New York City is a popular destination for gay tourists from around the world. It is the largest of all the cities in the US and justifiably has a culture and atmosphere that cannot be compared. There is a very old gay and lesbian scene that stretches back almost one hundred years. Gay travel to New York is usually centred around Manhattan but other areas such as Brooklyn are also becoming popular of late. Manhattan stands out for its incredible shopping experiences, world class nightlife, and five star dining.
New York City is a popular gay holiday destination any time of the year, though the summer months still attract the greatest numbers of visitors especially from Europe. The fall can be one of the best times of the year to visit as the crowds are less but the weather is not too adverse. Winter in New York has a charm all of its own with many people crowding into warm and cozy restaurants and bars. But be warned it can get very cold and usually snows during winter time. Christmas in New York is an experience that cannot be forgotten easily.
There are gay and lesbian events held whenever you choose to visit. New Year Eve in New York has to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. New Year’s celebrations are unmatched anywhere. During spring there are the NewFest and Tribecca film festivals that attract many gay visitors. New York City’s main Gay Pride event occurs in late June with smaller versions held earlier in the month in Queens and Brooklyn. Halloween is also a popular time to camp it up.
As with any place it pays to have a little understanding of the layout before arriving. New York City is composed of 5 boroughs. Manhattan is actually a small island found between the East River and Hudson River. Queens and Brooklyn are situated on the edge of Long Island, not so far across the East River from Manhattan.
The city has an excellent mass transit system that is easy to use and very affordable. There isn’t really any need to bring your own transport, and besides, the traffic can be uncomfortably heavy to drive through and the parking costs are expensive.
If you plan to visit from one of the other main East Coast cities then there are plenty of long distance bus and train services available. Those flying in will arrive at one of three airports. JFK airport is located in Queens, Newark is across the Hudson in New Jersey, and La Guardia is the closest to Manhattan.