20 Perfect Spots for a Labor Day Weekend Trip | Credit.com
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August 18, 2016 by Brooke Niemeyer
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Enjoy a Spectacular Labor Day Getaway
As summer starts to wind down and days get noticeably shorter, most of us are turning our attention back to work or school and the business of being serious and responsible people.
But if you aren’t quite ready to give up on traveling for the summer, you’re in luck, as Labor Day is right around the corner. If you live in (or near) one of the following 20 most populous cities in the United States, consider these fun getaways for the upcoming long weekend.
Keeping track of your travel credit card spending this holiday? You can see how it’s affecting your credit by viewing your free credit scores on Credit.com.
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1. If You Live in New York City, Head to North Fork, Long Island
Hop on the train and head out to the North Fork of Long Island, about 75 miles east of the city. Not only will this adventure help you escape the chaos of the city and get a breath of fresh air, you can sip and swirl some local vino at one of the many wineries scattered along the countryside.
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2. If You Live in Los Angeles, Head to Las Vegas
Every day here is a day at the beach, so why not take a road trip to Sin City to close out the summer. You can break up the four-hour drive (in good traffic, of course) with stops along the way, like in Baker to see the world’s largest thermometer or an Instagram-worthy visit to Bottletree Ranch. Once you get to Vegas, you can enjoy the sun at one of the many pool parties or take in the views on the High Roller.
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3. If You Live in Chicago, Head to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
You can get some of the best parts of Chicago in Milwaukee — German food, breweries and the lakefront — but for less. Plus, the Cubs are playing the Brewers on Labor Day weekend, so you won’t miss out on seeing Kris Bryant while enjoying your long weekend. Added bonus: Tickets for a game at Miller Park are typically cheaper than at Wrigley Field.
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4. If You Live in Houston, Head to Hill Country
A few hours in the car will land you smack in the middle of some of the most beautiful scenery in Texas. No matter where you decide to visit in the area, you can’t go wrong with any of the 25 counties in the Hill Country region. If you want some adventure, you can kayak the Medina River or, if you want something more low key, see if any of the local farms have anything ready for harvest. Or simply take in the sights.
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5. If You Live in Philadelphia, Head to the Jersey Shore
You’re sure to have a nice change of pace if you venture from the City of Brotherly Love to the land that made GTL a cultural phenomenon. The Jersey Shore Boardwalk is filled with shops, rides and eateries, but you don’t have to spend a dime in any of them to enjoy the experience. Simply walking down the boardwalk and enjoying the refreshing salty air is worth the trip! And, of course, there are countless beaches you can visit, too.
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6. If You Live in Phoenix, Head to Sedona, Arizona
Yes, it is possible to stay in Arizona and escape some of the sweltering summer temps, thanks to the gorgeous city of Sedona. This red rock wonderland is an outdoor lovers’ paradise, filled with places to hike, bike, rock climb or picnic. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry — some of the most luxurious spa resorts are in Sedona. Or you can even combine the two and try your hand at “glamping.”
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7. If You Live in San Antonio, Head to Austin, Texas
Get ready to put your dancing shoes on, San Antonians. Austin is home to several major music festivals throughout the year and hosts musical guests and local bands on a regular basis. And if you’d like to get outdoors, try your balance on a paddle board at Lady Bird Lake. Austin is filled with several bars and restaurants on Sixth Street that will certainly provide you with all the evening fun you want to close out your summer.
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8. If You Live in San Diego, Head to Temecula Valley, California
Yes, even people who live in one of the most perfect places in the country want to leave occasionally. About an hour away from home is the town of Temecula, filled with wineries you can either tour on your own or with a guide. After you’ve had your fill, you can walk around Old Town or head to the Pechanga Resort and Casino.
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9. If You Live in Dallas, Head to Glen Rose, Texas
Get a taste of small-town charm while exploring the past at Dinosaur World or Creation Evidence Museum. And for animal lovers, a visit to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a must. You’ll tour the park where animals roam freely, potentially even coming up to greet you in your car. If you’d rather enjoy some recreational activities, there’s plenty to choose from, including kayaking, biking and hiking.
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10. If You Live in San Jose, California, Head to Lake Tahoe, California
This beautiful lake is nestled on the border of California and Nevada and is a mecca for recreation, no matter the time of year. The frigid temperatures haven’t come yet, so it’s still a perfect time to take a boat or jet ski out on the water. If you’d rather be on land, there’s golf, wine tasting, horseback riding, and even trapeze and flow arts studios if you want to try something new.
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11. If You Live in Austin, Texas, Head to Fredericksburg, Texas
The delicious barbecue in Fredericksburg can’t be missed. After dinner, you can head to one of the local wineries or to Garrison Brothers Distillery, the oldest legal whiskey distillery in Texas.
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12. If You Live in Jacksonville, Florida, Head to St. Augustine, Florida
Known as the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine is filled with plenty of historical sites for history buffs to enjoy. Or if a book and the beach is more of what you had in mind as you wrap up the summer, you can do that here too. Every Friday night, you can catch live music at several of the bars and restaurants in town, and there are several free concerts happening over Labor Day weekend, including two shows at the Colonial Oak Music Park.
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13. If You Live in San Francisco, Head to Half Moon Bay, California
You’ll be hard-pressed to find something you can’t do in this Northern California coastline town. From great restaurants and beaches to camping and whale watching, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this Labor Day weekend getaway. No matter what you choose to do, make sure you don’t miss a sunset (or sunrise, if you’re feeling ambitious) over the water. You’ll probably fall in love with this town and, if you do, consider returning in the spring during Dungeness crab season.
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14. If You Live in Indianapolis, Head to Nashville, Tennessee
A long weekend gives you a great excuse to drive to Nashville, especially if you’ve never enjoyed all that this country music mecca has to offer. Throughout Labor Day weekend, there are lots of opportunities to catch live music, like the free concert series at Public Square Park. If this isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other things to do here, like checking out the National Beard and Mustache championships at the Ryman Auditorium if you make it to town on Sept. 3.
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15. If You Live in Columbus, Ohio, Head to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
Thrill seekers, get ready: Cedar Point is home to some of the world’s most adventurous roller coasters. Plus, this quaint town is close to the beach, so you can enjoy both sand and speed while closing out the summer.
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16. If You Live in Fort Worth, Texas, Head to Big Bend, Texas
The Big Bend National Park has some of the most beautiful canyons for you to explore, whether via hiking, biking, driving or even kayaking through some of the rivers running through the canyons. Whether you’re camping or staying in a hotel, make sure you go outside and take in the breathtaking stars at night.
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17. If You Live in Charlotte, North Carolina, Head to Greensboro, North Carolina
If you’re looking for a little history adventure (or aren’t feeling outdoorsy), this would be the perfect place to spend your Labor Day weekend. Greensboro was the town where the sit-in movement began and you can visit the International Civil Rights Museum, which is in the old Woolworth’s store. In fact, the original lunch counter where the four students sat back in 1960 is still in its original spot.
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18. If You Live in Seattle, Head to Portland, Oregon
This adventure should only take you about three hours by car. However, if you’re looking to see the sights along the way, you can take the scenic route and see some of the gorgeous land as you go. Must-see places include Lake Sacajawea, Silver Lake and Point Defiance Park. Once you make it to Oregon, stock up on any back-to-school items you may need or just go on a shopping spree of any other variety — Oregon is one of the few states where you don’t have to pay sales tax. (Just make sure you don’t go overboard. Not paying sales tax is no reason to land in credit card debt.)
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19. If You Live in Denver, Head to Aspen, Colorado
When you hear about Aspen, you typically think of the ski resort town. But it can be just as fun without the snow. You can hike, bike or take the Silver Queen gondola up Aspen Mountain and enjoy live music in the great outdoors — classical on Saturdays and bluegrass on Sundays. And, if you haven’t had a chance to see them before, be sure to check out the reportedly most photographed mountains in Aspen, the Maroon Bells.
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20. If You Live in El Paso, Texas, Head to Tucson, Arizona
If you’re feeling outdoorsy, you can head to the Santa Catalinas mountains and do some hiking or climbing. Or, if you want a touch of nature without dealing with the elements, you can check out the Tucson Botanical Gardens, which feature a butterfly house. Just for Labor Day weekend, Tucson is hosting a music festival downtown, the HoCoFest Music Festival, featuring more than 40 bands.
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Image: monkeybusinessimages
Brooke Niemeyer is a reporter and editor for Credit.com. She writes about a variety of personal finance topics, with work featured on CBS, TIME, The Huffington Post, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, and others. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was a reporter for NBC before joining the Credit.com team. More by Brooke Niemeyer
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