Philadelphia to unveil LGBTQ+ Pride visitors center for 250th U.S.A anniversary

In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Philadelphia, a city renowned for its historical significance and commitment to inclusivity, will soon welcome the Philly Pride Visitors Center, one of the nation’s first LGBTQ+ visitor centers. This pioneering destination will highlight the city's pivotal role in the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights while catering to the expected influx of tourists for the 2026 Semiquincentennial.

"We don’t just welcome diversity — we celebrate it," said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. "Philadelphia is a city that shows up for everyone."

Set to open in early 2026 in the heart of Midtown Village, Philadelphia’s vibrant LGBTQ+ neighborhood, the Philly Pride Visitors Center will serve as a resource and welcoming space for both tourists and residents. As reported by LGBTQ+ Nation, the center aims to provide tailored itinerary planning, attraction ticketing, and travel information, with a specific focus on promoting LGBTQ+-affirming businesses, destinations, and cultural institutions within the city. The center's gift shop will offer a curated selection of souvenirs from LGBTQ+ artists, designers, and businesses.

Philadelphia boasts a rich history in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The city's Independence Hall served as one of the earliest sites for public demonstrations for gay rights, and the groundbreaking 1965 sit-in at Dewey’s restaurant, protesting discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, marked a pivotal moment in the fight for equality.

“The Philly Pride Visitor Center reflects our commitment to inclusive tourism and to making sure every traveler feels seen, welcomed and celebrated,” said Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. “This new center gives visitors and residents a place to connect with Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ history, discover affirming businesses, and see how this city helped shape a national movement. It is both a resource hub and a testament to Philadelphia’s role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights.”

Historical content will be carefully curated by Mark Segal, founder of the Philadelphia Gay News, with community input, ensuring an authentic and representative portrayal of the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," Segal said. "Our city helped launch the fight for representation in media, shaped national policy, and created safe, visible spaces for our community."

The Philly Pride Visitors Center will serve as a testament to Philadelphia’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity, celebrating its historic role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and providing a welcoming space for all visitors. “Our hope is that the Philly Pride Visitor Center becomes a place where LGBTQ+ visitors feel like they belong from the moment they arrive,” said Lovell.