The annual Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade take place the first weekend in April. Photo credit: Visit Phoenix / nightfuse.com
With 300 days of annual sunshine, Greater Phoenix is an urban paradise, where lively nightclubs and hot pool parties attract visitors year-round.
Surrounded by stunning desert, the Greater Phoenix area is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts, and, the LGBTQ+ scene here is among the liveliest in the Southwest.
Here are four bucket list items, no matter when you decide to visit:
1. The Gayborhood
In 2018, Phoenix Pride unveiled two rainbow crosswalks – one at Central and First Avenues at Portland Street (downtown) and one at Seventh Avenue at Glenrosa (in the Melrose District).
Big dance clubs, swanky VIP lounges, and funky dive bars can be found throughout the city. But the Melrose District is Phoenix’s official gayborhood, and what a ‘hood it is. Unique shops, cafes, and vintage and antique stores line Seventh Avenue between Camelback and Indian School roads. The “Melrose Arch” along Seventh Avenue welcomes you to the district, along with one of the city’s two rainbow crosswalks.
Charlie’s Phoenix is a nationally recognized watering hole where crowds flock for popular line-dancing lessons and, later in the night, DJ-inspired jams. For drag shows and bear nights, The Rock is popular. Nestled between them both is Stacy’s @ Melrose, a welcoming spot for community members and allies alike to hit the dancefloor, and take in one of the city’s many must-see drag shows.
“In Phoenix, we’re fortunate enough to have more LGBTQ+ bars than you might find in other cities – most of which offer a platform for the art of drag.”
No visit to Phoenix is complete without a dip in a swimming pool – or five. At the very least, you must lounge poolside with a cool, fruity cocktail while the DJ spins the dance tunes.
Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale boasts a vibrant day club scene at its gorgeous midcentury OH Pool, featuring a hip, mixed crowd. The pool is open to the public most days, but reservations for guest rooms, cabanas or daybeds are sometimes required for pool admittance, so we recommend that you call the front desk for availability and access credentials first.
Other popular pools are at The Clarendon Hotel & Spa, Found:Re or Kimpton Hotel Palomar in downtown Phoenix as well as Wet Deck at The W in Scottsdale. (Local tip: the warmer the temps, the hotter the pool parties, so check for non-guest access and seasonal info in advance.)
3. Pride and outdoor festivals
Each year, the Phoenix Pride Festival promises multiple stages of headliners, a larger-than-life dance pavilion and a VIP experience. Photo credit: Phoenix Pride/Leaked Glass.
With all of that sunshine, Phoenix loves its outdoor festivals. Each April, Phoenix Pride is one of the biggest events in the Southwest (pictured above), complete with a parade, VIP experience, dance pavilion, KidSpace, arts expo, burlesque and go-go dancers, and world-class entertainers (the 2020 lineup included Neon Trees, fronted by Tyler Glenn, and dance diva Deborah Cox ).
The Phoenix Pride organization also hosts Rainbows Festival each November which focuses on local entertainers and organizations. The annual Melrose on 7th Avenue Street Fair celebrates the businesses that make the gayborhood great, and M3F is quickly becoming the region’s hottest music festival ticket.
4. The most beautiful desert in the world
For an immersive desert experience, not far off the beaten path, a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden is essential. Photo credit: Visit Phoenix/An Pham.
The Greater Phoenix area is nestled in the Sonoran Desert, a gorgeous palette of lowlands decorated with sagebrush and cacti, including the iconic saguaro. Hiking, biking, kayaking, and even horseback riding are popular ways to explore this landscape, with two caveats: Bring lots of water and wear appropriate shoes.
From downtown Phoenix, the entrance to South Mountain Park and Preserve – one of the largest municipal parks in the country – is just 7 miles south. From there, drive up to Dobbins Lookout for a signature Arizona sunset. For the saguaro selfie, however, visit the Desert Botanical Garden, 140-acre outdoor museum that’s often lit up with art installations.
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