The nights are arriving sooner, the kids are heading back to school, and like it or not, summer is officially coming to a close. But that doesn’t mean that your 3-day getaways have to wrap up quite yet! Here are our top picks for how to spend Labor Day and the final long weekends of the summer.
Wander Through Philadelphia
Head over to the city of brotherly love as Philadelphia is boasting a plethora of fantastic options for soaking in those last few moments of summer over Labor Day weekend. The Made in America music festival has been going strong for several years (and we do love a good summer music festival), this year boasting performances by headliners like Run the Jewels, Solange, and Jay Z.
Chances are you’ll ‘love’ spending Labor Day here
Elsewhere in the city, the annual Volksfest party is a great way to embrace the German culture through Bier Gartens, scrumptious food, music, and events for the kids.
For more family-friendly events, check out the closing weekend of Summerfest on the Delaware River, complete with a 60 foot Ferris wheel, fireworks, and an outdoor roller skating rink, as well as the annual barbeque at Sesame Place with a chance to meet your favorite Sesame Street characters.
Go To NYC And Take It All In
For a city with a few more adult options, New York City is a stellar choice. Though there’s never a shortage of things to do in NYC, Labor Day weekend boasts an especially eclectic variety of events. Spend your weekend covered in day-glow paint at the Electric Zoo Festival, take in some Caribbean flair at the wild and exuberant West Indian Day Parade, catch a few matches at the U.S. Open, or even venture down to the annual Tugboat Race and Competition off of Pier 84.
And if you’re craving one last visit to the beach, you can spend the weekend lounging on famed Rockaway Beach or add a little party to your downtime at the Riis Park Beach Bazaar. The RPBB is becoming the place for locals to get their fix of sun, sand, live music, and great food and drinks all in one place. Most of the events wrap up by Labor Day, so don’t miss out on the fun!
It’s not too late for one more day (and night) at the beach
Explore These Other Amazing Cities
Otherwise, head to Chicago for their Jazz Fest, D.C. for a free concert on the Capitol lawn from the National Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta for the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, or enjoy the Southern Decadence Festival in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Look To The Sky
If Labor Day isn’t on the agenda, consider hitting the road to view the upcoming solar eclipse on August 21st. Though there are events nationwide to celebrate the rare astronomical event, many of the best places to catch it are going to be in the south.
Hopkinsville, KY will be the point of the greatest eclipse and this small city is embracing that fact with gusto. Dubbed “Eclipseville”, the city is celebrating with events like Eclipse Con and the Eclipse Festival for the three days leading up to it.
And if you’re looking for a larger destination, Nashville is a perfect choice. It’s the largest city in the eclipse’s path, and frankly, just one of our favorite cities. You can catch the eclipse everywhere from one of their scenic parks, saloons, honkey tonks, the Nashville Zoo, or even while kayaking the Cumberland River.
Come for the eclipse, stay for an amazing weekend
Spend the weekend leading up to the eclipse at the Howl at the Moon music Festival or the annual Italian Lights Festival.
So don’t pack up those summer clothes quite yet, there’s still plenty more sun to soak in and memories to be made!
For more information about how UNIGLOBE Travel Designers can help you plan your perfect escapes, whether for weeks or just a weekend, contact our leisure travel experts at 614-237-4488 orleisure@uniglobetd.com and be sure to check out our CEO’s cover feature in this month’s Smart Business Columbus magazine!
