Hey, Happy Travelers! Looking for LGBTQ+ owned businesses to support during your next trip? Check out these beautiful B&Bs, inviting inns, and exciting eateries to add to your #PABucketList.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Fauchère
Milford
Hotel Fauchère’s Sean Straub wears many hats. He owns this elegant European-style boutique hotel, serves as Milford Borough’s mayor, and is a longtime activist for the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, Mayor Straub even founded POZ, a magazine for people with HIV/AIDS. His historic hotel offers 16 cozy rooms and several on-site dining options including Bar Louis — a sleek space with an elegant, stylish, and contemporary feel.
The Lancaster B&B
Lancaster
Nestled between Lancaster’s bustling downtown and the heart of Amish County, Happy Travelers will find the historic and stunning Lancaster B&B. Dating back to 1912, this Dutch Colonial was the private home of several local families for more than 75 years. Acquiring the property in 2012, present day owners and partners Brad Loman and Keith Jenkins are devoted to restoring the property to its original, stately beauty with beautiful updates to the inn’s décor and welcoming guests to their warm and welcoming bed and breakfast.
Battlefield Bed & Breakfast
Gettysburg
Innkeepers Florence and Debbie March have a collective 30+ years’ experience running the beautiful and historic Battlefield Bed and Breakfast. Settled alongside a 30-acre nature preserve, travelers can spend the night in one of the 10 rooms in the 1809 Civil War farmhouse, or up to six guests in the private Swan Cottage. Guests will enjoy daily breakfast of offerings like scrumptious pan-fried farm potatoes, farm-fresh eggs from locally sourced Weikert’s Egg Farm, savory breakfast meats, and a fine selection of made-from-scratch baked goods.
Rainbow Mountain Resort
East Stroudsburg
Founded in 1981, the Rainbow Mountain Resort has served as an oasis for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and friends to enjoy a wonderful weekend getaway. The 26-acre resort features a spacious nightclub, an Olympic-size outdoor pool, more than 50 visitor accommodations from quaint cabins to secluded glamp sites, and of course, regular entertainment through shows and performances. Located high up on the mountain side, the resort offers beautiful views, a two-acre pond, nature walks, and plenty of room to get out and explore!
The Dolon House
Jim Thorpe
If walls could talk, The Dolon House would have a lot to say. This former millionaire’s mansion is now a posh bed & breakfast run by Michael Rivkin & Jeffri Coleman. The couple felt it was important to retain the Dolon House’s historic features — including the jeweled stain glass windows, original hand carved woodwork, and the grand staircase dating back to the late 1800s. Guests will enjoy historic art, antiques, and collections throughout the inn while experiencing the modern amenities and service that you would expect from a Jim Thorpe establishment. The inn is known for its three-course, farm-to-table, European-style breakfasts.
Pineapple Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast
New Hope
Settled on nearly six acres of bucolic land, the beautifully restored Pineapple Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast is between the heart of New Hope and the historic Washington Crossing Park. Dating back to 1790, the colonial manor house is presently owned and operated by partners Scott Stern and Roy Scott. Scott who has always had a great talent for cooking and Roy with a talent for landscape and decorating are the perfect combo for this historic and welcoming B&B.
Wishing Well B&B
New Hope
The Wishing Well B&B is another charming and rustic Bucks County B&B. Just an 8.8-mile drive from Washington Crossing State Park and a .9-mile drive from the Bucks County Playhouse, the historic farmhouse is in a perfect location for a variety of activities and interests. Owners Michael and Scott welcome guests for a stay in the stunning six-bedroom home that dates back to the 1840s. Each room has its own private bath. Enjoy a buffet breakfast on the weekends while enjoying views of the stunning backyard.
Parador Inn
Pittsburgh
Derived from the Spanish word for “stop” or “inn,” Ed Menzer is the owner of one of Steel City’s most historic bed and breakfasts, Parador Inn. Inspired by a trip to Puerto Rico, Menzer has maintained the classic look and feel of the site, but added a touch of Caribbean flare inspired by his travels. Formerly a private mansion for Joshua Rhodes in the late 1800s, the site mirrors the elegance and grandeur of this former life, featuring a private bath and impeccable views in each room.
The Inn at Centre Park
Reading
Both personal and professional partners, Dennis Spotts and Jeff Rollins have owned the iconic The Inn at Centre Park for nearly ten years. During this time, they have enhanced this outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style of architecture with a refreshed look and feel, solidifying the importance of this historic property, known locally as the Wilhelm Mansion that dates back to 1877. Located just minutes away from exciting attractions, shopping, and some of the finest spas, the luxurious rooms and personal services will leave you feeling pampered, relaxed and carefree!
WHERE TO EAT
Square Café
Pittsburgh
In 2003, owner Sherree Goldstein’s vision of bringing fresh, seasonal, local fare in a warm and welcoming atmosphere to the Steel City’s Regent Square came to life. Since then, the vibrant and inclusive Square Café has provide guests with delectable dishes comprised of a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Popular items include the Square Breakfast: two eggs any style, breakfast protein, and choice of home fries/toast or one buttermilk pancake.
Safran Turney Hospitality
Philadelphia
As the City of Sisterly Affection’s largest woman-owned and LGBTQ-owned hospitality group, Safran Turney knows a thing or two about delicious food. Since launching their first Philadelphia restaurant in 2002, partners Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran have created some of the city’s best restaurants including Bud & Marilyn’s serving Retro-American dishes & classic drinks; Barbuzzo, a Mediterranean kitchen & bar; Little Nonna’s, an Italian-American kitchen known for its meatballs; and most recently, The Lawn at LoveLuck, a pop up bar and food truck next in Philly’s iconic Love Park.
The Salt House
New Hope
A charming stone tavern dating back to 1751, The Salt House offers upscale, seasonal, and locally sourced bar classics and tasty cocktails. From lunch to late-night snacks, all meals can be enjoyed by the tavern’s roaring fire, upstairs in the library lounge, or alfresco on the brick patio. All creations are developed by owner and Executive Chef Steven Lau, who after a career traveling the globe as a recording artist at Warner Brothers, a brief time studying at the Culinary Institute of America, and the founding member of an award-winning winery, has settled his roots in beautiful Bucks County.
Mechanic Street Station
New Hope
Nothing says date night like an upscale BYOB and Mechanic Street Station answers the call. Owners TJ Clifford & Bari Busio strive to provide a seasonal menu of locally sourced farm-to-table offerings. Visitors will experience delectable meals, such as wild mushroom ravioli with portobello mushrooms, sage-butter sauce, parmesan, and lemon zest or the pork chimichurri with tenderized boneless pork loin, sliced and topped with basil chimichurri, served with roasted potatoes and vegetable du jour
Cake Life
Philadelphia
In the trendy Fishtown neighborhood, Happy Travelers in the mood for delectable, tasty treats can satisfy their cravings at Cake Life Bake Shop, co-owned by Lily Fischer and Nima Etemadi. After appearing on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, and winning all three times, the duo founded Cake Life Bake Shop in 2013 and has remained in the neighborhood ever since. Onsite you’ll try handcrafted, high-quality cakes and pastries that often feel unique yet familiar, and always exciting.
Menagerie Coffee
Philadelphia
In 2013, coffee aficionados April Nett and Elysa DiMauro took their passion to the next level by opening what is now their flagship store for Menagerie Coffee in Old City. Visitors will find brews from locally owned Elixr Coffee Roasters, as well as a variety of small eats and assorted French pastries from local bakeries.
Find more bed & breakfasts in PA by checking out the visitPA website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly Happy Thoughts e-newsletter so you never miss an update.