New York City is a popular destination for gay tourists from around the world. It is the largest of all the cities in the US and justifiably has a culture and atmosphere that cannot be compared. The gay scene has a history going back as far as the end of the nineteenth century. Today gay travel to New York is based in Manhattan, though there are other areas that are becoming more popular every year. It is often said that Manhattan has the best nightlife, restaurants, theatres, and shopping.

New York City is a great gay destination to visit at any time of year, but it sees the largest number of tourists during the hot summer months when millions of visitors descend. The fall can be one of the best times of the year to visit as the crowds are less but the weather is not too adverse. Winter in New York has a charm all of its own with many people crowding into warm and cozy restaurants and bars. But be warned it can get very cold and usually snows during winter time. Christmas in New York is an experience that cannot be forgotten easily.

The gay and lesbian festivals and events can be found throughout the year. New Year’s celebrations are unmatched anywhere. During spring there are the NewFest and Tribecca film festivals that attract many gay visitors. New York City’s main Gay Pride event occurs in late June with smaller versions held earlier in the month in Queens and Brooklyn. Halloween is also a popular time to camp it up.

As with any place it pays to have a little understanding of the layout before arriving. New York City is composed of 5 boroughs. Manhattan is actually a small island found between the East River and Hudson River. Queens and Brooklyn are situated on the edge of Long Island, not so far across the East River from Manhattan.

The city has an excellent mass transit system that is easy to use and very affordable. It doesn’t really make sense to hire a car or bring your own as the traffic does not flow quickly and the parking costs are expensive.

New York City is well connected to all the other East Coast urban areas through rail links and long distance bus services. Those flying in will arrive at one of three airports, of which La Guardia is the most convenient for Manhattan