The gays of summer: How to enjoy summer's last gasp away from the usual LGBT tourist traps

Ever see a movie set in New England - maybe about WASPs in Connecticut, or first year Harvard students - in which everyone is wearing scarves and bulky cable-knit sweaters in September? Unlike Hollywood screenwriters, real Yankees know that we can expect warm weather at least through the official end of summer on September 22. And even after the calendar tells us that it's officially autumn, we may get the bonus heat wave of an Indian summer.

But since we're not sure "Indian summer" is P.C, we'd like to designate this time of year The Gays of Summer. Just because August is nearly gone doesn't mean it's too late for a summer vacation. And while we're expanding the idea of summer vacations, let's expand the idea of gay summer vacations. We love the usual suspects of LGBT vacation destinations, like Provincetown and Ogunquit and Northampton, but those are just the tip of the balmy iceberg.

Following are a few ideas for late-summer fun. Ranging from day trips to weekend getaways, and including arts and culture, shopping and beaches, there's a road trip for everyone here. Grab your sunscreen, put in some tunes, and seize the gay!

Southie Beach

They may not let the gays march in their St. Patrick's Day Parade, but the old-timers in Southie can't stop us from enjoying their quaint stretch of sand. While aspiring beach bums swelter in Cape traffic this Labor Day weekend, hop on the red line - there's even free parking for you gas guzzlers - or any of a handful of MBTA buses and within minutes you'll be lounging on Carson Beach, where Southie broads let it all hang out alongside love-struck teens and toned babes sunbathing solo. That's right, there's no need to feel like a lame-o if you show up to Carson Beach without the big lesbian posse that you inexplicably feel compelled to drag with you to Herring Cove. There's no attitude here, just sand, warm (and hopefully clean and non-toxic) water, the occasional buzz of low-flying planes coming and going from Logan and even (mostly clean and non-toxic) bathrooms. Plus, the lobster rolls at the concession stand go for the low, low price of $9.50. Try finding one of those in P'town!

Have some eye candy at your picnic

One of the saddest parts about the end of the summer is the inevitable decline in the population of attractive, scantily clad joggers. What better way to mark the end of the season than to take in the scenery in one of Boston's best viewing spots: the Esplanade.

Here's Bay Windows' suggestion for a cheap and fun summer afternoon activity that you can enjoy without leaving the city. Gather a group of friends, head down to the local deli or gourmet shop and load up on everything you need for a world-class picnic. Take the T down to the Esplanade and find a nice spot to spread out a blanket by the water. Pass around the food and beverages, bask in the cool breeze blowing in off the river, and enjoy the steady flow of sexy eye candy jogging, rollerblading, walking and biking along the path. There's more jiggling going on here than in an old episode of Charlie's Angels.

For a more creative variation may we suggest a game of Eye Candy Bingo. Draw up bingo cards, only instead of filling the squares with "B6" and "N14," put in things you're likely to see along the Esplanade, like "Sexy parent with jogging stroller," "Ill-advised use of a Speedo," or "Hunky college sports team."

And hey, if you've still got your summer body and you're feeling confident, consider going for a jog along the Esplanade yourself. Think of it as giving back.

Out at the Drive In

Instead of enduring a trip to the multiplex, where high prices and obnoxious audiences have become commonplace, try heading south to the Mendon Twin Drive-In (35 Milford Street, Mendon, MA 01756 or http://mendondrivein.com/). One $20 bill admits a whole carload to daily double features on two screens, while larger vans of 10 or more people costs $30. A classic snack bar offers everything you'd expect plus a random assortment of burritos, slush puppies and other deep fried treats. And with the price of large popcorn at only $3.95, you can actually afford to pig out! If you have never been to a classic drive-in before, what better time than the last weeks of summer when the nights are cooling down and mosquitos are just a bad memory? This weekend, enjoy Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Mamma Mia on screen 1 or Tropic Thunder and The Rocker on screen 2, all in the quiet comfort of your car. Or, forget the flicks and snuggle up to your honey for a little make-out session.

Candles in the wind

Providence is not the same city it was 11 years ago when WaterFire first began. The city has successfully undergone a renaissance and seems to only get better with each passing summer. WaterFire has been a major factor in redefining the nighttime cityscape. One hundred bonfires 'float' in the river, and thousands of spectators stroll the streets. New-agey world music supplies the powerful and surprising soundtrack to an evening that is part art, part carnival and entirely for the attendees. Street performers and food vendors add excitement to the already glowing evening where couples, gay and straight, can be seen holding hands along the river bank.

In addition to the ethereal ambiance of WaterFire, Providence boasts excellent cuisine. The restaurants and caf?s along the river bustle with activity, as people spill out outside for the view. Speaking of activity, two remaining WaterFire evenings feature music and dancing. On Sept. 13, dancing flows from 8:00 to midnight in the Sovereign Ballroom, which is just one short block away from WaterFire at the intersection of Westminster and Weybosset Streets. Can't dance? There are free lessons by instructors at 7:00 p.m.! On Oct. 11, the final WaterFire plays host to a Jazz concert on the Verizon Stage located on Steeple Street, between North Main Street and Canal Street. The free concert starts at 8 p.m. Upcoming dates for fires are Aug. 30, Sept. 13, 20, 27 and, Oct. 11. WaterFire starts at sunset.

Go north

Back in 2000 Vermont became a major tourist draw for LGBT folks from across the country as couples flocked to the state to join in civil unions and honeymoon at a bed and breakfast. Though civil unions aren't the selling point they used to be, that's no reason to take Vermont off your itinerary. For the crunchy contingent of the LGBT set Burlington is one-stop shopping for all your summer vacation needs.

Want a perfect weekend in Burlington? Find a bed and breakfast somewhere in the Burlington area - and there are plenty. Wake up early, head downtown and pick up some great reads at the plethora of bookstores, poke around (maybe there's a sale on organic fair-trade scent-free dream catchers and Tibetan gay pride flags at the Peace and Justice Store!), grab the morning paper and plunk yourself down in one of the local coffee shops and relax. Later you can wander down to the waterfront, rent a kayak or a canoe and spend the afternoon rowing the soothing waters of Lake Champlain. Wrap things up with a trip down to Shelburne Farms, a conservation-minded non-profit farm, explore some of the walking trails, and dine at the farm's restaurant, which serves delectable dishes using locally grown produce and locally raised livestock. You'll get enough environmental karma points that you won't even feel bad about the gas you used driving up to Burlington.

Come out of the broom closet

Salem has spent the past several years aggressively marketing itself to the gays; one of the recent pr campaigns organized by local businesses included the tagline "There's no place like Salem," and ruby slipper imagery (Okay, we're not sure what the Wizard of Oz has to do with Salem's history either, but we appreciate the obvious pro-gay sentiment). Most people think of visiting Salem around Halloween, but we suggest going in the summer. Spending a summer day in Salem allows you to enjoy the best of high culture and tacky fun. For the latter, we suggest you spend some time at the Salem Willows, a waterfront park that makes you feel like you've been sucked into a time warp. Take a ride on the antique carousel, play some vintage arcade games, and then return to the 21st century and test your dancing skills on Dance Dance Revolution. Scarf down some chop-suey sandwiches from Genghis restaurant (if you've never had one, trust us, it's a local delicacy) and then sit by the water and enjoy an ice cream cone.

Later, you can head downtown and get yourself some culture, wandering through the latest exhibits at the Peabody Essex Museum. Brush up on witchy history at the Salem Witch Museum, the House of Seven Gables, and the Salem Witch Village. You'll be channeling your inner Dumbledore or Elphaba in no time.

Shop 'til the leaves drop

As Americans, we can always find a reason to go shopping. But this time of year you don't need to make up an excuse. You probably need new winter gear, or some spiffy back-to-school duds. Don't break the bank, make a trip to the outlet malls, where you'll find name-brand goods at no-name prices. Kittery, Maine is the destination for shoppers with stamina; you'll find nearly 200 outlet stores along Route 1, including the famous L.L. Bean outlet store in nearby Freeport. In Massachusetts, the Wrentham Village Outlets, on Route 1A, is the spot for label lovers. Connecticut boasts a big outlet center in Westbrook, and New Hampshire has Settler's Green on Route 16 in North Conway, where you can enjoy tax-free shopping at 50 outlets. Ready, set, spend!

Film and frolic

From Sept. 11-14, you can see what Sundance used to be like before it turned into a marketplace at the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival. Enjoy all the charms of this resort island - beautiful beaches and architecture, seafood, outdoor activities, trying to spot James Taylor - along with an impressive roster of independent cinema and films from around the world. The Festival has special events every day, including parties, discussions with filmmakers, and a special appearance by master animator Billy Plympton. The roster of films includes work by well-known arthouse directors like Hou Hsiao-hsien and Guy Maddin, documentaries by up-and-coming directors, and a few recent indie faves like Persepolis and Les Chansons d'amour. More info: www.mvfilmfest.com.