Miami Winter Travel Guide

Miami Beach has long been known as a popular and open destination for LGBT tourists looking to unwind and escape from the cold, bitter winter that descends on the rest of the country. Check out the best beaches, winter Pride events and nightlife. Here are our picks of what not to miss.

Beaches

South Beach's 12th Street Beach
Rainbow flags mark the territory between two chair rental spots. The gay scene at this spot has been celebrated for years as an electric spot for fun. Activities include windsurfing, snorkeling and cool bike rides around the area. Rent a chair or umbrella or lay a towel in the sand and indulge in sunbathing, people watching and activities.

Haulover Beach Park
If you forget your bathing suit on your visit to this beach, don't fret, you are complying with the dress code. The clothing- optional stretch is sure to get rid of tan lines and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Celebrate Pride

White Party Week
From November 26 - December 1, Miami Beach hosts one of their biggest parties of the year. The White Party Week began in 1984 and is organized by Florida's most noted HIV/AIDS service organization, Care Resource. The week long fundraiser is celebrating its 30th year anniversary in 2014, so you can expect a record-breaking crowd.

Winter Party Festival
Winter Party Festival is an iconic six-day LGBTQ celebration that brings together diverse people from all over the globe. Back in 1994, the festival's founders kicked up their heels and invited the LGBTQ community to party on the sands of South Beach. More than twenty years later, under the leadership of the National LGBTQ Task Force, that singular annual party on the beach has become what's now known as Winter Party Festival. The festival kicks off March 4 and runs until March 9 on the sands of Miami Beach.

Night Out

Miami is not short on nightlife. If you're looking for a cruisy, sexy gentlemen's club for gentlemen, be sure to check out The Floppy Rooster. But for the classic, high-octane Miami experience, look no further than Twist, which is actually seven bars packed into one space. While the crowd may be twinky, the venue is celebrating more than 20 years in South Beach, proving that age and beauty go hand in hand.

LGBT Visitor's Center
For a comprehensive guide to all there is to do on Miami Beach, stop by the new LGBT Visitor's Center (1130 Washington Avenue).