Thereโs no better place to celebrate Pride year-round than in New York State!
Not only is it the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, it also boasts one of the largest LGBTQ populations in the country. You can experience LGBTQ culture and history all throughout the state by visiting landmark sites central to the movement and showing your Pride at events in every corner of the state โ not just in June, but all year round. From natural escapes to beach getaways to the best in culinary and cultural arts, hereโs how to turn your Pride celebration into a unique Pride adventure in NY.
New York City
New York City Christopher Park Stonewall Inn
New York City is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement and home to world famous gay friendly neighborhoods from Greenwich Village to Chelsea to the Lower East Side in Manhattan to Brooklyn’s Park Slope. Head to the Stonewall Inn, the site of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, in Greenwich Village to see where Pride all began. Across the street in Christopher Park stands the Stonewall National Monument (pictured), the first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ history. The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is slated to open in June2024 at 51 Christopher Street. The educational resource center will feature exhibits, events, and art installations by LGBTQ+ artists. The city will soon also be home to the new American LGBTQ+ Museum.ย While in the village, stop in at Juliusโ, the site of another seminal event in the LGBTQ rights movement and the oldest continually operating gay bar in New York City. If youโre looking for a treat, satisfy your sweet tooth with some soft serve at Big Gay Ice Cream.
Venture over to Brooklyn’sย Marsha P. Johnson State Park, named in honor of an LGBTQ civil rights pioneer and Stonewall Uprising figure. The 7-acre waterfront park located in Williamsburg offers visitors one of the most stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Thereโs also a play area and green space if youโre looking for a day of recreation and relaxation. On weekends from April-October, the park also plays host toย Smorgasburgย so make sure you come hungry. Theย massiveย open-air food market features dozens of vendors selling lobster rolls, barbecue, bao, empanadas, spaghetti donuts, cookies, churros, and so much more.
New York City Pride March
If youโre in town for Pride month, there will be celebrations happening in each of the five boroughs all through June. Of course, the landmark NYC Pride March which will take place June 30, 2024 along with the PrideFest street festival (pictured).
While thereโs no shortage of hotels and accommodations to choose from in NYC, why not head to Governors Island for a unique glampingย experience?ย Glampersย are treated to the best views of theย Statue of Libertyย and Manhattan skyline without the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Roxbury (Catskills)
Roxbury (Catskills)
The Catskills are a unique natural wonderland where the arts come alive and the food couldnโt be fresher. It’s also home to the buzzworthy Roxbury Motel and its sister property The Roxbury at Stratton Falls, where owners Gregory Henderson and his partner Joe Massa have redefined the meaning of themed rooms with their over-the-top creations. A yellow brick road cuts through a Wizard of Oz-themed suite (pictured) while a giant pumpkin transforms into a golden carriage that houses an upstairs bathroom in the tower cottage known as “Cinderella’s Gown.”
When you manage to tear yourself away from inspecting every minute detail in your room, take a 30-minute drive to see theย worldโs largest kaleidoscopeย (pictured) located at theย Emerson Resort & Spa, a contemporary Adirondack-style inn featuring a restaurant with a menu that captures local flavors. Theย Roxbury Arts Groupย hosts performances at the 200-seat Roxbury Arts Center and more intimate concerts at the Old School Baptist Church nestled in the Denver Vega Valley.ย Travel to nearby Phoenicia where you can enjoy a side of nostalgia with your classic turkey club sandwich or a Catskills PoโBoy at the landmarkย Phoenicia Diner. Grab an Adirondack chair or snag a picnic table and settle in for an afternoon of food and drink atย Woodstock Brewing.
Worldโs largest kaleidoscope
Enjoy a unique tour of the Catskill Mountains with Rail Explorers. Youโll pedal your way across long-abandoned railroad tracks alongside Esopus Creek on a 2.5 hour journey. Take the Golden Hour Tour for breathtaking views of the mountain ranges as the sun sets.
The Catskills region is also hosting monthly socials and a Catskill Pride Awards Gala on June 15, 2024.
Buffalo andย Niagara Falls (Greater Niagara)
Buffalo and Niagara Falls (Greater Niagara) CREDIT: @MICHAELGAROFOLO ON INSTAGRAM
Pride flags hang from homes and businesses year round in New York Stateโs second-largest city, home to a thriving and vibrant LGBTQ community. The elegant four diamond-rated Mansion on Delaware Avenue will grant easy access to the city’s booming downtown district and Allentown, considered the heart of the cityโs LGBTQ community, boasting restaurants, shops, cafes and bars. There are also many LGBTQ-owned businesses to support, from coffee shops to art galleries.
Youโll be just a short walk away fromย Babeville, a multi-use facility dedicated to the arts founded by LGBTQ icon and Buffalo native Ani DiFranco. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and social activist saved the 19th century Gothic-style church to create the cherished performance space inย Buffaloโs Theater District. Round out your trip with a visit to theย Frank Lloyd Wrightโs Martin House,ย a 2-hour narrated cruise along the Erie Canal, and experience history at theย Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Buffalo’s revitalized and scenic waterfront comes alive year-round with summertime concerts and festivals atย Canalside, where you can also sail, shop, kayak, and try your hand atย rock climbingย atย Buffalo RiverWorks. In the winter, you can ice skate and glide across the ice on anย ice bike.
plate of spicy deep-fried chicken wings at Anchor Bar
Of course, no trip to Buffalo is complete without diving into a plate of spicy deep-fried chicken wings at Anchor Bar, the home of the original Buffalo wing (pictured). Also pop into Schwablโs, which in 2021 was designated the “Home of the Beef on Weck” and highlighted on the show โNo Reservations,โ hosted by the late Anthony Bourdain.
The city hosts festivities every June duringย Buffalo Pride Week.ย Niagara Falls, which is just a 30-minute drive from Buffalo, glows in Pride colors for the start of LGBTQ Pride month on June 1, but you can enjoy the majestic beauty of this natural wonder all year long โ either up close and personal on aย Maid of the Mistย boat tour or during a peaceful hike along aย Niagara Falls State Parkย trail.
Sharon Springs and Cooperstown (Central New York)
Sharon Springs and Cooperstown (Central New York)
LGBTQ entrepreneurs and businesspeople have brought life back to the vibrant village of Sharon Springs, a once-booming spa resort town that attracted the likes of Oscar Wilde and members of the Vanderbilt family in the 19th century. Among the townโs most famous residents are Josh Kilmer-Purcell and husband Brent Ridge, stars of The Fabulous Beekman Boys reality show and Amazing Race winners. You can tour their farm, meet the goats, and view large-scale murals depicting Nigerian Dwarf baby goats or pop by their Main Street shop, Beekman 1802 (pictured) โ an LGBTQ staple offering skin care products, artisan goods and demos, along with other exclusive wares. While exploring the pedestrian-friendly Main Street, take a peek inside McGillycuddyโs Naturals and their selection of natural and handcrafted bath products, or treat your taste buds to locally-sourced seasonal dishes at 204 Main Bistro, where the menu is ever-changing.
You can stay at the historicย American Hotel, a nine-room inn with a charming porch and patio garden that makes for a perfect breakfast location. The hotel had fallen into disrepair after sitting vacant for three decades and was saved by the late Sharon Springs mayor Doug Plummer and husband Garth Roberts โ the New York City transports who are credited with spearheading Sharon Springsโ renaissance after renovating the establishment. You can also embrace the countryside at theย Country Manor Inn and B&B, a renovated mansion built in the early 1800s that sits on four acres of land with breathtaking views of the Mohawk Valley and sprawling Adirondack Mountains.
While in Sharon Springs, take the 30-minute drive over toย Cooperstownย to learn the history of Americaโs favorite pastime at theย National Baseball Hall of Fame, enjoy summertime performances of The Pirates of Penzance and Elizabeth Cree in a lakeside setting at this yearโsย Glimmerglass Festival, get a dose of culture at theย Fenimore Art Museum, which in addition to its extensive art collection hosts lunch tours, workshops and performances at the Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater, and tour the award-winningย Ommegang Breweryย before finishing up with a pint and a bite at its tap room. The brewery also hosts summer concerts with big name performers.
Hudson (Hudson Valley)
Hudson (Hudson Valley)
The charming riverfront city ofย Hudsonย in Columbia County has built up a reputation for being one of the most LGBTQ-friendly communities in the area and, in fact, plays host to a largeย Pride festival, which features a parade, activities, performances, and more. The walkable city is an antique hunterโs dream with treasures from furniture to vintage clothing just waiting to be discovered at dozens of shops on and aroundย Warren Street. Those with an eye for architecture will be delighted by the century-old buildings spread across Hudson, from Queen Anne-style mansions to grand Victorians that have been restored to their full glory. The Second Empire-styleย Hudson-Athens Lighthouseย (pictured), built in 1874, is also a sight to behold.
Hudson is also a foodie paradise with many restaurants offering delectable dishes specially-crafted using fresh produce sourced straight from the bountiful Hudson Valley. Indulge at Hudsonโs longest-running upscale restaurant,ย Swoon Kitchenbar, owned by the husband-wife duo also behindย Le Perche, a bakery and bar serving up a fresh spin on French classics using local farm goods. Nosh on Latin-inspired tropical comfort food at the 2022 James Beard-nominatedย Lilโ Debโs Oasis, down some Island Creek oysters at copper-accentedย WM Farmer and Sons, or grab a late-night snack atย Backbarย specializing in Asian-inspired street food.
CREDIT: @BENTLY.POTTER.PHOTOGRAPHY ON INSTAGRAM
For a fun date or time out with friends, grab a pint at Spotty Dog Books and Ale, a bookstore-slash-bar thatโs taken up shop at a former firehouse, or sip on some wine while you create your own candles, diffusers, and perfumes at the Poured Candle Bar. Explore the 250-acre estate of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church at the Olana Historic House, and if youโre up for it, walk across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to check out the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. If you donโt mind a drive, the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Storm King Art Center, and Woodbury Common outlets are about an hour away from Hudson.
Albany (Capital-Saratoga)
CREDIT: MIKE GROLL/OFFICE OF GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
Albany is where New York’s LGBTQ laws made it onto the books, cementing the Empire State as a leader in advancing gay rights. Tour the Capitol building (pictured) where the debates and votes took place and see the passage of the stateโs marriage equality law prominently and proudly displayed in the timeline at the Hall of Governors. Albany is also home to the longest continually-operating LGBTQ community center in the United States: the Pride Center of the Capital Region. It has been supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ community since its inception in 1970 and is located in Center Square, where cobblestone intersections and historic homes add a dash of old-school charm to the eclectic neighborhood.
Unique shops, galleries, bars, and cafes fill the city’s commercial corridor ofย Lark Street. Experience arts and culture atย The Eggย and theย Albany Institute of History and Art. Stroll through the 84-acreย Washington Park. If youโre looking for a fun night out, stop byย OH Barย for some karaoke or a game of pool or darts. Also grab a drink atย Waterworks Pub, which bills itself as โAlbanyโs Original Gay Bar.โ Keep the historical theme going with dinner atย The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, a restaurant, craft beer bar, and live music venue housed in the historic Brewster Building. Albany is also home toย Capital Pride, which will take place on June 9, 2024. Stay in the heart of the city at theย Morgan State House Innย or at theย Renaissance Albany Hotelย overlooking the Capitol building.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
While in Albany, make sure to check out the hip suburb ofย Troy, just a quick 20 minute drive up and across the Hudson River. There you can explore the Central Troy Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Scope out the cityโs hopping brewery scene atย Brownโs Brewing Companyย orย Rare Form Brewing Company. Catch a concert at theย Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, which opened in 1875 and is aย National Historic Landmark. Foodies will love a trip to theย Troy Waterfront Farmers Market, which is open Saturdays year round. New to town isย Cafe Euphoria, a trans and gender non-conforming worker-owned and operated restaurant that provides a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community. The menu offers largely vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free fare with options ranging from Masman Curry to a Korean BBQ Rice Bowl toย salads and sandwiches. The cafe also features a thrift shop and coworking space.
Fire Island (Long Island)
Cherrygrove LGBT
As they have been since before Stonewall, theย Pines and Cherry Grove neighborhoods of Fire Island remain among the most welcoming and gay-friendly American towns, providing a restful and relaxing refuge for LGBTQ vacationers for decades.
But before you hop on the ferry to your beach escape, explore the cute little town of Sayville, where theย Loughlin Vineyardย is tucked away on the historic John E. Roosevelt Meadowcroft Estate. Sayvilleโs walkable downtown features quaint storefronts from clothing boutiques to antique shops and plenty of restaurants to satisfy any craving โ Cafe Joelle for international flavors using local ingredients, theย Portly Villagerย orย South Shore Diveย for pub fare, andย The Shedย in West Sayville for the perfectย brunch.
A 20-minute ferry ride ushers you into the downtowns of both Fire Island hamlets, which are full of restaurants, shops and nightlife. Visit two sites in Cherry Grove that have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places for their role in LGBTQ history:ย The Carrington House, where Truman Capote wrote Breakfast at Tiffanyโs, and theย Cherry Grove Community House and Theater, the oldest continually-operating gay summer theater in the United States.
Fire Island Lighthouse
Fire Island comes alive with Pride in the summer months with its famous weekends that include pool parties hosted by various charities and non profits as well asย the Invasion of the Pines, held every year on the 4th of July since 1976, when a drag queen who was denied service at a restaurant at the more conservative Pines returned by boat with an army of drag queens for what became the very first โinvasion.โ
To eat thereโs theย Pines Bistro and Martini Barย orย Top of the Bayย in Cherry Grove.ย Cherryโs On The Bayย is a great spot to sip some cocktails by the water, grab dinner or Sunday brunch while enjoying some entertainment from drag shows to bingo nights.ย Island Breezeย and the beachsideย Sand Castleย are also great places to feast. If youโre looking to dance the night away,ย Sip-n-Twirlย andย Pavilionย are about as iconic as clubs get.
Where to stay: Fire Island is great for a day trip or overnight, but accommodations can be tricky. The Madison Fire Island Pines is a great option as itโs just a short walk to both the beach and the harbor. This chic boutique hotel features a stylish and modern guest house with a pool, hot tub, and rooftop deck offering stunning panoramic views of the Pines. The Fire Island website is a great resource to view all the varying accommodations across the island.
For an outdoor excursion exploreย The Sunken Forest, climb the historicย Fire Island Lighthouseย (pictured), and take in the sun and the surf at theย Fire Island National Seashore.
Lake Placid (Adirondacks)
Mirror Lake Resort & Spa
Grab your hiking boots and get ready to escape into the wilds of New York for an outdoor adventure of a lifetime inย Lake Placid.ย Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spaย (pictured), a finalist in the 2020 Gay Travel Awards and the only Lake Placid hotel with a four diamond rating, has a private beach and a tranquil salt room for deep breathing and relaxing. Adventurous types looking for a rustic retreat will revel in a stay atย Adirondak Loj, where accommodations range from a private room with a quilt-laden king-size bed to a six-person bunk room. The Loj sits at the gateway to theย 46 High Peaks, so pick a trailhead and get to walking! The Loj’s living room features aย stone fireplace that serves as the perfect setting to gather around and recount the day’s hike. Seekingย a touch of opulence? Then look no further than theย Whiteface Lodge, a striking luxury resort with a rustic timber design offering breathtaking balcony views of the seemingly infinite woods of Adirondack Park.
Exploreย Lake Placidโs downtown district whereย quaint shops dot the dog-friendly Main Street and sports history comes alive at the Lake Placidย Olympic Center and Museum. Skate on the site of the dramatic “Miracle on Ice” game or take flight on aย ziplineย at theย Olympic Jumping Complex.ย If you work up an appetite, youโll have plenty of options to grab some chow at waterfront restaurants overlooking Mirror Lake from Southern-style barbecue atย Smoke Signalsย to Italian cuisine atย Ereโs Pizzaย to small plates paired with the perfect craft cocktail atย Top of the Park. If you don’t mind venturing beyond Lake Placid, take about a 40-minute drive to Tupper Lake’sย 115-acreย Wild Centerย where a network of bridges and platforms will take you up over the treetops for a rare view of the Adirondacks forest.ย While Lake Placid is great for hiking and fishing in the summer, it’s also perfect for leaf peeping in the fall, and ice skating andย skiingย in the winter.
Jamestownย (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Lucille Ball Memorial Park
Live, love, and, most importantly, laugh in this town dedicated to honoring the art and history of comedy. Celebrate the townโs native daughter and Americaโs First Couple of Comedy with a visit to theย Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museumย (pictured) to see costumes, props and recreations of iconic “I Love Lucy” sets, including the Ricardos’ New York City apartment. Then keep the fun going with a trip to theย National Comedy Centerย where 50 immersive exhibits take you on a journey from vaudeville to viral memes. A short drive away is the waterfrontย Lucille Ball Memorial Parkย (pictured) where you can see the infamous โScary Lucyโ statue and the newer โLovely Lucyโ statue. The park also features a lighthouse, boat launch, playground and pavilion.
Stay at the sprawling nine-acreย Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, featuring 135 deluxe rooms and suites, gorgeous views ofย Chautauqua Lake, a full service restaurant offering three meals a day, and a bar with a more casual vibe servingย brick oven pizzas and microbrews. Go off-site forย comfort food and seafood at the cozyย Landmark Restaurant, or sample some ofย Southern Tier Brewing Companyโs finest ales and ciders at its taproom,ย theย Empty Pint, where you can also snack on some pretzels, tacos, burgers, and other pub staples.
Panama Rocks
There are plenty of opportunities to connect with nature in Jamestown. Takeย a peaceful hike through the fields, woods, and wetlands of theย Audubon Community Nature Center, navigate the towering 60-foot-high corridors of theย Panama Rocksย (pictured), or take to the water with a historical tour aboard theย Chautauqua Belleย steamboat. Of course, if youโre visiting in the summer, donโt miss your chance for an enlightening experience at theย Chautauqua Institution, which over the course of nine summer weeks hosts performances, lectures, and recreational activities to fill the body, mind, and spirit.ย A pleasant scenic drive west will transport you to theย Amish Trail, which stretches from Randolph to Gowanda. Youโll be greeted by 100 farm stands and shops selling hand-crafted home goods, homegrown fruits and vegetables, and more.
Jamestown is also home toย its own Pride month celebration, with the festival taking place on June 8, 2024.
Corning (Finger Lakes)
Corning’s Gaffer District
Corning, which hosts an annualย festivalย for Pride Month, was recently ranked as one of the best small LGBTQ-friendly cities in the country. Theย Hilton Garden Inn Corning Downtown,ย Corning Staybridge Suites,ย orย Radisson Hotelย will put you right near all the action of the Crystal City. Among Corningโs can’t-miss attractions are theย Corning Museum of Glassย andย The Rockwell Museum. Along the historic, tree-lined streets of theย Gaffer Districtย (pictured) youโll find family-owned galleries, antique shops, clothing boutiques, and gift shops selling everything from hand-blown glass to jewelry.
Also make sure you come hungryย cause the Gaffer District has 45 restaurants to choose from.ย The Cellarย offers an ever-evolving menu with vegan and vegetarian options thatโs specially crafted using seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. With 40 wines available by the glass and 500 by the bottle, you can bet youโll find the perfect drink pairing for your meal. The homeyย Donnaโs Restaurant, which proudly displays an impressive collection of Pyrex dishes, serves diner favorites for breakfast and lunch, but homemade desserts are the stars of this show, including the famed Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Chocolate Ribbon Pie. Grab a slice at the family-ownedย Anielloโs Pizzeria, which has been cooking up delicious pizzas and meatball subs for over 40 years.ย You can satisfy your sweet tooth by venturing out on theย Gaffer Districtโs Chocolate Trailย (pictured).
In nearby Elmira,ย take your vacation to new heights and viewย the natural wonders of the Finger Lakes with a flight at theย Harris Hill Soaring Centerย aboard a motorless glider with a FAA-certified pilot over the Chemung Valley. If youโre curious to learn more about the history of motorless flight, then a stop at theย National Soaring Museumย is a must.
While in Elmira, literary buffs can stop by theย Octagonal Studyย where Mark Twain wrote some of his most famous works, and visit his final resting place atย Woodlawn Cemetery. Family-friendly activities include a ride on an 1890s carousel atย Eldridge Park, a day of go-karting and mini golfing atย Harris Hill Amusement Park, or catch a flick at the 19-acreย Elmira Drive-In.
Watertown (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Whitewater Challengers
Communities along theย St. Lawrence Riverย from Cape Vincent to Alexandria Bay also have aย Pride weekendย on tap with sunset cruises, a Tea Dance, piano bar karaoke, and more.
Kickstart your trip with an action-packed whitewater rafting trip along the Black River withย Black River Outfitters,ย Adirondack River Outfitters, orย Whitewater Challengersย (pictured). Escape into the expansive 355-acreย Thompson Park, a creation of the famed Olmsted family. The park is home toย Zoo New York, an 18-hole golf course, a creative childrenโs playground, and an outdoor skating area. Watertownโs walkable downtown will satisfy all your shopping needs with a blend of specialty shops, art studios, and the 19th century Paddock Arcade, which holds the title of longest continuously operating indoor mall in the U.S.
Boldt Castle
With its proximity to the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, it seems only natural to treat yourself to a stay by the water.ย Harbor House Inn, a boutique hotel, and the luxuriousย 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, located in Sackets Harbor and Clayton respectively, wonโt disappoint.ย Complete your trip with a tour of the famedย Singerย andย Boldtย castles (pictured), take a speedboat ride through the islands at theย Antique Boat Museum, or cruise along theย Great Lakes Seaway Trailย to discover lighthouses, wineries, amusement parks, and more.
Dining and imbibing options in Watertown includeย Garland City Beer Works, a local LGBTQIA+-owned brewery where youโll find IPAs, stouts, sours, and more on tap to pair with some intricately-topped hot dogs or juicy burgers.ย Shulerโs Restaurantย specializes in American comfort food, whileย Crystal Restaurantย has the designation of being the cityโs oldest eatery. Atย Fairground Innย you can tuck in to original wood booths before diving into some classic Italian and American dishes.
