Gay Pride rolled into London this weekend, and some of the HostelBloggers staff were lucky enough to go! In honour of such a great party, and for all those of you who didn’t make it here for the parade, we have a guest post from Pink Choice – a great online resource for gay and lesbian travelers. Here’s their guide to another weekend away, in vibrant Provincetown, Cape Cod. Stay in a hostel in Massachussetts and take a day trip to the coolest spot the Cape…
Mention New England, and places like Boston, Salem and Newport come to mind, but more adventurous travelers add Provincetown to the list.
About a 2 hour drive from Boston, Provincetown sits at the very tip of Cape Cod. It is where the Pilgrims first landed back in 1620; where the whaling industry thrived in the 1800’s; where Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill and Norman Mailer wrote; where Charles Hawthorne, Edward Hopper and Jackson Pollock painted; and where Marlon Brando, Eartha Kitt and Billie Holiday performed.
With the demise of the whaling industry Provincetown became a vibrant arts community, a tourist destination and home to gays, lesbians and drag queens. It is a favorite destination for gay and lesbian travelers from all over the world, a place embracing diversity, tolerance and acceptance of all life styles.
Getting There
A day trip to Provincetown from Boston is easy. In season, high speed ferries make the journey in just 90 minutes ($86 return) and Cape Air flies year round from Logan airport ($100-$180 depending on the season). Once in Provincetown you can start your day with breakfast in one of the street side restaurants and cafes that dot Commercial Street. Just three miles long, it bustles with cafes, restaurants, shops, clubs, bars, boutiques and art galleries.
Getting around Town
The easiest way to get around town is on foot or by bike. Ptown Bikes and Gale Force Bikes rent by the hour or day. Out of town, there are 15 miles of cycle trails winding through the dunes and pine forest of the National Sea Shore, offering great views and a good workout!
History and a View
Back in town, the Pilgrim Monument and Museum chronicles the history of Provincetown. The top of the Monument has panoramic views of the town and the Outer Cape. And it looks like the Italian Sienna Tower.
Lunchtime!
Provincetown is the place to try a bowl of clam chowder or fried clams. The Lobster Pot is ‘a Provincetown tradition’ and serves perhaps the best clam chowder on the Cape. Another favorite is Ross’ Grill, located on the second floor of the Whalers Wharf just west of the town center.
Feeling Arty?
In the afternoon stroll through the gallery district in the East End of town. There are many galleries to browse and the famous Provincetown Art Museum to visit too. Most galleries are open late morning through to late evening in the summer months.
Up Close and Personal
Alternatively, head to MacMillian Pier and join one of the whale watching trips that go out several times a day from April to October. You will be able to see humpbacks, finbacks, minkes and pilot whales up close and personal as well as dolphins and porpoise.
Winding Down?
Night time takes on a life of its own. Drag queens hawk their shows from the side walk, and buskers of all shades of talent perform outside Town Hall. Some people head to Herring Cove beach to see a spectacular Provincetown sunset. Others head for one of the many quality restaurants offering plenty of choice to match individual tastes and budgets. Favorites from East to West are the Mews, Café Edwiges, Front Street, Jimmy’s Hideaway, Victor’s and The Red Inn.
Afterwards, take in a show at the Post Office Cabaret or the Crown and Anchor or dance the night away in one of the clubs in town like the famous “A” House or Vixen’s.
Some people do this all in 48 hours, others take a week. Whatever time you have, Provincetown is one destination like no other and one that will hook you for return visits, again and again.
Article courtesy of Pink Choice – Essential Reviews for Gay Travelers.
Images - Thanks to our friends on Flickr Chris Devers, MS Stephens, Jodo and Donnay.
Street festivals, music, parades, costumes… when the gay community parties, they certainly do it in style… If you’re wondering where to go on holiday this summer, forget beach resorts or city clubbing; celebrate your LGBT culture at one of these top gay pride events around the world in June and July!
Although gay travel events take place throughout the year, many of the pride events are held around June to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots – a defining event in the gay rights movement.
26 – 28 June: San Francisco Pride Parade
Lowdown: Hosting the largest gay pride event in America, California’s famously cosmopolitan city does partying and politics on a massive scale. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to San Francisco every June, with more than 200 participants in the parade and 300 exhibitors. 12 different stages and venues host events across the city.
Vibe: There’s something for everyone here. The weekend might start with a big parade (Saturday morning sees marchers gather on Market Street) but it’s also a festival of music, dance, politics, and wild parties that carries on into the early hours.
Stay: In such a tolerant city, you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to rest your weary head. If you’re looking for a San Francisco gay hostel, sociable Elements Hostel has a nightclub and lounge where you can carry on having fun after the day’s events.
More Info: For gay hotspots, nightlife, neighborhoods and where to eat, check out this Gay Travel Guide to San Francisco.
20 – 28 June: Gay Pride Barcelona
Lowdown: New for 2009, Barcelona hope to emanate Madrid’s hugely successful festival. A week of events around Catalonia, such as the LGBT Fire! Film Festival, will culminate in a parade on Barcelona’s Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and a huge closing party at the Avinguda Maria Cristina, at the foot of the Palau Nacional.
Vibe: Perfect for gay travelers looking for something on a much smaller scale, the first Barcelona gay pride event will have a more alternative feel to the well-established events, with locals buzzing from the excitement.
Stay: Located in Urgell-Gran Via, the city’s famous gay area, Barcelona Rooms is in the perfect spot from which to enjoy the fun.
1 – 5 July: Madrid ‘Orgullo’ Gay Pride and Party
Lowdown: One of biggest events in Europe, it attracted 2 million people to the parade in 2008 and more than 300,000 attended the street parties. The big parade starts at Plaza de la Independencia at 5pm on 4 July, with festivities happening all week around Plaza Chueca, Plaza Vazquez de Mella, Plaza del Ray and Pelayo Street.
Vibe: Loud, vibrant and colorful, the Madrid gay pride festival reflects the city’s insatiable appetite for nightlife and fiestas. Energetic and international, it’s basically one fantastic party with the wonderful backdrop of a cool, cultural city.
Stay: Head to Gay Pizarro Hostal in Cheuca, Madrid’s gay district, or Gay Hostel Puerta del Sol, one of the top gay hostels in Europe.
More Info: Traveling to Madrid? This Gay Scene Guide to Madrid.
has the lowdown on eating, drinking and clubbing.
4 July: Pride London
Lowdown: The climax of two weeks of “queer culture” events (including theatre, art, debate, film and comedy), London hosts a huge parade on Saturday 4 July, along with an afternoon and evening of entertainment. The streets of gay district Soho will be closed off for five stages of music and dance whilst after parties in the city’s big clubs carry you on until dawn.
Vibe: With its emphasis on culture and celebration, the London gay pride festival is one of Europe’s more arty events – with a healthy dose of partying thrown into the mix. The 500,000 strong crowd is a diverse mix of cosmopolitan locals and international visitors.
Stay: London House Gay Hostel is a well-established retreat for gay travelers in North London and a good place to meet other festival-goers.
31 July – 2 August: Amsterdam Gay Pride
Lowdown: A wide variety of street parties (centred around Rembrantplein) and club events take place all weekend to warm up the city for the spectacular and unique canal parade on Saturday through the Prinsengracht and Amstel river. Hundreds of thousands of visitors head to the city every August, making this one of the biggest public events in the Netherlands.
Vibe: Amsterdam has long been notorious for its liberal values and atmosphere, and the pride festival is as fun and lively as you’d expect from such a city – even the city’s government show their support and openness by taking place in the boat parade.
Stay: The Golden Bear was the first exclusively gay hostel in Amsterdam and it remains a very popular place to stay in the city.
For more information on gay travel, gay pride and gay news, head to Pride Life.
Fancy an even more action-packed break? Adrenaline junkies everywhere will love GayOutdoors.org, with heaps of advice and ideas for gay outdoors and adventure travel.
Images – thanks to our friends on Flickr, silkaphon, john curley, pridelondon and roman stoppelenburg.
