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SEPTEMBER GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES IN DALLAS

Over 5,000 participants and fans from 45 cities will attend the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) in Dallas from September 22-27, 2014. But arrive a few days early to enjoy Dallas’ Gay Pride on Sunday, the 21st.

GSWS competition takes place at two parks, Kiest Park and Soft-ball World. Since Dallas is a sprawl-ing metropolis, getting around will require a car. For accommodations, we’d recommend the Hilton Anatole which is a host hotel for both the GSWS and Gay Pride. Plus it’s relatively close to the Oak Lawn neighborhood, Dallas’ strong and vibrant gay scene centered at Throckmorton and Cedar Springs Road. But if you want to stay in the gay center, the luxurious Warwick Melrose is the place for you.

The Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is the top-ranked attraction in Dallas. September 20th the park hosts the Tour Des Fleurs 10K/20K run, and kicks off Autumn at the Arbo-retum with over 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash in its Pumpkin Village.

History enthusiasts may enjoy Heritage Village near downtown, a 20-acre park where 38 restored historic homes and buildings have been relocated to preserve a taste of Dallas from the 1840s through 1910. Nearby Reunion Tower rises up 560 feet and offers 360 degree views of Dal-las from its Geo-Deck, and down on the 50th floor you can enjoy fine dining in Wolfgang Pucks’ revolving restaurant Five Sixty.

Just north of downtown you’ll find the Dallas Arts Dis-trict, the largest arts district in the U.S. covering 68 acres. Comprised of several museums and performance halls, the most noted is the Dallas Performing Arts Center which has been called the “most significant performing art center to be built since New York’s Lincoln Center.”

Downtown is not very active at nights but the Oak Lawn “gayborhood” is! There you’ll find many popular and busy gay bars, clubs and restaurants. Whether you prefer an early happy hour or dancing through the night, Oak Lawn has it all. Our top picks for nightlife are: Jr’s Bar & Grill (highly popular), the Round-Up Saloon (top country western), Station 4 (late night dance club) and Sue Ellen’s (women’s dance club).

To visit Dallas or for help in planning your own or group travel, you can contact Brian Raymond at brian@OutDestinations.com or 866-217-2341.

Brian Raymond

TRAVELBY BRIAN RAYMOND, OUT DESTINATIONS

ALL-STAR

36 | COMPETE | June 2014

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nEw orlEans CElEbratEs DivErsitythere can’t Be Many Places more appropriate for an over the top cel-ebration of diversity than New Orleans. This city is built on the melding of different peoples into a community, while celebrating the uniqueness and partaking in each group’s culture and traditions.

For the most fun and excitement stay in or near the French Quarter. Plan on spending a day exploring the area which has one of the widest variety of stores anywhere. It is the heart and soul of the city, filled with everything from fine art galleries to shops where you can buy voodoo dolls and mystical tools, plus elegant restaurants and affordable bars serving authentic Cre-ole or Cajun food.

Check out Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights (founded in 1944) on Royal Street where you can see the workshop filled with antique gas fixtures and old work tables. You might even see a coppersmith working! Watch cigars being hand rolled, a craft and art, at the Cigar Factor on Decatur. Visit Maskarade on St Ann St to find exquisite custom carved leather masks for Mardi Gras, Carnivale or Halloween - we bought two last time we were there.

Learn how to cook authentic New Orleans cuisine hands-on at Langlois, a couple of blocks NE of the Quarter. But this doesn’t even scratch the surface. Take time to walk through the district. You’ll learn a lot about the city’s history and its people, all while having a fun day.

Of course, New Orleans is known for partying. So while there you have to explore the gay center in the French Quarter. Start at Bourbon Pub or Café Lafitte (which claims to be the old-est continuously operating gay bar in U.S.). Have a few drinks, make new friends and grab one of the local gay papers and see what’s happening.

For a somewhat unusual experience, but another very unique to New Orleans, visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 a few blocks north of the French Quarter. Because the city is below sea level, the deceased had to be buried above ground. The cemeteries have beautiful and elaborate sculptures with deco-rative artwork adorning the tombs.

New Orleans is vibrant, pulsing, romantic, spiritual and enjoys indulging to excess. How can you not have fun?

To visit New Orleans or for help in planning your own or group travel, you can contact Brian Raymond at brian@OutDestinations.com or 866-217-2341.

Brian Raymond

tRaveLBy BRIAN RAyMOND, Out DeStINAtIONS

aLL-StaR

36 | COMPETE | January 2015

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sydney Hosts rugby’s bingHAm Cup World CHAmpionsHip series

From August 24–31 the magi-cal city of Sydney, Australia plays host to rugby’s bi-annual gay world championship series, the Bingham Cup. It was named to honor rugby player Mark Bingham, one of the 9/11 heroes on flight 93. It will be winter there with highs averaging 62 degrees and lows near 45 degrees – perfect weather for exploring.

When you go, stay downtown where all the action, nightlife, most popular attractions and the gay cen-ter are located. Start your visit on the waterfront at Sydney’s most iconic symbol, the Sydney Opera House with its white architectural “sails” defining its roofline and its Sydney Har-bour backdrop. Guided tours are available but be sure to book early.

Next, walk to The Rocks, the restored 19th century cen-ter of Sydney with its cobbled streets, pubs and historical buildings. On your way you’ll pass the Museum of Contem-porary Art and the Circular Quay (pronounced ‘key’) trans-portation hub with ferry, bus and train service throughout metro Sydney.

Just behind the Opera House is the magnificent 74-acre Royal Botanic Gardens. At the south end, cross College Street and take a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park past the classical Archibald Fountain, a favorite stop for photog-raphers. You’ll find the gay district along Oxford St at the southeast corner of Hyde Park.

The cheapest and easiest way to enjoy the coastline, city skyline and beauty of the Harbour is on the Manly ferry – be sure to take a camera. Want a bit of a thrill? Try the Skywalk on the Sydney Tower, a 360-degree glass walkway 835 feet above ground or climb up 1,002 steps to the top of the Syd-ney Harbour Bridge (at 440 feet) for breathtaking views and incredible camera shots.

Avoid renting a car as traffic is a nightmare and parking is very limited. But public transportation is excellent with multiday passes available that include service to the site of the Bingham Cup, the zoo, the wildlife park, Darling Har-bour and more.

Pack electrical plug adaptors and make sure your elec-tronics can down convert Australia’s 240v/50hz power. One last thing, it’s a great city so extend your vacation a few extra days.

To visit Sydney or any other vacation destination, you can contact Brian Raymond at brian@OutDestinations.com or 866-217-2341.

Brian Raymond

traveLBY BRIAn RAYMonD, ouT DeSTInATIonS

aLL-star

36 | COMPETE | May 2014