Ditch the Office and Plan a Weekend Getaway: The East Coast Version

Planning last-minute (long) weekend trips with friends is one the best things about the summer. So unless you’re tied to a summer beach rental, we recommend venturing out of town to discover something new. Or someONE new.

For your consideration, we’ve got three ideas for our east coast peeps:

1. Ogunquit, Maine — The big O! No, not Oprah. That one is taking the whole summer off; you only have a few days. So try Maine’s gay mecca. Located a comfortable 90-minute drive from Boston’s Logan Airport, this sea side town has something for everyone. A very walkable, small town, you won’t necessarily need a car (plus traffic and parking can be an issue this time of year). It’s not as busy as P-Town, but with award winning theater and a slew of gay restaurants, bars, and small bed and breakfasts, you’ll find plenty to do (in and out of the legendary dunes!). We suggest you make The Front Porch a must-stop. This restaurant and piano bar is hopping all week long. Have a lobster roll then catch “The Judy Show,” featuring Michael Holmes. He’s there all summer and it’s so much more than just a drag show. Afterwards, dance until the wee hours at Oxygen Lounge.

2. Washington, DC — Now, we’d never suggest dropping in on our nation’s capital this weekend unless you’re like zillions of families who like to come to town to camp on the mall for the annual fireworks and concert, but any other summer weekend? Yeah, DC is open for business. Sure, the clubs are a little lighter in July and August due to all the gay migration to the Maryland and Delaware beaches, but that can be a good thing for out-of-town gays. Cool off in one of our world-reknown museums by day, stop for a steak at the classic Annie’s on 17th Street, and then dance your ass off at night at a place like Town Danceboutique. Try stopping in on Saturday, July 9, to catch porn superstar Brent Everett who’ll be dancing and meeting & greeting. They won’t be 100% naked (you need to go to Secrets for that), but won’t 90% do? And if that doesn’t work, download DJ Jason Royce’s Brent Goes to Washington mix. It’s an 90-minutes of this summer’s best tracks rolled into one.

3. Atlanta, Georgia — Hotlanta, as we’ve all come to call it, is truly the gay metropolis of the south. Girls and guys come from wide and far to enjoy the city’s diverse population and southern charm. What better way to start the weekend than with a burger on the patio at Cowtippers (yes, really) then head over to Swinging Richards (yup, we dig the name, too) for fully-nude male strippers. This higher-end venue caters to gay men with champagne and back rooms for private shows. And while you’re in town, make sure to have something with peaches in it, catch a Braves game at Turner Field, and if you like your guys hairy and can go lickity-split, go for Atlanta Bear Fest.

Scott Wallis is the co-host of the GayCities/Queerty-sponsored Swish Edition comedy & interview talk show. This week’s episode is below and features Pittsburgh’s furrie convention, Madonna’s new comic book, and all your summer entertainment choices.

Photos by The Front Porch / Adam Bouska / Atlanta Bear Fest

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