From Crystals to Coastlines: Road Trips for Every Queer
There’s just something about a road trip that makes life feel like it’s filled with endless possibilities. Windows down, music blasting, snacks spilling all over the back seat — it’s chaotic, it’s fun, and it’s the kind of adventure that feels almost youthful. The road itself becomes part of the story: the inside jokes, the random roadside stops, the “did we just drive three hours out of the way for pie?” kind of moments.
And here’s the thing: not all road trips are the same. Some of us want to chase waterfalls until our camera roll is full. Some of us would happily spend all day hopping from queer-owned bookstore to café, pausing only to caffeinate. Others are in it purely for sports, sunsets, or sparkly rocks (hi, crystal collectors). That’s the beauty of it — there’s a road trip vibe for everyone. This list is my love letter to the kind of lesbian road trip that makes you feel alive: part adventure, part cozy, part “oh my god, you have to stop here.” It’s not meant to cover every kind of queer traveler — it’s just fun, playful inspiration for wherever your wanderlust takes you. So pack the snacks, download the playlist, and let’s go find your road trip alter ego.
The Nature Lover: Calgary to Vancouver via Banff & Jasper
If your soul lights up at mountain peaks and winding roads, this is the lesbian road trip for you. Starting in Calgary, an underrated Canadian city with a growing LGBTQ+ scene, kick things off with a night out at Twisted Element, the city’s lively queer nightclub. Think drag shows, themed dance nights, and the perfect way to toast the beginning of your adventure.
From Calgary, head west into the Canadian Rockies, where the drive along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is often called one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. Towering glaciers, turquoise lakes, and wildlife sightings will keep you pulling over at every viewpoint. Must-stops include Lake Louise, Athabasca Glacier, and Peyto Lake, each offering that quintessential “wow” moment.
The journey ends in Vancouver, a city that consistently ranks among the most LGBTQ-friendly in the world. Spend time exploring Davie Village, grab cocktails at The Junction, and browse queer-owned shops before heading to English Bay for a sunset you won’t forget. For a deeper dive into what makes Vancouver so queer-inclusive, check out our guide: A Queer Vancouver Long Weekend Getaway.
Pro Tip: Summer through early fall is the best time to make this drive, when the roads are clear and the lakes glow their brightest shades of blue.
The Crystal Lover: Desert Magic in Arizona
For the queer traveler who feels most at home surrounded by sparkling stones and desert sunsets, Arizona is your dream lesbian road trip. Start in Tucson, home to the world-famous Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, where thousands of vendors take over the city every winter with crystals, fossils, and glittering treasures from all over the world.
From there, head north to Quartzsite, a small desert town that transforms into a mecca for gem hunters every January and February. RVs line the desert, swap meets buzz with collectors, and it’s the ultimate spot to geek out over amethyst, turquoise, and quartz.
No crystal road trip would be complete without a stop in Sedona, famous for its red rock formations and energy vortexes. Whether or not you buy into the woo, the scenery alone feels magical. Browse crystal shops along Highway 89A, hike Cathedral Rock, and soak up that grounding desert energy. Cap off the trip with a stay at the LGBTQ-friendly L’Auberge de Sedona, where cozy cottages and luxury amenities offer the perfect place to relax, recharge, and reflect on your crystal-filled adventure.
Pro Tip: Plan this road trip in winter, the gem shows run from late January through mid-February, and the cooler weather makes desert hikes much more comfortable.
The Book Lover: Boston to Brooklyn
For the queer bibliophile, this lesbian road trip is all about wine, words, and wandering between cozy bookstores and cafés. Start in Boston with a glass in hand at Nathálie Wine Bar, a femme-forward, queer-welcoming spot where natural wines meet community vibes. Then swing by some of the city’s most beloved indie and queer-friendly bookstores to stock up on road trip reads:
- All She Wrote Books (Somerville) — a feminist, queer-owned bookshop filled with LGBTQ+ titles.
- Lucy Parsons Center (Jamaica Plain) — a radical, collectively run space offering zines and queer literature.
- Papercuts (Jamaica Plain) — woman-owned and award-winning, with a carefully curated selection.
- Read My Lips (Boston) — a romance-focused pop-up that highlights LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors.
When it’s time to wind down, check into Beacon Hill Hotel, a boutique stay with cozy rooms and a quiet reading lounge that feels perfect for curling up with a book after a day of exploring.
Once you roll into Brooklyn, the bookish magic really comes alive. Begin at The Nonbinarian, a trans-led, volunteer-powered bookstore in Crown Heights carrying exclusively queer-authored titles. Next, make your way to Hive Mind Books in Bushwick, a queer-owned bookstore and café that’s light-filled, joyful, and dedicated to centering queer and trans voices. Add these to your Brooklyn list:
- Books Are Magic (Cobble Hill) — a cozy, community hub often featuring queer authors on their event roster.
- Bluestockings Cooperative (Lower East Side, an easy detour from Brooklyn) — a queer, feminist, collective-run bookstore and café.
- Greenlight Bookstore (Fort Greene) — an indie mainstay that regularly features LGBTQ+ titles and authors.
Recharge at The Library Hotel in Manhattan, a boutique stay where each floor is organized by the Dewey Decimal System, and the Reading Room is always stocked with books, coffee, and cozy nooks. It’s the ultimate literary nightcap to a Brooklyn bookstore crawl.
When you’re ready for a caffeine break, head to Soft Butch, a trans-owned café in Bed-Stuy that’s quickly become a community favorite. Coffee in hand, slip into one of Brooklyn’s many parks to read—whether it’s the riverfront calm of Marsha P. Johnson State Park, the neighborhood energy of Maria Hernandez Park, or a tucked-away bench in Prospect Park’s Vale of Cashmere.
Pro Tip: This road trip shines in spring or fall when the weather is crisp, the parks are inviting, and both Boston and Brooklyn’s indie bookstore scenes are buzzing.
The Sports Fan: Oakland to Portland to Seattle
For queer sports lovers, this road trip is a victory lap up the West Coast, filled with women’s teams, queer-owned sports bars, and the kind of masc fashion staples that belong in every lesbian road trip starter pack.
Start in the Bay Area with a game from the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest team. Nothing compares to the thrill of women’s professional basketball in Oakland’s vibrant atmosphere. After the game, keep the energy going with a queer night out at Jolene’s in San Francisco — the Bay’s go-to lesbian/LGBTQ hangout with drag shows, DJs, and strong community vibes.
Next stop: Portland, Oregon, where you’ll find The Sports Bra, the world’s first bar dedicated entirely to women’s sports. This queer-owned hotspot is a shrine to women athletes, with every screen tuned to women’s games, memorabilia on the walls, and a vibe that feels like family. (Check out our full EveryQueer Portland guide for more queer-owned stops!)
Before you leave Oregon, make a pit stop at Nike Headquarters in Beaverton. Nike’s campus isn’t just a global hub for athletics — for many queer folks, their gear is basically masc fashion 101: hoodies, sneakers, track pants, and sports bras. Strolling through their company store feels like stepping into a masc style starter pack.
Wrap up in Seattle, one of the most queer-friendly cities in the U.S. Catch the Seattle Storm (WNBA) at Climate Pledge Arena or an OL Reign soccer game in the NWSL — both teams boast dedicated fanbases that feel like chosen family. Between games, grab a coffee at Broadcast Coffee Roasters, a queer-owned staple in Capitol Hill, or brunch at Lost Lake Café, a 24-hour diner that’s queer-inclusive and beloved by locals. When night falls, head to Wildrose, one of the country’s longest-running lesbian bars, or Queer/Bar, which combines drag, DJs, and a love of queer community with big-screen sports energy.
And don’t forget: the West Coast is stacked with powerhouse college athletics programs. Depending on the season, you can catch top-tier women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball, and softball at universities like Stanford, Cal, Oregon, and Washington — each with an atmosphere as passionate as the pros.
Pro Tip: Plan your road trip to align with the WNBA season (May–September) or the NWSL season (March–November) to make the most of women’s sports energy.
The Adventure Enthusiast: Iceland’s Ring Road
For the queer traveler who lives for bucket-list adventures, Iceland’s Ring Road is the ultimate lesbian road trip. This 800-mile loop around the island is packed with epic landscapes: volcanic fields, black-sand beaches, glacier lagoons, and waterfalls that look straight out of a fantasy novel.
Start in Reykjavík, Iceland’s quirky and queer-friendly capital. The city has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, with bars like Kiki Queer Bar and cozy cafés that make it easy to connect with locals. Stock up on road trip essentials, then hit the open road.
Heading east, stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two iconic waterfalls where you can literally walk behind the cascading water. Continue toward Vík, home to Iceland’s famous black-sand beach, Reynisfjara, and towering basalt columns. Farther along, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon will leave you speechless as icebergs drift slowly out to sea.
If you’ve got time, add detours to Dettifoss (Europe’s most powerful waterfall) and the geothermal landscapes around Lake Mývatn. No matter which direction you travel, every turn on the Ring Road feels like stepping onto another planet.
Pro Tip: Summer offers 24 hours of daylight, perfect for packing in the most adventure. But winter road-trippers can chase the Northern Lights — just be prepared for icy conditions and shorter days.
The Fall Foliage Lover: New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway
For queer travelers who crave crisp air, cozy sweaters, and fiery autumn colors, the Kancamagus Highway delivers the ultimate lesbian road trip. This 34-mile scenic byway through New Hampshire’s White Mountains is world-famous for fall foliage, with forests that light up in shades of gold, crimson, and orange each October.
Start your journey in Concord or Portsmouth, both welcoming towns with plenty of cafés to fuel up before heading north. Once on the Kancamagus, pull over at must-see stops like Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge, and Hancock Overlook, where short trails lead to sweeping views and photo ops that feel straight out of a postcard.
At day’s end, cozy up in North Conway, a mountain town with charming shops and queer-owned inns that make you feel right at home. Stay at the Cranmore Inn, a gay-owned B&B with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, or the O’Reilly House, a lesbian-owned country inn where riverside views and thoughtful touches make it the perfect fall retreat. Pair your stay with a stop at local favorites like The Met Coffeehouse or Table + Tonic, both LGBTQ-friendly spots ideal for cider, coffee, and conversation.
Pro Tip: Peak foliage usually runs from late September to mid-October, but the timing shifts each year—so check New Hampshire’s foliage tracker before you go to make sure you catch the colors at their brightest.
