Summer’s Great Escapes
Asbury Park, NJ
Looking for a beach town nearby with more than just a beach? This summer, hop on NJ Transit and get your bikini-clad bum to the Jersey shore’s prime destination for the hottest ladies and coolest waves.
Window shop and water surf to build up an appetite, then take it on over to Asbury Park’s most popular restaurant, the Chat & Nibble (932 Asbury Avenue, 732-775-5100, chatandnibble.com). Expect an eclectic crowd, who will tell you, “It’s all about the dessert.” Kind vegetarian or vegan souls will have plenty to salivate over when they read the separate vegan menu at the Trinidadian restaurant, Sister Sue’s (311 Bond St, 732-502-8383).
After a day at the beach, head over to shower the sand out of your crevices at the cozy B&B, Sixth Avenue House (from $150, 305 6th Ave, 732-361-6609, sixthavenuehouse.com). If you prefer to be in the thick of the party, make reservations at the Empress Hotel (from $129, 101 Asbury Ave, 732-774-0100, asbury-empress.com), home to the raucous Club Paradise (732-988-6663, paradisenj.com). Here, you won’t even need to leave the building to find great drag shows and dancing! That said, don’t forget to venture out to Georgie’s (812 5th Ave, 732-988-1220, georgiesbar.com), where you can find your fancy any night of the week, whether it’s live music, karaoke, dancing, or just sipping a vodka tonic by the bar.
Need a cure for post-Pride blues? New Hope, Philadelphia, Asbury Park, and Fire Island are homo-friendly hangouts just a stone’s throw from NYC. You could be there and back before nightfall, although you probably won’t want to leave!
Philadelphia, PA
We all went on field trips to Philly in our youth to see the many historical sights, museums, and the giant crack in the Liberty Bell, but the only thing we really remember is the smell of a gooey Philly cheese steak with onions. It’s time to take the quick train ride back to this city of
sisterly love to discover a Philadelphia most of us have never seen.
Start your day at Giovanni’s Room (345 S 12th St, 215-923-2960, giovannisroom.com), Philly’s LGBT bookstore. If you’re still distracted by cheesy memories, give in to your craving at Pat’s King of Steaks (1237 E Passyunk Ave, 215-468-1546, patskingofsteaks.com), voted best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia by AOL CityGuide.
Time to get the party started? Find the nearest liquor store, buy a bottle of Patrón, and visit the lesbian-owned Lolita’s (106 S 13th St, 215-546-7100, lolitabyob.com), where amazing virgin margaritas are mixed up for the masses. You can make them as strong as you like with their BYOB policy.
After dinner, discover Philly’s thriving nightlife and alluring ladies. First stop is Sisters (1320 Chancellor St, 215-735-0735, sistersnightclub.com), where a diverse group of sexy women dance, drink, and flirt the night away every day of the week! For a quieter setting, have a drink and sing a tune at piano bar Tavern on Camac (243 S Camac St, 215-545-0900, tavernoncamac.com). Be sure to check Ladies2000.com for the latest events happening in and around Philly.
Once you’ve worn holes through your dancing shoes, kick up your feet at the beautiful, Victorian Gables B&B (from $105, 4520 Chester Ave, 215-662-1918, gablesbb.com), or enjoy the more urban atmosphere of the Alexander Inn (from $109, 301 S 12th St, 215-923-3535, alexanderinn.com), two of Philadelphia’s best gay-owned hotels. For a worth-while splurge, check into the classic European-style boutique Latham Hotel (from $239, 135 S 17th St, 215-563-7474, lathamhotel.com).
