Planning Your Gay Vacay, Part One

Vacations are on my mind these days. In just a few days, I’m off to Cape Cod for a week-long writing retreat where I’ll be revising my first novel and starting work on a picture book for children. And Eric and I are in the midst of planning a trip to Colorado this summer. So all our talk of vacations, flights, car rentals, and lodging got me thinking that now might be a good time to blog about gay vacation spots. So here is the first part of a look at some popular GLBTQ vacation haunts, all within an eight-hour drive of the Delaware Valley. First we’re headed due north.

There’s no place quite like Provincetown, Massachusetts, a seaside village at the very tip of Cape Cod. From its lighthouses to its bodacious drag queens, from its eclectic cuisine to its diverse shops, and from it exciting nightlife to its breathtaking beaches, Provincetown is a big hit with the queer scene. P-Town is well known for its various theme weeks (Bear Week, Family Week, Women’s Week, Carnival Week, among others). Carnival Week needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s a week of events and activities, and culminates in a festive, often jaw-dropping parade. This year’s Carnival theme is Viva Las Vegas. While P-Town has lots of fun-filled happenings, it also has its share of charitable events, including Harbor to the Bay, a bike ride for HIV/AIDS. P-Town is a unique place, a respite where all are welcomed and accepted. Got questions about P-Town? E-mail me at robbcsewell@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge. 

Some sixty or so miles north of Boston is Ogunquit, Maine, another village that is popular with the GLBTQ set. Replete with three miles of beaches, Ogunquit boasts restaurants, shops, and clubs. Coming up this spring and summer are the second annual Rainbow Film Festival (May 31 to June 2) and a production of Young Frankenstein at the Ogunquit Playhouse (July 10 to 27). And a lot more events are now in the planning stages. 

A bit closer to home is Fire Island in New York. Two communities on Fire Island — The Pines and Cherry Grove — are home to the gay set. The Pines caters to the party crowd and gay professionals while Cherry Grove is more inclusive, attracting both younger and older people. Considering that many seaside communities are still recovering from the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Sandy, it’s wise to do some research to see how The Pines and Cherry Grove are faring these days and what’s open. 

Finally, also in New York and about three hours from New York City, is Easton Mountain, a retreat center, targeting men, that is aimed at nourishing the body, mind, and spirit through a variety of programs, including yoga, erotic energy, spirituality, meditation, and Reiki, among many others. A highlight of the summer is the Out in the Woods Music Festival, scheduled for Saturday, August 10. 

Next week, should I have Interwebs connectivity during my time in Provincetown, I’ll be taking a look at a few more gay vacation spots, including Rainbow Mountain and Rehoboth Beach. And I’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite gay vacation spots? Share them below in the comments section.