The ultimate American Southeast road trip - from New Orleans to Key West

New Orleans is home to a great many cross-cultural attractions, thanks to its European colonial past, extensive migrant influence and its global renown as the birthplace of Jazz. Here you’ll find hearty local delicacies such as the Po’ boy sandwich in authentic diners just around the corner from the city’s notable French quarter, a place which firmly celebrates LGBT+ culture in an otherwise conservative Deep South.

Diversity in New Orleans is in good supply, acting as a melting pot for different ethnicities, nationalities and sexual orientations to live, create and unwind. A hub for artists, musicians, literary minds and activists, New Orleans will leave you inspired, with liberty on your mind and Cajun spice on your tongue. Read more about fun things to do in New Orleans for couples as well as the various day trips from New Orleans in Mr Hudson’s dedicated New Orleans travel guide.

After exploring the many wonders of urban New Orleans, we top up the tank on our shiny convertible and zoom off on our epic journey from New Orleans to Miami, along stunning coastal roads flanking the Gulf of Mexico. We roll up first in Panama City to be greeted with fun-loving beach resorts and ocean action. Within Gay Panama City located on St. Andrews, there’s the marina and all manner of seafood eateries, while across the bay, Panama City Beach treats us to its long white-sand shores and wonderfully trashy amusement parks.

The list of Panama City Florida things to do continues with a call to nature over on Shell Island Peninsula where St. Andrews State Park lays claim to beaches, nature trails and open-water excursions. Pack your binoculars for the opportunity to glimpse dolphins and sea turtles up close!

From Florida’s capital to its largest city, we park up next in the coastal city of Jacksonville, another gay haven with a population of over 1,300,000. Despite its conservative roots, gay culture burgeons in Jacksonville, leaving gay travellers with plenty to smile about. Named among the ‘top 5 emerging cities for gays and lesbians’ by The Advocate, Tallahassee shines, particularly within the up-and-coming neighbourhoods of Avondale, San Marco and Riverside where charming stores and eclectic restaurants benefit from both affordability and endless Florida sunshine. Visit Jacksonville is a worthy bookmark, providing all the best seasonal things to do in Jacksonville.

Hold onto your Minnie Mouse ears for the next drive south because we now make our way to the hometown of Mr Mouse himself. A guilty pleasure, Orlando is much loved by gays worldwide for its over-the-top Walt Disney sensibilities and its prime position in the market of gay weddings. In addition to the countless amusement parks, Orlando is surprisingly cosmopolitan and bustling, most notably down by the beachfront where Gay Orlando thrives.

Voted the tenth gayest city in the US, Orlando has a fine selection of gay nightlife choices. In addition to classy jazz joints like the Bösendorfer Lounge, one of the best gay clubs Orlando has on offer is Southern Nights Orlando. Fusing queer and ‘LatinX’ cultures, Orlando keeps visitors dancing to dawn with its endless run of gay events, including the LGBTQ-oriented Disney Gay Days, Come Out With Pride and Orlando Pride festival. In the wake of the Pulse Nightclub Tragedy, the city has rallied, becoming more committed to inclusivity and togetherness than ever before. For more things to do in Orlando Florida, see our guide to the best gay bars in Orlando.

From the azure shores of South Beach to the Cuban-spiced neighbourhood of Little Havana, our next stop in Miami is bound to please. Where the sun reigns all year round and glitz is a way of life, Miami is the perfect penultimate stop-off. In between taking in the talent at 12^th Street Beach (a proudly gay gathering spot signposted by rainbow flags) and partying in the best Miami gay clubs, spare some time to explore across the causeway, where Art-Deco pastel buildings provide a stunning backdrop to the city’s exciting foodie movement and a buzzing art scene. See our Miami travel guide for all the trending ins and outs of this sun-kissed urban beauty.

Ending on a high, we make the spectacular journey down to Key West, one of the best known US destinations for queer travellers since the 1970s, an LGBT safe haven founded amidst picture-perfect beaches and rugged coastal landscapes. Offering gay-friendly guest houses and a magnificent gay culture centred on Duval Street, Key West reaches its peak during the summer months when annual events such as Tropical Heat, Fantasyfest and Womenfest draw international crowds. For more things to do in Key West year-round, see our guide of the top 10 things to do in gay Key West.