Lone Star Court, Valencia Hotel Collection

10 Up-and-coming Destinations Around the World For LGBTQIA+ Travelers

"Queer travelers to Texas, often regarded as a conservative state, have already favorited LGBTQIA+-friendly Austin on their travel bucket lists, but there’s another Lone Star hidden gem hiding in plain sight: Houston. Texas’ largest city, and the most diverse city in the U.S., is a cultural melting pot that will surprise and delight LGBTQIA+ visitors thanks to an incredibly diverse dining scene, arts institutions, impressive performing arts centers and theaters, botanical gardens, and now, even a “unicorn” dessert bar that will speak to the most decadent of queer tastes. Home to the largest LGBTIA+ community in Texas and one of the first destinations to market to gay travelers through a dedicated LGBTQIA+ visitor website over a decade ago, it’s easy to see why Houston's Pride celebration already draws some 750,000+ people each year from every corner of the globe. The city’s gayborhood of Montrose is dotted with bars and queer-packed eateries, easily rivaling the Castro or Chelsea in a uniquely charming Texan way where, yes, cowboy boots are recommended." - Travel + Leisure Editors