Yearning for a queer adventure? Thirsting for a good time? Searching for a bit of tranquility? Provincetown is everything wrapped up in one destination. Ptown offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every style and personality, along with a kaleidoscope of activities –beautiful beaches and trails, museums and galleries (we are the oldest continuous arts colony in the US), themed week events, fabulous dining, live entertainment, boutique shops for every taste, and so much more! And don’t forget the Mischief. Sizzle. Queer. Magic. Pride. Provincetown is a place that changes you. Any season. Every time.
Summer Getaways
Volume 30, Issue 806 • April 16-29, 2026
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Down-Home Demographics
I’d seldom pondered the word “demographic.” Its definition is stored within some cerebral wrinkle as, “The study of human units in order to pinpoint how many things specific clusters can be finagled into buying the product; needed, and, more specifically, not,” further utilizing the numbers to make the “Nots” become “Must-haves,” at any expense. The effort seemed, on the surface, if not noble, at least a profitable realm of endeavor, given its obvious success.
Consider the range of items folks have been driven to desire: the basic Pet Rock (don’t just bend over, select, take home, but Buy!); Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch dolls, bell-bottom trouserscum-platform shoes and on to today’s driverless cars — tens of thousands lavished to own a design aping metal receptacles serving Michigan’s Big House’s halftime diners’ refuse.
In my feckless youth — for full disclosure — I succumbed to bell-bottoms. A cherished photo captured me observing the Dalai Lama autographing a photo I’d taken of him earlier at Sanders Theatre. His Holiness is swathed in robes, seated, putting pen to photograph. I, in (red, plaid) bell-bottoms, lean forward, flanked by security on either side, to accept. A thrilling instant, which, throughout the passing decades, I’ve been thankful was captured in forgiving black-and-white.
OUR SCENE | ARTS & CULTURE
BY SOMMER WAGEN
Over those same decades, my personal spending lusts have remained low-key, centered mainly on books (used) and writing instruments from JetPen’s bottomless well. I drove for some 70 years, purchasing a scant six cars, well below the Duesenberg demographic.
So why, starting some months back, was I being targeted online with, “Could you retire comfortably on a million dollars?” Well, sure, I thought, with a million, I wouldn’t need a job in the first place, but that’s a moot point — who can afford to retire? “Demographics” surfaced fleetingly and was gone. A briefer time passed, and the ante upped: “Could you retire comfortably on 1.5M?” and recently, following an even briefer pause, soared to “… comfortably on 2.5 Million?”
Fascinated, “demographics” became personal. Are these simply digital queries, broadcast indiscriminately like dandelion fluff or SARS-CoV-2 virus? Are they sown to insinuate hope — or doubt, or envy — onto the screens of folks just scraping by day-to-day, or scattershot on general sites like Facebook, to strike the eye of every possible viewer?
Soulful singer-songwriter Calum Scott returns to Minneapolis with confidence and gratitude
Reflections on the passage of time and embracing the present define his latest album, “Avenoir”
Calum Scott was a human resources worker when he received a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell on “The British Voice” for his performance of “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn. Over a decade later, he’s on tour in support of his third album, “Avenoir,” which will bring him to The Fillmore in Minneapolis on May 3.
The 37-year-old singer, who came out as gay in 2018, calls “Avenoir” his most confident work yet, something he attributes to how far he has come in the industry as well as personal development.
“For the first time in my career, I genuinely feel like I deserve to be where I’m at,” he says. “Also, as just a human being, I’m happy with who I am, happy with where I’m going, making peace with a lot of my demons of the past, with my sexuality and my identity.”
This reflection upon the passage of time is foundational to “Avenoir,” a 40-minute soul-search that takes several sonic twists and turns, from dramatic ballads to upbeat pop romps. Scott also collaborates with American country singer Lauren Alaina and even got permission from the Whitney Houston estate to use her vocals in his cover of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
The record’s elegant title, “Avenoir,” comes from John Koenig’s “Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” (which, coincidentally, Koenig conceptualized while attending Macalester College in St. Paul) and refers to “the desire that memory could flow backward.”
“It’s this kind of concept that we move through life as a rower moves — we’re always moving forward, but we can only see where we’ve been,” Scott explains, noting the origin of the album’s cover art. “[Koenig] explains, like, wouldn’t it be cool to be able to turn around in your boat and to see what life has planned for you? It was just such a huge light bulb moment for me.”
Scott says he applied the “Avenoir” concept to his own life and the magic of his career windfall 10 years ago, and came to the conclusion that he wouldn’t want to see the future.
“For me, it’s the twists and turns of life that make it exciting,” he says. “If everything was laid out for you, your sense of hope would diminish, your sense of ambition would be diminished in the sense that it’s all laid out for you, you have no control.”
This is coming from the same man who has been open about his struggles with his sexuality, body dysmorphia and suicidal ideation. Indeed, Scott is a cheerful, bubbly man, but it’s an attitude that feels hard-won. And he still loves having a good cry.
“It’s been hard work and determination, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, mainly tears,” he says. “I’ve gone to really dark places with my music to create light. For me, that’s everything.”
Scott’s May 3 show at The Fillmore will be his first concert in Minneapolis since 2022. Though his music has seen more commercial success in the United Kingdom, he says he loves touring across the pond.
“[American fans] are not scared to show you their hearts,” he says. “I’ve performed in London, for example, sometimes there’s a sense of people who are too cool to be like whooping and clapping and cheering. In Japan, they will clap and applaud you, but they’re so conscious not to clap over your talking that they all stop so quickly.”
Scott also shows an awareness that concerts are a luxury that not everyone can spare money for, which he says motivates him to make the experience worth it for his fans.
“The money that somebody has worked hard for, that they quite rightly deserve to be spending on the important things in life, the fact that they’ve spent that on a Calum Scott ticket means that I’ve gotta give everything that I possibly can to make sure that people leave feeling fulfilled,” he says. “For me to come back to Minneapolis and inject that joy … I mean, I think there’s no closer to magic that you can get than just sharing that moment with people.”
If you’re interested in seeing Scott live, expect a journey. Scott describes an explosive start to get everyone on their feet, followed by a detour to what he calls “Cry Corner.”
Have I — we — been reduced to human “catch,” like the creatures ocean trawlers engulf, scooping everything, harvesting the marketable and trashing the unwanted? Have I value in the demographer’s eye, or am I bycatch, another spurned Bluenose lizard fish or Flying gurnard?
Perhaps, considering a darker level of the demographer’s market-driven quest, there’s an awareness that as the “good fish” are consumed, other, lesser game — like the once-trashed redfish — must be promoted to “edible.” Am I, and others viewing the retirement question from our financial shallows, being inscribed on a “Next” product list as buffers against the current, lucrative consumer crop being fished dry? One doesn’t require tinfoil chapeaux to entertain that possibility.
I may be, as some have suggested, baleful, refusing to look at the bright side, while those ads (I’ve yet to open one) are in fact benefices, offering to seed respondents with baskets of cash! Of course! Why hadn’t I considered that! Windfall I’ll be able to bank together with those tariff-dividend checks being sent so faithfully! I feel better, already! I’ll go back to my reading and pen collecting, keeping an eye out for the mailbox’s red flag.
In the meantime, Buddy, can you spare a dime?
“Cry Corner, for me, is my favorite part of the show — it’s intense, it’s emotional, I have the first few rows crying,” he says.
Scott then draws the audience out of Cry Corner with Whitney Houston, then through his repertoire of dance songs and wholesome hits — something for everybody.
“If people wanna come and forget their problems for 90 minutes, I got you. If people wanna come and they wanna cry to the song that reminds them of their late mother, I got you. If you wanna feel like you wanna dance around like no one’s watching, I’ve got you,” he says. “I’ve got you in many different ways, and I think that’s what my shows are all about.”
With North America being the last major leg of the “Avenoir” tour, Scott says his biggest takeaway will always be gratitude for his fans. In return, he says he offers a lot more than just pop music.
“I feel like I offer a safe space. I offer relatability,” he says. “I always remind myself that I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the people that have listened and followed that journey. That keeps me humble, it keeps me grounded and it keeps me passionate.”
Scott offers VIP Meet and Greet ticket packages, which he says are really fun. He also released the song “Stay” with German pop singer Leony on March 20, which he describes as having “early Sabrina Carpenter vibes.”
Calum Scott — Sunday, May 3, 6 p.m. at The Fillmore, Minneapolis. Get tickets here.
Photo courtesy of BigStock/kathclick
BY CARLA WALDEMAR
Floating Down the Danube
How far, you ask, from Point A to Point B? Well, if you’re on my Viking River Cruise, the answer is thousands of kilometers over two glorious weeks of sailing the Danube. Our home on the water is the 250-passenger Rinda, whose 50 crew members, trained to pamper the heck out of us, earned a million on a scale of one to 10. After the first evening, they remembered my wine preferences (free during meals!), my companion’s allergy (walnuts!) and probably my birth sign and blood type.
Closet space is generous, and each cabin’s bathroom boasts premier toiletries plus a heated floor upon which to rest one’s tootsies. Swans float past our French balcony. Comfy chaises await on the observation deck.
We began our journey in Vienna, queen of European cities. Majestically adorned in Baroque plaster curlicues, she’s eternally ready for her close-up. The Rinda docked along the Danube Canal, a hike from the inner city accomplished by local tram. Following a morning’s bus tour along the Ring Road (Opera House, the Winter Palace and St. Michael’s Royal Church, where Mozart’s Requiem debuted), we jumped off in the epicenter of the city, facing that jaw-dropping architectural and spiritual wonder, St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Set free to wander, I sped straight to Demel’s for a slice of its famous Sacher torte. Girded by sugar, I turned to the nearby Jewish Museum, where its current exhibit explores one woman’s forging an identity as a lesbian Jew. The Albertine Museum is a must for admirers, like me, of the bold-name artists of the 20th century, from Nolde to Chagall to Picasso, while the Belvedere is home to Klimt’s scandalous “The Kiss.”
Time for lunch, so Istop for a wiener schnitzel at that Old World charmer, Café Centrale, with waiters in tuxedoes and newspapers on a stick. That’ll hold me until tonight’s dinner aboard ship, with its nightly-changing menu featuring entrees including marinated veal, herb-crusted pork tenderloin and black truffle risotto — or, from the list of always-available “classics,” my frequent choice of Norwegian salmon (or choose chicken or Angus ribeye). Those still able to waddle may head to the lounge for the nightly live entertainment.
During the night, our ship glides into port in Slovenia’s capital city, Bratislava. We stroll past the Opera House anchoring the town’s main square, then wave to a gaggle of schoolboys slurping ice cream cones. We scurry past the medieval Plague Pillar, erected to plead with God to spare the city. I was in search of the town’s Holocaust Memorial (10,000 Jews were killed) and the small but captivating Jewish Museum nearby.
Sailing on, we pull into vivacious Budapest early the next morning, docking under its iconic Chain Bridge, just steps from the city’s inviting covered market — the place to stock up on paprika to spice up people-watching. The bridge con-
nects bustling Pest with hilly Buda across the river, where a statue of St. Stephen guards the pretty Mattias Church, with its intricately patterned ceiling, and the Fishermen’s Bastion overlook beside it. We snap photos of the city’s iconic silhouette across the river, the wedding-cake Parliament Building — perhaps the most-photographed in the entire world.
A free afternoon lures us to Andrassy Boulevard, the town’s Fifth Avenue, lined with upscale shops (Rolex, Gucci), cozy cafes, a frilly Opera House and, our destination, the foreboding House of Terror. The museum documents repressive regimes of the city’s past — first the Nazis, then the Soviets. On the way, a peek at the landmark St. Stephen’s Cathedral, all tawny marble, to glimpse the saint’s own hand encased in a golden casket.
Back on board at dinner, I share a table with Trevor and Sandra, octogenarian travelers from New Zealand, and a Dutchman married to a Polish doctor. What’ll it be tonight: steamed cod in Champagne sauce or grilled veal with Parmesan polenta? Just say yes.
Can’t oversleep as we continue through Hungary to Pecs, a thousand-year-old town where a basilica honoring the 12 apostles was established in 1009, then destroyed/rebuilt/destroyed and finally rebuilt as a UNESCO site within its venerable Roman walls and burial chambers.
Aboard tonight, after dinner, we’re entertained by a vigorous Croatian band as we ease our way into Vukovar, Croatia, to visit its tiny history museum for an understanding of the deep horror of its bombardment during the brutal ’90s SerboCroatian war. To hear the story first-hand, we’re invited into the home of a family who were given 90 minutes to evacuate. “Our biggest problems today,” declares our guide, “are corruption, nepotism and brain drain.”
To hear the other side of the story, we dock in Serbia at Novi Sad, “the Serbian Athens.” And, because it’s Serbia, everything’s written in Cyrillic letters, and I’ve become illiterate. Serbia was part of the Soviet bloc until 1948, then ruled by “soft” communism (Coca Cola communism, they joke) under war hero Marshal Tito.
We explore the open-air market, Liberty Square with its shopping avenues, and a synagogue serving today as a cultural center (all Jews were herded out in 1944), where we are treated to a concert. We pop into a couple of art galleries, then trudge up Castle Hill to visit a trio of artists’ studios.
On to the capital city, Belgrade, whose scrappy citizens endured four wars in the recent past, including 78 days of NATO bombing, and now are battling rampant inflation. In retaliation to hard times, it’s now become a party town — and has been, actually, ever since the invading Turks installed the very first coffee shop in 1522.
A bus tour guide points out its art museum, a military fortress where the city first took root, the landmark Moscow Hotel, Parliament, Embassy Row and a museum-cum-shrine dedicated to anti-Russian Tito. Inside St. Sabo Orthodox Church, we gawk at its miraculous frescoes while learning of the church today, where statues are forbidden (frescoes instead), its priests must marry and St. Mary always wears red, a symbol of motherly love.
By morning, we set sail through gorgeous gorges pillared by sandstone cliffs as we approach the famed Iron Gate, camera ready. Staff ready, too: they greet us with mugs of hot chocolate spiked with rum! Dinner this evening features a Taste of the Balkans menu: lots of sausages delivered by (mostly) Filipino servers dressed in dirndls and lederhosen.
We wake to find ourselves in Bulgaria — Vidin, to be exact — dominated by the blue dome of St. Dimitrius Cathedral and a 13th-century castle/fort girded by a moat. Its synagogue now serves as a cultural center because only 18 Jews survived the Nazis. On the ecumenical corner where it stands, there’s also a mosque and an Orthodox church. And a streetcorner coffee machine, which drew the most attention of all — just insert coins and out comes your cappuccino!
In Plevin, we learned of the still-painful Siege of Plevin by the Turks in 685 CE. There’s a painted panorama of the whole gory story. Many of us absorbed the feeling that Bulgaria is the most depressed, bleak and gray country of our tour. Back on board, tea time cheered us with all those precious little sandwiches and cakes that demonstrate civility. We sip and chew and contemplate Romania on the opposite riverbank, our next destination.
It’s No Kings Day, so lots of us gather on the top deck with homemade signs as we approach the Black Sea. We dock at Constanta to tour a casino-cum-experience center, close to Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral and The Great Mosque, then bid our ship goodbye and bus it to Bucharest, Romania, our final destination.
I’ve been to Bucharest two or three times previously, so it feels like home. I giggle at its plywood Arch of Triumph, erected by show-offy dictator Ceaușescu before a revolution in 1987 turned the tide (and cooked his goose). The city’s Old Town is the place to wander, crammed with trinket shops, bookstores, coffeehouses and whatnot. (Off the record, I bought a pair of pink suede shoes.) Succumb to the charms of its many Orthodox churches with potent saints painted, inside and out, on every surface. Peer into the barrel vaults, and there’s Jesus. Approach the altar, and there he is again, flanked by Mother Mary. Linger for vespers when resonating bass voices chant.
The premier place to eat, drink and be merry since the 1870s is Caru cu Bere, a lively beer hall featuring strolling violinists, dancers in ethnic costumes and huge portions of national dishes like stuffed cabbage with polenta topped with a lethal-looking pepper. If you fail to have a good time here, check your pulse.
And if you have a hard time saying goodbye to the city — and the crew and fellow guests aboard Viking’s Rinda — you’re not alone. Best cure: sign on at vikingrivercruises.com for another voyage.
into Romania, Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge. Photos by Carla Waldemar
Ely: A Tucked Away Inclusive Summer Getaway
Located in the Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely, Minn., is an outdoorsy town of about 3,200 residents. Despite its small size, Ely offers year-round recreation.
Popular activities include canoeing and kayaking in the Boundary Waters, as well as fishing, hiking and camping in the warmer months. In the winter, visitors can enjoy snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
“There are millions of acres around us of forested landscape, so visually, the landscape is quite stunning,” says Jess Edberg, the executive director of the Dorothy Molter Museum. “If you’re taking the main highway coming into town, there are some large hills with beautiful vistas, and you can see how gorgeous the landscape is.”
Tourist favorites include the International Wolf Center, the North American Bear Center and the Dorothy Molter Museum.
Edberg says that although there is no direct evidence that Dorothy Molter was part of the LGBTQ+ community, she has become a queer icon for many because of her decision not to marry.
“Dorothy chose to remain unmarried because she understood the expectations placed on women at the time, including the likelihood that she would have to follow her husband’s lifestyle rather than her own.”
Edberg and her wife, both members of the LGBTQ+ community, say Ely’s connection to its natural surroundings is part of what makes it welcoming.
“We feel very strongly that people should feel safe and welcome both in the outdoors and in the Ely community,” Edberg says. “With the arts and culture evolution and the mindset here in the community, there’s a greater emphasis on working together and being inclusive, not just of the residents who live here, but also the visitors who come here.”
She says Ely’s arts and culture scene has grown in recent years, becoming more prominent since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Theater, film and craft artistry, you can’t really go anywhere walking on the main street in Ely without seeing art, so that’s really neat,” she says.
Outdoor spaces are also becoming more visibly inclusive. Outdoor Safe Space pins, patches and stickers are increasingly common, signaling that all are welcome.
Edberg says she keeps one on her name tag to give visitors an immediate sense of belonging. Similar items are available in local shops, and some outfitters display them as well.
She noted that the meaning behind these symbols is not always widely understood outside LGBTQ+ communities, highlighting the need for continued education and visibility. Still, she says progress is being made as more organizations and businesses work to create welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ visitors and people in BIPOC communities.
International Wolf Center
The International Wolf Center in Ely is an educational nonprofit that helps people better understand wolves and their role in the ecosystem. Visitors can watch documentaries, observe a pack of ambassador wolves in a natural enclosure and attend educational programs led by staff throughout the day.
“We have a large interpretive center with one main interactive exhibit called Discover Wolves,” says Krista Woerheide, the interpretive center director. “That exhibit has information on wolf biology, research and communication, and also gets into the social side of wolves.”
A new children’s area, called Little Wolf, is under construction and will offer imaginative play and hands-on learning opportunities.
Woerheide says the center prioritizes inclusivity.
“We have a diversity statement on our website that we take a lot of pride in,” she says. “We have a diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging board committee, as well as a staff-led team working to
make sure we live out those goals. We are trying to make sure everyone is welcome.”
“For being a really small town, I would say we’ve got some pretty great diversity happening this far north of Minnesota,” she adds. “It is a pretty welcoming community.”
The center also offers daylong and weekend programs for adults, families and students, including photography workshops, art programs and educational sessions focused on wolf behavior and careers in natural resources.
Ely Outfitting Company
Ely Outfitting Company, owned by Jason Zabokrtsky, provides guided outdoor trips with a focus on inclusivity, including experiences designed for LGBTQ+ participants.
Zabokrtsky says creating a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community has been part of the company’s mission from the beginning.
“We started out with the goal of sharing the Boundary Waters with people from all over and providing the best outfitting and guide services so they could have successful adventures,” he says. “Our goal has always been to help everyone enjoy the Boundary Waters regardless of their background or experience level. That has grown to include offering queer-led and all-queer guided Boundary Waters experiences.”
The upcoming annual LGBTQ+ Boundary Waters Trip is scheduled for Aug. 19-23 and requires no prior outdoor experience. The trip is queer-guided and open to those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Participants can sign up individually or with a friend or partner.
“It’s a really special experience because it’s often unique for people to be on a backcountry wilderness trip where everyone else identifies as LGBTQ+, including the trip leader,” Zabokrtsky says. “Historically, backcountry wilderness experiences haven’t always been welcoming spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Participants often describe the trips as transformative.
“Sometimes people come off trail and say they’re life-changing experiences,” he says. “It’s a unique opportunity to travel with others who identify as LGBTQ+ and enjoy the outdoors together.”
This is the fifth year the company has offered these trips. Financial aid is available based on need, and group sizes are kept small.
Zabokrtsky says the trips are especially well-suited for firsttime Boundary Waters visitors and those with limited outdoor experience who want to learn in a supportive environment.
“We’re a welcoming and inclusive environment for people who want to plan custom trips with friends or family and get help with all the details,” he says.
Dorothy Molter c1930s at the Isle of Pines. Photo courtesy of Jess Edberg. Cedar. Photo courtesy of Krista Woerheide/International Wolf Center. LGBTQ+ crew on the trail. Photo courtesy of Jason Zabokrtsky
Summer Travel Built On Pride
Summer travel usually starts with logistics: choosing flights, aligning schedules and finding a stretch of days that works for everyone. Building around Pride flips that approach. The dates are already set, and the energy is built in. Cities are activated; there is a reason to be there, and the rest of the trip comes together around it.
Pride also changes how a trip feels. It creates an instant connection with the city and its people. If you are traveling solo, you are not really on your own. If you are traveling with friends, there is already a shared focus. The planning is simplified because the centerpiece of the trip is already in place. From there, it comes together naturally.
I’ve selected four destinations based on their Pride calendars, each offering a different kind of summer trip. With this approach, Pride sets the date, and the destination shapes the experience.
Southern Indiana’s Ohio River Towns
Pride: June 6
This stretch of southern Indiana along the Ohio River offers a different kind of summer trip. It is simple to get around, rooted in history and built around a series of connected river towns.
Evansville serves as the anchor, with Jeffersonville, New Albany, Clarksville and Madison all within reach. Each has its own identity, yet they connect easily, making it possible to build a multi-stop trip without overplanning.
History runs through this region in a way that is easy to access. New Albany played a role in the Underground Railroad, and that story still shapes how the town is experienced today. At the Falls of the Ohio State Park, the landscape ties back to early American exploration, including its connection to the Lewis and Clark expedition.
There is also a creative presence across the river towns. In Jeffersonville, the NoCo Arts District brings together galleries, studios and murals that reflect local artists. New Albany’s downtown has a strong retail core with locally owned shops and galleries. Madison maintains a steady live music scene tied to small venues and riverfront events.
Eat Huber’s Orchard & Winery and Starlight Distillery offer tastings, tours, craft cocktails and a wide range of food options, from flatbreads and charcuterie to bakery items, ice cream and coffee, all set within a working farm where it’s easy to spend an afternoon.
Play
Clifty Falls State Park, the Falls of the Ohio State Park, the NoCo Arts District and the surrounding river towns bring together hiking, riverfront views, public art, live music and walkable downtowns.
Stay
Boutique inns and restored properties are spread throughout the river towns, allowing you to base yourself where you plan to spend the most time. Options include the Chandler Hotel and Historic Fairfield Inn & Suites in Madison and TownePlace Suites in Jeffersonville.
Pride
The River City Pride Parade & Festival takes place June 6 in downtown Evansville, with the parade at noon followed by a full day of programming from 1-10 p.m. Expect live entertainment, drag performances, vendors, food trucks and a strong turnout along Main Street. The week also includes events like LGBTQ+ Families Day on June 1, adding a broader sense of community to the celebration.
Chicago, Illinois
Pride: June 20-28
Chicago shows up in the summer. The lakefront fills in, rooftops open and the city moves from early morning along the water to late nights across its neighborhoods.
This is a city built on variety. You have the skyline anchored by landmarks like Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk and the Magnificent Mile, balanced by neighborhoods that each carry their own identity. Wicker Park, the
Reykjavik, Iceland. Photo courtesy of BigStock/Robson90. Chicago skyline. Photo courtesy of BigStock/fintastique
Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Lakeview all offer different entry points into the city, with a mix of dining, shopping and street-level activity.
Chicago’s food scene is part of the experience, with iconic local staples sitting alongside newer restaurants that continue to shape the city’s reputation as one of the country’s strongest dining destinations.
One of the best ways to experience the city is by combining exploration with food. The Bikes, Bites & Views Tour from Bobby’s Bike Hike Chicago moves through multiple neighborhoods with stops for Chicago staples like pizza, hot dogs and dessert. It is a practical way to see the city, get a sense of its layout and experience its food scene in one outing.
Eat
Mirra, located in Wicker Park, has become a popular, award-winning restaurant known for its modern take on Mexican cuisine. It’s a great spot for dinner in a highly walkable neighborhood where many Pride activities take place.
Play
Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, the Magnificent Mile and the lakefront all offer a variety of activities. Or, spend time exploring neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville.
Stay
The Robey sits in the heart of Wicker Park, placing you in a neighborhood where many Pride activities take place. The hotel offers a rooftop pool and lounge with skyline views.
Pride
Chicago Pride is one of the largest and most established celebrations in the country, building throughout the month and culminating in the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28, at 11 a.m. The weekend before, Chicago Pride Fest (June 20-21) takes over the Northalsted neighborhood with multiple stages of live music, drag performances, a Proud Pet Parade, and more than 150 vendors. The parade itself draws massive crowds and moves through the city with floats, community groups and a strong sense of visibility tied to the 2026 theme, “Free to Be Proud.”
Bergen, Norway
Pride: May 29 to June 6
Bergen is one of the most visually striking cities in Northern Europe and a great destination for a summer trip. Set between mountains and water, it offers immediate access to the harbor, historic districts and the Norwegian coastline.
The harbor and Bryggen district define the city, with historic buildings lining the waterfront and setting the tone for how Bergen is experienced. The city extends to both the surrounding mountains and fjords, creating a strong connection between urban living and nature.
The city is easy to navigate, allowing you to move between the harbor, cultural sites and restaurants without needing a structured plan. It works as both a standalone destination and a strong starting point for a broader trip.
Bergen also serves as a gateway to Norway’s coastline. It works well to experience Pride in the city and then extend the trip into something more expansive. From Bergen, you can continue along the coast with Havila Voyages, moving north through fjords, smaller ports and remote stretches of coastline, with routes that reach as far as Kirkenes, near the Russian border. In the spring and summer months, long daylight hours and clearer conditions make this an ideal time to take in the fjords, shifting the trip from city energy to a slower, more immersive experience on the water.
Eat
Seafood drives the menus in Bergen, with harborfront restaurants built around what comes in fresh each day. Look for traditional dishes like fish soup, cod, salmon and local fish cakes, along with options like reindeer and lamb. Fjellskål Fisketorget sits on the waterfront with harbor views and a menu centered on fresh seafood.
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Bergen’s waterfront, fjord excursions and coastal setting anchor the experience. The Fløibanen funicular takes you up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views of the city, while the Fish Market lets you experience the daily rhythm of the harbor.
Continued
Community Connection brings visibility to local LGBTQ-friendly non-profit organizations. To reserve your listing in Community Connection, email advertising@lavendermagazine.com.
ANIMAL RESCUE
Second Chance Animal Rescue
Dedicated to rescuing, fostering, caring for, and adopting out dogs and cats into forever homes.
P.O. Box 10533
White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 771-5662 www.secondchancerescue.org
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS
Quorum
Minnesota's LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce working to build, connect, and strengthen for a diverse business community.
2446 University Ave. W., Ste 112 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 460-8153 www.twincitiesquorum.com
ENVIRONMENT
The Nature Conservancy
TNC is an environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature thrive. 1101 W. River Pkwy., Ste. 200 Minneapolis, MN 55415-1291 (612) 331-0700 minnesota@tnc.org www.nature.org/minnesota
EVENT VENUES
Landmark Center
A classic venue, with a grand cortile and beautiful courtrooms, accommodates celebrations of all sizes.
75 W. 5th St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 292-3228 www.landmarkcenter.org
FOUNDATIONS
University of Minnesota Foundation
Connecting passion with possibility to transform the future through philanthropy. 200 Oak St. SE, Ste. 500 Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 624-3333 giving@umn.edu www.give.umn.edu
GRANTMAKERS/FUNDERS
PFund Foundation
PFund is the LGBTQ+ community foundation that provides grants to students and grants to non-profits. PO Box 3640 Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 870-1806 www.pfundfoundation.org
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Aliveness Project
Community Center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS – on-site meals, food shelf, and supportive service. 3808 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55102 (612) 824-LIFE (5433) www.aliveness.org
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Radio K
Radio K is the award-winning studentrun radio station of the University of Minnesota. 330 21st. Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-3500 www.radiok.org
MEDICAL SERVICES
Red Door Clinic
HIV and STI screening, treatment, education, and referrals. Doxy PEP, nPEP, PrEP, and Reproductive Health. 525 Portland Ave., 4th Fl. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 543-5555 reddoor@hennepin.us www.reddoorclinic.org
MUSEUM
Bell Museum, University of Minnesota
Discover Minnesota’s rich natural history through engaging exhibits, wildlife dioramas, and an exciting planetarium experience!
2088 Larpenteur Ave. W. St. Paul, MN 55113 (612) 626-9660 bellinfo@umn.edu www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
Minnesota Historical Society
Create your own adventure at MNHS historic sites and museums around Minnesota. www.mnhs.org
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Home to masterpieces from around the world and through the ages. Always free. Everyone welcome.
2400 3rd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 870-3000 www.artsmia.org
Science Museum of Minnesota
Mississippi Riverfront Museum featuring dinosaurs, hands-on exhibits, Omnitheater films, and interactive science performances. Café onsite. 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 221-9444 www.smm.org
PERFORMING ARTS
ARENA DANCES
ARENA DANCES presents innovative contemporary dance, fostering community, dialogue, and inclusion through performance and education 711 W. Lake St., Studio 308 Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612) 804-0238 www.arenadances.org
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
The nation's largest professional dinner theater and Minnesota's own entertainment destination.
501 W. 78th St. Chanhassen, MN 55317 (952) 934-1525 www.chanhassendt.com
Children’s Theatre Company
Children’s Theatre Company excites the imagination with world-class family-friendly theatre for kids, teens, and adults.
2400 3rd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 874-0400 www.childrenstheatre.org
Guthrie Theater
Open to the public year-round, the Guthrie produces classic and contemporary plays on three stages. 818 S. 2nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 377-2224 www.guthrietheater.org
Minnesota Opera
World-class opera draws you into a synthesis of beauty; breathtaking music, stunning costumes & extraordinary sets. Performances at the Ordway Music Theater - 345 Washington St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (612) 333-6669 www.mnopera.org
Minnesota Orchestra
Led by Music Director Thomas Søndergård, the Minnesota Orchestra, one of America’s leading symphony orchestras. 1111 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 371-5656, (800) 292-4141 www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
An award-winning chorus building community through music and offers entertainment worth coming out for! 1430 W. 28th St., Ste. B Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612) 339-SONG (7664) chorus@tcgmc.org www.tcgmc.org
RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL
All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church
A welcoming, inclusive, safe place to explore and discover God's love for ALL God's children.
3100 Park Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 824-2673 www.agcmcc.org
Minnesota’s Sweet Spot! St. Louis Park & Golden Valley offer exceptional dining, attractions, shopping, hotels and event space.
1660 Hwy 100 S., Ste. 501 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 (952) 426-4047 www.westopolis.org
Stay
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Bergen is set directly in the Bryggen district, placing you steps from the harbor, historic sites and Pride activities.
Pride
Bergen Pride runs from May 29 through June 6, building throughout the week with cultural events and community programming across the city. The highlight is the Pride Parade on June 6, beginning at 1 p.m., when thousands gather and move through the city center from Bryggen to Nygårdsparken, where the event continues with live programming and performances into the afternoon.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Pride: August 4-9
Reykjavík stands apart for how openly it supports LGBTQ+ visibility and how naturally it is woven into everyday life. Iceland has a long-standing reputation for equality, including openly LGBTQ+ leadership at the national level. Rainbow-painted streets are part of the landscape year-round, not just during Pride. Reykjavík is compact and easy to get around, making it simple to move between Pride events, restaurants and key sights without overplanning. The city also works as a base for exploring. Day trips take you to waterfalls, geothermal areas and coastal landscapes that feel distinctly Icelandic.
This is a destination where Pride and travel fit together easily. You can spend part of the day in the city and the rest out in nature, building a trip that balances celebration with time in the outdoors.
Eat Nordic cuisine in Reykjavík centers on seafood and lamb. Look for Arctic char, cod, langoustine and slow-cooked lamb, along with traditional options like lamb soup or rye bread baked using geothermal heat. Grillmarkaðurinn offers a modern take on Icelandic cuisine.
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Reykjavík combines city exploration with easy access to Iceland’s natural landscapes. The Golden Circle routes you through waterfalls, geysers and volcanic terrain, while geothermal hot springs like the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon offer time to slow down. You can also head to the coast for black sand beaches or explore lava fields and active geothermal areas.
Stay
Reykjavík Edition sits downtown near the harbor, within walking distance of Pride events, restaurants and main sights.
Pride
Reykjavík Pride runs August 4-9, and is one of the largest annual events in Iceland, drawing up to 100,000 attendees. The final Saturday parade is the centerpiece, beginning near Hallgrímskirkja and moving through the city to a large outdoor concert. Throughout the week, the city hosts concerts, drag shows and cultural events that fill both indoor venues and outdoor spaces. Skólavörðustígur, known as Rainbow Street, serves as a central gathering point during Pride.
BOOKSTORES
Love, literature, and lattes
GUN SHOPS
BY NOAH MITCHELL
Wildernest Cabins Turns a Perfect Opportunity into a Luxurious Summer Getaway
Sometimes, things just fall into place.
“My in-laws, Clinton and Joan [Little], are business partners in this … they bought their retirement cottage, little one-bed, one-bath cottage, on the lake in Duluth a few years ago,” says Sarah McKee, cofounder of Wildernest Cabins.
“There was a property nearby that came up for sale,” McKee continues. “As soon as my mother-in-law Joan drew attention to it, you know, I work in residential real estate here in Minneapolis, so I went to see the property with her.”
The property already had multiple structures and was in a great location across the lake from the North Shore Scenic Drive, McKee says.
“She [Joan Little] initially thought this would be a good option for friends and family to come stay. Since they just have a little one-bed, one-bath, they can’t host,” McKee says. “As soon as I saw it I was like, ‘Well this is a good idea, but, this is a really unique opportunity because we’re grandfathered into the number of structures here, and this is such a great location.’”
“It felt like every time my husband and I would look to go and visit them, we weren’t finding someplace that we were really excited about staying,” McKee continues. “We felt like there was this missing piece of the market, that there’s this demographic that wasn’t being catered to.”
To McKee and her husband, Ben Schuster, the opportunity was obvious. Clinton and Joan Little agreed, but weren’t sure how to approach making it a reality.
“They [Clinton and Joan Little] are like, ‘Well, that sounds super cool, but we don’t know how to do any of that,’” McKee recalls. “And my husband and I were like, ‘Well, what if we do all the design and marketing and logistics, and you oversee the construction since you are in the area and we are in Minneapolis?’”
“All together, we got really excited about working on the project together and filling this niche that we felt like was missing,” McKee concludes.
And what is that missing piece of the market?
“We mostly see couples and group retreats,” McKee explains. “So, each of the cabins is designed to give a lot of privacy and this nestled-in-the-woods feeling, even though it’s 15 minutes to downtown Duluth. It’s super convenient, close to the water, it’s kind of the gateway to the natural wonders of the North Shore.”
“It’s also super comfortable,” McKee continues. “It has a lot of design choices that we were really intentional about, and it has a lot of amenities that we felt would really appeal to people who just want a relaxing weekend away that feels a little more luxurious than what was being offered in the current market.”
The design of the cabins finds a happy medium between sleek, modern luxury and classic cabin comfort. It also maximizes the available space, packing in more
amenities than one might expect from a one-bed, one-bath studio-style layout.
The cabins feature a king-size bed, dining table (and chairs) and a gas fireplace. The kitchenette includes a sink, two-burner induction stovetop, drip coffee machine, toaster, pots, pans, utensils and, hidden inside a drawer, a dishwasher.
“We put a little dishwasher drawer in there because nobody wants to wash dishes on their vacation,” McKee says.
Just outside, there is a gas firepit, chairs and a private sauna. The saunas are often cited as a favorite in guest reviews, according to McKee.
Despite everything packed into the space, there’s even more for guests to do outside the clearing in the woods that is Wildernest Cabins.
“We are just in this perfect little trifecta of us, [The] Moon Market, which is a super cute boutique, and New Scenic Café,” McKee says. “I think the three of us in a row, for people coming up from Minneapolis for the weekend, are just the perfect little bougie trifecta.”
For even more options, check out Lavender’s recently published story on Duluth’s queer spaces in our Neighborhoods issue. Plus, at the end of the summer, Duluth Superior Pride takes place September 3-6, celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Whether you’re looking to stay in and sweat out the stress of a long work week or head out and explore Duluth and the North Shore, Wildernest promises to provide a welcoming, luxurious and cozy home base. A nest in the wilderness, if you will.
