For the best hotels, restaurants, gay bars and clubs, and things to do in Washington, DC, read on for our complete LGBTQ+ travel guide to The District.
Capital Pride Festival
Overview – Washington, DC has so much to offer the LGBTQ+ traveler from gorgeous outdoor spaces and historic monuments to incredible museums with world class art to a thriving gay nightlife scene. One of the first things that struck us on arrival in DC is the beautiful sound of birds chirping on the many tree-lined streets in bustling Dupont and Logan Circle neighborhoods. While Dupont Circle is the historic heart of gay DC, many would argue it has shifted east over the years to Logan Circle. The good news for the LGBTQ+ traveler is that you can walk between these two circles in less than 15-minutes. In addition, the Shaw/U-Street entertainment corridor—just north of Logan Circle by foot—also has numerous gay bars and clubs which we highlight in our gay nightlife post.
Gay Washington, DC
As a fun fact, a recent report from LGBTQ+ think tank, the Williams Institute, reveals nearly 15% of the adult population in The District of Columbia (DC) identify as LGBTQ+. That's a higher percentage than any other state in the U.S. Oregon and Delaware round out the top three states in the survey with the national average estimated at 5.5%.
Washington Monument
Big Cock at the National Gallery of Art
14th Street Entertainment Corridor
National Air & Space Museum
Capital Bikeshare
DC Metro Station
Things to do - If it's your first time to DC or you've lost count, there's a good chance you'll make your way to the National Mall at some point to see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Building, or to visit one of the many Smithsonian Museums. We recommend the National Gallery of Art (don't miss Hahn / Cock!) and the National Portrait Gallery with its stunning interior courtyard.
For our fellow aviation geeks, the National Air & Space Museum is a must. Please note free timed-entry tickets are required to enter. To skip the line or obtain tickets when no tickets remain for your preferred dates, join a small group tour with a knowledgeable guide. We had a fantastic experience on our tour and learned more than on numerous other visits combined!
For the best shopping and dining, head to Georgetown or the 14th Street entertainment corridor (our preference). We list a number of our favorite restaurants and bars below in the 'Where to eat and drink' section. We also want to point out that DC is super walkable. Depending on distance, we also like to mix in bikes using Capital Bikeshare and Metro. DC has the second largest rail system in the United States and most of the downtown stations are well known for their vaulted ceilings.
Pro tip - For a relatively unknown bird's eye view of the Washington, DC skyline, including the White House, visit the Old Post Office Tower in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It's run by the National Park Service and free to enter, but please note there is a separate entrance from the hotel on the backside of the building. It's a hidden gem! Afterwards, walk around to the hotel entrance and enjoy a drink or high tea in the glamorous hotel lobby.
The Dupont Circle Hotel
Where to stay - For the best hotels in Washington, DC, we have a number of favorites and recommendations depending on where you want to stay in The District.
The Dupont Circle Hotel
Hotel Lobby
The Pembroke Restaurant
The Doyle Lounge
Negronis at The Doyle
Located directly on Dupont Circle, we’re big fans of The Dupont Circle Hotel. This 5-star gay-friendly hotel also has an amazing cocktail bar, Doyle, and restaurant, Pembroke. Reserve ahead at the restaurant on Open Table for their popular weekend brunch.
For pure luxury and serenity in the heart of the city, Park Hyatt Washington DC offers residentially inspired suites and an onsite Michelin star restaurant, Blue Duck Tavern. We absolutely loved our stay here, and the rooms are indeed super spacious. The elevators are so large, there's room for a bench! The indoor pool and expansive fitness center are also nice amenities in addition to a superior location for sightseeing.
Trendy The Line DC Hotel is another one of our favorites. Located in Adams Morgan, this unique, gay-popular, and pet-friendly hotel offers comfortable rooms, a fantastic coffee shop and lounge area, and great location to explore DC's gay nightlife. Duplex Diner, Pitchers, and A League of Her Own for the ladies are just steps away.
Across the street from the White House, The Hay-Adams is the last of our highly recommended gay-friendly hotels in DC. This historic hotel is a legendary destination in the capital with luxury rooms and refined dining and entertainment. For mid-week day drinking, you'll run into DC's movers and shakers at the hotel's bar, appropriately called Off The Record.
Where to eat and drink – While there is no shortage of incredible dining experiences in Washington, DC, we have numerous favorites along 14th Street. Located a short walk from Dupont and Logan Circle, Shaw/U-Street, and Adam's Morgan, 14th Street is our preferred destination for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Mi Vida 14th Street
Bar at Mi Vida
Margaritas & Tacos
For a night of bar hopping around gay DC, we like to start with happy hour at Mi Vida on 14th Street. Part of a gay-owned restaurant group, this upscale Mexican restaurant has an amazing bar and offers some seriously delicious food. Menu highlights include the margaritas made with fresh lime juice, tacos, and enchiladas suizas.
Le Diplomate
Tapas at Barcelona Wine Bar
Also on 14th Street, we recommend Le Diplomate, one of the most popular restaurants in the city, and Barcelona Wine Bar for Spanish tapas and excellent wines.
Bar at L'ardente
Cheers!
Margherita Pizza at L'ardente
Old Ebbitt Grill
Lunch at The Bar
Kramers
For our final dinner recommendation, follow Barack Obama to L'ardente, a sleek venue made popular by the former president and other power diners. The bar fills up quickly at opening, and the food and service are decidedly upscale yet relaxed. We came here to celebrate our anniversary and would definitely return. Don't miss the flaming chocolate dessert to finish your dining experience.
After a fun night out, head to brunch at the stunning Pembroke at The Dupont Circle Hotel or lunch at Kramers, a landmark bookstore, bar, and cafe, which has been supporting the LGBTQ+ community for decades. Both options are directly across the street from each other and offer outdoor dining with excellent people watching.
If you plan to spend the day sightseeing, stop for lunch at Old Ebbitt Grill where bar seating is first come, first served. Located a few steps from the White House, this iconic tavern and popular lunch spot serves up excellent food and drinks. For another iconic drinking institution in DC, head to nearby Off The Record Bar in The Hay-Adams Hotel for more cocktails.
Little Gay Pub in Logan Circle
Where to find gay nightlife – For the best gay bars and clubs in Washington, DC, read our full review here. Take me to DC Gay Nightlife.
DC Pride Parade
Miss Adam's Morgan Pageant
Miss New York
Theme: God Save the Queen
When to go - Some of the best times to visit Washington, DC are for cherry blossoms in late March/early April, Capital Pride in June, the amazing fireworks over the National Mall for July 4th, and the Miss Adam’s Morgan Pageant held in late October. MAMP, as it's known, is a DC institution that showcases the outrageous creativity of amateur drag. Washington, DC will also host WorldPride DC 2025 from May 23 - June 8, 2025.
Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD)
How to get here – As the nation's capital, the DMV (which stands for The District, Maryland and Virginia) is easily accessible by all forms of transit. With three airports serving the area, each has its benefits. For domestic travelers, we prefer Reagan Washington National Airport (airport code: DCA). It's located just across the Potomac River from the National Mall and offers incredible views on arrival and departure. Multiple Metro lines will take you to your final destination.
For international travelers, Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD) is your likely port of entry. Located about an hour and fifteen minutes by Metro (Silver Line) from The District, the cost is just $2 (off-peak) and $6 (peak).
Champagne in the Air France Lounge
Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles
If you do have to make the lengthy trek out to Dulles, at least you have multiple lounges to choose from compliments of your airline or travel credit card. There is a new Capital One Lounge as well as many options available through Priority Pass.
For those with extra time, we highly recommend a visit to the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles, which is an annex to the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum located in The District. At the annex by Dulles, you can see some of the fastest planes in the world like Lockheed Martin's SR-71 Blackbird and Air France's Concorde. Another highlight at this location is the Space Shuttle Discovery. Take Metro (bus) or Uber/Lyft to the museum. Free timed-entry tickets are not required at the Udvar-Hazy Center, but again, they are required well in advance for The District location. If you are interested in learning more, check out our full review on YouTube for both locations.
Pro tip - If you don't have a complimentary Priority Pass Membership through a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, we highly recommend obtaining one before traveling to Dulles. You can stack your visits to multiple lounges (i.e. visit more than one lounge before or after your flight)! We like to grab a glass of Taittinger Champagne at the Air France Lounge before having dinner and a glass of wine at Chef Geoff's. For participating restaurants, we receive a credit for $56 worth of food and beverage per visit.
Finally, Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (airport code: BWI) is less than an hour from Washington's Union Station (Amtrak: WAS) by Amtrak or Marc trains. Please note there is a 5-10 minute free shuttle required from the train station to the airport which may add to your travel time depending on schedule and airport traffic.
Latest Video
Planning a trip to Washington, DC? Then don’t miss this video as we take you to the best gay-friendly hotels, restaurants, must see attractions, and of course, gay bars and clubs in The District.
Travel Resources
Hospiten Riviera Maya Emergency Room
Travel Insurance – Don’t forget to add global travel medical insurance that covers you while traveling outside of your home country. We recommend Safety Wing. You can buy it even if you are already abroad. Most health care coverage is home country specific, thus it’s extremely important to protect yourself from out of pocket costs due to a medical emergency. We learned this the hard way which you can watch here. To learn more about Safety Wing, click here.
Car Rental – Should your travel plans call for hiring a car, we use rentalcars.com to search the best prices among the major car rental companies. With flexible rentals, no hidden fees, and price match guarantee, we feel confident booking with them. Just make sure to book with your Chase Sapphire Reserve for extra protection.
Travel Experiences – Discover authentic, unforgettable experiences and explore the world with Viator and Get Your Guide. We consistently use both of these tour providers in our travels, and they offer excellent customer service. Our featured adventure is a fascinating guided tour of the National Air & Space Museum. You can book this tour with Get Your Guide. We're also the face of much of their campaign which is super cool!
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Hi gorgeous, and welcome to our LGBTQ+ travel blog! We're Andy and Trai, a gay couple traveling the world with PRIDE 🌈 …and our rescue dog, Pattie!
After meeting in San Francisco in 2018 and later moving to Chicago, we decided to quit our jobs in 2021, sell everything, and become Two Gay Expats. For over two years, we explored the best of gay Mexico while waiting for our house, Casa Cangrejo, to be completed in Tulum. We got married at The Beach Tulum in 2020 and became Mexican permanent residents in 2022.
Today, we continue to travel around Mexico and the world to show you our favorite places. If you'd like to follow our adventures, subscribe on YouTube and join us on Instagram.
