Take Your Pride on the Rocks (in Sedona, AZ)

Happy Sedona Pride on the Rocks 2010 participants

The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa, a gorgeous luxurious resort 90 minutes north of Phoenix and the gateway to Arizona’s famous and mesmerizing red-rock country is host to the third annual Sedona Pride on the Rocks festival from September 16 to 18, 2011.

The weekend-long festival will feature the Pre-Pride Party, Private Pride Pool Party and Pride Night “Gay-la” as well as other exciting events and activities.

There’s something magical, even spiritual about this part of the great, breathtaking open-sky expanse of the Southwest and in particular red rock country. Imagine celebrating gay Pride in the company of the (mostly) regional LGBT community with this as backdrop.

PHILADELPHIA FOR JULY 4TH: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

The City of Brotherly love (and Sisterly Affection) beckons LGBT travelers to “get their history straight and their nightlife gay.” What better time to do so then during the Philadelphia’s 11-day cutely named Wawa Welcome America Independence Day festivities.

The city where a lot of American history started really does up July 4th. It actually started last Friday with a weekend’s worth of Taste of Philadelphia. This week there’s something every day, including Hoagie Day on Wednesday July 29 (the 4.5-ton (yes TON!) Hoagie is served noon to 2pm on Market at 6th St).Of course the big fun is all the concerts, including a big Fam Jam — curated by Questlove and The Roots — parades and fireworks on July 2nd and July 4th. Lots of information at Wawa’s site below.LInks:

• Wawa Welcome America’s 11-day celebration information.
• Official gay tourism information here.
• Follow them at: Twitter.com/July4thPhilly
• Friend that on Facebook

 Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com.

Don Draper Would Go Mad for the Hotel Valley Ho

Hotel Valley Ho's exterior; below right, a room

By Dennis Hensley; originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

If you’re a Mad Men junkie and you’re having withdrawals after the recent Season 4 finale, might we suggest getting your mid-century modern fix at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ.

Built in 1956 and refurbished from top to bottom for its 2005 grand reopening, the 193-room hotel is an irresistible mix of retro and of-the-moment. It’s like taking a stylish step back in time … but with flat-screen hi-def TVs, Philippe Stark-designed bathtubs and state-of-the-art Precor cardio equipment! The place is so cool you half expect to see John Hamm’s Don Draper knocking back his 12th cocktail of the day at the Café ZuZu restaurant or Christina Hendricks’ Joan Holloway sauntering through the lobby on the way to her facial appointment at the VH Spa.

You could also imagine January Jones’ Betty Draper unwinding for a few days by the martini-shaped pool after getting her quickie divorce in Reno. The Valley Ho is no stranger to Hollywood glamour. This, after all, is where Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood had their wedding reception in 1957. And Jimmy Durante was known to tinkle the ivories in the lobby late at night when he couldn’t sleep.

Within walking distance is one of Old Town Scottsdale’s most popular new restaurants, The Mission, which serves Latin-flavored favorites like empanadas, mojitos and mahi-mahi tacos with a unique homespun flair; the flour tortillas are brought to your table on a heated brick to keep them warm. Round out the night with a drinks and dancing at the nearby gay bar, BS West, which has been a neighborhood favorite since 1988. Sing karaoke, catch a drag show or if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll meet your own Don Draper on the dance floor.