This blog post was updated on August 22, 2023.
If you’re anything like us, you have a hazy idea of what you want from your Labor Day getaway: friends, sun and fun. Buuuut… you haven’t really done anything to plan. Yet. You’ll get to it, right? To make your decision easier, we’ve put together a shortlist of all the easiest options that can come to the rescue of your last minute labor day weekend getaways. All you need is a group of friends and a spontaneous flair and you’ll be ready to go. Check out our top picks for last-minute adventures that even the most procrastinating of trekkers can pull off by tomorrow.
Go Camping in a National Park
There are 58 national parks in this country (not to mention the whopping 6,624 state parks). Odds are, there’s one near you. So pack up your backpack (or aim to sleep in your car) and get ready for a fun-filled adventure that takes advantage of the beautiful landscapes that our country has to offer. Make sure to check the website of your local national park to make sure you know if you have to pay a fee to enter, which campgrounds usually fill up fast or any other intel that’s good to know before you head out on the open road.
Find a Fun (Free) Festival Nearby
Labor Day usually means free stuff all weekend, courtesy of our doting cities and towns. A lot of places around the country are keen to get the community together to celebrate our three-day weekend — complete with live music, tons of food and entertaining performances scattered all over town. Almost every town has something to offer: from Detroit’s HUGE free jazz festival to Philadelphia’s free weekend of live music, towns all across the country are putting on big events that lets the locals gather and celebrate their day off.
Cool Off at the Local Watering Hole
No, we’re not talking about hitting up a bar (though, now that you mention it…), we’re telling you to find a river, lake or ocean nearby where you can lay down a couple of towels, bring a picnic basket and really enjoy your well-deserved day off. If you can, grab a couple of ‘tubes and plan to float down a river: snacks, drinks and friends in tow.
Gamble Your Little Heart Out
Grab a cigar, your clique and a pre-selected amount of money to spend and head for the hills (or rather, the casino) to test your luck at the blackjack table. Remember to bet responsibly! Check out if your local casino has a Labor Day performer passing through town and try to catch some live music to celebrate your surefire winnings (we’re optimists, okay?). Most casinos have a hotel attached, where you can really celebrate the weekend in style — hopefully after an entire day of straight jackpots.
Go Skiing (or to a Ski Mountain, Anyway…)
For a spontaneous Labor Day ski resort getaway with cool summer activities, try researching local ski resorts with summer attractions. You can rent mountain bikes and explore trails, and then experience the thrill of mountain roller coasters. Most resorts also have hiking trails to let you explore stunning landscapes and viewpoints.
Zip-lining gives an adrenaline rush while providing aerial views. Alpine slides provide toboggan-like rides down the slopes. You can ride chairlifts and gondolas that offer scenic rides and can lead to hiking or picnicking spots, or you can try disc golf courses for a fun Frisbee twist on the traditional game. Climbing walls and bungee trampolines can add some excitement to your trip, while yoga and wellness sessions provide relaxation. There are also usually plenty of water-based activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, or fishing might be available on resort lakes.
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Fly Somewhere Unexpected
Sometimes, airlines post deals super late in the game. No promises, but it’s worth a check today to see if somewhere on your bucket list is just waiting to get crossed off. Whether it’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to go or just a random eeny, meeny, miny, moe decision, chances are, you’ll come back with a couple amazing stories, some valuable lessons and an inescapable sense of adventure.
Do you have any ideas for last-minute Labor Day getaways? Let us know in the comments below!
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