4 Small US Towns with Large LGBTQ+ Communities
From the mountains to the desert to the coast, these small towns are worthy of a visit for their warm welcome, beautiful scenery, inviting attractions, and more
Large cities are typically home to thriving LGBTQ+ communities, but many small towns also welcome diversity through Pride festivals, community centers, and flourishing queer-owned businesses. If you’re looking to vist a small town with diverse appeal, take a closer look at these four LGBTQ-friendly destinations.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
High in the scenic Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Eureka Springs is a city that drips with historical charm. It also prides itself on being inclusive with the unofficial slogan “something for everyone.”
For legendary accommodations, check in to the Crescent Hotel & Spa, originally built in 1886. A stay at this historic hotel is like stepping back in time—but with the benefit of luxurious modern amenities. The hotel also offers views of the rolling green mountains of Carroll County. Book a the North Penthouse to absorb it all from the vantage of the highest point in the entire county.
LGBTQ+-owned businesses can also be found on practically every street block. Three Bird Café, which can be accessed via the local trolley, serves up Southern fare staples like shrimp and grits and Cajun deviled eggs. Another popular option is Nibbles Eatery with coffee drinks like mocha and other common café fare, including breakfast burritos and sandwiches.
Eureka is also home a large Pride festival each June, complete with live music and a parade, as well as Diversity Weekends in the spring, summer, and fall. Whenever you visit, be sure to see the stunning Thorncrown Chapel, a nearly all-glass structure soaring 48 feet high and featuring 425 windows and wooden beams that cross, giving the effect of being totally immersed in the forest.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Located on the northern tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown (P-Town for short) has welcomed LGBTQ+ travelers for more than a century. As a result, the city’s embrace of queer community has deep historical roots. Provincetown had earned a reputation for being a thriving arts community in the 1900s, attracting the likes of playwright Eugene O’Neill, then a young aspiring writer in search of a stage—and finding it here.
The gay community of the time was said to be drawn to the city’s artistic and bohemian vibe. Today, Provincetown hosts a slew of events that appeal to the LGBTQ+ community. In June, the city also hosts Pride and Frolic—a six-day celebration for queer men of color.
Each summer, P-Town is also hosts Family Week, one of the largest LGBTQ+ family gatherings in the world.
Bisbee, Arizona
Roughly an hour’s drive from Tucson, Bisbee is a mining town turned arts community in Southern Arizona. This spot frequently is widely known as one of the most gay-friendly places in the entire state.
Residents and visitors alike enjoy mountain views along with plenty of quirky shops downtown. One business that caters to the community is Bisbee Soap & Sundry. The company makes a signature Gay Bar annually that’s in rainbow colors.
Bisbee Pride was started in 2004 by a small group of friends. Today, it’s a thriving nonprofit that supports the local community through such activities as movie screenings, a lingerie pub crawl, and a drag brunch show.
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit (pronounced “o-gun-quit”) is a coastal city that looks like something out of a Hallmark film, complete with historic New England homes, grand hotels, a charming village, and miles of sandy beaches.
For a home away from home, the gay-friendly Admiral’s Inn features 61 well-appointed rooms, a spa, a gym, and two outdoor pools where guests can mingle. Open seasonally in summer, it also offers a varity of room types in multipe buildings and enjoys a central location set on three acres south of the main village.
Entertainment also abounds in this small town. Established in 2000, Mainestreet is a lively dance club and lounge that’s notable for its dueling drag races, while the Front Porch features a dining room, lounge, and a sing-along piano bar. For live summer theater, check out the historic Ogunquit Playhouse. Summer also brings one of the state’s largest Pride festivals to Ogunquit, which celebrates from the beach to the stage.
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From Eureka Springs to P-town, Brisbee to Ogunquit, small towns beckon with big hospitality and brim with history, natural scenery, and plenty to see and do for a weekend visit—or longer.