Gay michigan things to do
LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel Guide to Saugatuck/Douglas, MI
Saugatuck and Douglas, also known as “The Art Coast of Michigan,” are neighboring resort towns separated by a mere miles. Affectionately known as “Provincetown of the Midwest,” they share the similar inclusive vibe, natural scenery, arts culture, and active queer community. They are must-visits for the gay community for romantic weekend escapes, fun vacations, or to just be yourself. Check out our guide to find the most welcoming places and LGBTQ+ friendly experiences in Saugatuck/Douglas.
How to Get There: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
You realize it’s “small town USA” when there are no major airports, train stations, or bus terminals in town. Regardless of how you choose to tour, your time spent in Saugatuck/Douglas is worth every moment of the journey.
Planes: The nearest major airport is Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, about a minute drive from Saugatuck/Douglas. From the airport, you can rent a car or use a shuttle service.
Trains: Amtrak provides rail services to nearby cities appreciate Holland,
The Keweenaw Peninsula is packed with interesting towns with interesting stories, but none has a more engaging name than Gay, Michigan. This tiny community is far from the beaten path, but it&#;s worth the drive to notice a Gay bar, Gay school, and some Gay ruins. Oh, and in fall, the Autumn leaves are quite spectacular out here.
Location
Gay, Michigan is located on the east side of the Keweenaw Peninsula, about halfway between Houghton and Copper Harbor. From US 41 at Mohawk, spin left onto 6th Street, which becomes Gay-Mohawk Road.
As you leave Gay, I&#;d suggest driving up Gay-Lac La Belle Road. It follows the coast up to Bete Grise and Lac La Belle.
My Visit
As Day Six began, I was anxious to spot some areas of the Keweenaw that I hadn&#;t seen on the previous day. I was also hoping to see some fall colors, and I certainly chose a superb road for both. Mohawk Gay Road runs between the two communities of Mohawk and Gay, Michigan, and aside from trees and a two-lane stretch of asphalt, there isn&#;t much out there. Finally, though, I got to see some of the Autumn
1. FERNDALE
Ferndale is well-known as the most LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood in metro Detroit, with many LGBTQ organizations, businesses and residents. Ferndale is home to Affirmations community center, Matrix MAC Health (formerly the Michigan AIDS Coalition) and numerous other LGBTQ and progressive nonprofit groups. Located just north of Detroit, between 8 and 10 Mile roads along the Woodward corridor, Ferndale is easily reachable from major highways.
According to the latest census, Ferndale is second only to tiny neighbor Pleasant Ridge for a percentage of households with same-sex couples. (In fact, Pleasant Ridge ranks among the top 10 nationally.) Ferndale’s former mayors, David Coulter and Craig Covey are both openly gay men. The city has numerous LGBT-owned shops, restaurants, bars and theaters, and many more LGBTQ-friendly establishments.
“In the commencement of the ’80s, Ferndale was a blank slate,” said former mayor Covey. “The downtown was unfilled. You could roll a bowling ball down the middle of 9 Mile and not hit anything.”
Home values were declining; the storefront
LGBTQIA+ in GR
The Advocate magazine named Grand Rapids one of the Gayest Cities in America more than a decade ago, in a feature exploring the peer capita queerness of some less expected locales.
Grand Rapids has become even gayer in the years since. The city has been recognized as one of the safest in the U.S for LGBTQIA+ singles and we earned a perfect score in the Municipal Equality Index, which examines how inclusive cities are of LGBTQIA+ people.
New community gathering spaces like LGBTQIA+ bar General Wood Shop and sober-minded Lotus Brew Coffee/Dry Bar have joined such iconic destinations as the Apartment Lounge, Michigan&#x;s oldest LGBTQIA+ bar, and Rumors Noun Club, serving a diverse clientele since Other locally owned and operated LGBTQIA+ businesses have also flourished.
World-class art, food, beer and craft beverage scenes are attracting discerning LGBTQIA+ travelers to the region, while abundant outdoor recreation opportunities appeal to an active crowd. Visits often initiate in downtown Grand Rapids, where + restaurants, breweries, museums and entertain