Top 5 budget vacation destinations

POSTED BY JonF ON Aug 9th, 2011 | 0 COMMENTS

Get more bang for your buck - these five cities offer all of the fun and luxury of more expensive spots.

5. Orlando

More than 35 million people a year visit Gay Orlando, the theme park capital of the United States, enjoying the many attractions, beaches, and events that make Central Florida a great place to check out. It is, to say the least, a real tourism hotspot but you don’t have to shell out big bucks to have a good time.

Hotel Deals

Bohemian Hotel Celebration - The Kessler Collection - Westin Lake Mary

Cheap Thrills

The Club Orlando - Harry P. Leu Gardens - Orlando Science Center

4. Dallas

More than just steers and queers, Dallas is a thriving cosmopolitan city with wonderful museums, culture and beautiful men and women. Dallas boasts two thriving LGBT neighborhoods, both just minutes from Downtown. A lot of gay/lesbian bars are found in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, but many are peppered throughout the city. In fact, there are several bars and clubs all within walking distance of the Cedar Springs strip.

Hotel Deals

Le Meridien Dallas North - Sterling Hotel Dallas - W Dallas Victory - The Candlewood Suites Dallas

Cheap Thrills

Crow Collection of Asian Art - Gay Bingo - The Dallas Arboretum

3. Portland

Portland is a green, clean and open-minded city that still has a small-town vibe. Gay Portland is one of the few urban cities that can stake its claim as being surrounded by mountains, forests, and waterways. With a beautiful backdrop of Mount Hood in the distance, Forest Park on the edge of downtown and five major waterways within a 10-minute drive of the city, Portland’s location is truly one of a kind.

Hotel Deals

Jupiter Hotel - Seawright House Luxury Retreat

Cheap Thrills

Blow Pony - Japanese Garden - Pioneer Courthouse Square

2. New Orleans

Mardi Gras, jazz and amazing food! New Orleans is a major tourist destination for so many reasons. Southern Decadence (the biggest LGBT circuit party in the south) takes place in “The Crescent City” every Labor Day Weekend but there’s a gay ol’ time to be had all year round.

Hotel Deals

New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center - New Orleans Marriott - JW Marriott New Orleans - Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette Hotel - Renaissance New Orleans Arts Hotel - Hotel Monteleone - Bienville House - Bourbon Orleans Hotel - Dauphine Orleans Hotel - St. Louis Hotel - Hotel Le Marais - JW Marriott New Orleans - Maison de Macarty - Terrell House

Cheap Thrills

French Market - Audubon Zoo - Haunted History Tours - Bourbon Street

1. Las Vegas

A flashy, glitzy, decadent mirage in the middle of the desert, Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Whether you’re coming to catch a show or just lounge by the pool at one of the world-class hotels, ‘Sin City’ is the perfect LGBT getaway. With a number of gay clubs on the Strip and in the Fruit Loop (the ‘gayborhood’), there’s a great time to be had no matter what day you’re in town.