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It may be time for someone to do a remake of the song “Where the Boys Are.” The 1960 Connie Francis ditty, which accompanied a bubblegum movie about Fort Lauderdale’s appeal as a spring break destination, could easily be rewritten today as “Where the Queers Are.” As this legendarily South Florida city gears up for the brand-new Pride of the Americas festival in April, here are reasons why Fort Lauderdale continues to wow LGBTQIA travelers, year round.

RELATED: 10 great things to check out in LGBTQ Miami

Festivals galore 

Photo courtesy of Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau

While the pandemic may have thrown pride celebrations off the calendar last year, Fort Lauderdale is gearing up to roll out the rainbow flag again, as Pride Fort Lauderdale takes to the streets on November 20-21, 2021. This year’s event will feature a parade along route A1A, as well as a festival and concert on Fort Lauderdale Beach. New features this year include a VIP area that’s nearly three times larger than in previous years; benefits include free drinks, a new separate VIP entrance lane, exclusive food vendors, free gift bags and a new VIP Village that will provide extra space for attendees to relax and enjoy the festivities.  Also mark your calendar for Wicked Manors, the lively annual Halloween celebration that brings thousands to the streets, many of whom spend days or months preparing eye-catching costumes.

A gloriously queer ambiance

When LGBTQ travelers talk about Fort Lauderdale, they’re often talking about what is technically a different city: Wilton Manors. Listed as the “second gayest city in the United States” according to 2010 U.S. Census figures, this community of around 12,000 just minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale  is home to more than 100 gay-owned businesses, including everything from hotels and guest houses to restaurants, shops and plenty of nightlife. Learn LGBTQ history at cultural attractions like the Stonewall National Museum and Archives, and then stroll down Wilton Drive, the city’s main drag, for retail therapy in a variety of unique shops, including Out of the Closet, which is advertised as “the world’s most fabulous thrift store.” Not far away is The Yard, a hip retail oasis in the heart of Wilton Manors, where foodies savor everything from handcrafted coffee and sandwiches at The Alchemist to gourmet Mexican creations at La Mexicana.

Awesome food and nightlife

Night owls are never bored in Fort Lauderdale. Wilton Manors, in fact, is lined with such a diverse number of LGBTQ bars and clubs that you can choose the venue that best suits your mood. Georgie’s Alibi, one of South Florida’s longest-running gay bars, is an especially popular place, and features drag shows, go-go boys and an open-air restaurant serving decent bar food. Conveniently located within the same strip mall is Hunters Nightclub, where modern and classic dance music keeps the patrons moving, every night of the week. Across the street is DrYnk Bar & Lounge, a stylish place for cocktails with a recently expanded outdoor patio that’s perfect for enjoying Florida’s warm temps. For something completely different, consider a stop at Scandals Saloon, a gay country western bar with pool tables and fun line dance events.

Among the newest places in Fort Lauderdale to dine and imbibe is the new Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery, a 40,000-square-foot food hall near FATVillage, one of the city’s main arts districts. Sistrunk offers culinary bliss at its multiple dining outlets, including Hot Lime, a craft taco and ceviche eatery, and Senbazuru, where Asian fusion tapas are the specialty. In Fort Lauderdale, there are always new flavors—and new gay-friendly venues—to explore.

Hotels for every taste

Cabanas Guesthouse

Fort Lauderdale offers an impressive array of LGBTQ-friendly hotels, at a variety of price points. You’ll find lots of great choices near Fort Lauderdale’s gay beach, including the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, the budget-friendly Snooze Hotel and the chic W Fort Lauderdale, which has been a long-time supporter of LGBTQ rights. All three properties are right on the ocean.

Gay men will find a bunch of hotels designed specifically for them, and all are nicely equipped with swimming pools and sometimes fitness facilities. Top choices include the 14-room Cheston House, and the 15-room Grand Palm Plaza. Further inland—and closer to Wilton Manors nightlife—are Pineapple Point, a 24-room luxury guesthouse with kitchen facilities, fitness equipment and a swimming pool, and Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa, a sprawling property featuring two outdoor pools, a spa and access to the city’s famed canals. All four properties are men only and clothing optional.

The great outdoors

One of the main reasons why people visit Fort Lauderdale, of course, is the seductively warm year-round climate, and there’s no better way to make the most of the toasty temperatures than by spending a few lazy hours on Fort Lauderdale Beach. LGBTQ travelers can find an especially welcoming place in the sand at Sebastian Street Beach. Active types will find lots to love, too, with scenic diversions like parasailing on the beach and kayaking along the waterways that surround the city. By day and by night, Fort Lauderdale knows how to liven up any vacation, and with plenty of pride.

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Tagged: Florida, Fort Lauderdale

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Mark Chesnut
Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and photographer. He's written for Fodor's, the Huffington Post, the Miami Herald, Travel Weekly, various inflight magazines and the New York Times best-seller "1,000 Places To See Before You Die." He also operates a travel blog, LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. Find more from Mark on Twitter @munderamedia and Instagram @mundera

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