Essential LGBTQ-friendly places to visit in Atlanta

By Joleen Pete

Published May 30, 2024

Atlanta has been recognized by GayTravel.com as the “Gay Capital of the South” and is well-known for its diversity. Atlanta is also a global partner for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), which is for city’s that are committed to being an inclusive destination for LGBTQ travelers.

Check out these LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods, attractions and places to visit on your next trip to Atlanta.

Atlanta Pride Festival and LGBTQ Events

Plan your trip around Atlanta’s Pride Festival and Parade, occurring in October. It is one of the oldest and biggest celebrations in the nation, drawing thousands of visitors. In addition to the Pride Festival, LGBTQ+ events such as Black Gay Pride, Out on Film and other annual events are not to be missed.

Midtown and Piedmont Park

Midtown is home to the Rainbow Crosswalk at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue. Midtown is also home to Piedmont Park, which hosts some of the city’s most popular festivals including the Atlanta Pride Festival, Music Midtown and Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

Check out some gay bars in the area like Bulldogs, X Midtown or Blake’s On The Park.

Stay Locally

Stay near the action at the Midtown Marriott Suites or LGBTQ-owned BCA Furnished Apartments. Go a bit more upscale at these top- (gay) rated hotels: Hotel Midtown Atlanta, Loews Atlanta Hotel or Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.

Get Cultured

Midtown is the arts and culture center of Atlanta, home to Atlanta Botanical Garden, Woodruff Arts Center, which houses Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre Co., the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art. Also in Midtown is the ornate Fox Theatre where you might catch a Broadway show.

Shopping and Nightlife in the Gayborhoods

Atlanta is home to many LGBTQ+ owned businesses around the city. The areas around Ansley Mall and Cheshire Bridge Road – the “ultimate gayborhoods” – are located in Midtown and are the spots for LGBTQ+ nightlife. Ansley Square shopping complex offers gay bars and shops. Grab dinner at La Hacienda Midtown. Afterward, don’t miss The Heretic Atlanta or Mixx Atlanta. Queer women won’t want to miss the historic lesbian bar, My Sister’s Room, which offers a variety of weekly events including karaoke and Drag Brunch. While these neighborhoods offer up the heart of gay Atlanta, East Atlanta and Little Five Points are also part of Atlanta’s fabulous gay scene.

Find a Drag Show Near You

Atlanta has endless spots for drag shows around the city, no matter what vibe you’re looking for.

• Future Atlanta, located in the Underground
• LIPS Atlanta
• My Sisters Room
• Oscar’s Bar
• Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium
• City Winery

Save on Attractions with Atlanta CityPASS

Looking to catch some of the more popular sights in Atlanta? Pick yourself up an Atlanta CityPASS and save on admission tickets to top attractions like World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which are across the street from Centennial Olympic Park. Stop in the park for a snack and watch the iconic fountain as you catch your breath before heading off to visit Fernbank Museum of Natural History or Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.

Walk the Atlanta BeltLine

Prefer to spend your time outdoors? Spend your day strolling the Atlanta BeltLine or rent bicycles to enjoy nature, admire public art and look for Tiny Doors ATL. Stop in at Ponce City Market, a shopping center and dining hall with a hip vibe and plenty to explore including drinks, brews and great food options. Just down the street you’ll find Friends on Ponce, which is a spot for everyone.

The city too busy to hate offers up plenty of LGBTQ+ entertainment and attractions year-round, including these gay events:

• Joining Hearts Fund-raiser for AIDS/ HIV support (July)
• Southern Fried Queer Pride Festival (June)
• Pride Run (June)
• Atlanta Black Pride Weekend (September)
• Out on Film LGBTQ Film Festival (September- October)
• AIDS Walk (September)
• Toy Party – One of the largest social events of the year collects toys for needy children. (December)

Need more ideas?

Out Front Theatre is an LGBTQ+ Theatre Company that focuses on the voices and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.

LIPS Atlanta offers the ultimate in drag dining.

LGBTQ Institute is located at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus is one of the world’s longest-running gay choruses. Its traditional concert season includes a concert at The Cathedral of St. Philip in the Buckhead neighborhood in December.

For more things to do in Atlanta, check our calendar of events.

Joleen Pete lives outside Atlanta with her husband and their son. On the weekends they enjoy going into the city for family fun and exploration. Joleen is the family travel and lifestyle blogger behind Love, Joleen.