Florida Agenda

By ROBERT ELIAS DEATON

Last week, we introduced you to that picturesque tip of Cape Cod known as Provincetown, a speck of history and tolerance celebrated as much for its Portugese bakeries as it is for its large permanent lesbian and gay populations. This town of 3,500 soars in the warmer months to 10,000 people, including tourists, transvestites, and Tea Party candidates searching for the last holdouts of liberal indifference.

If you arrive by ferryboat from Boston, have your camera ready. There’s an instant photo opportunity waiting night or day at MacMillan Wharf—home to the town’s fishing fleet, ferries, yachts, and assorted pelicans hoping for easy fast food. Most likely your bed and breakfast is a short walk from the pier, or the local taxi services (we recommend Black & White Cab—508-487-7800) will take you to any destination from the pier for $8.00 per person, including two bags of luggage. For your first dining-by-the-bay experience, book at Fanizzi’s by the Sea (539 Commercial St., 508-487-1964). Situated on the east end of Provincetown, the restaurant is so close to the water that high tide literally flows under the stilted frame of the building. Our favorite from the menu has always been the Baked Cod Stuffed with Crab Meat and served with a Newburg Sauce ($24.99), but the choices range from a simple burger ($9.99) on up.

Right in the center of town, look for the Portuguese Bakery (299 Commercial St., 508-487-1803), where the specialty is Malacadas—Portuguese Sugar Doughnuts that are rather addicting. While it’s true the bakery is a tourist trap, it’s equally as accurate to announce that they have the best stuffed sandwiches in town. We like them so much, that we’ve often waited in the no-itnever- gets-any-shorter line for a to-go lunch.

Herring Cove Beach is one mile from town at the end of Route 6. Follow the signs as you merge on to Province Lands Road, where you’ll discover two parking lots servicing the white sand. Since this beach is officially managed by Cape Cod National Seashore, there is a $10 parking fee. When you reach the water, turn to the left and discover the best gay beach in P-town. Continue a little beyond that point, and you’ll find sunbathers shedding their clothes to remove any trace of the Great Northeast tan line.

The Provincetown Public Library (356 Commercial St.) is a fun place to people watch, and check your email via the free public use computers. The ½ scale model of the schooner Rose Dorothea pays tribute to the town’s fisherman legacy, and is the showcase of the second-floor children’s section.

Mussel Beach Health Club (35 Bradford St., 508-487- 0001) is the cleanest, most u p – t o – d a t e facility for working your muscles to a fine tune. Free weights combine with elliptical crosstrainers and stairmasters in this popular gym that sells a week-pass for $90.

The A-House (6 Masonic Pl.) is the bar where twinks, bears, leather men, and muscle boys share the space. Actually three bars in one, the place includes the Little Bar with its cruisy men and a jukebox for sound, the upstairs Macho Bar where naughty is nice, and the large dance floor and patio called the Big Room—all open ‘til 1 a.m. There is no end of fun in this town of plenty, where a simple walk down Commercial Street is a kaleidoscope of gays, straights, lesbians, and the occasional fisherman—all living the dream on Cape Cod Bay.

Read Part 1 : TRAVEL: PROVINCETOWN- If the Pilgrims Could See Us Now

By Paul Rubio

Bordered by two of the world’s most popular GLBT cities, Hollywood, Florida, is often tossed aside as a sleepy side city, far removed from the queer Miami-Fort Lauderdale limelight. However, a burgeoning arts scene, an extreme beach overhaul, downtown gentrification and a booming restaurant scene has finally ushered in some much-deserved TLC for this underdog city. Those tired of Miami and Fort Lauderdale’s more predictable scenes will find Hollywood a breath of fresh air – a city more about tradition, community and enrichment than cheap booze or standing and posing.

Hollywood’s redux has unfolded on two main fronts – the beach and downtown. Hollywood beach continues to evolve as a more upscale destination with new construction set to unveil several trendsetting hotels in the coming years. These new hotels will delicately balance the traditional, old school throw back feel of the Broadwalk, where mom and pop ice cream shops and outdoor ethnic eateries reign supreme to commercial chains. Don’t expect Hollywood’s overly tanned old-timers to retire their 1940s clunky bicycles anytime soon. Embracing the full gamut of generations is one of Hollywood’s most charming factors. It’s the beach’s no-frills fun and frivolity that unites people of all ages, races, shapes, genders and sizes. So, it should come as no surprise that gays here do not need to confine themselves to a separate “gay” beach; singles, couples and alternative families can readily enjoy the beach’s downy sands in harmony with the French Canadian tourists, sun starved vacationers and eclectic locals.

To both the north and west of Hollywood beach, Florida’s environmental heritage has been sensationally preserved within the mangroves and virgin habitats surrounding Anne Kolb Nature Center and John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. A hop, skip and a jump from the city’s oceanfront action, old Florida awaits with endless opportunity for canoeing, kayaking, boating, picnicking and wildlife viewing. If you’re lucky, you may even spot manatees while kayaking through this pristine area. And, at John Lloyd State Park, there’s ample space for picnics, grilling or just chilling along the sugarloaf sand banks.

Heading west on Hollywood Boulevard, the circular Young Arts Park segues from beachfront bliss to downtown delights. With a sprawling mega playground, a state of the art amphitheatre hosting fabulous concerts, educational workshop spaces and lots of green space for quintessential outdoor fun, this urban park has become wildly popular with families from all parts of South Florida.

The park hosts fabulous events on a regular basis – like Food Truck Monday evenings, Friday glassblowing workshops for adults and kids alike, scheduled jewelry making classes, as well as a regular concert series which recently included gay favorites En Vogue and Expose in a free concert sponsored by the City of Hollywood.

At the western edge of Young Arts Park, Downtown Hollywood’s blossoming bar and restaurant scene commences along both Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street, leading to insider favorites like Mickey Byrne’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, upscale modern French dinging at Sage Café & Oyster Bar, sensational Merlots at Harrisons Wine Bar and decadent desserts at Sweetz Chocolate & Treats Café. Those looking for exceptional originality should definitely begin their citywide gastronomy tour with the restaurant leading the city’s foodie revolution – Lola’s on Harrison. Lola’s menu teems with innovative mouth-watering dishes like short ribs (or Portobello mushroom steaks for vegetarians like me) smothered in homemade Coca Cola BBQ sauce, topped by a tower of buttermilk onion rings alongside a helping of creamed corn; fresh ricotta gnocchi in a hearty wild mushroom cream sauce that melts in your mouth as you eat it; and the best crab cakes you’ll have outside of Baltimore! Three separate drink menus complement the food experience – an awesome and enormous beer menu with several dozen American and Imported Hand Crafted Beers, an extensive affordable wine list and a book of artisanal cocktails full of muddled, fruity goodness!

Beyond a day or evening trip to dabble in Hollywood’s beach and downtown offerings, the spectacular Hollywood Westin Diplomat is idyllic for a Hollywood vacation or staycation. With everything and anything you’d want from a grand hotel, combined with jaw-dropping views, quick beach access, plenty of swimming pools, excellent restaurants and bars (including one of my South Florida favorites – the Asian-inspired Azia), stellar service, a social vibe and a central location for enjoying Hollywood, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale – the Hollywood Westin Diplomat is one of South Florida’s best and most affordable hotel options.