How to Enjoy a Gay Pride Festival in Houston

By eHow Travel Editor

Rate: (6 Ratings)

The fourth-largest city in America, Houston is home to a sizeable gay population and several well-organized gay-pride events. The headliner is Pride Houston, which usually takes place at the end of June.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Computer with Internet access
Camera
Event tickets
Accommodations
Map of Houston

Step1

Choose a festival. Attend Pride Houston if you're looking for a big bash. There are other events on the gay calendar as well, so find one that fits your agenda and schedule. You can find a listing of events online at the Houston Gay Guide (see Resources below).

Step2

Make travel arrangements. Houston is serviced by two major airports, Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby. All of the legacy airlines fly into Houston, as well as most of the discount carriers.

Step3

Book a room. Houston has a number of small luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts and other accommodations that cater to gay clientele. Among these is the Lovett Inn, located in the heart of Montrose, the city's gay district. For an online listing, check out LambdaResorts (see Resources below). Book early, as these spots tend to fill up quickly for Houston Pride and other festivals.

Step4

Pack for the trip. Houston tends to be hot and humid much of the year, so dress accordingly, though you'll likely spend a good deal of time in climate-controlled environments as well. Bring a camera, a costume for the parade and the right clothes for going out on the town.

Step5

Get with the program. Houston Pride posts a schedule of events on its Web site (see Resources below), and many of the other festivals do likewise. Some events require tickets, so inquire beforehand.

Step6

Explore the city's gay side. The nightlife will be buzzing during Houston Pride and other events. The Montrose district is home to at least 15 gay-friendly and mixed bars. Information on a wide variety of bars can be found at the Houston Gay Guide, which also provides a nice description of the typical clientele.

Tips & Warnings

Bring a camera.
Practice safe sex. Always.
Keep your wits about you. Some parts of Houston are less tolerant than others, so keep an eye out for your safety.