Join millions of Americans in celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and equality on the anniversary of the historic Stonewall uprising.
Discover 7 of the best cities to visit during Pride Month that embrace love and community.
1. New York City, New York
See the world’s largest Pride march in New York City ! Join over 3 million people as they walk through the streets of Manhattan, passing the Stonewall National Monument and New York City AIDS Memorial on their route.
After the march, crowds will keep the party going in various gay bars. We recommend visiting the Stonewall Inn, the site of the original police raid that sparked the Stonewall Uprising!
Aside from the main march down 5th Avenue, there are lots of other events happening around the city:
- Follow the Jersey Pride celebration as they march from Asbury Park all the way to the ocean.
- Brooklyn Pride hosts a variety of events, from Pride Nights to an outdoor screening of “Rent”.
- The Queen Botanical Garden hosts “Queens at the Garden”, where you can watch stellar drag performances.
If you want to stay in the center of the action, then you’ll want a hotel in Hell’s Kitchen or Greenwich Village, Manhattan’s leading gay neighborhoods.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
Home to one of the oldest gay bars in the U.S. , Café Lafitte in Exile, New Orleans hosts an unforgettable Pride celebration. NOLA embraces the message of “One CommUNITY” with a Pride parade that winds through the French Quarter.
In addition to the march, New Orleans hosts a number of Pride Weekend events:
- The Longue Vue Family Equality Day is a family-friendly celebration that recognizes families of all definitions.
- The local branch of Habitat for Humanity hosts a Pride Build, where members of the LGBTQ community come together to build a home for a local family.
- Attend Pride at the Broadside for an outdoor music event like no other.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out hotels in the French Quarter so you can be close to all the fun!
3. Los Angeles, California
LA is well known for its rich LGBTQ history. From the first Supreme Court case to being one of the first three cities to host a Pride march, Los Angeles is a premier Pride destination.
Los Angeles has numerous events throughout the city during Pride:
- Get tickets to Drag Yourself to the Valley for celebrity drag performances.
- Attend the free Block Party for Venice Pride near the Venice sign.
- Support LGBTQ business owners at the Artisan Market every Saturday in June.
Book your stay in West Hollywood so you can be close to all the best gay bars!
4. Austin, Texas
What makes Austin, Texas unique is its widespread LGBTQ culture. There is no ‘gayborhood’ here; the whole city is one big diverse community.
It’s been slowly but surely emerging on the Pride scene with a celebration that gets bigger and bigger every year. Come visit Austin and keep it weird and inclusive this year by attending its long list of Pride events:
- Join the annual Pride Parade as it makes its way from the Texas State Capitol to the Congress Avenue Bridge.
- Bring your family to the Pride is for Families event for drag queen story time, family portraits, and more!
- Come to Rainbow on the Creek to listen to Austin’s favorite LGBTQ performers.
We recommend you stay in the downtown district to be close to all the parties and events.
5. San Francisco, California
From being the home of Harvey Milk to harboring one of the first ‘gayborhoods’ in the country, San Francisco is deeply rooted in LGBTQ culture. While Pride is celebrated here all year round, the city really comes alive during the month of June. There are tons of events to attend:
- Immerse yourself in Pride celebrations at the Civic Center.
- Join the Pride Parade at the corner of Market and Beale Street as it marches towards the Civic Center.
- There are even more marches you can attend; the Trans March and the Dyke March are just 2 of them!
When booking your travel to San Francisco, make sure you plan ahead! You’ll want to stay close to the festivities, so look for accommodation in the downtown district.
6. Portland, Oregon
Portland should be on every LGBTQ bucket list. Not only was it the first major city to elect an openly gay mayor, but it’s also home to the Guinness World Record holder for being the oldest drag queen!
The Pride Festival, often referred to as Pride Northwest, hosts an endless number of parties and events:
- The Portland Pride Waterfront Festival gives visibility and voice to LGBTQ-owned organizations and businesses.
- Dress in your boldest outfit and join the Pride Bar Crawl as it winds through the city.
- Bring the family to Pride at the Museum, where you’ll enjoy Pride-inspired science demos, drag performances, and more!
Make your reservation early so you can stay in a hotel downtown were all the festivities will be.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve covered all the best Pride Fests, we want to hear from you.
Which one will you be attending this year?
Let us know if you have some Pride recommendations!
