The aptly named city of brotherly love is a welcoming place, proud of its rich diversity, and a friendly destination for gay travel and gay vacations. So much so that the city recently launched a campaign to attract gay travelers called, "Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay." Famous as the birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the cradle of liberty offers much more than cobblestone streets and historical landmarks. What makes gay friendly Philadelphia so dynamic is its unique blend of experiences you have to be here in person to discover.

In fact, since 1999, the gay and lesbian community has been the city's only minority group to have its own liaison to the police department and a liaison committee with community representation to ensure a positive working relationship with the police.

Philadelphia's gay and lesbian population has developed an extensive network of support in the community, including having their own GLBT community center, a separate youth center, a health center, a center for protecting and advocating civil rights, three churches and a synagogue. Philadelphia has two long-running gay and lesbian programs on public
radio's WXPN 88.5 FM, Amazon Country and Q'zine, as well as one of the
nation's first gay, call-in TV talk show. There is an annual Gay day with the Phillies, a gay and lesbian theater festival and a g/l outdoor club among others.

An hour on the train from NYC and about two hours from DC, Philadelphia is perfectly located as your east coast home base; it's a great place to stay while you explore the entire East Coast corridor. Keep in mind that Philadelphia was in many ways more significant than Boston in the formation of our country - physically, intellectually, and judicially. Apart from being the city where our primary articles of independence were adopted (Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, among others), it was our nation's first capital, as well as the site of the first newspaper, the first bank, the first hospital, the first stock exchange, and the first school for African-American students.

By day, explore four centuries of history and architecture, quaint neighborhoods, remarkable museum collections and endless shopping. When the sun sets, the city heats up with acclaimed performing arts, candlelight tours, delectable dining and a thriving nightlife - so pick your pleasure and enjoy the Philadelphia evening.


Gay Friendly Hotels in Philadelphia

The heart of downtown Philadelphia is bordered on the west by the Schuykill River and on the east by the Delaware River. Most of the gay social centers are located in the city's downtown area, referred to by locals as "Center City." Within Center City one can find endless historical, business and cultural activities. Many gay-oriented businesses are located in the area bordered by 12th and 13th Streets, and Walnut and Pine. There are also a number of gay-owned businesses on South Street, between 2nd and 6th Streets. The "gayborhood" is largely between 11th and Broad Streets, from Walnut to Pine.

Philadelphia is well known for being open-minded and generally gay-tolerant. Gay-friendly hotels are readily available in Philadelphia and are usually an excellent value for money. Whether you're looking for a romantic escape, a luxurious, five-star retreat, a weekend of partying with friends or a memorable family vacation, Philly's got a hotel package for you. There are large selections of hotels in the Philadelphia area ranging from cheap, modest-style Philadelphia accommodation to the most luxurious, five-star hotels offering high-class amenities.

Philadelphia's colonial charm makes B&B lodging a natural choice, as well as convenient to the gay district. However, the top hotels in town are also popular with gay and lesbian travelers, and some offer discounted weekend rates. Many hotels and accommodations in Philadelphia are gay-friendly and happily welcome gay men and lesbian couples.

Many of Philadelphia's hotels and guesthouses are often filled to capacity, especially during Philadelphia's Pride Day in June, so booking your reservations early during peak seasons is highly suggested.


What to Do? Where to Go?

Philadelphia is a walking city, laid out in the grid pattern that became the standard model for most urban planners in this country. Sightseeing is therefore easy, and Old City, comprising most of the historical attractions, is compact enough to cover on foot in a few hours. Whether you're into history, architecture, ghost tours, or the underground railroad, you can find a tour to suit your interests, both for free and a fee. Bring comfortable walking shoes, because this town is made for walking and though you may be tempted to rent a car, parking in Philly is a challenge.

Shopping is a full-time obsession in Philadelphia. With a wonderful mix of urban shopping districts, some of the nation's largest retail centers and tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes (did someone say shoes?), you'll need an extra bag to bring everything home! One-of-a-kind boutiques and national chains are plentiful throughout Center City. Some of the best shopping can be found in independent shops carrying hand crafted, one-of-a-kind and quirky gifts.

In addition to the great individual shops, boutiques and restaurants, Center City also has great malls and retail districts, including:
* The Bellevue, 200 S Broad St.
* The Gallery at Market East, 901 - 1001 Market St.
* Jeweler's Row, Sansom Street, 7th to 8th Sts. & Chestnut to Walnut Sts.
* Market Place East, 701 Market St.
* The Reading Terminal Market, 51 N 12th St.
* Rittenhouse Row, Avenue of the Arts to 21st St., from Spruce to Market Sts.
* The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St.

If you are in the mood for a day trip, go antiquing in New Hope - a charming little village nestled along the Delaware River and Delaware Canal - that conjures up visions of a by-gone era. Located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, this little gem of a town invites you to visit its art galleries and antique shops, have a drink by the fire at one of the many beautifully restored inns or just take a relaxing stroll down by the riverside.

Philly's Art museums and galleries rival the more traditional cultural cities like San Fran or New York City. It's main draw is the Philadelphia Museum of Art (26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy), which houses over half a million works of art, including Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase (it's a male nude!), van Gogh's Sunflowers, and Picasso's Three Musicians. Other artist attractions include:

* The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Broad and Cherry Sts) is the oldest art school in the country.
* The Museum of American Art, a part of the PAFA, contains many of Eakins's fine paintings, as well as other American painters' work from the eighteenth century to the present.
* The Rodin Museum (Twenty-second and Benjamin Franklin Parkway; 215/763-8100; www.rodinmuseum.org) contains the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's sculptures outside of France
* The Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum (Seventh and Arch St; 215/574-0380) is the first of its kind in the country, devoted to African-American art and culture, as well as an important exhibit on racism.

Fairmount Park is the city's main, multiuse park, with jogging trails, 200 tennis courts, 10.6 miles of bike paths, open spaces for lounging and sunbathing, and best of all the Schuylkill river banks provide a perfect spot for viewing the rowing regattas. Opportunities for everything from hiking and biking to blading, boating and floating are all within easy reach of Center City.

Get your evening pump up at the 12th Street Gym which boasts a gay clientele of approximately 50% and is the most gay-popular of the area gyms. The Sporting Club at the Bellevue on Broad Street is also a good choice as is the Philadelphia Sports Club with three locations in town; the most gay-popular is the Society Hill facility which allows free admission to members of Sports Clubs in New York, Boston, D.C., etc.

Philadelphia is in the midst of rolling out its unprecedented city-wide WiFi initiative which will be a huge convenience for you, the visitor. You can now access free high speed Internet at various locations in Philadelphia including the highly visited Independence Mall area. Other WiFi hotspots in Center City include Love Park, the length of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Washington Square, Franklin Square, Reading Terminal Market, South Street Headhouse Square and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. All you need is a wireless computer or handheld device and you can check your email, download music, and even make dinner reservations while getting some fresh air or enjoying a break in the park.


Dining and Gay Nightlife in Philadelphia

Many locals (and visitors for that matter) will tell you that Philadelphia is one of the best kept culinary secrets on the East coast. Philadelphia's restaurants offer exquisite cuisine, international charm and creative decor. Home to some of the nation's finest restaurants, you'll find century-old Italian restaurants serving Old World ambience and authentic recipes. Top grade steak and seafood houses feature fresh cuts and tastes. Cuban, Spanish and South American flavors are plentiful throughout the city.

Have dinner in architecturally significant buildings or historic row homes. Enjoy a meal at a sidewalk cafe or overlooking the waterfront. Dine amidst creative and innovative decor that is as tantalizing as the main course. From Colonial taverns to conveyor belt sushi bars, gay friendly Philadelphia's dining offers something to please every palate.

Philadelphia's thriving gay-friendly downtown includes clubs, bars and restaurants that cater directly to the gay scene. There are destinations for every type of taste, including cocktail bars, piano sing-a-longs and hot dance clubs for men and women. Luckily, this area is right next to some of the best hotels; you can literally wander from bar to bar, then back to bed (wink!). Click the "Bars and Nightlife" tab under the City Directory for details on Philadelphia's bar scene.

With New York City only a few hours away, Philadelphia sometimes gets overlooked as a destination for lesbians and gay men but for those who would trade the hustle and bustle of a larger city for the charm and grace of America's first city, Philadelphia provides an amiable and tolerant atmosphere for the LGBT community.

Philadelphia has a thriving gay community, which is generally situated in and around Center City - from 12th and Broad Streets and Walnut Street to Pine Street. This has become known as the Philadelphia 'Gayborhood'. Philadelphia is open-minded and generally gay-friendly and boasts many lively venues which include dozens of gay and lesbian bars, clubs, and restaurants ranging from leather to upbeat dance clubs.

Most bars and clubs are located within walking distance of each other, in the quaint streets east of Rittenhouse Square, most notably around the intersection of N. 12th and Locust Sts. Lesbians and gays interested in a more foliate neighborhood have been snapping up the stunning homes of the tony Chestnut Hill.

There are large-scale dance clubs that pack them in nightly with drink specials, drag shows and go-go boys. The Philadelphia scene mixes bears, boys and semi-professional gay men so that for once you have hope that a bar can be integrated, age- and lifestyle-wise. There are mixed gay/straight bars that look more like someone's house than a cocktail lounge. In fact, some of Philly's hottest night spots aren't even bars. Being such a large "college town", it's not unusual to find boys packed into non-alcoholic bookstores reading the Times or sipping a latte. These casual spots can be a great place to meet new friends or take a lingering date for a late afternoon dessert.

Philly's bar scene is close-knit and friendly and generally unconcerned with emulating hotter scenes to be found in New York or L.A. Most visitors enjoy its casual warmth which makes it a lot easier for a stranger to strike up a conversation. The gay scene generally cuts off at 2am, though if you are well-connected - or just plain extroverted -you can always find an after bar party. Last call is typically at 1:45 - so although you may prefer to dance until 4am, Philadelphia encourages you to get to bed early so you'll be refreshed for another day of sightseeing and shopping. Browse the Bars and Nightclub section of our City Directory on the left margin of this page, or click on "Where to Play" at the top of this page and view a full list of gay bars and nightclubs in Philadelphia, including our Pride City Guide Feature Nightspots!

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