Pride, protest and progress: Step into the storied past of a city where LGBTQ+ history has been made and continues to unfold.
This itinerary guides you through the city’s pivotal landmarks and historic neighborhoods that honor trailblazing people and moments, not only in DC’s story but in the broader narrative of LGBTQ+ history in the United States. Explore how the nation’s capital has long stood at the forefront of queer activism, visibility and community.
Don't miss WorldPride in DC (May 17 – June 8, 2025), even more essential LGBTQ+ experiences and other only-in-DC adventures and itineraries.
Day 1
Morning
Begin your day in Dupont Circle, where DC’s LGBTQ+ community took root in the 1960s and '70s. Townhomes served as safe social spaces, the foundation for fledgling businesses and HQs for civil rights protestors and activists and DC’s first Pride celebration was even held here. Pick up a coffee and a pastry at LGBTQ-owned cafe Three Fifty or have a casual sit-down breakfast at All Day by Kramers, a cafe tucked into the famous bookstore just off the Metro stop. Be sure to browse the LGBTQ+ section before you go.
Dive into the history of the “old gayborhood” with Unscripted Tours’ DC Pride Tour. We also recommend Rainbow History Project’s guide to LGBTQ+ landmarks in the neighborhood. The organization also hosts a special Pride exhibit in DC's Freedom Plaza from May 19 to July 6.
Afterwards, take a stroll down 17 Street NW, which boasts signature rainbow-colored crosswalks and staples of LGBTQ+ life in DC, such as JR’s and Dito’s. Look for the “Frank Kameny Way” street sign at 17 and R Streets as well. Kameny, an astronomer by trade, became a gay rights activist when he was fired from the U.S. Army in 1957 for “suspected homosexuality.”
Afternoon
Grab lunch at a spot beloved for its welcoming atmosphere like Floriana or Dupont Italian Kitchen.
From here, take off walking – or grab some wheels from a Capital Bikeshare station – and head to the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Along the way, you’ll see the National Mall, which has served as the backdrop for decades of activism in favor of LGBTQ+ rights, including the first gay rights picket in front of the White House in 1965 led by Frank Kameny.
Check out NMAH’s online guide before you go so that you can be on the lookout for iconic items from LGBTQ+ history including archival photos of civil rights protests, political buttons and Gay Comix issues from the 1990s.
Evening
Enjoy a meal at another cornerstone of DC’s LGBTQ+ community, Logan Tavern on 14th Street. Then, unwind with a pint at The Little Gay Pub, a modern addition to DC’s LGBTQ+ bar and club scene that echoes the joy and camaraderie of the queer gathering spots that blossomed in the city more than 60 years ago.
Day 2
Take a Metro ride to Capitol Hill, a vibrant center for the LGBTQ+ community for decades. Grab breakfast or coffee at As You Are, a space that doubles (triples?) as a welcoming queer cafe, sports bar and nightclub.
Morning
Little District
Explore Eastern Market and pop into LGBTQ+-owned businesses around this historic neighborhood. Barracks Row – nicknamed the “Gay Way” in the 1960s – was one of the first major social hubs in Washington, DC to allow same-sex dancing, and while most of these pioneering bars and clubs are no longer in business, the legacy continues.
At Little District Books, there isn’t an LGBTQ+ section – it’s the entire shop, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to engage with queer stories. We also recommend a stop into Capital Candy Jar, a queer-owned staple in the District for over a decade.
Make a trip to the Congressional Cemetery, which has a dedicated LGBTQ+ section where you can honor the lives of prominent queer figures and activists.
Visit the resting place of Frank Kameny (co-founder of the Mattachine Society, an early gay rights organization and the first openly gay person to run for Congress) as well as Barbara Gittings and Kay Tobin Lahusen (founders of the first American lesbian rights organization). Look for Leonard Matlovich’s headstone that reads: “A Gay Vietnam Veteran: When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men. And a discharge for loving one.”
Afternoon
Grab lunch at Mr. Henry’s, an American restaurant that has been embracing the LGBTQ+ community for over 50 years.
From here, head Downtown for a guided experience with A Tour of Her Own’s Over the Rainbow tour, where you'll explore theaters, street art and historic spaces. You can also opt to cover six miles’ worth of history with DC Cycling Concierge's Pride Ride.
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If you prefer to explore on your own, stop by the Supreme Court, where Washingtonians and visitors from around the country and world have gathered to mark key moments in American history, including landmark decisions like the June 2015 ruling that made same-sex marriage legal. Free, self-guided tours are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Nearby, you can check out the Folger Shakespeare Library to see the largest collection of the Bard’s folios in the world for free. Programming at the Folger often brings a newer (and more queer) perspective to traditional works, so be sure to check out what's on.
Evening
Go to another popular DC neighborhood for LGBTQ+-friendly vibes and top-notch food and drink: Shaw. Get dinner at Shaw's Tavern, where the events calendar is as robust as the menu. Follow this up with drinks at Dacha Beer Garden (whose mural pays tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's efforts during the AIDS epidemic) or Nellie’s (the first gay sports bar in DC). For a non-alcoholic night out, go a little farther west down U Street to Spark Social House.
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