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In a fresh look at the gay travel scene, Vermont, New Mexico and Indiana are "coming out" along with some classic resorts.

The 2007 summer season was the busiest one post-9/11, and it left some new trends in its wake. Among them, we have juvenile spas; pet hotels and restaurants and... yes... pet spas; yoga everywhere; fitness-equipment-filled hotel rooms; an abundance of butlers; and again, mounting interest in the LGBT market. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ("gay" for short); not only has the travel industry outed itself to attract this market, it's coming along nicely in support of same-sex couples traveling with children. Here's what's in store.

According to the San Francisco-based research firm Community Marketing Inc., 97% of gay travelers vacationed in 2006, compared with 64% of the general American population; 82% spent at least five nights per year in hotels; 84% had a US passport (29% is the national average); and 20% took at least one cruise. It's natural that savvy travel companies are courting this market with advertising dollars and new products to new destinations. Wayne S. of Staten Island, father of a teen, agrees, "There are tons more venues where we find ourselves welcome than there were 10 or 12 years ago."

But for the near future, some of the newest destinations being marketed are unlikely to be on the gay travelers' short list.  We're talking about Santa Fe, New Mexico; Burlington, Vermont; and Bloomington, Indiana. They ranked as the top three US cities with a population under 200,000 in the number of gay residents, according to a recent analysis of Census Bureau data from 2000.

As the Bloomington Convention & Visitor Bureau states on www.visitbloomington.com under the "Gay Bloomington" tab, "While Bloomington obviously has an appeal to gays and lesbians looking for a place to live, its potential as a vacation destination for the discerning traveler is just beginning to attract attention."

New Gay-Friendly Family Destinations

What is it about these three cities that attracts discerning travelers?  Let's take a look.

Burlington, Vermont is not only a hip and very fun college town, it's also a great base in northern Vermont for visits to the Shelburne Museum (802/985-3346), Lake Champlain, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (866/BJ-TOURS), or the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory (800/829-BEAR).  Check out Vermont's official site or call directly at (800/VERMONT); seasonal recreation, such as boating, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing abound. A few recommended everyone-welcome hotels include:

The Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center (802/865-6600) is the state's largest, with 309 rooms furnished with all the mod-cons you'd expect at a business hotel. Some sleep up to five people. Most popular for its proximity to several ski areas, this full-service resort provides free shuttle service from the airport and a continental breakfast. Added perks: the heated indoor pool is staffed by fitness center personnel and has an adjacent outdoor sundeck and hot tub.

Outside the city is the notable Inn at Essex (800/727-4295, 802/878-1100), which bills itself as Vermont's "premier culinary destination." In fact, their restaurant is staffed by graduates of the acclaimed New England Culinary Institute. Your kids will more likely be impressed by the 120 elegant guest rooms, many renovated in a colorful mix of country and Swedish modern style. The property has lovely gardens, gazebos and on-site golf. Note that the Essex Inn also offers packages for Civil Unions and Commitment Ceremony receptions.

New Mexico's culturally rich city of Santa Fe, or Fantasé as some prefer, has long been a magnet for alternative lifestylers and the tourists who follow them. In addition to its famous International Museum of Folk Art (505/476-1200), Georgia O'Keeffe Museum (505/946-1000), world-class galleries and educational Native American attractions, this chic pueblo boasts excellent restaurants and hotels. Families will find wonderful opportunities for hiking, biking and not too far away, skiing. Contact the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau (800/777-2499) for more information.

Of the many top tier hotels, the Bishop's Lodge Resort & Spa (800/419-0492, 505/983-6377) is among the most welcoming. It mixes the local Native American stucco pueblo flavor with some Spanish colonial flair to create a beautiful and pricey hotel. The Lodge is located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and has been a restful retreat since 1851, when namesake Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy stayed there. Today, families will find Camp Appalossa, a summer children's program, organized Bar-B-Qs, trail rides and Dive-In movies every Saturday night during the summer, as well as a pampering staff, and richly furnished rooms with Indian patterned carpets and exposed beams.

Casa Pacifica B&B (877/982-2078 toll free or 505/982-2078) is much smaller and a has a very different style, focusing on the Healing or New-Age interests of Santa Fe visitors. Large guestrooms each have their own steamroom for bathing, and the inn's chef recommends and likes to prepare special healing menus. The sales people say, "We are completely handicapped logical, adult pet friendly, child friendly, elderly friendly and gay friendly," which covers all the bases. Public spaces are great for expending energy; there are courtyards, an open air courtyard dining room and small gardens. Inquire about their spacious suites, some with sofabeds or extra beds.

Bloomington, Indiana for the gay family? Why not Indianapolis, you ask?Indy has the famous raceway, a highly lauded Children's Museum, Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health & Technology (812/337-1337) great art collections and a downtown of famous architecture. Well, Bloomington boasts a certain New England charm -- sort of small town meets college quad -- and it's less precious and pricey than Cambridge for the visiting family. According to the Bloomington C &VB, the city is "home to the nation's fifth largest per capita population of same-sex couples and one of the most progressive cities in the Midwest, both socially and politically." You'll find a diverse local population, a huge University (home to the famous Dr. Kinsey and his Kinsey Research Institute) and lots of ethnic restaurants, galleries and fun shops.  The city also boasts some fine museums, as well as Lake Monroe, popular for outdoor activities during the summer.

Bloomington's Fourwinds Resort & Marina (800/824-2628, 812/824-2628) is unusual in that it promotes itself as a "tropical" resort. This place seems to offer waterfront dining, boating, fishing and tennis, along with a casual vibe, to all its guests. Along with its motel style decor and marina on the shores of Lake Monroe, there are simple rooms, most with two double beds. Rates are reasonable, with midweek specials in summer, and steep discounts in icy winter.

A Summerhouse Inn (800/371-0934, 812/332-2141) is more a motel than an inn, but it features a very kid-welcoming lawn, picnic area with firepit and Bar-B-Q, a sunken speedboat turned sandbox (no kidding!), play ground, and outdoor pool.  The 96 rooms, not grand, are comfortable and inexpensive, and the staff are known for their can-do attitude. Gay and straight families will appreciate the range of guests, from sports teams, to wedding parties, to visiting parents and Hoosier alumni.