Top places to visit for LGBTQtourists in 2023 include Aspen, Osaka, Cartagena, and Cleveland. WorldPride in Sydney, the Gay Games in Hong Kong and Guadalajara, and EuroPride in Valletta, Malta are just a few of the key events to think about. If you identify as LGBTQ and are planning a trip in the new year, here are some destinations to consider. Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and the beautiful Puglia region are just a few of the numerous gay-friendly cities in Italy. Even more so, local tour agencies like Quiiky Travel have created LGBTQ+-specific itineraries that explore the city's rich history, culture, and even the locations featured in popular LGBT+ media like The White Lotusand Call Me By Your Name. The capital of Rhode Island is an exciting destination for LGBTQ+ tourists, with a variety of events and attractions such as the annual Pride parade and the FireWater art festival, both of which take place at night. The daytime hours also provide a wealth of opportunities, from shopping and museum visits to fantastic daytrips to extraordinary locales like Newport.
Only a little over an hour from the gay mecca of Palm Springs, California, this national park is definitely worth the trip for its stark yet breathtaking beauty. There is a lot to see and do in this area, from its namesake plant to its unique geology and rock formations to its wonderful black sky.
In 2023, for the first time ever, WorldPride will be held in the Southern Hemisphere, namely in Sydney, Australia, from February 17 and March 5. The inaugural performance will include Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, Courtney Acy, Jessica Mauboy, and more, and the event will coincide with the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The cultural center of Ohio has seen an increase in its "gay quotient" ever since it hosted the 2014 Gay Games. Phase 1 of the $100 million Studio West 117 complex has opened, adding to the buzz of anticipation. An indoor gym is available for youth sports and activities like drag yoga, and the complex also has a gastropub, rooftop bar, nightclub, and community garden.
Speaking of the Gay Games, Hong Kong was supposed to host in 2022, but with COVID-19 and other transport problems in Asia, the games will be hosted in two different locations in 2023 instead. The games will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, with Hong Kong, from November 3-11, 2023. It is expected that the Games will further establish Guadalajara as a popular destination for the LGBTQ community.
Part of the vibrant and colorful Netherlands Antilles, this island has been marketing itself as one of the most welcoming destinations in the Caribbean for the LGBTQ community. Curacao is located just north of Venezuela, which puts it outside of the storm belt and guarantees year-round mild and sunny weather. The island has beautiful beaches, delicious international food, and a fascinating, friendly culture.
LGBT tourists have several reasons to visit the UK in 2023. This past summer, a museum dedicated to the history of the LGBTQ community in Britain's capital city, Queer Britain, opened to widespread acclaim. Pride events are held all throughout the UK during the summer, beginning on July 1 in London and continuing on until Manchester Pride (August 25-28) and Brighton & Hove Pride (August 4-7). And some operators are even offering James Bond 60th Anniversary itineraries this summer, in honor of the classic movie.
Close to the Arctic Circle, this little community in Canada's Yukon Territory is a hidden treasure and unexpectedly LGBT stronghold. Dogsledding, flightseeing, and seeing the breathtaking Northern Lights are just a few of the summer and winter activities that draw many to the area.
Mexico City is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in the world, yet despite its size, it has a thriving LGBT culture and active nightlife that are often neglected by North American tourists. Cultural tourists will find a wealth of museums, galleries, and historic buildings to explore here. In 2023, Gay Pride will be held from June 23-25 in Mexico City.
Located in Colorado's beautiful Rocky Mountains, this picturesque town is a popular destination for hikers throughout the year, but it really comes into its own in the winter because of its proximity to some of the top ski resorts in the country (including nearby Snowmass). There will be a large influx of gay men and lesbians to Aspen, Colorado, from January 15th-22nd, 2023, for the annual Aspen Gay Ski Week.
Many people think of beer and bratwurst when they think of Milwaukee, but this underappreciated Midwestern metropolis is really far more diverse and exciting than that. To help tourists better understand the city's rich queer past, a new free app called "lgbt milWALKee" has been developed. Summerfest, a fantastic yearly music series, will be held in the city from June 22nd to July 8th, 2023.
The 11th Gay Games, which had to be postponed a year because of the COVID-19 epidemic, will be held in Hong Kong from November 3rd to the 11th, 2023. (For those unable to make the trip to Asia, Guadalajara, Mexico will act as a co-host.) Swimming, sailing, dodgeball, fencing, tennis, and martial arts will all be on the schedule for the Games, which are being heralded as a significant event for the city's LGBTQ+ population. There has never been an Asian Gay Games before.
There's a thriving homosexual district in San Antonio, as well as the historic The Bonham Exchange, a former German social club with a huge ballroom, a terrace, and many smaller rooms, each with its own distinct atmosphere. As an added bonus, the queer-owned Hopscotch is an excellent art gallery that features both immersive art and optical illusions. Amazing eateries like Landrace contribute to the city's vibrant culinary culture.
In 2023, LGBTQ tourists who are interested in traveling will have a number of fantastic options, both domestically and internationally.