Stay and hang with queers in Miami

Since the eighties, 12th Street Beach has been the spot where queer Miami spreads its towels, right by the lifeguard tower painted in rainbow stripes. When the heat peaks, cool off at the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, a lagoon carved out of an old coral rock quarry, with waterfalls and grottoes to swim through. At sunset, cross to the bay side of the island and watch the downtown towers go gold. After dark, catch the show at Palace on Ocean Drive, where queens have held court since 1988, or swing by Wynwood for dinner and drag at R House.

Between November and April, the heat finally lets up, and evenings by the water can stretch on forever. Any time of year, the best mornings start with a cafecito from a ventanita and whoever is awake.