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Atlanta Gay Travel Guide
If you find yourself in the sultry American South, there ain’t no better place to cool your heels than Hotlanta, baby! The undisputed capitol of the Queer South, Atlanta offers all the comforts and amenities of the big city, with all the charm and friendliness of a small southern town. The only major urban center for hundreds of miles, Atlanta has always attracted a large and diverse gay community, and many decades of civil rights battles have transformed the city (mostly) into one of warmth and acceptance. Just north of downtown and its famous Underground Atlanta (a network of shops and entertainment complexes) lies Midtown, ground zero for the Atlanta gay community. Midtown borders on Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s largest urban green spot, and evidence of the city’s tolerance is easy to see here as gay couples stroll hand-in-hand. But don’t just limit yourself to the gay ghetto of Midtown. The Centennial Olympic Park with its many fountains is a great spot to relax. Or tickle your tongue with tastes of Coca Cola formulas from all over the globe at the World of Coca Cola (it was born here in Atlanta more than a century ago, and, yes, it does taste different in each country!) Atlanta is home to The King Center, a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and of the battle for Civil Rights, a topic near and dear to the hearts of many gay Americans. Tour CNN headquarters (maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of uber-sexy Anderson Cooper!) If you’re up for an experience with nature, try Atlanta’s famed Botanical Gardens, where someone’s always playing jazz, or gaze across miles of city and forest from the top of Stone Mountain Park. Atlanta’s futuristic public transit system, MARTA, will get you anywhere you need to go safe, cheap, and fast. And what do we gay folk like better than safe, cheap, and fast?
Gay Atlanta Bars, Restaurants and Clubs
Atlanta’s gorgeous, chic gay crowd flocks to The Oscars Atlanta or Red Chair for drinks and schmoozing. A more laid-back atmosphere prevails at Burkhart’s Pub and at popular Blake’s on the Park. As Atlanta’s city ordinances require all liquor-serving establishments to close at 3am, the big gay dance clubs are liquor-free and continue thumping until sunrise. So the crowds seem to spend the early evenings getting toasty at the bars, and then saunter to one of the two most popular gay dance venues in town, Backstreet, the classic Atlanta gay disco, and the newer Blu, with nationally recognized DJs spinning almost every weekend. Girls who like girls flock to My Sister’s Room, the only exclusively lesbian venue in the city. If you’re in the mood to two-step, Hoedowns is the place. And the leather and Levis crowd congregates (where else?) at The Atlanta Eagle.
The Midtown strip is home to dozens of gay-owned and gay-friendly restaurants. A few popular eateries include Disco Diner, Cowtippers, One Midtown Kitchen, The Vortex, and The Pleasant Peasant.
Another “don’t miss” in Atlanta is Outwrite Bookstore and Coffeehouse, one of the largest gay and lesbian bookstores in America, right in the middle of Midtown.
Gay and Gay Friendly Atlanta Hotels
The true charm of the Southern Bed and Breakfast is offered to gay visitors at the Hill Street Resort, where owners Michael and Jerry take pride in their luxurious surroundings, complete with heated pool and spa set amid gardens and ponds. For gay men looking for something a little more private (and perhaps a touch more racy) the Lynwood Place Bed and Breakfast offers male-only accommodations near Midtown. The gay-owned Gaslight Inn has been a favorite for gay and straight visitors, alike, with its three charming houses and sumptuously decorated rooms. A luxury gay-friendly option is the Ansley Inn, housed in a 1907 Tudor mansion.
Call an edirp.com gay travel specialist at 1-888-EDIRP-EZ (1-888-334-7739) or (214) 520-0345 (U.S.) to book any of the hotels mentioned above. Any hotels with links may be booked via our secure online booking system.
Atlanta Gay Pride and other Gay Events
Atlanta Pride is the largest in the South, and usually takes place the last weekend in June. Atlanta pioneered special pride celebrations for the African American community with Black Pride which normally occurs the first weekend in September. Atlanta also claims to host the oldest circuit party in history, the Hotlanta River Expo (formerly known simply as “River Race”), a raucous event where gay men from all across the country dress in outlandish costumes and ride inflatable rafts across the Chattahoochee River. The party began in 1978 and has been running strong ever since, usually on the last weekend of July.
Also, don’t forget that the sleepy southern hamlet of Savannah lies just east of Atlanta, near the Atlantic coast. Made famous by the book and film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Savannah has had a long history of gay influence in their high society, and today is home to several charming gay-owned B&Bs, including The Manor House, The Azalea Inn, and Under the Rainbow.
Travel guide by Benjamin Starr, a travel writer who claims the entire world as his home. When he's not at home, he can sometimes be found at a residence in Dallas, Texas. To contact Ben, email him at benjaminstarr@sbcglobal.net. |
