Philadelphia opens LGBTQ+-dedicated Philly Pride Visitor Centre

Philly Pride Visitor Centre, a dedicated LGBTQ+ visitor centre has opened in Philadelphia, at the corner of 12th & Locust Streets in the heart of the city’s Gaybourhood.

The centre - open five days a week, Thursday - Monday - will welcome travellers from around the globe and celebrate Philadelphia’s legacy as one of the nation’s most inclusive destinations as the city prepares for the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“The Philadelphia Visitor Centre team is the city’s welcoming committee, and that means opening our doors widely for both visitors and residents. We want to ensure every visitor feels an authentic sense of belonging from the moment they arrive,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Centre.

“We are thrilled to open the Philly Pride Visitor Centre as a dedicated starting point for LGBTQ+ visitors to celebrate who they are while getting visitor services, trusted resources and inspiration to help them experience Philadelphia at its very best.”

Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Gaybourhood, the Philly Pride Visitor Centre is a vibrant and welcoming gateway to LGBTQ+-friendly experiences across the Philadelphia region and the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The centre offers comprehensive visitor services, including itinerary planning, attraction ticketing and travel information, with a special focus on LGBTQ+-affirming destinations, businesses and cultural institutions. Guests can also explore a thoughtfully curated gift shop featuring local art and souvenirs from Philly-area LGBTQ+ creators, including Symone Salib, Nile Livingston, Laser Philly and Kah Yangni, alongside merchandise from other LGBTQ+-owned businesses.

“The Philly Pride Visitor Centre is more than a single destination—it’s a gateway to the LGBTQ+ experiences, communities and attractions that exist across Pennsylvania,” said Anne Ryan, Deputy Secretary of Tourism, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The investment in dedicated LGBTQ+ visitor infrastructure reflects both values and data. According to Community Marketing & Insights, 63% of LGBTQ+ travellers already view Philadelphia as a welcoming destination, and the community represents $1.4 trillion in annual purchasing power.

The nation’s first LGBTQ+ civil rights sit-in took place in Philadelphia at Dewey’s Restaurant in 1965, and the Annual Reminders at Independence Hall were among the earliest public demonstrations for gay rights in the United States. The new centre also acts as a starting point to learn about the powerful and ongoing story of Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community. Historical content, curated with input from the community and led by Mark Segal, founder of Philadelphia Gay News, ensures an authentic and comprehensive representation of the city’s LGBTQ+ legacy.

 “Philadelphia has always been a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ history, from the first Reminder Day marches in 1965 (four years before Stonewall) to the Dewey’s sit-in, where LGBTQ+ youth stood up to a restaurant’s refusal to serve them, the first statewide anti-discrimination order under Governor Milton Shapp and the nation’s first LGBTQ+ senior housing,” said Mark Segal, founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News.

“Our city helped launch the fight for representation in the media, shaped national policy and created safe, visible spaces for our community. Now, with the opening of the Philly Pride Visitor Centre, Philadelphia proudly honours that legacy and reaffirms its commitment to those who call this community home.”

As a legacy project tied to the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026, the Philly Pride Visitor Centre joins national efforts to commemorate the nation's founding by honouring the diverse communities that have shaped it. The centre reflects a long-term investment in inclusive tourism infrastructure that will serve visitors far beyond 2026.

Philadelphia expects record visitation in 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, major sporting events including the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game and PGA Championship, and cultural programming like the inaugural city-wide ArtPhilly festival.