Fire Island

Queer life centers on two neighboring communities, Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove. The Pines are seen as the more glamorous and slightly more polished side, with modern architecture and a mostly gay crowd. Cherry Grove is older and more colorful, with deep roots in the queer community; lesbians, gay men and drag culture have mixed here for generations. Between the two lies a stretch of dunes that you cross on foot, and for many visitors that walk is part of the island ritual.

Going out starts early on Fire Island, often in the afternoon. Tea Dance has cult status: you start with "Low Tea" by the harbor, move on to "High Tea" at sunset and keep going from there. Well-known spots in the Pines include Sip n Twirl and the Pavilion. The Blue Whale, with its famous mosaic dance floor, has been part of island history since the 1960s. Nights tend to be short, because the next beach day starts early.

The long sandy beaches on the Atlantic side are the real heart of the island. In front of the Pines and Cherry Grove, the queer community gathers by the water during the day, and sunbathing and swimming are the main program. The famous stretch of dunes between the two communities has long been known as an informal cruising and nude spot. If you want peace and quiet, head for the more remote parts of the beach, away from the bustle of the harbors.

The season runs from late May into September and peaks in midsummer. July and August are busy, glamorous and expensive, but that is also when the island has the most energy. A fixed date on the calendar is the Fourth of July and the "Invasion of the Pines", when drag queens have been storming the harbor by water taxi since 1976. June and September are calmer and more relaxed, and the weather is usually still pleasant.

You won't need a car, since the island is completely car-free. From New York City the trip takes about two hours: the Long Island Rail Road runs to Sayville, and a short shuttle takes you on to the ferry terminal. Sayville Ferry boats connect the mainland with Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove. Flights from London to New York take about eight hours. On the island you get around on foot along the boardwalks, and many people use a small wagon to pull their luggage.

Fire Island is part of New York State, where same-sex marriage is recognized and anti-discrimination laws apply. The island itself has long been a queer safe space where being out is simply part of everyday life. As anywhere in the US, good travel health insurance is a must for visitors from abroad, because medical treatment is expensive. For US citizens this is a domestic trip, while UK citizens need no visa for stays of up to 90 days but must have an approved ESTA before they travel; check the current entry requirements before you go.