5. Palm Springs, California
It’s no secret that Palm Springs is a gay man’s paradise. It has abundant sunshine, even more than Los Angeles, and lots of fun things to do. Palm Springs is one of the most reliable and consistent sunny destinations in the United States. Because the weather is so nice, it’s so hard not to be in a good mood.
The restaurants, pool parties and gay festivals are endless throughout summer. In addition to its huge gay population and endless parties, Palm Springs is secluded from the rest of the world, which is why it’s ideal for single gay guys. Unlike San Francisco or West Hollywood (which are also fabulous), Palm Springs is truly a perfect gay getaway.
6. Chicago, Illinois
If anyone thinks their gayborhood is bomb, you clearly haven’t been to Boystown in Chicago. When I visited the first time, it was like being a kid in a candy store. The streets seemed to go on forever, I even turned to my best friend and said, “Holy sh*t. It never ends!”
But here’s something no one really thinks about: Chicago is one of the only major US cities that’s actually affordable, which means it’s not going to cost an arm and a leg to visit for the summer. From the beaches of Lake Michigan to the amazing shopping and top-of-the-line dining, Chicago is a wonderful city to visit on gaycation. And, it’s the cream of the crop when it comes to boys.
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Unlike other gayborhoods I visited, everyone’s very approachable; you can simply walk into a gay bar and start chatting with friendly strangers. Many of the guys have Midwestern charm, and are super friendly. They people are big on community, which earns them major points.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana
You can visit New Orleans year round, and it’s guaranteed to be fun. It’s the city where nearly every “drinking holiday” is celebrated — sometimes, the city creates its own holidays, just to get out of the office.
Take your other single friends and have lunch listening to cool jazz and sipping slow gin fizzes. Bourbon Street is definitely one for the money, in fact, the entire French Quarter is a blast. Gaggles of gay men flock there at all hours of the night, many of them are looking for sexy tourists to show them a good time. Go flock!
Word to the wise, you will be hammered, so I recommend sticking around the gay bars just in case you flirt with a straight hottie who has a lot of drinks in him (it happens).
8. Fire Island, New York
Throughout the summer, Fire Island is packed with gays and lesbians looking for a secret getaway. Anchored just south of Long Island, it’s an island only 30-miles long with beaches and sexy shirtless men galore. Parties happen everywhere, and I do mean everywhere.
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It can get a bit pricey, however. Before you plan your trip, I recommend getting a large group together so you can rent a whole house in the woods — split 5 to 7 ways isn’t that bad. You won’t need a car, so there goes a huge expense right there. Fire Island gives the best of all worlds: Clubs, forests, lakes, beaches, etc. No matter what you want, it’s there.
David Artavia is an actor and writer from New York City. He loves living vicariously through his friends. Follow him on Twitter and Like his Facebook page.
