Top 15 safest U.S. cities for LGBTQ+ travel
04/17/25
Get ready for a safe and fabulous LGBTQ+ travel experience
The famed Castro District in San Francisco, California
hakanyalicn/ShutterstockJust in time for the spring and summer travel season, misterb&b has created the Queer Safety Index to aid LGBTQ+ travelers in selecting a fun and safe escape.
The online travel portal, which connects travelers looking for queer-friendly accommodations (ranging from rooms to hotels from queer providers and allies), tips for dining, or even new companions or friends in faraway destinations, has created the index using a variety of source studying the climate for the community in states and cities nationwide.
“The LGBTQ+ Safety Index is an ordered ranking based on a weighted scoring model incorporating multiple data sources, starting with misterb&b most booked destinations,” misterb&b explains in a recent blog post.
In addition to examining travel trends and preferences from its vast customer, vendor, and online databases, misterb&b also used the Movement Advancement Project’s (MAP) Overall Policy Tally to assess state-level protections and risks, the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI) to evaluate a city’s LGBTQ+ policies, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union to examine legislative risks, PFLAG for its community support, and the latest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for safety and hate crime reporting.
You can follow the links to learn more about misterb&b and its Queer Safety Index.
Keep scrolling to see misterb&b’s top 15 safest U.S. cities for LGBTQ+ travel.
15. Washington, DC
U.S. Capitol building, Washington, D.C.
shutterstock creative
Despite the current Trump administration, our nation’s capital scores high marks across the board for LGBTQ+ travelers. It has the Smithsonian museums, historic monuments, and grand architecture for daytime activities and a great foodie and nightlife scene for after sunset.
misterb&b score: 0.737
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Washington, D.C.: 40.75/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: N/A
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Washington, D.C. at misterb&b.
14. New York City, New York
Statue of Liberty overlooking New York City, New York
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While some may say The Big Apple is too low on this list, NYC – with its fine dining, lights of Broadway, the museums, and the nightlife that last until dawn – is still a bucket list destination for many gays..
misterb&b score: 0.75
MAP Overall Policy Tally – New York: 44.5/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to New York City at misterb&b.
RELATED: Broadway-bound – the best hotels in NYC’s Theater District
13. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
shutterstock creative
Our nation’s original capital, Philadelphia is filled with history as well as a rich LGBTQ+ scene.
misterb&b score: 0.776131
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Pennsylvania: 16.75 (fair)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Philadelphia at misterb&b.
RELATED: A virtual tour of Philadelphia’s ghostly Eastern State Penitentiary
12. Palm Springs, California
Marilyn Monroe statue in Palm Springs, California
Angel DiBilio/Shutterstock
Palm Springs is a cultured oasis of LGBTQ+ inclusivity, where the gays can escape to fine dining, accommodations for every taste and budget, and stunning natural surroundings.
misterb&b score: 0.782136
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Palm Springs at misterb&b.
11. Cathedral City, California
The not-so-famous 'Cathedral City' sign in Cathedral City, California
Michael Vi/Shutterstock
While not as well-known as its neighboring Palm Springs, Cathedral City has plenty of action at clothing-optional gay resorts.
misterb&b score: 0.785347
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Cathedral City at misterb&b.
RELATED: L.A. to Palm Springs and Cathedral City with a hope, a pray, and a leaf
10. Providence, Rhode Island
Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island
ESB Professional/Shutterstock
Providence is the biggest city in the smallest state, a true hidden gem for the LGBTQ+ community with its nightlife, food scene, and waterfront location.
misterb&b score: 0.788671
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Rhode Island: 38/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Providence at misterb&b.
RELATED: 75+ pics of Providence Pride 2024 show how the other P-Town parties
9. Las Vegas, Nevada
The famous 'Welcome' sign in Las Vegas, Nevada
shutterstock creative
Sin City has it all for the gay community, with great dining and nightlife opportunities.
misterb&b score: 0.794831
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Nevada: 41.25/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Las Vegas at misterb&b.
RELATED: Las Vegas is a top LGBTQ+ destination, and the day clubs are more inclusive than ever
8. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Poco Apoco Plaza in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bear Prints Media/ShutterstockSitting at an elevation of 5,312 feet, Albuquerque is the other ‘mile high city.’
misterb&b score: 0.801627
MAP Overall Policy Tally – New Mexico: 36/49 (medium)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Albuquerque at misterb&b.
RELATED: The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway is perfect for Fall colors
7. Denver, Colorado
Union Station in Denver, Colorado
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
The Mile High City has quickly become a world-class city with unparalleled natural beauty, major sporting teams, a progressive culture, and a thriving LGBTQ+ community. And the state is led by out by Democratic Gov. Jarid Polis.
misterb&b score: 0.803871
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Colorado: 45.25 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Denver at misterb&b.
RELATED: These chill celebrations show Colorado’s state-wide Pride
6. Honolulu, Hawaii
Surf shack on the beach in Honolulu, Hawaii
Eddy Galeotti/Shutterstock
Surf’s up for LGBTQ+ travelers at this true island paradise.
misterb&b score: 0.805810
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Hawaii: 31.75/49 (medium)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
5. San Diego, California
Coronado Bridge connects communities in San Diego, California
shutterstock creative
Proudly billing itself as “America’s Finest City,” sunny San Diego is famous for its mild year-round climate and thriving gay community.
misterb&b score: 0.819190
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to San Diego at misterb&b.
RELATED: Surf, sand, and super blooms – the great Southern California road trip
4. Portland, Oregon
Marquam Bridge in Portland, Oregon
shutterstock creative
‘Keep Portland Weird’ isn’t just a slogan for some in this beautiful Pacific Northwest city, which might factor into why it’s so popular among LGBTQ+ travelers.
misterb&b score: 0.828624
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Oregon: 37.5/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Portland at misterb&b.
RELATED: Your gay guide to the Oregon wine country just outside Portland
3. San Francisco, California
The famed Castro District ('The Castro') in San Francisco, CA
Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock
With its history of gay activism, the Castro, a culinary scene second to none, and a true ‘small city’ experience set in a truly stunning location, there’s no need to explain why the City by the Bay ranks so high on just about everyone's bucket list.
misterb&b score: 0.859765
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to San Francisco at misterb&b.
RELATED: Exploring San Francisco on a budget
2. Seattle, Washington
Space Needle tower in downtown Seattle, Washington
shutterstock creative
Seattle is famous for its seafood and stunning scenery, but it’s also a great destination for LGBTQ+ travelers.
misterb&b score: 0.8820167396811622
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Washington: 40.25/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
1. Chicago, Illinois
Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois
f11photo/Shutterstock
The Windy City tops this list for safety, but also spoils LGBTQ+ visitors and residents alike with multiple gayborhoods, museums, nightlife, and an outstanding foodie scene.
misterb&b score: 0.925818
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Illinois: 43/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Chicago at misterb&b.
RELATED: A queer guide to Chicago gayborhoods
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