Things to do in Tallinn, Estonia

Things to do in Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, the capital and largest city in the northern European country of Estonia, is an innovative and creative hub at the intersection of Northern and Eastern Europe. Here, ancient castles and cobblestone streets marry with repurposed warehouses and sleek, modern urban districts. The city of about 425,000 is a city of contrasts, both the best-preserved medieval city in the region and home to the third-most startups per capita on the continent. The capital’s unique beer culture, entrepreneurial energy, and fun repurposed neighborhoods make it one of the coolest cities in all of Europe. Here’s what to expect.


Baltic and Scandinavian influences are seen throughout the city.


Scenic summer view of the Old Town and harbor harbor in Tallinn, Estonia

Photo: Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock


Estonia’s location on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea makes it part of the Baltic states along with Latvia and Lithuania. But the roots of its people and language are actually Finnish since the country is just across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki and the rest of Scandinavia. This means that Tallinn is right at the crossroads of Northern and Eastern Europe, with Gothic architecture seamlessly blending both worlds, home to dense Baltic forests with thousands of Scandinavian islands.


Tallinn’s three redeveloped commercial neighborhoods make an ideal day’s walk.


Photo: kavalenkava/Shutterstock


A weekend, or even a day, in Tallinn should be spent on foot, taking in the distinct character of each of the city’s neighborhoods. Book lodging in the Old Town city center where a room at the Hotel Bern or a similar local boutique runs about $60 per night. From here, access is easy to the trendy new districts that have popped up over the past decade, fueled by the country’s welcoming attitude toward new businesses and residents (it’s quite easy to register a business in Tallinn, even if its business is done online).


Chief among the redeveloped neighborhoods is the refurbished Port Noblessner area. Blue-collar workers used to build and assemble submarines here for the Soviets during the years of occupation. The Maritime Museum showcases the region’s history, but it’s still an active port today. The neighborhood is home to the popular Põhjala Brewery, and surrounding the brewery are a slew of new condo developments and a groovy night club simply called Hall. The gorgeous ShiShi home decor brand’s flagship is also found here, alongside the Michelin-chef-helmed 180°eatery and the Kai Art Center. The neighborhood is easily walkable in less than 15 minutes from the city center, the walk itself an engaging way to take in the city’s Gothic architecture.


In western Tallinn between the port and the heart of town is the creative center, aptly titled the Telliskivi Creative City. Loaded with cool street art, artist studios, and a renovated multi-story central market, this neighborhood has become a hub for the city’s young and expressive. A weekly flea market and hundreds of cultural events happen here each year, from art shows to concerts to spoken word — find out what’s on during your visit via the neighborhood’s official website. After wandering through the market, visit the famous Fotografiska museum of photography and allow enough time for a meal, as the museum has a zero-waste restaurant on site.


Finally, right next to Old Town sits the Rotermann Quarter, which was named in honor of a local Estonian business family. With its slew of renovated factories and industrial buildings, this area is now a bustling commercial center. Restaurant R14, with inventive cuisine and a killer wine list, calls the Rotermann home. Other highlights include the Tallinn Design House, which celebrates the best of local design in clothing, jewelry, traditional handicrafts, and more. The Estonian Museum of Architecture is also situated in the district. This is especially fitting as a number of renovated historical buildings have been recognized internationally for their architectural beauty. Be sure to walk by and photograph the old Town Hall building, St. Olaf’s Church, and the Great Guild Hall.


There’s no shortage of stops for a pint along the way.


Photo: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock


The Baltic states are renowned for their Porters, originally brewed in the 18th and 19th centuries as a means to combat the often brutal winter seasons this far north. With a long tradition of homebrewing in the area, it only makes sense that Estonia has emerged as a craft beer haven — there are over 80 microbreweries in this nation of just one million inhabitants. Põhjala has led the charge as the Baltic’s largest beer producer, a worthy feat accomplished in just the near-decade since its 2011 opening. Here you’ll find locally inspired brews like the Rye River rye ale and Pilky Pilsner.


Another local favorite is Tanker Brewery, about 12.5 miles outside the capital’s city center and reachable by taxi or Uber. This operation has embraced the Estonian sauna tradition by producing a beer called Sauna Session, specifically to be enjoyed during its namesake activity.


Estonian brewers tend to embrace natural, and often foraged, ingredients. Põhjala has utilized juniper, rye, lingonberries, and blueberries, among other local rations, over the years for its aptly named “Forest Series.” Tanker has welcomed funky local additives like cloudberries, sea buckthorn, and black currant. If you don’t make it all the way out to Tanker, try one of the brews at one of Old Town’s beer bars, including Tuba Bar and Koht or at Pudel in the Telliskivi Creative City.


The city is fueled by a thriving community of entrepreneurs.


Photo: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock


As previously mentioned, Tallinn is a hotbed of innovation and breeds more startups per capita than most better-known European cities. In fact, Estonia ranks third for most startups, a community that has produced the likes of Skype and attracted banking giant Transferwise. Other celebrated startups from this region include the rideshare company Bolt (formerly Taxify) and robot delivery beast Starship Technologies. Trend data indicated that most startups can be grouped into Location Services, Engineering & Technology, and Electronics & Hardware categories. Estonia’s success can be partially explained by its startup visa and e-residency programs, which allow Estonian residents and even non-residents to form and run a business based here.



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Best Boston Freedom Trail itinerary

Best Boston Freedom Trail itinerary

Spend an afternoon in downtown Boston, and you may encounter a man in a waistcoat and breeches spouting facts about the American Revolution. The city’s top attraction is a set of 16 historic sites known as the Freedom Trail, and the costumed guides who herd tourists down the 2.5-mile red-brick path that cuts through northern Boston have become fixtures of the city. Impressive as their commitment to historical accuracy is, the Freedom Trail can be an opportunity to appreciate more than just Boston’s past. Consider an itinerary that loops in off-trail sites to showcase the best of the city from Beacon Hill to the North End, the colonial era to today. Follow these tips to turn your Freedom Trail tour into a full day on the town.


Start at Faneuil Hall and make a loop.


Photo: Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/Shutterstock


To do the Freedom Trail start to finish, travelers typically head north from Boston Common or south from the Bunker Hill Monument, following a relatively straight line between downtown Boston and Charlestown across the river. We recommend a more circuitous route. Begin your tour at Faneuil Hall, a Revolutionary-era meeting hall and marketplace that’s filled with shops and restaurants. Grab a bite at Quincy Market to fuel up for the walk ahead, then continue on to the North End sites: Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, Old North Church, and Paul Revere House.


Photo: HDnrg/Shutterstock


Take your time surveying the North End, a neighborhood that has been lived in since the 17th century, but work in some newer landmarks too. En route to Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, stage a photo op outside Boston’s famously narrow Skinny House. After visiting Old North Church, detour to All Saints Way on Battery Street, where Boston resident Peter Baldassari has been curating an alleyway shrine to Catholic saints for years. From there, walk toward the water to find some of the best views in the city around Battery Wharf.


Photo: Caffé Vittoria/Facebook


Getting back to the trail, Paul Revere House closes out the North End sites. Around the corner, grab a cappuccino at Caffè Vittoria, said to be the first Italian cafe in Boston and a must-eat cannoli spot in Little Italy. Once caffeinated, start heading back toward Faneuil Hall, but stop by the little-known Rose Kennedy Rose Garden first. Located in Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, it’s the perfect secret spot to rest your feet a minute.


Breeze through the next set of sites.


Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock


Sixteen landmarks sounds like a lot to squeeze into a few hours. Boston was a lot smaller in its early days, however, as is evidenced by the density of Freedom Trail sites in the downtown area. Clustered together are several landmarks that you can visit in relatively quick succession, including the Boston Massacre Site, Old South Meeting House, Old Corner Bookstore, Benjamin Franklin Statue, Granary Burying Ground, Park Street Church, and Old State House.


Two other sites offer additional tours. If you have the bandwidth, take the 25-minute tour of the Old State House, the city’s oldest surviving public structure, or either the Bells & Bones or Art & Architecture tour at King’s Chapel.


Do a lap around Beacon Hill.


Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock


After a big burst of sightseeing, it’s time to reward yourself with a leisurely stroll through one of Boston’s most charming neighborhoods, which begins just east of King’s Chapel. Home to the grand Massachusetts State House and some of the priciest old brick real estate in the city, Beacon Hill is a shopper’s and diner’s playground, with boutiques lining Charles Street, your choice of white-tablecloth bistros and brasseries, and cobblestoned Acorn Street’s glimpse into what early Boston might have looked like. Try Ma Maison if you’re ready for a meal.



Though the Freedom Trail serves up more than enough historic sites on its own, Beacon Hill also plays host to the Black Heritage Trail. For a different perspective on American history, head to Joy Street for the Museum of African American History, housed in the former Abiel Smith School adjacent to the African Meeting House, both of which are National Historic Sites.


Don’t stop at Boston Common.


Photo: ab1358/Shutterstock


You may find yourself breezing through much of the Freedom Trail, but Boston Common is one site where you’ll want to slow things down and enjoy the scenery. Sharing two edges with Beacon Hill, the Common was established in 1634, and almost exactly 200 years later, the Boston Public Garden was built adjacent to it in 1837.


Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock


Though not technically a Freedom Trail site, the Public Garden is too lovely, and too convenient, to skip. Visitors know it best for the Swan Boats that ferry passengers across the pond. There’s something to do in the parks no matter the season, be it sprawling on the grass or ice skating on the Common’s Frog Pond. Depending on when you visit, see what’s on in the city as annual events like tree lightings and the Boston Freedom Rally are held in the parks, as well.


Don’t forget Charlestown.


Photo: Zack Frank/Shutterstock


Most of the Freedom Trail connects neatly from the North End to Boston Common. The final two sites are located across the North Washington Street Bridge in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood. Though often overlooked by visitors, even some who walk the Freedom Trail, Charlestown is where the Massachusetts Bay Colony originally settled, later developing ties to Boston’s Irish and naval heritage. Here, you’ll find the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument, which commemorates the first significant battle of the Revolutionary War.


Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock


If you want to do the Freedom Trail in one fell swoop, it makes sense to start your tour at Boston Common and end at the Bunker Hill Monument. Time permitting, however, we recommend splitting the trail into two tours to fully appreciate both downtown Boston and Charlestown. You’re more likely to climb to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument and visit the museum at its base that way. You’ll have time for the 45-minute USS Constitution Tour. And, depending on which you visit last, you can top it off with a seafood lunch at Pier 6, right there in the Naval Yard, or get a pint and Sons of Liberty Burger at Warren Tavern, founded in 1780.



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Where to see rocket launches 2020

Where to see rocket launches 2020

Rocket launches aren’t just for Florida anymore. Noting that the second-most-popular tourist attraction in Central Florida is the massive Kennedy Space Center, the rest of America — and the world – has begun developing tourism around the awe-inspiring experience of watching a rocket shoot into space. And many of them are in places worth visiting for more than just the launch. Though our American launch pads are easily the most accessible, if you were planning a trip to South America, Japan, or a number of other equatorial destinations, you may want to plan them around a launch. Here’s a look at where you can catch them this year.


1. Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center, Florida


Photo: NaughtyNut/Shutterstock


Launch dates: March 2, 4, 19, 30; April 29; May 7; July 17; August 5; and others to be determined throughout the year


Far and away the world’s most prolific spaceport, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center in Central Florida will be launching everything from SpaceX space station resupply missions to the much-anticipated Mars rover on July 17. It’s the most visitor-friendly launch site, with a massive museum and visitors center to get you behind the action once the launch is over.


Getting there: Fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO) and drive the 45 minutes or so to the Space Coast. If you’re road-tripping, the space center has multiple exits off I-95.


How to watch: Kennedy Space Center has designated viewing areas you can buy tickets for in addition to your regular admission. Some are as close as 2.3 miles from the launch pad and are undoubtedly the best seats in the house. If you don’t want to pay, the beach parks in Cocoa Beach and Titusville still have fantastic vantage points and give you the opportunity to lie on the sand while you wait. In Port Canaveral, head to the top of the Exploration Tower and get a panoramic view of the launch, or watch through the tower’s telescopes.


Where to stay: It’s wholly possible to stay in Orlando and drive over for the launch. But if you want to avoid traffic and sleep in an extra hour, you’ll find plenty of hotels in Titusville and Melbourne, both short drives from the center.


2. Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, French Guiana


Photo: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock


Launch dates: March 23-24, April 10, June, and additional launch sometime in 2020.


If you’re not super into space travel, you probably wouldn’t know that Europe’s largest spaceport isn’t even in Europe. France takes full advantage of the geographic and weather advantages of its South American department and launches most of Europe’s rockets from this port on the Caribbean coast. This year’s most notable launch will come sometime in the middle of the year, with the debut of Europe’s new Vega C rocket.


Getting there: To put it mildly, getting to French Guyana isn’t easy. The only major airport in the country is Cayenne (CAY), which is only accessible via other French Caribbean airports in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Haiti. Connections through those airports all involve overnight stays, so it may actually be more efficient for you to fly to Paris and jump on a nonstop from there. You could also try and road trip it from Suriname or Brazil, but you’d really need to be down for an adventure.


How to watch: The space center offers limited seating at several viewing areas around the space port, some as close as three or four miles away. You’ll need to contact the port to make a reservation, and you must be at least 16 years old to watch from the closest platform. The seats are free, but if you can’t snag one you can also watch from the beach at Kourou, which is rarely crowded.


Where to stay: Though not a thriving metropolis like Orlando, Kourou has a number of hotels in the three-to-four star range that should suffice for a viewing. Limited supply makes them more expensive than you’d expect, so if you want to save money, you can try staying in Cayenne, about an hour away.


3. Vandenberg Air Force Base, California


Photo: Claudine Van Massenhove/Shutterstock


Launch dates: November and additional launch in the fourth quarter of 2020.


The tricky part about viewing a launch here is the dense fog and mountains that surround the launch pads, meaning you might plan a whole trip around watching an event that’s invisible from more than a few feet away. Still, this year will see two fall launches, one of a spy satellite and the other a SpaceX Falcon 9 satellite dispatched to record sea level data.


Getting there: The nearest airport will be Santa Barbara (SBA), which is about an hour away by car. Otherwise, LAX is about three hours away depending on traffic. If you’d rather drive, Vandenberg is a scenic ride up US-101 and the Pacific Coast Highway.


How to watch: Again, the fog along the California coast can make viewing difficult, and since the base is closed to the public on launch days, your best bet is to pull off to the side of the road at an elevated vantage point. Harris Grade road sits above the fog line and offers the best view on a foggy day. If it’s clear, you can post up in Providence Landing or off Corral Road too, though you still won’t see the rocket until it’s above the mountains.


Where to stay: Santa Barbara will offer the best overall visitor experience if you’re okay to drive an hour for the launch. Otherwise, Lompoc is the nearest city and has a wide selection of mid-range hotels.


4. Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan


Photo: Nostalgia for Infinity/Shutterstock


Launch dates: March 18, 30; April 9, 25; July 23; July 26; October 14; and December 11. Russia’s version of Cape Canaveral is, appropriately, in an area the complete opposite of balmy Florida: the unforgiving steppes of southern Kazakhstan. It was the world’s first spaceport, launching Sputnik 1 in 1957, and has been home to most Soviet and Russian launches ever since. Interestingly, the port is nowhere near the tiny mining town of Bakinour, but the name was used to misdirect the rest of the world from knowing where the Soviets launched. Today it’s no big secret, but it’s not exactly welcoming either.


Getting there: Since the Soviets were big on remote secrecy, Baikonur isn’t easy to reach. The nearest airport is in Kyzylorda (KZO), and flying there generally involves three or four connections. Then you face a four-hour train ride to the site. You can also get direct flights from Moscow on aging Russian airplanes. Your best bet is booking an organized tour, which will run you well into the thousands of dollars.


How to watch: Again, booking a tour is your best bet, though access to the notoriously hard-to-reach base isn’t always guaranteed. Public access isn’t really possible without booking a tour, though, so you might try driving to a spot northeast of the cosmodrome, which puts you right in the rocket’s path.


Where to stay: Booking a tour will get you a night or two in a nearby hotel. Otherwise, there’s not much out here, so your best bet may be trying to camp.


5. Wallops Island Flight Facility, Virginia


Photo: Adam Parent/Shutterstock


Launch dates: March 31, October, and additional launches in the second and fourth quarters of 2020.


Perhaps the most up-close and personal launch experience in the world is at this flight facility on the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula. Here you can watch Antares and sounding rockets take off right in the visitors center, less than a mile from the launching pads. The launches are free and open to the public, and allow you to listen to the radio contact with mission control over the PA system for a fully immersive experience.


Getting there: Wallops Island is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Washington, DC, and two hours up US-12 from Norfolk.


How to watch: Get to the visitor’s center as early as possible on launch dates, as space in the bleachers fill up fast. For launches during hours, the center isn’t usually operational; it opens 90 minutes before the launch. If you can’t get in there, try the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Chincoteague Island, both of which offer outstanding vantage points.


Where to stay: Downtown Chincoteague is the closest place with hotels and is a charming little waterfront town to spend a couple of days.


6. Tanegashima Space Center, Japan


Photo: jo9/Shutterstock


Launch date: May


Though it only has one launch this year (a supply rocket to the International Space Station), Japan’s main spaceport is worth visiting for the surrounding scenery alone. The island of Tanegashima, about 25 miles south of Kyushu, is also full of some of Japan’s best beaches, as well as good surfing and warm weather.


Getting there: Flying from Tokyo, you’ll connect in Kagoshima to Tanegashima airport (TNE) on a journey that takes about three hours in total. Alternatively, you can fly to Kageshima and take a scenic ferry ride over. You can also get nonstop service to TNE from Osaka.


How to watch: Though the Rocket Hill Observatory is closed on launch dates, you can still watch launches for free from Uchugaoka and Hase parks. When the launch is over, you can also visit the space center’s museum for free and arrange guided tours of the entire complex with advance reservations.


Where to stay: Tangeshima has plenty of hotels in all price ranges.


7. Wenchang Space Center, China


Photo: zhangjin_net/Shutterstock


Launch dates: March, April, July, and additional launch late 2020


With a massive asterisk around anything involving China this year, planning a trip to the tropical shores of Hainan Island might be the best vacation for an overseas launch. A few years ago, the Chinese sought to develop space tourism here and have made it quite Canaveral-like, with a full-service museum, interactive exhibits, and a hotel boom to accommodate all the visitors.


Getting there: The nearest airport to Wenchang is Haikou (HAK), which has direct flights from Beijing, Shenyang, and other Chinese mainland cities. Alternatively, you can take a ferry to Haiku from Hainan and Beihai. From Haikou it’s about a one hour and 45-minute drive to Wechang.


How to watch: In true Chinese fashion, the viewing gallery at Wenchang is beyond the scale of anything in America, with seating for 25,000 people. If you don’t feel like cramming yourself in, the views from hotel balconies in the city of Wenchang also offer pretty solid views.


Where to stay: No shortage of hotels in Wenchang, most of which offer beach access to boot.



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LGBTQ guide to Washington, DC

LGBTQ guide to Washington, DC

When you think of Washington, DC, perhaps you flash to a photo of the capitol building and the White House. Maybe you picture a crowded senate floor or a news anchor standing in front of the Supreme Court. DC might not, however, be one of the first places you think of when you think of LGBTQ+ travel destinations. That’s not entirely DC’s fault since first and foremost it’s the capital of the United States and is typically associated with lawmaking and politics. But if you peel back a few of the city’s layers, you’ll find more than just busy bureaucrats. Firstly, Washington DC is filled with activists, protestors, and other LGBTQ advocates on the frontlines of change. (This was, of course, ground zero for the fight for marriage equality). But apart from the politics, you’ll find neighborhoods with unique personalities, a thriving queer nightlife scene, and a vibrant and diverse LGBTQ community.


LGBTQ travelers visiting DC can explore world-class museums, dine on locally sourced menus, and hit up several bars and clubs that specifically cater to the LGBTQ community. To help you make the most of your time in the capital of the United States, we’ve created this list of some of the best things to see and do and where to drink, eat and sleep in Washington, DC.


Outdoor spaces and neighborhoods



Logan Circle


Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock


There are rainbow banners on the light poles in Logan Circle that state “LGBTQ pride is Evey Day.” Logan Circle’s outward show of love for the gay community goes beyond just signage, though. The Washington Blade, an LGBTQ newspaper, is based out of this neighborhood as are several trendy and hip bars and restaurants including Pappe and Trade.


Adams Morgan


You’ll find everything from coffee shops and bars to jumbo slice pizza, psychics who’ll give you a reading for $5, and tattoo parlors in Adams Morgan. The sidewalks and outdoor seating areas buzz with both locals and tourists throughout the day, and as the sun goes down, the music turns up, and the fun begins. Best bets for the LGBTQ community include Songbyrd, Tryst, Pitchers, and A League of Her Own where you can safely enjoy a drink in a queer-friendly space.


Dupont Circle


Photo: Truba7113/Shutterstock


Just south of Adams Morgan you’ll find Dupont Circle, which, to the uninitiated, is more than just a traffic circle with a park in the middle. Dupont Circle is an entire neighborhood, and in addition to a number of embassies and historic homes within its boundaries, it’s also got a mixture of both retail chains and small, local businesses and bars. It’s long been known as one of DC’s “gayborhoods” and is the host of the Capital Pride Parade.


The National Mall


The National Mall in DC isn’t a shopping mall or even an open-air market. It’s a wide-open area that’s home to the Lincoln Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument, and many other monuments and memorials. It’s also a place where people come to hang out, walk, run, picnic, toss a football, and sometimes even gather to protest and march. No trip to DC is complete without at least stepping foot on what’s been nicknamed “America’s Front Yard.”


Capitol Hill


Photo: lazyllama/Shutterstock


This neighborhood is close to the action, politically speaking. The US Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the Senate and House are all located here. It’s more than just the heart of the United States government, though, Capitol Hill is also a place where people live and play. You’ll find neat rowhomes as well as the thriving and bustling Eastern Market where you can pick up all kinds of fresh food and locally-made arts and crafts.


Museums and other places of interest



Human Rights Campaign Headquarters


Photo: Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock


The HRC is the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the country, and it’s been on Rhode Island Avenue since 2003. Though the public can’t just pop in for a tour of the place, you can rent out its event space, the Equality Center, or stand for a photo op under the blue and gold logo out front of the building.


Where: 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW


Supreme Court


The highest and most powerful court in the country is open to the general public most Mondays and Fridays between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM. If you’ve been even remotely interested in the law as it pertains to LGBTQ persons and allies, this is one place you won’t want to miss. Visiting has a way of bringing the abstract into reality for a lot of visitors and is a great place to awaken the activist in us all.


Where: 1 First Street NE


Busboys and Poets


Photo: Busboys and Poets/Facebook


Part coffee shop, bookstore, and restaurant, Busboys and Poets is a place where DC residents gather for open mic nights, author readings, music, and a general love of reading. The original location is on 14th and V street but its success has led to six other locations sprinkled across the city, all of which continue to foster a deep sense of community. This is as safe a space for the LGBTQ community. They have hosted numerous LGBTQ events including Taking the Stage, Taking a Stand: LGBTQ Voices Against Violence.


Where: 2021 14th St NW


The DC Center for the LGBT Community


The DC Center for the LGBT Community hosts numerous events throughout the year in an effort to, as its mission states, educate, empower, celebrate and connect the community. It hosts monthly art markets, opens its doors for meals during the holidays, and occasionally offers guided LGBTQ history walks through the city.


Where: 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105, Washington, DC 20009


Smithsonian National Museum of American History


Photo: V_E/Shutterstock


One of the best things about visiting DC is the number of museums available for you to explore, many of which are free. The National Museum of American History has a fairly new exhibit to share. In June of 2019, it opened an exhibit titled Illegal To Be You: Gay History Beyond Stonewall that is a powerful reminder of the struggles the LGBTQ community has endured, as well the ones it still faces. The exhibit will be up through spring 2020.


Where: Constitution Ave, NW between 12th and 14th Streets


Kramerbooks and Afterwords


Browse and sip in this small-ish bookstore just off Dupont Circle. It’s a well-known safe space for the LGBTQ community with friendly staff who can point you towards their section on gender, which includes many different titles specifically related to LGBTQ studies. Bonus: Check out the Social Justice Book Club, which meets on the third Wednesday of every month.


Where: 1517 Connecticut Avenue NW


Bars and nightclubs



Red Bear Brewing


Photo: Red Bear Brewing/Facebook


Seems like every city you visit these days has more breweries than it knows what to do with. There’s no shortage of breweries on DC’s map, but if you can only pick one we recommend Red Bear Brewing. This gay-owned local business is both a safe space for the LGBTQ community and a great place to drink some unique beers, like their porter dubbed DC Dirt.


Where: 209 M Street NE


Number Nine


Number Nine is a gay bar that’s part of the Logan Circle neighborhood. It sits across from a Whole Foods and is a very short walk from all the trendy bars and restaurants that line 14th Street. It manages to stand out from the crowd, though, with its happy hour on every day from opening until 9:00 PM. The downstairs has a plush L-shaped booth in the window and a herringbone pattern on the floor, which, combined with the decor, gives the space an upscale feel. In addition, it regularly hosts happy hours and fundraisers for the LGBTQ community.


Where: 1435 P Street NW


Nellie’s Sports Bar


Photo: Nellie’s Sports Bar/Facebook


If you’re going to spend a weekend in DC, then prepare to brunch. Because DC does brunch, and it does it well. Nellie’s is a great pick. You’ll need tickets for the drag brunch, but it includes the show, an all you can eat buffet, a drink, and the tip. If you can’t make it to the brunch or tickets are sold out, no worries — they have something going on every single day of the week. Bingo, trivia, ping pong, etc. Their Instagram calls them “…a meeting place for all things sports and LGBTQ+!”


Where: 900 U Street NW


Trade


Just a short walk from the mentioned Number Nine, Trade is also located in Logan Circle and is known for its huge happy hour cocktails, which it calls its XL Happy Hour. You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see the big rainbow taped on the outside window. Grab a seat in the window and people watch or show up later for one of their events. They’ve usually got something special going on at least four nights a week. And if you’re lucky enough to be in town for New Year’s Eve, you can take part in their New Queers Eve celebration with a few shows, music, and booze.


Where: 1410 14th Street NW


Pitchers and A League of Her Own


Photo: Pitchers DC/Facebook


At the bottom of 18th St NW, just before it intersects with Kalorama, you’ll find a grey building that houses both Pitchers and A League of Her Own. Pitchers caters to gay men, and the downstairs, A League of Her Own, is, as the name suggests, for the lesbian crowd. Both spaces have an easy-going sports bar vibe with TVs on the walls and a few areas where you can play video games. Though there are separate entrances to both places; once inside you can access either bar.


Where: 2319 18th Street, NW


Ziegfeld’s/Secrets


Ziegfeld’s/Secrets is a two-for-one venue for the LGBTQ crowd that specifically caters to those who love drag. You can expect nude male dancers, VIP table service, and DJs. They also hold amateur contests for cash prizes, and for those of you who have always wanted to be in the spotlight, they have open dancer auditions that they call “New Meat” every Thursday.


Where: 1824 Half Street SW


Sleaze at the Wonderland Ballroom


Photo: Sleaze/Facebook


If you’re going to visit DC, try to make it near the beginning of the month so you can hit up one of the coolest parties in the city, Sleaze at the Wonderland Ballroom. It takes place during the first Thursday of every month and includes drinks, drag, and dancing, as well as music by DJ Keenan Orr and DJ Lemz.


Where: 1101 Kenyon Street NW


DC Eagle


Once a year a new Mr. and Ms. DC Eagle is crowned at this self-described leather/fetish bar. This contest dates back to 1982 for men. Ms. DC Eagle was established in 2019. The crowning of Mr. and Ms. DC Eagle is just one of many events held at this bar throughout the year. Karaoke and drag shows are weekly staples at the DC Eagle.


Where: 3701 Benning Road NE


Songbyrd



Old boom boxes, a gay flag, and some cool vintage stadium seats greet you out front of this all-in-one cafe, roastery, music venue, restaurant, and bar. The vibe is laid-back and chill, and the weekday happy hour means $2 off draft beers. Stop in for a show or to record something — a song, a poem, a memory — on their Voice-O-Graph. You get a little over a few minutes to say or sing anything you like and have it pressed on vinyl, and the cost is only about $15. Oh, and if you need Halloween plans, checkout Songbyrd. In 2019, they teamed up with The Qrew, an inclusive queer community, and hosted HalloQween.


Restaurants



Photo: Pappe DC + Reema Desai/Facebook


Pappe


Step under the rainbow flag and inside Pappe for brunch, lunch, or dinner and treat yourself to some of the most delicious Indian food you can find in DC. The menu has several entrees including Palak with chicken, as well as lots of dishes to share. There are several naan options, but you can’t go wrong with the garlic naan. If you’re looking for a place to eat during Pride, head to Pappe as it features True Colors Cava, which donates a portion of their sales to the LGBTQ community.


Where: 1317 14th Street NW


Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse


Annie’s has long been regarded as a safe haven for the LGBTQ community. In 2019 it was named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation. The restaurant has been an anchor in the community since it opened its doors in 1948. There’s a famous story that’s told over and over at Annie’s about two men who were holding hands under the table but when spotted by Annie, she told them, “You don’t have to hide that here,” and encouraged them to hold hands on top of the table. That same sentiment still greets customers today.


Where: 1609 27th Street NW


The Duplex Diner



Down to earth, unpretentious, and reasonably priced are three of the things that come to mind when you mention the Duplex Diner. In addition to its $10 hamburger, the Duplex Diner has a great specials, including the All Day Rosé and Tuesday night burger night, which is half-price burgers. But one thing that might really catch your eye is their LGB-Tea. Word to the wise … it’s made with Bulleit Bourbon.


Hank’s Oyster Bar


One quick scroll through Hank’s Oyster Bar’s Instagram feed will most likely get your mouth watering, but if for some reason the visuals of the freshly shucked oysters, lobster bisque, and peel-and-eat shrimp aren’t enough, know that they’re LGBTQ owned and proud of it. There are four locations, but we recommend the one in Dupont Circle.


Where: 1624 Q Street NW


Right Proper Brewing



There are two Right Proper locations: One is the brewpub with a restaurant that’s located in Shaw, and the other, on Girard Street, is where they make the beers. If you want to take a tour, head to the Girard Street location. If you want to settle in for some good conversation and some food, head to the one in Shaw. Both locations offer up not only delicious, hand-crafted beers that are brewed on-premises but also a safe space. Be on the lookout for some of their Pride gear. They sell cool tanks and t-shirts and even brew a specialty beer or two for the occasion. In 2019, they brewed a wheat ale called “Brewed This Way.”


Where: 624 T Street NW


Accomodation




HighRoad Hostel


Located right in the heart of Adams Morgan, the HighRoad Hostel gives you great access to both Pitchers and A League of Her Own, both mentioned above. They’re literally a two-minute walk from the hostel. In addition to a great location, the HighRoad Hostel also has a nice common area with a couple of charging stations and computers that makes it a great place for meeting people. And in case you have any doubt about whether or not the gay community is here, there’s always friendly staff to greet you and gay flags over the WiFi password poster. Pro tip: The hostel looks like a brick row home, and there aren’t any big signs, so put the address into your GPS.


Where: 1804 Belmont Road NW


The Darcy


Photo: The Darcy/Facebook


There’s a gay flag flying above the entrance to the Darcy, a boutique hotel, in between Dupont Circle and Shaw, and they even go so far as to state on their website that they’re LGBTQ-friendly. If you’re traveling to DC for pride, this hotel is centrally located and ready to welcome you with open arms.


Where: 1515 Rhode Island Ave NW


Events



Capital Pride


Photo: Capital Pride/Facebook


June 1975 marks the first annual Pride event in DC. Each year since then, the Capital Pride Alliance organizes one of the largest pride events in the country. The Incrediball: The Capital Pride Honors and Kick-Off Party is held at the start of the event. The night includes dancing, drag performances, and an open bar. There are numerous events throughout the Capital with the Pride Parade and Festival closing out the week.


Pride Night OUT Series


Team DC organizes Washington’s “Pride Night OUT Sports Series,” which means themed events for the LGBTQ community at home games for the Redskins, Capitals, Nationals, DC United, Mystics, Prodigy, and more. There are typically rainbow-adorned memorabilia/souvenirs at these events in the form of t-shirts and flags. Last year, some of the members of the Capitals, DC’s professional ice hockey team, even warmed up with rainbow-adorned hockey sticks.


Annual Metro DC PFLAG Pride Party


Red Bear Brewing Company, a gay-owned business, has teamed up with PFLAG to put on a pride party. The event consists of music, a silent auction, and, of course, craft beer. All proceeds go to supporting the Metro DC chapter of PFLAG and its programs.


Youth Pride Day


Once a year the LGBTQ community comes together to put on the annual Youth Pride Day. The event is put on by the non-profit Youth Pride Alliance and is held in Dupont Circle. Performers, speakers, and service providers are all on-hand for this event to help bolster visibility, equality and social justice for younger members of the LGBTQ community.



The post The ultimate LGBTQ guide for Washington, DC appeared first on Matador Network.


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