New York City

Queer New York started in Greenwich Village. On Christopher Street stands the Stonewall Inn, where the 1969 uprising set off the modern LGBTQ+ movement; today it is a national monument and still a working bar. With its small bookstores, cafés and restaurants, the Village is a good place for a first walk. Most of today's scene, though, sits a little farther north in Manhattan. Chelsea was the center for a long time, with its galleries, gyms and bars. Since then the nightlife has largely moved to Hell's Kitchen, where queer bars cluster along Ninth and Tenth Avenues.

In the evening, Hell's Kitchen is the first stop, with bars, drag shows and cocktail spots packed close together. The distances between them are short, so you can plan a whole night on foot. If you like things younger and more alternative, head to Brooklyn: Williamsburg and Bushwick have a lively underground and party scene with venues that change often. Manhattan covers the classic night out, Brooklyn the more experimental side. Because venues in New York come and go quickly, check current event listings when you arrive rather than relying on old tips.

Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons, with mild weather and somewhat smaller crowds. Summer is hot and humid, but that is also when the event calendar is fullest. The high point is June: for NYC Pride the big march runs through parts of Manhattan, with countless parties and street fairs across the city. Winter is cold, but flights and hotels are often cheaper, and the city puts on its festive side around the holidays. To avoid the crowds, plan your visit for weekdays and away from the big weekends.

For US travelers, New York is a domestic trip; from London the flight takes about eight hours. Most flights land at John F. Kennedy (JFK) or Newark (EWR), some at LaGuardia (LGA). From the airport you get into the city by AirTrain and subway, bus or taxi. Within Manhattan and the outer boroughs, the subway is the fastest way around and runs 24 hours a day. You don't need a car; with the traffic and the parking situation, it is more of a burden in the city.

New York is considered one of the most queer-friendly cities in the world, and same-sex marriage is recognized nationwide in the US. In Manhattan and most other boroughs you can move around openly and at ease, and holding hands hardly draws a glance. As in any big city, some areas call for more attention at night, but the main gay neighborhoods are not among them. 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 rules before your trip, as they can change at short notice.