by Paul Heney
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Fri July 28, 2023
LGBTQ+ families are traveling more and more, but safety and acceptance is still a fact of life for them. Here are five great city options in the U.S. for queer families traveling together.
Minneapolis
This famously progressive city boasts lots of art, both indoors and outside. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free and requires no tickets for admission. Part of the Walker Art Center, there is also plenty for art lovers to see inside this world-class contemporary art center. If shopping’s more your game, check out the nearby Mall of America or the lovely 50th & France district in nearby Edina, Minnesota.
The Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture in the Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens. (Photo Credit: Emily Krause)
Seattle
Families will love the emerald city’s attractions, from the quirky Museum of Pop Culture (sitting beneath the vaunted Space Needle) to the fascinating Museum of Flight. There are also so many iconic choices that the kids will love, from visiting the original Starbucks location to sampling the foods at the Pike Place Market. And stop by the downtown public library for a free look at some of the most unique modern architecture anywhere.
Chicago
This midwestern metropolis has endless options for families, like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Field Museum, and Navy Pier. But it’s also a place for making some really unique memories, like the Skydeck Chicago, where you can stand in a glass box 1,300 feet above the sidewalks—or play with your reflections in Cloud Gate, also known as “the bean.”
Baltimore
From the queer Mount Vernon neighborhood to the bustling Inner Harbor, this Mid-Atlantic gem for queer families has so much to offer. In addition to the famed Aquarium, make sure to visit the fun American Visionary Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture.
Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona. (photo by Patrick Clarke)
Scottsdale/Phoenix
Head to the desert for some outdoor sun at the fun and educational Desert Botanical Garden and nearby Papago Park, with its fascinating rock formations. Families can also explore the funky Old Town section of Scottsdale or take in Spring Training baseball games around the Phoenix metro area.
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