Cooler weather doesn’t have to mean staying home. In fact, fall and winter are the perfect times for a getaway. LGBTQ+ travelers can choose from destinations that pair beautiful settings, from sunny beaches to snowy mountains, with a strong sense of community. Whether you’re looking for a warm-weather break, a wine country weekend, or a queer-friendly ski trip, these spots offer events, nightlife, and local culture worth the trip, no matter the season.
Warm and welcoming spots
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene beats in Zona Romántica, a walkable neighborhood lined with queer bars, lively beach clubs, art galleries, and boutique hotels. The area is also home to inclusive healthcare services, including clinics that offer PrEP and other affirming care, making it a welcoming space for both visitors and residents. Puerto Vallarta is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s safest and most vibrant LGBTQ+ destinations, drawing international travelers year-round.
Its nightlife is a major draw, with renowned drag queens and cabaret performers taking the stage at venues like The Palm Cabaret and Act2PV. Stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race and popular drag performers from the U.S., frequently headline shows here, alongside local favorites. From beachfront happy hours to late-night drag revues, Puerto Vallarta blends tropical beauty with a thriving queer arts and entertainment scene that’s hard to match. Plus flights from most destinations in the U.S. are under five hours.
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs has been a popular LGBTQ+ destination for decades, known for its desert scenery, mid-century architecture and large queer community. (It’s estimated that around 50% of Palm Springs residents identify as LGBTQ+.) The city has a wide range of LGBTQ+-owned hotels, restaurants, and bars, plus a busy events calendar even in the cooler months.
November brings Palm Springs Pride, which takes over downtown with a parade, concerts, and block parties. In late March, The Dinah draws thousands for the largest lesbian-focused event in the world, with pool parties, live music, and comedy shows. The city is also a good base for exploring the surrounding area, from Joshua Tree National Park to nearby hot springs. With sunny weather and plenty of LGBTQ+ spaces, Palm Springs offers a reliable warm-weather getaway.
Plus, it’s a dry heat!
Fall cool-weather getaways
Provincetown, Massachusetts
At the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a longtime LGBTQ+ destination with deep community roots and a strong arts scene. Fall and winter bring a slower pace, smaller crowds, and lower rates on many LGBTQ+-owned inns and guesthouses.
And P-Town isn’t just for visiting in the summer. Whale watching runs into late October, and events like Women’s Week in the fall and Holly Folly in December keep the calendar active. Even in quieter months, year-round spots like the Provincetown Art Association and Museum and the Crown & Anchor offer things to do. For travelers who want a coastal getaway without the crowds, off-season Provincetown offers a more relaxed experience while keeping its queer character front and center.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is the center of the city’s LGBTQ+ life, with bars, clubs, bookstores, and community spaces that stay busy through the winter. The city has a strong arts scene and regular drag shows at venues like Queer/Bar and Unicorn. Seattle also boasts one of the country’s remaining lesbian bars, The Wildrose Bar, a Seattle staple since 1984.
Winter in Seattle is mild compared to much of the country, though it’s rainy. That makes it a good choice for travelers who prefer cooler weather without heavy snow. (Note that residents of the PNW often favors rain jackets over umbrellas.) The city’s coffee culture, museums, and music venues offer plenty of indoor options, while outdoor enthusiasts can take day trips to nearby mountains for skiing or snowshoeing. Seattle combines big-city amenities with a visible queer community and easy access to Pacific Northwest nature. Bonus: Portland, Oregon is only a three hour road trip away for another queer adventure.
Santa Rosa and Healdsburg, California
Located in Sonoma County’s wine country, Santa Rosa and Healdsburg offer a mix of vineyard landscapes, small-town charm, and a growing LGBTQ+ presence. Fall is harvest season with temperatures in the high 60s to low 40s, making it an ideal time to visit for wine tastings, grape stomping and seasonal food events.
Out in the Vineyard, an LGBTQ+-owned wine tour company, hosts events throughout the year, including wine weekends and private tastings at queer-friendly wineries. Both towns have walkable downtowns with tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops, and Healdsburg’s plaza is a popular gathering spot.
Snowy and Nordic escapes
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly capitals in the world, with strong legal protections and visible queer culture. (Same-sex marriage has been legal in Iceland since 2010.) While daylight hours are short in winter, the city comes alive with seasonal events, cozy cafés, and easy access to Iceland’s natural attractions like its famous hot springs.
The downtown area has a small but active queer nightlife scene, with bars like Kiki Queer Bar and regular drag shows. Winter travelers can combine city time with day trips to the Blue Lagoon, northern lights tours, and glacier excursions. February’s Rainbow Reykjavik festival brings together locals and visitors for parties, performances and guided trips to Iceland’s landmarks.
Reykjavik’s approachable size makes it easy to explore on foot, and the city’s inclusive atmosphere means LGBTQ+ travelers are welcome year-round, whether they’re there for nightlife, nature or both.
Montreal, Canada
Montreal blends European-style charm with a lively, year-round queer scene. The Village, one of the largest LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in North America, is packed with bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops, many of which stay busy even through the cold months.
Winter brings holiday markets, outdoor skating rinks, and cultural festivals, along with a steady lineup of drag shows and queer nightlife. Winter events like Igloofest, an outdoor electronic music festival, draw big crowds and often feature queer performers like DJ Minx and Dopamyne.
For travelers who want a respite from the cold, the city has an extensive underground pedestrian network known as the RESO, connecting shopping centers, transit hubs and attractions without having to go outside. Combined with its arts scene, diverse food options, and inclusive atmosphere, Montreal offers plenty for LGBTQ+ travelers year-round.
Telluride, Colorado
Known for its dramatic mountain setting and historic charm, Telluride is also home to one of the country’s top queer ski events. Telluride Gay Ski Week takes place each February, bringing together skiers, snowboarders, and non-skiers for a week of parties, drag shows, film screenings and on-mountain events.
The town has a walkable downtown with independent shops, restaurants and bars, plus a free gondola that connects Telluride to the nearby Mountain Village. Even outside of Gay Ski Week, Telluride offers high-quality skiing, snowboarding and winter activities in an inclusive, welcoming environment.