Beautiful white-sand beaches, a warm blue ocean, and sunshine are what make Ft. Lauderdale an idyllic vacation spot any time of year. Located on the east coast of Florida, even the hottest days are tempered by gentle breezes from the Atlantic Ocean.

Recently, Ft. Lauderdale has grown in popularity as a GLBT vacation destination and is now recognized worldwide as a gay-friendly resort. There are several hundred gay owned and operated businesses offering a multitude of options for the gay traveler. With a plethora of bed and breakfasts, resorts, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops, this ocean city has become famous as a gay mecca separate from its neighbors Miami, South Beach, and Key West. From the blue waves and white surf of the beaches to the Florida Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale offers sea, sun, shopping, art and entertainment for the discerning gay traveler.

Just steps from the ocean is a vast network of canals and marinas that has earned Ft. Lauderdale the nickname the Venice of America. Here you will find spectacular millionaires’ homes with sprawling gardens down to the waterfront and houseboat yachts just waiting to venture out on the open sea. The water taxi is the mode of transportation for the locals, also offering a tour of the canal with a glimpse into the lifestyle of the rich and famous. For just five dollars, you can travel all day from one end of the canal system to the other, with plenty of places to see and visit along the way. There are no gondolas here, but it’s worth planning a full day to tour these canals. , or simply use the water taxi as a means of getting to a waterfront restaurant for dinner.

Between the ocean and the canals is where you’ll find a community rich in gay guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and resorts. Although the bars, clubs and restaurants are close by, a rental car is a must, they are very affordable and can be rented at the airport or through your hotel concierge and make it very easy to get around and visit the many attractions available to the gay traveler. .

Located three blocks from the ocean and a short walk from the gay beach is the Flamingo Inn Amongst the Flowers, a European-style boutique hotel with tropical island luxury. We highly recommend this affordable and exclusive gay community as a perfect home base to enjoy all Ft. Lauderdale has to offer. All rooms and suites have been recently remodeled and renovated with comfortable four-poster beds and modern bathrooms. The patio includes fountains, a large swimming pool and comfortable sun loungers with umbrellas for the hottest times of the day. Enjoy a relaxing poolside massage, just soak up the sun or enjoy a good book at this tranquil retreat. Perhaps the greatest amenity the Flamingo has to offer is the friendly and helpful staff who will make sure you have everything you need for the perfect vacation and provide you with all the knowledge you need about the local community. The Flamingo Inn strives and achieves perfection in gay accommodations.

Located about a ten minute drive from the beaches is the township of Wilton Manors, which is Ft. Lauderdale’s gay community similar to Greenwich Village in New York. Home to over forty gay businesses and fueled by the successful George’s Alibi video bar and café, Wilton Manors has it all for shopping and entertainment. After your first visit, you’ll probably return to try out the different restaurants and bars as part of your evening pleasure. Dorothy’s Cafe, Hamburger Mary’s, Chardees, Tropics and Simply Delish are just a few of the dining options that are sure to please this quaint and charming gay-friendly South Florida community. Shopping in Wilton Manors also offers plenty of variety at Bottoms and Tops, Gay Mart, Miguel’s, Zoo Two 4 Shoes, and Zoo Two Clothing Company, just to name a few of the fun boutiques. A trip to Ft. Lauderdale isn’t complete without spending time enjoying the town of Wilton Manors for a gay community experience.

Without a doubt, Ft. Lauderdale is best known for its beautiful white sand beach with calm, clear blue ocean that stretches for miles. Not surprisingly, with a large resident and tourist gay population, there are three recognized gay beaches. These can be found to the north on 18th Street, centrally located on Sebastion Street, and to the south on Dania Beach, with the central beach probably the most popular and closest to most of the gay accommodation. These gay areas are easily identified. by the parasols of rainbow umbrellas and the sunbathers they attract. With beach volleyball and other ball games, people watching in these areas can be a very pleasant way to spend a hot sunny afternoon with cool dips in the ocean when it gets too hot. There are also plenty of beachfront cafes with spectacular views to enjoy when food becomes a priority.

Florida’s weather offers year-round vacations, but spring is probably the warmest and most popular time of year to visit. The Ft. Lauderdale Pridefest takes place in March and claims to be the largest Pride celebration in Florida. With entertainers and events, this weekend is planned for both residents and tourists to show their pride. The Gay Rodeo is also a big draw. In addition to rodeo events at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie (just outside of Ft. Lauderdale), there will be country and western dancing, a pool party, a nightlife tour at Wilton Manors, and a Southernmost Hoedown event in Ft. Lauderdale. For anyone who has experienced a gay rodeo, it is sure to be a popular gathering on the IGRA circuit.

Finding your way is easy with a fun map of Columbia or the local Hotspots publication. Both are handy-sized, easily accessible reference guides to all things gay in this Florida beach haven. There’s also a comprehensive service called The Naked Concierge that uncovers the lowdown on Ft. Lauderdale’s gay community and is the go-to source for travel information to plan the perfect sun and surf getaway before you leave home.

Getting there is easy with airlines offering direct flights from Canada’s major cities and connecting flights from smaller airports. Rest assured, your flight from the north will be rewarded with South Florida’s gay welcome that is second to none.