mark your calendar for late May – thatโs when Vallarta Pride takes place.
Which of these 10 sapphic travel destinations in North America are you most excited about visiting? Drop me an email, and Iโll put together a queer travel guide to the destination that gets the most votes!
