The U.S. Transportation Safety Administration says its preparing for a record Labor Day travel period. And the American Automobile Association says Labor Day bookings for this year are up 9% from 2023, while prices are down about 2%.
That makes this a great time to plan your Labor Day weekend getaway in great destinations around the U.S.
Here are some of my favourites.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA
Fort Myers has a walkable downtown with fine outdoor dining, art galleries and boutique shops. Captiva and Sanibel islands are famous for collecting seashells. Don’t miss a boat ride to Cabbage Key, where the late Jimmy Buffett is said to have been inspired to write “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Downtown. Captiva is a super chill spot with a fun restaurant called the Mucky Duck, where you can dine with your feet in the sand. The popular Key Lime Bistro on Captiva is slated to reopen next month. The Luminary Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property is a stylish, urban property on the water in downtown Fort Myers. Tucked inside the hotel lobby, the Silver King Ocean Brasserie features an open kitchen and a cool, light industrial-style décor.
CHICAGO
A boat on the Chicago River and the city’s River Walk. CHOOSE CHICAGO PHOTO
This city has amazing beaches along Lake Michigan. Take an architectural boat tour on the Chicago River to admire some of the world’s most beautiful skyscrapers, check out the world-class art at the Chicago Art Institute, take in a Chicago Cubs baseball or Chicago Bears football game, and dig into some deep dish pizza or a Chicago hot dog (a beef dog with mustard, onions, relish, a pickle spear, tomato, and celery salt; no ketchup allowed!). The Democratic Party’s National Convention is being held in Chicago this week.
CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA
This is a delightful beach town roughly 80 minutes south of San Francisco. That’s if you take the quick way, but I prefer taking Highway One past Half Moon Bay and along the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll pass amazing, lonely beaches. Capitola is just west of Santa Cruz and has a delightful, walkable downtown, with funky stores, surf shops and waterfront restaurants. Check out Margaritaville for good Mexican food overlooking the beach, and don’t miss the gardens and funicular that takes you down the hill at Shadowbrook, an excellent restaurant that rests on the shores of Soquel Creek.
NORTH CAROLINA
The hiking is sensational in North Carolina. This is near Blowing Rock, NC. JIM BYERS PHOTO
You’ll find hiking, bucolic country towns, and tasty wines and spirits in the hills of North Carolina. In Thurmond, Jones Von Drehle winery has welcoming hosts and makes lovely red and white wines. Stop in at Call Family Distillers in Wilkesboro and learn how the family taught the basics of distilling to a lad named Jack Daniels. Stone Mountain State Park is a wonderful hiking spot with waterfalls and a remarkable, 600-foot granite dome. An early morning hike up Rough Ridge is a great way to start your day in North Carolina.
NEW YORK CITY
One little-known gem in Brooklyn is called The City Reliquary, a tiny, storefront museum with all sorts of knickknacks and displays centered on Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers, as well as the Statue of Liberty and The World’s Fair from 1964. Fun and super funky. I also highly recommend touring some places in The Bronx. City Island is a funky village with seafood cafes and boutique shops, while Arthur Avenue is an authentic Italian food and shopping destination. Wave Hill Gardens is a marvelous slice of green space overlooking the Hudson River. In Manhattan proper, I love (who doesn’t) High Line Park and the Museum of Modern Art. Other highlights include Union Square and lower Manhattan, where you’ll find a wonderful food building called Tin Building from celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Pike Place Public Market, Seattle, Washington. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I was in town a few days ago for a day and had a delightful time. The Pike Place Public Market might be the best market in the U.S., with fresh seafood (yes, they still toss fish around now and then), local meats, colorful flowers, spices and great restaurants. We had a fine lunch on the patio at Place Pigalle and a fun stay at Palihotel Seattle, which might be the most Instagram-worthy lobby I’ve seen at any hotel anywhere. A nice bar, and great coffee, too. The University of Washington campus is particularly restful, and dotted with beautiful architecture.
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS
Fredericksburg has a rich German history and features great wineries, shops and fine restaurants. The National Museum of the Pacific War is a perfect spot to check out on Memorial Day weekend. Becker Vineyards makes soft, fruity Viognier and other varietals and features old stone buildings and a towering windmill. You’re only a 15-minute drive from the legendary country music “town” of Luckenbach, where you can often hear live music for free and enjoy the casual (okay, ramshackle) surroundings. In Stonewall, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park offers visitors a look at the former president’s childhood home, and the Texas White House. Entrance is free.
HONOLULU
Sunrise at Diamond Head in Honolulu. JIM BYERS PHOTO
There are amazing beaches like Waikiki. But Honolulu also is a diverse city with food and culture influenced by immigrants from Japan, China, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain and more. Check out Pacific Islands and Hawaii history at the fine Bishop Museum, or try your hand at surfing. No trip is complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor to pay your respects to fallen war heroes. Don’t miss a morning hike to the top of Diamond Head for an amazing sunrise, and be sure to take in misty Manoa Falls. If you love doughnuts, check out Leonard’s for Portuguese malasadas. Take a drive north to the fun, super-casual town of Haleiwa.
AIR CANADA SEAT SALE
Playa Rincon is a magical beach in the Samana region of the Dominican Republic. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Air Canada has a seat sale on through Aug. 23. Save on select destinations within Canada and the U.S., plus all their many destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Must travel by Feb. 18, 2025.
HOLLAND AMERICA SALE
Summer might be coming to a close soon, but that doesn’t mean travel offers are slowing down. In celebration of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, Holland America Line is launching a special deal in the US and Canada running from Aug. 21 – Sept. 3, 2024.
From the Caribbean and Mexico to Panama Canal and special Holiday Cruises, travelers will find a robust lineup of warm-weather Holland America Line voyages to choose from. Those who book select Fall 2024 through Spring 2025 cruises will receive:
- Up to 40% off fares
- Free prepaid crew appreciation
- $25 deposit
- Free 3rd & 4th guests on select sailings
The Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii. Jelle De Gier/Unsplash Photo
Example itineraries include (but not limited to):
- 7-Day Western Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, from Nov 30 – Dec 7, 2024. Starting price is $95 per person per day.
- 7-Day Mexican Riviera Holiday roundtrip San Diego, CA, from Dec 21-28, 2024. Starting price is $154 per person per day.
- 16-Day Circle Hawaii Holiday roundtrip from San Diego, CA, from Dec 18, 2024 – Jan 3, 2025. Starting price is $135 per person per day.
- 10-Day Southern Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, from Nov 17 – Nov 27, 2024. Starting price is $95 per person per day.
- 6-Day Wine Country & Pacific Northwest from San Diego, CA, to Vancouver B.C., Canada from April 26 – May 2, 2025. Starting price is $143 per person per day.
The Labor Day promotion excludes Grand Voyages and any cruise lasting three days or less.
