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Note: All travel is subject to frequently-changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state, and local advisories before scheduling trips.

David and John Auten-Schneider are husbands living their fabulous lives together. They help other gay men who also want to live an amazing life without sacrificing their financial security. With their website, their Queer Money™ podcast, tools and resources, they help gay men live fabulously, not fabulously broke. This post originally appeared on their blog, Debt Free Guys. You can also read it here.

Why it’s a great time to visit gay Las Vegas

Classic view of Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign at the south end of world famous Las Vegas strip on a beautiful sunny day with blue sky and clouds, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

We’re not the only ones desperate for even a weekend getaway. As with most gay men, our gay gene also came with the travel genes. But with COVID-19 looking like it’ll be around for a while, we can at least start researching and planning what destinations to visit first and have something to look forward to later or plan for more COVID-cautious travel such as in places like Las Vegas.

Well, we’re here to tell you to put Las Vegas at the top of your post-COVID travel itinerary. You didn’t know that Vegas is LGBTQIA-friendly?

Gurl, we’ve got some news for you!

Full disclosure, we recently moved to Las Vegas and now call it home. But we alone, aren’t what makes gay Vegas so gay. Before our residency, we traveled to and vacationed here many times, including two and a half weeks last year in the Before Time.

Vegas always seemed like it should be a gay hotspot, but it wasn’t. After the financial crash of 2008, Las Vegas realized it needed to open its doors to all—meaning it realized it was missing out on a $211 billion annual global travel market.

Below we’ll share how you can party on the Strip, enjoy all things gay Las Vegas, and find non-Vegasy fun for when you’re ready to hit the road or board planes, again.

The best way to get to gay Las Vegas

Unless you’re in one of Nevada’s five surrounding states, and probably even if you are, you’ll likely come by plane. Yes, you can drive, but the drive to Las Vegas from anywhere is long and not necessarily the safest mode of transportation.

Busing is another option but that has its challenges.

So, you’ll likely arrive in Vegas by plane, landing at McCarran International Airport. This is the first exciting part of your upcoming trip to gay Las Vegas.

Book your flight through Orbitz here.

Once you arrive, it’s barely a 10-minute drive by taxi, shuttle, Uber, or Lyft to the Strip. To save money, see if your hotel offers a free shuttle back and forth from the airport to your hotel. A taxi will cost you up to $20. Uber and Lyft will each likely cost you under $15.

Note: You can also book your travel accommodations directly on the new Orbitz LGBTQIA site, which includes an LGBTQ-welcoming hotel filter.

Why use Orbitz to book your gay travel?

We’ve partnered with Orbitz for two reasons: The first is that we’ve been using Orbitz for years. The second is because Orbitz is doing more to support LGBTQIA travelers and to ensure LGBTQIA travelers are using the best, most inclusive travel partners.

All the hotels and services featured on Orbitz’s new LGBTQIA travel site have been vetted by Orbitz. This means Orbitz has researched and confirmed each brand’s affinity organizations, and historical and core values.

Plus, all these brands have signed the Orbitz Inclusivity Pledge.

Gay hotels in Las Vegas

To be sure, Las Vegas has a very “bro” vibe, and that makes some LGBTQIA folks uncomfortable. If we want to hold our same-sex partner’s hand walking down a hotel corridor, we should be able to without fear. If we want to sit poolside in our hot pink Speedo, no one else should care.

But that’s not always the case. That’s why we’re excited that Orbitz has done the queer-friendly vetting for us.

The best gay-friendly hotels in Las Vegas

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino is located right on the Strip, and is just minutes away from most of Las Vegas’s most popular attractions. It’s where we saw Madonna for both her Reinvention and Confessions tours!

With nearly 5,000 rooms, 13 restaurants, two coffee shops, four pools, a full spa and games everywhere, you never need to leave the MGM. But you will because you don’t want to miss the rest of this amazing list of gay Las Vegas must-dos.

Book your stay at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino here.

TI Treasure Island Las Vegas

TI Las Vegas is another of the more popular hotels on the Strip. It has all you need, plus affordable rates starting at $78 a night, and a bridge that’ll connect you to both the Fashion Show Mall and Grand Canal Shoppes. TI has over 2,888 rooms, 10 restaurants, 3 coffee shops, a full spa, and a pool.

Oh, did we mention that Captain America sleeps here? Yes, he does. You can visit him from 11am to 6pm Wednesday through Sunday at the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. exhibit.

To sleep where Captain America sleeps, book your reservation here.

Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino

With over 2,900 hotel rooms, 13 restaurants, a full-service spa, casino, and a nightclub, you might think you’re actually in gay Paris, France, when you’re at the Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Paris is adjacent to the Miracle Mile Shops and the LINQ Promenade. The LINQ Promenade is a Caesars entertainment area featuring the High Roller observation wheel and ziplines, both of which are super fun and COVID safe.

The only thing that delights more than the French theme is some of the most affordable rooms on the Strip. You’ll save enough money to go to real Paris when international travel opens up again.

As soon as you can, book your French-themed stay at Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino here.

More Las Vegas hotels, resorts and casinos

Above are the three resorts with which we’re most familiar. Many other gay-friendly Las Vegas hotels, resorts and casinos have signed Orbitz’s LGBTQIA Inclusivity Pledge. See them all via this link here.

Las Vegas attractions

High Roller Las Vegas | Flickr photo by Tony Webster

As we said, we’ve been to Las Vegas many, many times—mostly to see Madonna. We’ve played in the Mandalay Bay Lazy River (if you find sunglasses at the bottom, they’re ours!), we’ve slept at MGM, and spent too much money at the Bellagio.

While we love the Vegas Strip, three days is enough. So, when we agreed to house sit for a friend who owns a condo in Vegas, we knew we needed to find non-Vegasy ways to play.

That’s when we learned that there’s a whole other side to Las Vegas that we didn’t know existed. During these COVID-19 times and during the winter months with seasonal concerns, many of these ideas are great alternatives for a COVID-safe, queer-friendly vacay.

So, here we go! Our top 80-plus COVID-safe, gay Las Vegas attractions.

Las Vegas Arts District

Gay Las Vegas - Rainbow Sidewalk

On the edge of Downtown Las Vegas and beyond all the neon lights of the Vegas Strip, art’s happening, from modern to political to beautiful. Artists making names for themselves out from under the noise of NYC and LA have come to the “peace and quiet” of Vegas to shine.

The Arts District or 18b, as it’s aka, is between the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, mostly along Main Street. If all the mid-century modern antique stores and murals don’t give it away, you’ll know you’re there when you see the “18b Arts District” sign.

With warehouses turned art galleries, mini-shops, restaurants, and bars, one of our fave, mostly outdoor activities is riding bikes (rent electric bikes here from RTC for $5/day or $10 for 3 days) to the arts district for some window shopping, seeing the latest artistic creations, grabbing a snickity snack or drinkity drink here and there.

Many bars, shops and restaurants have started to safely open again. When here, you’ll want to visit the Art Factory, Art Square, Recycled Propaganda for amazing art, Retro Vegas for Vegas’s best mod-antique shop, and Rebar for a refreshing beer.

The best of the Las Vegas Arts District

18b Arts District

Image courtesy Downtown Las Vegas Alliance

Art Square

Art Square houses eclectic businesses, including a hair salon, architecture firm, The Elvis Wedding Chapel, and the Cockroach Theatre. It also boasts a few art galleries.

But you’ll want to start your adventure at the gay-owned and operated bar The Garden, for LGBTQIA people and allies.

The Garden

The Garden is the newest gay bar in town and, unfortunately, opened just before COVID-19 hit. Fortunately, it’s still there. If you visit gay Las Vegas, please, please, please, swing by The Garden.

The beautiful and spacious interior keeps it COVID safe and, well, the garden’s outside. So, that helps make this new, LGBTQIA establishment that much safer.

The Garden offers craft cocktails, brunch, drag queens, Latin nights and much more. You don’t want to miss it, COVID or no COVID.

If you’re lucky, you may have a drink with Cher. (As we’re writing this, Cher made a secret trip to The Garden to urge us all to vote.)

Art Factory

While you’re still north of Charleston Boulevard, hit The Art Factory.

The Art Factory is an upscale (and bright) strip mall with boutique shops, restaurants and art galleries. The exhibits change regularly, and some staples such as Faction Barber Shop and Blue Sky Yoga stay.

Need a unique gift for someone back home? Stop at Studio One. Need a drink? Finish your Art Factory excursion at 18Bin.

Recycled Propaganda

Some of the best art we’ve seen all around Downtown Las Vegas, including wall art and building murals come from “an artist-driven by the urge to encourage critical thought and nuance in an apathetic and polarized society.”

That artist is Izaac Zevalking, and he owns this shop and it’s worth your time.

Retro Vegas

If you love mid-century modern furniture and design like us, Retro Vegas will have you high kick and pirouette. A boutique antique shop, Retro Vegas sells antique furniture, accessories and art that capture the vibe of the Rat Pack days.

Who knows?! You may buy a chair Dean Martin once sat in while sitting cross-legged smoking a cigarette.

Makers & Finders Coffee

Makers & Finders has the best coffee in Vegas. Anthony Bourdain said so.

It has everything, too. Breakfast, brunch (with brunch packages), lunch, dinner, and cocktails. All its coffee syrups are made in-house.

And here’s a tip, if you can get one or more people in your party to agree to what to eat for brunch, Makers & Finders’ brunch packages for 2, 4 or 6 will save you oodles of pink dollars. If six people agree to Brunch Package A, it’ll cost $11 a person, not including drinks or tip.

Makers & Finders has two shops in Vegas. We’ve only been to the shop in the Arts District. We’re sure that the Downtown Summerlin location is just as good.

Container Park

Speaking of recycling, how about an entire shopping center made from old shipping containers?

That’s Container Park, an open-air, boutique shopping center with stores, bars, restaurants and entertainment near the edge of the ever-growing Fremont Street.

On the far, southwest end of Container Park is an outdoor stage and seating area where visitors and locals enjoy good, socially distanced live music and DJs. One of our favorite memories is us sitting on the Downtown Terrace balcony eating sandwiches while watching people below dance to a silent disco (people dancing to and listening with headphones to the DJ on stage). Everyone suddenly started singing Like a Virgin out loud—with no music—a capella. It was the best!

Even better than the best is how comfortable we are holding hands at Container Park. You and your gay guy or gal will heart it.

The best of the best at Container Park

Oak & Ivy

To be fair, we may love Oak & Ivy too much. What can we say? We like whiskey (wished it liked us as much).

We visited Oak & Ivy so much last November we made a rule that we couldn’t return more than once a month while living here.

Oak & Ivy is an American craft whiskey cocktail bar. Along with a couple of rare beers and other spirits, Oak & Ivy specializes in barrel-aged whiskey cocktails. Their cocktails use fresh, seasonal ingredients, which takes their mixology to the next level.

If you’re Vegas lucky, their Apple Pie Harvest will be on the menu. It comes with a droplet of Becherovka and a torched Granny Smith apple slice glazed with butter and brown sugar. It’s so good that even grandma would be impressed.

Oak & Ivy’s drinks are reasonably priced, especially for Vegas. It’s also most enjoyable that the men bartenders are hot in their aprons with brown leather straps.

The bar is small, which is why the sliding glass door that leads to the large patio is usually open. Tableside heaters are out during the cooler months, all of which make Oak & Ivy COVID-safe.

Note that its menu is limited to flavored almonds and pecans. So, go on a full stomach or plan to grab a bite elsewhere in Container Park, as the drinks can go straight to your head.

Bin 702

With its charcuterie and cheese selection and savory sandwiches, Bin 702 is the perfect complement to a couple of Oak & Ivy libations. Bin 702 also has a lot of outdoor space and uses tableside heaters in the fall and winter.

Waffelato

After your amazing gastric tour of Container Park, you’ll need a special dessert. How about gelato in a Hong Kong-style waffle cone?

What’s a Hong Kong-style waffler cone, you ask? It’s a waffle, but with bubbles instead of crevices, which is fine because you’re not making pools of melted butter. You’re filling this waffle with scoops of gelato as good as most gelaterias in Europe.

Waffelato is a little pricey and the servings are a lot large, so balance the two and share your decadent dessert with your favorite man. We do!

Attractions all over Las Vegas

Some of the best of Las Vegas is off the Strip, and some require a car to be seen. If you venture off, you’ll find reasonably priced cars here.

Sunset Park

Did you know that between the Vegas Strip and East Fremont near Sunset Lake there’s a mysterious oasis? So, even on the hottest desert days, you’ll find shade in the outdoors.

With miles of paths for walking and running, a splash pad, dog run and fitness course, there’s something outdoors and COVID safe any time of the year. Have a workout, cool off in the lake and finish with a picnic with your husband or queer crew of “mary” travelers.

Sunset Park, duh, is particularly beautiful at sunset when the local wildlife is most active.

The Neon Museum

From the Sahara to the Stardust to the letters from the Moulin Rouge, if you need more Vegas art—and who doesn’t?—then the Neon Museum is another great outdoor, 2.25-acre attraction. Las Vegas has decades of iconic and historic neon signs; some you’ve seen in your favorite movies.

Over 200 of them are on display outside at the Neon Museum and, believe us when we say it’s ready for a million Instagram pixx. For those amazing pictures and inspiration, visit at three different times of day: daytime (doors open at 3pm right now), at sunset as all the unlit neon lights refract with the setting sun, and at night when the neon signs are lit and in full glory.

P.S. If you don’t see your favorite signs, like the Silver Slipper, keep your eyes peeled as you tour the town. Las Vegas is wonderfully putting these masterpieces everywhere: sidewalks, parks, medians and more.

Fremont Street Experience

If the Vegas Strip is Disney World for adults, Fremont Street Experience is Disneyland for adults.

With the various street performers, restaurants, bars and casinos, you’ll get a tiny glimpse of Las Vegas’ glory days. While technically outside and COVID-safe, Fremont Street Experience is covered with a gigantic LED canopy the displays visuals and musical performances.

If the crowd isn’t socially distanced enough for your liking, we challenge you to soak it all up 7-stories high on the Slotzilla Zip Line.

7 Magic Mountains

You’ve probably never heard of this curious outdoor attraction and, if you don’t hurry, you’ll never see it.

7 Magic Mount is the masterpiece of out Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone and consists of seven towers, or painted fluorescent “totems,” of colorful, stacked limestone boulders each standing over 30 feet tall. Rondinone’s idea was to physically and symbolically represent the midway point between the natural and the artificial.

7 Magic Mountains is in the Ivanpah Valley, about 30 minutes from the Vegas Strip near Jean Dry Lake and I-15. It was originally exhibited in 2016 and was supposed to be disassembled in 2018. But due to its popularity, Rondinone and the Bureau of Land Management have extended the exhibit through 2021.

This attraction is Instaworthy both at daytime and dusk, but you’ll only need to set aside about 15 minutes per visit.

Hemenway Park

The 10-acre Hemenway Park is your traditional park with its playground and basketball courts. It’s a non-traditional park when its bighorn sheep that come down from the mountain for water and food.

Located in Hemenway Valley on Ville Drive, Hemenway Park offers a great view of Lake Mead. If you visit one, visit both. The best time to spot the bighorn sheep is early in the morning so visit Hemenway Park first.

Chinatown

Here’s something we didn’t know: Las Vegas has a Chinatown!

It’s true. Less than two miles from the Strip, a Chinatown organically sprung up. Head northeast for about 15 minutes from the Strip to Spring Mountain Road and stop when you see a Tang Dynasty-inspired gate complete with painted and sculpted dragons.

Chinatown Plaza and the blocks surrounding the gate house up to 150 various restaurants of all kinds of Asian cuisine including Chinese, Japanese, Korean and more, and both traditional and experimental.

There isn’t a whole lot of Vegas-y things to do in Chinatown, so be prepared to eat.

Drag Brunch by Voss Events

Every queen aims to follow in Cher’s footsteps, so they follow her to Vegas. Watch some of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s best queens at Señor Frog’s at TI Treasure Island Hotel. From India Ferrah to Coco Montrese to Yara Sofia and more, see your favorite queen accompanied by a fabulous brunch buffet and open bar.

While $69 per person’s a bit pricey, 20% off food and bottomless cocktails are nice.

Men, men and more shirtless men

Men strip, too!

When people think of Las Vegas, female strippers might come to mind. While we respect the lady strippers, we luv the gentlemen strippers a bit more. What’s wonderful is all the shows are LGBTQ friendly. While there’s a healthy dose of ladies in the audience, gay men are more than welcome.

Some of the dancers are gay, too. Just don’t ask because they won’t tell you. This is fantasy and they don’t want to pervert anyone’s imagination.

All revues have reopened after being closed due to COVID. All require masks and social distancing. Some of the entertainment has been modified to follow social distancing guidelines. So, sorry, no lap dances for now.

Fortunately, there’s a meaty variety of male revues to get you titillated. Here are the must-sees.

Thunder Down Under

Once upon a time, we spent 30 days down under between Australia and New Zealand and the Aussie men did not disappoint. They were sexy, and beefy and ooooh, those accents.

Catch the chiseled bodies and sizzling Outback dance moves 12 shows a week.

Chippendales

Voted “Best Male Revue 2018” by the Las Vegas Review Journal, see the original shirtless dancing men at Chippendales Lounge & Showroom at the Rio. The gents strip, sing, strip, dance, strip, play music, strip. Oh, and there’s some body butter action.

Did we say that the men strip?

Aussie Heat

Can’t get enough of those Aussie boys? Us, either.

Check out the best variety of dancing in the male striptease genre. If they do say so themselves, they’re the best “hands-on” experience in Vegas and you may see a derrière or two.

Also worth noting: reviewers list Aussie Heat as the most LGBTQ-friendly of all these LGBTQ-friendly all-male reviews.

Magic Mike Live

Yes. The Magic Mike of Channing Tatum, and we all know how much Channing Tatum loves the gays. So, you’ll feel super welcome watching these hot gents.

With some of today’s best modern dancing and a highly stylized show, the Sahara Las Vegas will be the place to be in spring 2021 when Mr. Tatum finally brings his naughty boyz back to Sin City.

Las Vegas Pride OUTside

Want to hike someplace local and meet some locals? Depending on when you visit, you can join the monthly Pride OUTside hike, suitable for all ages. The location of the hikes changes each month.

Gay-friendly Fremont East

Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, gambling, casino

Photo: Las Vegas

According to the powers that be in Las Vegas, “Fremont East is centered on Fremont Street, spanning Las Vegas Boulevard to 8th Street.” From our experience, it extends as far East as Maryland Parkway. That’s because our favorite place to eat in gay Vegas, PublicUs, is at Fremont and Maryland, smack dab in the middle of historic Downtown Las Vegas.

Between 8th and Maryland are local bars, men’s barbershops, tattoo parlors and—extra cool—Fergusons Downtown. Fergusons is a renovated motel. What were once motel rooms are now shops and restaurants. You know you’ve hit Fergusons Downtown when you see a tractor-trailer doing a “handstand.”

But we digress. Below are our favorite gay-owned and operated and gay-friendly must-dos in Fremont East.

The best of Fremont East

Juice Stars

Especially after we’ve blown our diet for a few days, we need a juice fix. Juice Stars’ smoothies and smoothie bowls are perfect!

Juice Stars prides itself on helping its customers eat a delicious plant-based diet. We love the Pro Green and Strawberry Twist smoothies. If you need help recovering from a hangover and can’t tolerate the hair of the dog, try a combo of Juice Stars’ The Orange, with its orange, turmeric, apple and lemon with an Antioxidant Booster Shot (apple cider vinegar, ginger and orange). Follow this combo with lots and lots of H2O.

Juice Stars also has a restaurant on the Strip that’ll help your hangover, but it’s also more Vegasy than hip. The downtown location offers socially distanced, outdoor seating with umbrellas to shield you from the Ra.

Donut Bar

If you want to sabotage your plant-based boost or be more “balanced,” don’t miss Donut Bar. Donut Bar is so fabulously famous it’s been featured on The Food NetworkEllen, and Conan just to name a few.

We’d describe it as a more refined version of Voodoo Donuts. The selection is over-the-top and delicious but has a refined sensibility. Our favorites are the Old Fashioned and Vanilla – Donut Bar’s version of a glazed donut. If you’re more adventurous, try the French Toast, The Creme Brûlée or the Pop Tart Donut – yes, a rectangular donut with a pop tart inside.

So OTT.

But get there early, especially on weekends, because last call is when the last donut is left and donuts sell fast. There’s no restaurant seating during COVID-19 but a socially distanced line forms out front and down the block.

PublicUs

Further down the street at Fremont and Maryland, but sticking with our breakfast theme, is PublicUs. Hands down, PublicUs is our favorite place in Fremont East. The ambiance is cool, the people are hip and you can’t swing a dead cat without seeing another gay.

PublicUs is open until 3 pm and serves breakfast, brunch lunch, wine and beer, but we go for brunch. It’s probably more us and our gay-DNA than PublicUs, but no one can know.

Our fave is sharing the salmon toast with added avocado, getting two iced lattes (one with whole milk, the other with oat) and two mimosas light on the OJ. We top it off with our favorite, favorite, favorite dessert in town, the donut muffin.

It’s a donut. It’s a muffin. It’s a donut muffin with a thick outside made crunching with a thick coating of granulated sugar and a muffin inside. O-M-G!

This perfect date costs $35 after tax and tip. Oh, PublicUs also offers socially distant seating with its combo of tables, bars and picnic-like picnic tables.

Bocho Downtown Sushi

Who comes to a desert for sushi? We do. Where do we go for sushi in the desert? Bocho Downtown Sushi.

The sushi is fresh and delicious. The sushi chefs are trained artists, some trained in Japan and it’s in the heart of Fremont East.

Here’s another day date tip: Get a couple’s massage at Neko Massage Studio – gay owned and operated – then have a delicious spread of sushi with Saki at Bocho’s right next door.

We sit socially distanced at the sushi bar, but there are socially distanced tables on the second floor. Peep inside and ask even if the bar is full.

Carson Kitchen

If you’re craving comfort food with style so you don’t feel guilty, Carson Kitchen is where to go.

The black rice & oxtail risotto is amazing. The watermelon and feta salad is refreshing. The wild mushroom flatbread is the savory you need, and the glazed donut bread pudding is the sweet you want. Yes, the glazed donut comes from Donut Bar just next door.

Carson Kitchen only offers socially distanced seating.

Le Thai

Brace yourself. Le Thai is a Thai restaurant. Yep, it is.

It’s a hip restaurant that serves mostly street food but includes some traditional dishes with an American flair. Everything we’ve had here we love but be careful when you tell them your heat tolerance.

Le Thai’s 1 – 5 temp (spice not heat) is serious. We max out at 2. Four makes us cry.

Hikes near Las Vegas

When we visited Las Vegas last year, we skipped the Strip. We wondered, what can we do outside in or near Vegas.

So, we Googled hikes and natural wonders in Vegas. That’s when we discovered a ton of hikes, walks, bike trails and more. There’s a ton to keep you entertained – and inspired – in and near Vegas that’s not so Vegasy and is COVID safe.

You don’t need a car when you’re in Vegas, but you will to hit these hikes. Book your car here.

Best hikes near Las Vegas

Red Rock Canyon

The closest and most popular national park near Vegas is Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock Canyon is 17 miles from the Strip, so it makes both a great morning and late afternoon activity.

The highlight of Red Rock Canyon is the Calico Hills with bright red rocks and cliffs that make Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado look beige. The other big draw is Calico Tanks with bright red rocks and cliffs, but with hidden pristine water pockets and a great view of Vegas. Both hikes are moderate and perfect partial day hikes.

For an easy to moderate hike also with a waterfall and pool, visit First Creek Canyon. It’s a nice, 4-mile hike.

If you’d like a strenuous hike, Ice Box Canyon is where you want to go. It’s a tight canyon with high walls that includes seasonal waterfalls which, when pouring, and with the near-constant shade makes this one of the coolest (temperature) spots in the park.

If you just want a scenic drive, due to COVID you’ll need to schedule a timed entry reservation here.

Sloan Canyon Petroglyph

Sloan Canyon National Conservation is just 22 minutes outside of Vegas and is a scenic and mostly easy outdoor walk. One of the main reasons to visit Sloan Canyon is to spot one of the over 1,700 petroglyphs created by native cultures from the Archaic era.

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire is the most popular state park near Las Vegas, just 50 miles from the Strip. Valley of Fire offers 40,000 acres of red and pink rock formations made of bright red Aztec sandstone with gray and tan limestone.

It’s so beautiful, it attracts hikers and filmmakers alike. Movies such as Total RecallCon AirTransformers and Casino are just some of the celluloid that have featured Valley of Fire.

Must-dos include Fire Wave Trail and Beehives. Fire Wave Trail is by far the most beautiful and Instaworthy feature in the park with its red and white zebra print. The Beehives are the result of geologic cross-bedding and look like . . . well . . . huge beehives.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Formed by the Hoover Dam and filled by the Colorado River, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir by water capacity in the U.S.

There is tons to do that is outdoor and COVID-safe, including swimming, boating, hiking, cycling, camping, fishing and more.

Emerald Cave in the Black Canyon is a must-see if you only have time for one activity. That’s because, with the afternoon sun, the caves’ yellow-brown rock walls and the bright blue water of the Colorado River make for an emerald green usually only found in Oz.

Lake Mead Gay Beach

If you’re in Vegas in the summertime and looking for a beach scene with action, Lake Mead has a nude beach that many gay men frequent. The drive and mini-hike are a little circuitous and “the beach” lacks amenities, so bring water and protection (sun and otherwise). If you’re there at the right time, Lake Mead may be everything you can’t tell your mother about.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is a 2.5-hour day trip from Las Vegas. There’s much to see and do in Zion, but two hikes worth your time are The Watchman and the Narrows.

The Watchman is about 4 miles long and mostly easy, but there are times it feels as if you’re walking straight up. What makes the Watchman worth the effort is the peace, quiet and beauty at the top of the trail. If you’re like us, you’ll find it a great place for yoga and meditation.

While you’re up there, walk the Watchman Loop Trail. It’s quick and lets you see different views from way up.

For some perspective on your place in this world, walk The Narrows, the narrowest section of Zion National Park. The rock walls in some locations are over 1,000 feet tall. Depending on how adventurous you are, you may even find yourself walking in the Virgin River. But don’t drink the water.

Death Valley

Another day trip from Las Vegas is Death Valley in California, which is less than two hours away.

Death Valley, part of the Mojave Desert, is the hottest, driest and lowest point of elevation in North America. If you’re camping, enjoy Death Valley’s certified dark sky – one of the darkest night skies in the U.S.

There’s a lot to see and do, but the Badwater Basin isn’t to be missed. Badwater Basin is a huge salt flat. Walk out into the middle, look into the distance and tell us you don’t feel like you’re on Mars. Well, except for all the O2.

Gay Las Vegas Fruit Loop

Vegas Night Pride 2.jpg

Photo: Courtesy of LVCVA

The Fruit Loop, the closest Las Vegas has to a gayborhood, is a bunch of LGBTIA bars, nightclubs and businesses on East Naples Street near UNLV. It sprung up organically as early as the 1950s and 1960s, but didn’t get its endearing name until the 1970s.

The Fruit Loop includes some of the bars and nightclubs below, such as Quadz, Piranha Ultra Lounge and Freezone. It also includes Club Unity, a supper and dance club, and the Get Booked bookstore and adult shop.

Vegas gay bars

COVID or no COVID, it’ll be next to impossible to come to Las Vegas and not connect with your LGBTQIA tribe. Most people come to Vegas to party and have experiences they can’t tell their momma about. LGBTQIA folks are no different.

Below are the best gay bars and their COVID precautions. Most places require masks when you’re not eating, drinking or smoking. Most places will give you a mask if you don’t have one. Don’t be a Karen and not wear a mask. Your respect helps keep these gay bars open.

Best gay bars in Las Vegas

The Phoenix Bar & Lounge

Previously known as the Escape Lounge, the Phoenix Bar & Lounge is now 100% LGBTQIA-owned and operated. That’s enough of a reason to visit. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the gigantic phoenix on the front doors.

But you’ll also want to visit for the daily happy hour specials, weekly karaoke, pool tables, darts, patios, special events, and more.

Trivia night happens Tuesdays. On most Friday nights, catch a drag show from some of Las Vegas’ best queens. Most Saturday nights, you’ll find yourself dancing to a local DJ. Watch most local games on the jumbo TV.

Table reservations are required. Masks are required when you’re not eating or drinking or smoking (outside). Parking’s a challenge, so Uber or Lyft. This is especially important if you plan on having drinks.

Badlands Bar LV

Badlands has drinks, fun and gaming 24/7 for an all-around good time.

Wanna sing show tunes at the top of your lungs? Go to Badlands on Sundays. Want to laugh your arse off? Go on Tuesdays. Have too much booty in your pants? Catch one of Las Vegas’s best DJs most Friday nights.

On a budget, hit Badlands any day between noon and 8pm for $1 buy 1, get 1 (BOGO). Due to COVID restrictions, the shuffleboards and pool tables are closed.

The Garage

Like cars or the boyz who fix ‘em? The Garage is your joint of choice. The Garage is a 24/7 low-key gay bar with pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, video poker, and drink specials.

On a budget, 2 for 1 drinks are offered every day 11am–7pm or check out their daily specials.

P.S. If you’re into trivia, visit Thursdays at 7 pm to compete locally and nationally.

The Garden Las Vegas

As we shared above, The Garden is the newest LGBTQIA establishment not to be missed. If it’s good enough for Cher, it’s good enough for us.

The BackDoor

Yearning for a Latin vibe? The BackDoor is your bar of choice for hot dancing, strong drinks and Latin men. Most nights catch a DJ or drag queen doing what they do best.

There’s no cover most nights. Visitors must cover their face with a mask.

Fun Hog Ranch

The Fun Hog Ranch is another 24/7 establishment. If you’re into Levi, leather, poker and jukeboxes – and a different drink special every night – hit the Fun Hog. Best deals are Mojito & Mules on Mondays, $2 Tuesday ($2 wells, $2 16 oz draft beers, $2 bottled beers), Hump Day Wednesdays ($4 Bacardi drinks, Smirnoff drinks and Jose Cuervo) and Thirsty Thursdays ($12 all you can drink wells or $22 all you can drink calls).

Most sites list Fun Hog Ranch as one of the top-rated gay bars in LV and many comments praise its lack of pretension.

Charlie’s Las Vegas

Howdy cowboys, cowgirls and cowpersons! If you’re seeking a gay country vibe, Charlie’s Las Vegas is your point of interest.

As with Charlie’s Denver, Phoenix and Chicago, get your fill of 10-gallon hats and boyz in chaps. What makes Charlie’s Las Vegas a bit different is the pop-up appearances of your favorite local drag queen.

Living up to your Charlie’s expectations, Charlie’s Las Vegas has the cheapest drinks in town to help you stick within your budget. Sundays get $3 Long Island Iced Teas. On Wednesdays, wearing nothing but your skivvies will get you free drinks. On Saturdays, get $5 Red Bulls.

Charlie’s Las Vegas is off the strip and currently only open from 2pm–5am due to COVID restrictions. Also, masks and social distancing are musts.

QuadZ Video Bar

QuadZ Video Bar is a . . . video bar off the Strip and in the heart of the gay Las Vegas Fruit Loop. It, too, includes gaming, pool, darts and a variety of drink specials that won’t leave you with a money hangover.

As for the other kind of hangover, that’s up to you.

2-4-1 happy hour is every day (every. single. day.) from 12pm–8pm. Want some poker? The Nevada Poker League hosts Poker Nights at QuadZ on Thursdays from 6pm–10pm. Then, stick around for dancing from 11pm– 4am with Electric Thursdaze.

Not enough dancing yet? Return on Friday’s at 11pm for Fresh Friday. Need one more drink but don’t have the bills, return for Social Sunday and get a free drink when you like, tweet, snap or tag QuadZ on social media.

Don’t Tell Mama

Has everything on this list of greatest gay Las Vegas bars been a little too loud? Are you seeking that quintessential gay piano bar of yore? Then, don’t tell mama, but Don’t Tell Mama is where to go.

Don’t Tell Mama is open every night. Every night is open mic night. The piano plays every night. Plus, the entire staff are up-and-coming singers and performers. So, if you step up for open mic night, know your competition.

And sing. It’s fun!

Freezone Alternative Nightclub

The Freezone Alternative Nightclub has been around since 1996 and is for both locals and tourists.

There are DJs and drag shows every night of the week. But if you’re in Las Vegas for your birthday, make sure to hit Freezone for your free bottle of birthday champagne (requires a minimum of 8 people per birthday party). If you have too much champagne, Freezone also serves food, including burgers, BBQ, and steaks.

Due to COVID restrictions, the menu is limited.

Club Unity

Club Unity is a gay supper club that includes a full menu, full bar, full drag show and much, much more. Happy hour is 4pm–8pm seven days a week and includes 50% off cocktails, $5 beer bust and $10 well bust.

With its outdoor patio, Club Unity is perfect for even the most COVID-conscious patron.

Dance clubs in gay Las Vegas

Need more dancing? Gay Las Vegas has a dance club just for you.

Best gay dance clubs in Las Vegas

Piranha Ultra Lounge

Piranha Ultra Lounge, also located on the famous Las Vegas Fruit Loop, is a thumping nightclub inside despite it inauspicious outside. With its hot blue and red lighting, dance floor, disco ball, scenic overlook, and outdoor patio, your crazy, “don’t tell anyone about this” Vegas day, is best capped here.

Piranha’s high-end and fancy. It’s open from 9pm until “closing nightly.

And save your pennies because Piranha isn’t the most cost-conscious hot spot in gay Vegas, but if you want to spend some dollars, here’s where you want to spend them. So, save, save, save.

Piranha also practices social distancing, requiring masks and encouraging staff and patrons to wash their hands frequently. P.S. Let’s all agree to continue this post-COVID.

Gay-owned and operated shops, restaurants and services in Las Vegas

10-hottest-gay-destinations

You can vote with your pink dollars even when – especially when – you travel. That goes for gay Las Vegas, too. Below are some of the queer-owned and operated businesses in gay Las Vegas.

Best gay shops in Las Vegas

Get Booked

Present-day Get Booked was once upon a time Bright Pink Literature. Not only was it the only bookstore on the Fruit Loop, but it was also the only bookstore in Las Vegas that specialized in LGBTQIA books. Bright pink literature became Get Booked in 1993 and then moved across the street.

Get Booked now specializes in waaaaaay more than books. From clothing to personal care to toys and all the naughty things in between that gay boyz want for naughty weekends, Get Booked makes you happy.

Neko Massage Studio

Neko Massage Studio is a gay-owned and operated business, and while its staff isn’t 100% gay, the male massage therapists have no problem giving couples massages to gay couples.

Neko offers Swedish, deep tissue, trigger points, and sports massage in addition to cupping, hot stone, aromatherapy, and CBD treatments. Don’t have time for a full massage? Stop in for a chair massage, shoulder and neck massage, foot massage, or relax in one of Neko’s massage chairs.

Walk-ins are welcome and offered when available, but appointments are preferred.

Timeless Connections

Wanna get married to your favorite man while you’re in Vegas, whether spontaneously or planned? You may appreciate the help of Timeless Connections.

Timeless Connections offers officiants, witnesses, marriage certificate filings, photography, and a chapel all very a la carte and all very LGBTQIA-friendly.

Prisma Events

If you plan on making your wedding day in Las Vegas a bigger event with friends and family, then plan on a wedding planner. Aimee Palifroni’s Prisma Events specializes in same-sex weddings all over the country.

From wedding invitations to wedding and reception venues to coordinating your guests’ travel arrangements, Prisma Events can help you from A to Z and soup to nuts with all your wedding plans and will save you money.

Full disclosure, Aimee was our wedding planner, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Connect with Aimee here.

DW Bistro

What do you get when you mix Jamaican and New Mexican cuisine? DW Bistro.

DW Bistro is the grand partnership of Bryce Krausman and Dalton Wilson and has quickly become a best of in its seven years. The menu changes regularly and the current guest chef series is everything. If you can only stop here once though, make it Saturday or Sunday for brunch.

Gay events in Las Vegas

As of the time of this writing, Las Vegas Pride, Hustlaball, and Las Vegas Gay Rodeo are all postponed with hopes of resuming in 2021. Check back regularly, as we’ll update this section as event coordinators confirm plans.

Temptation Sundays at Luxor resumes May 23 so throw on your favorite Speedo and swim with pride at this welcoming and gorgeous pool.

Gay bathhouses in Las Vegas

Let’s be real. When gays plan on coming to Sin City, they too plan on sinning, and bathhouses have been enjoyed by gay men since ancient Greece.

Modern-day Las Vegas is no different with its two distinct bathhouses. Whether you want camaraderie, spa-level relaxation or more, Vegas will not disappoint.

Las Vegas bathhouses

Entourage Vegas

Established in 1994 and a sponsor of Las Vegas Pride, Entourage Vegas features an indoor pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, weight room, alley, video room, smoking area, and private and group showers with free use of towels.

Due to Nevada COVID restrictions, the sauna and jacuzzi are closed. Check back regularly, as we’ll update this section accordingly. For safety, Entourage Vegas is currently only renting rooms for social distancing (6ft apart); $40 for 8 hours and $25 for 4 hours for locals, $35 for 8 hours and $20 for 4 hours for tourists.

Entourage Vegas is everything you want in a gay men’s spa, plus it’s close to the strip and 10-minutes from the Fruit Loop.

Hawk’s Gym & Spa

Hawk’s Gym & Spa is the gay-owned and gay-operated of the two gay bathhouses in Las Vegas. Hawk’s features private rooms, lockers, showers, a sauna, steam room and a small gym. Hawk’s is also close to the Strip and minutes from the Fruit Loop.

Due to COVID restrictions, the sauna and steam room aren’t open and only private rooms are available.

Free things to do in Las Vegas

Bellagio, Vegas

  • Don’t miss the spectacular Bellagio fountain shows
  • Watch the Mirage volcano eruption show
  • Walk the Mirage Aquarium
  • See the Atrium Waterfall at the Palazzo
  • Visit the other big aquarium at the Forum Shops at Caesars
  • Walk the Bellagio Conservatory
  • Watch Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas light up
  • Sit at the Fall of Atlantis show at the Caesars Forum Shops
  • Watch (and tip) the street performers on Fremont Street Experience
  • Hold hands and walk under the gorgeous painted ceilings at the Venetian
  • See live animals at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
  • Check with your hotel to see if they offer a free shuttle between the hotel and the airport
  • Your hotel’s pool or pools are usually free to you as the guest
  • Most hotels and resorts offer free shows in their lounges
  • Dream away at the Wynn’s Lake of Dreams show
  • Don’t feel the rain at the Miracle Mile Shops with its hourly (every half hour on weekends) rain shower
  • See who wins at The Bar at Times Square in New York New York’s dueling pianos show
  • Visit, don’t shop, Gold & Silver Pawn Shop of the History Channel’s Pawn Stars
  • Hold hands under the LED canopy over Fremont Street Experience
  • Walk the Arts District
  • Take an Insta-worthy pic of yourself with $1 million at Binions on Fremont

A gay day in Las Vegas for under $75 per couple

  • Wake early and make 2 cups of coffee in your hotel room with your coffee grounds from home
  • Grab your coffee to soak up the beauty of the Chihuly ceiling at the Bellagio and then walk the Bellagio Conservatory – $0
  • Go to La Salsa Cantina at The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, order 2 eggs any style, choice of ham, bacon or sausage, choice of corn or flour tortillas and southwest potatoes for $4.79 each; $13 with tax and tip
  • Visit the wildlife at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat – $0
  • Spend a few hours relaxing your body beautiful at your hotel’s pool (take your own water) – $0
  • Clean up, then watch who wins the dueling pianos show at The Bar at Times Square in New York New York – $0
  • Walk to The LINQ Hotel to In-N-Out Burger for 2 burger combos (2 burgers, 2 fries, 2 sodas). If you’re not from California or the Southwest and haven’t eaten at In-N-Out Burger, you’re in for a treat; $13 with tax
  • In the evening, hop on the Downtown Loop to Fremont Street Experience and watch the amazing LED display – $0
  • Take a picture next to Binions’ million dollars – $0
  • Walk through Fremont Street Experience to Fremont Street to split dinner at Le Thai (portions are big and spicy) – $20 with tax and tip
  • Check out Container Park – $0
  • Download the Explore DTLV App to get $10 off your first purchase of $15 or more – $0
  • Share a couple of Vegas’s best cocktails at Oak & Ivy (make one an Apple Pie Harvest) on the deck and use your Explore DTLV App discount to save $24 – $10 with tax, tip, and $10 discount

A gay day in Las Vegas for under $150 per couple

  • Take the Downtown Loop to Fremont and walk on the north side of Fremont through the Freemont Street Experience and Freemont East to PublicUs – $0
  • Soak up everything Fremont Street Experience and Fremont East have to offer – $0
  • Split a breakfast at PublicUs for $15 and 2 mimosas for $10 – $30 with tax and tip
  • Hold hands while you walk to Fergusons Downtown – $0
  • Grab 2 lattes at Mothership Coffee – $14 with tax and tip
  • Sip your lattes under a tree at The Yard – $0
  • Walk back up Fremont East toward Fremont Street Experience on the south side – $0
  • Soak up everything Fremont Street Experience and Fremont East have to offer – $0
  • Turn left/south on S Main St and walk toward the Arts District/18b, stopping for window shopping at Arts District Shopping Mall (one block southeast of Main) – $0
  • Stop at The Garden (Yelp for directions) to meet the local gays, grab 2 spritzers or martinis for $10 each – $25 with tax and tip
  • Tour the Arts Factory on Charleston Blvd – $0
  • Head one block west on Charleston Blvd back to Main
  • Continue walking the south side of the Arts District to browse and window shop – $0
  • Stop at Tacotarian to lunch on the taco platters for $11 each and 2 margaritas for $7 each – $45 with tax and tip
  • Finish walking the Arts District as far was W Wyoming Ave – $0
  • Catch the Downtown Loop back to the Strip – $0
  • Watch the fountain show at The Bellagio (top of the hour) – $0
  • Walk to Secret Pizza at the Cosmopolitan – it’s a secret where it is, but ask around and someone will help you – when you’ve reached the Galaga Machine, you’re on target
  • Have 2 slices of pizza each for $16 and 2 PBRs for $7 – $30 with tax and tip

15 tips for saving money in Las Vegas

  1. Don’t gamble
  2. Get $10 off your first order plus $15 more when you download the Explore DTLV App
  3. Get your wine and spirits from Albertson’s on Charleston Blvd and save 10% when you get 6 bottles of wine and/or 6 bottles of spirits, save even more with the Albertson’s app and membership card
  4. While at Albertson’s, stock up on snacks, light food and bottled water to store in your hotel room
  5. If you must do the nightclubs on the Strip, get The V Card for free VIP admissions and drink discounts
  6. Use your credit card reward miles when booking flights
  7. Save between $200–$300 with discounts, coupons and promos on the Explore DTLV App
  8. Visit at off-peak times, mid-week and non-holiday weekends
  9. Sign up for Player’s Cards and hotel newsletters
  10. Ask your hotel concierge for free upgrades and offers
  11. Get all your cash and/or travelers checks before you arrive; Vegas ATM fees are expensive
  12. Take advantage of active military and veterans discounts at hotels
  13. Get all the discounts on Groupon
  14. Take the Deuce bus, a 24/7 bus that goes up and down the Strip and back and forth from the Strip to Fremont Street
  15. Skip the minibar
  16. Take your own coffee grounds and make your own coffee in your room with the French presses we use

That’s it! Everything you need and want for traveling to gay Las Vegas in 2021. As we said from the beginning, Las Vegas has become very LGBTQIA friendly over the last decade and it’s only increasing.

If you’re yearning for a vacation and aren’t sure where to go in the time of COVID, gay Las Vegas is it. Thanks to our friends at Orbitz, it’s never been easier, cheaper or safer for LGBTQIA travelers. Click here to learn more.

Finally, if you’re looking to move to an affordable, LGBTQIA-friendly city, see why it’s on our list here of the best gay cities in which to move.

 

 

Tagged: Las Vegas

Note: Orbitz compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.

David and John Auten-Schneider

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