Out and about: Must visit pride destinations
- Sun Country
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Whether you're searching for the excitement of a street festival or exploring history through queer landmarks, travel can offer more than just a change of scenery—it can be a journey of discovery and celebration. From the legendary Stonewall Inn in New York City to the influential Castro District in San Francisco, these destinations shine a light on advocacy, allyship, and inclusivity across the country:
San Francisco Pride – June 28-29, 2025
Celebrating its 55th this year, San Francisco Pride is one of the oldest festivals in the United States.
GLBT Historical Society Museum - highlighting the importance of queer history, this museum offers a variety of exhibitions focusing on diversity and social justice.
Castro Street Fair - a community street celebration hosted the first Sunday in October in the Castro neighborhood.
Harvey Milk Plaza - one of the city's busiest transit hubs that honors the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.
NYC Pride - The March and PrideFest: Jude 29, 2025
With tens of thousands of attendees, the Big Apple lays claim to one of the largest pride events in the world.
The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art - With a permanent collection of more than 6,000 objects, this museum showcases more than 300 years of gay and lesbian art.
The Stonewall Inn + Stonewall National Monument in Christopher Park – located in Greenwich Village, this historic bar is known as the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement.
Jacob Riis Park - On the National Register of Historic Places, this beach has been an LGBTQ+ hangout since the 1940s and colloquially known as the “People’s Beach”.
Seattle Pride - Pride in the Park: June 7; Parade: June 29
For more than 50 years, people have gathered in Seattle Center to celebrate belonging and inclusivity.
Capitol Hill – this vibrant neighborhood is a hub for gay-friendly and gay-owned businesses.
Pioneer Square – one of Seattle's earliest public queer spaces with bold history and lively art scene.
Three Dollar Bill Cinema – for more than 30 years, this institution has been showcasing queer stories and fostering inclusive community engagement.
Denver Pride: June 28-29
Since 1974, Denver has hosted the largest Pride in the Rocky Mountain region with over 500,000 visitors annually.
Lavendar Hill Cultural District – home to several artistic sites, murals, and a variety of queer-owned businesses.
Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo - the longest consecutive running gay rodeo happening each July in Denver.
The Center on Colfax – focused on inclusive social programming, The Center is a community hub for the queer community in the Rocky Mountain District.
Chicago Pride – Pride Fest®: June 21-22; Parade: June 30, 2025
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives - founded in 1981, it is the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ circulating library documenting the history of queer-identified.
Northalsted - also known as Boystown, this neighborhood features the only outdoor LGBTQ+ history museum in the world (The Legacy Walk). Also, home to Chicago Pride Fest.
Center on Halsted – with two art galleries showcasing various LGBTQ+ artists from the community, this organization has been supporting health, wellness, and cultural enrichment since 1973.
And remember, travel not just to see the world, but to discover more about yourself.
Explore iconic sites, walk in the footsteps of activists, and celebrate culture that shaped generations—start your journey today!
