Labor Day

For travelers, the three-day weekend is a last-ditch chance to soak in the waning rays of sunshine before the crisp autumn air creeps in. The weekend marks the tail-end of high season rates, but Labor Day deals are out there if you know where to look. Even a spur-of-the-moment trip doesn’t have to put a dent in the wallet if you look to big cities, which tend to empty out this particular weekend. The history behind the holidayThe origins of Labor Day can be traced back to 18th-century Europe, when skilled workers found respite in working longer hours for fewer days, eventually taking off "Saint Monday"—the Monday after payday—to enjoy rest and recreation, from attending concerts and museums and various town events. In 1894, Labor Day became the first American holiday to be designated on a Monday—the first Monday in September—as a way to honor the working class and serve as a nationwide reminder that summer is drawing to a close.Labor Day EventsAccording to the AAA, some 86% of travelers fitting in the last of their weekend getaways head to beaches like New York’s Coney Island; South Beach Florida; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Nassau, Bahamas. Others are content with an indulgent staycation, breaking out the picnic baskets and sandwiches for a final nap and chat on the grass. In the spirit of “Saint Monday,” a variety of parades and events are held throughout the country as a last hurrah in the outdoors. Whether you’re headed to an annual music festival like New York City’s Electric Zoo and the D.C. Blues Festival, catching that last spin on the ferris wheel before the local carnival closes for the season, or taking an hour to browse the city farmer’s markets or crafts fair, every city does its best to offer a range of activities to fill your weekend—and counter those end-of-summer blues. Let Travel + Leisure be your guide to what’s on.

Most Recent

Airbnb Sees Major Increase in Travelers Looking for a Quiet, Nature-filled Labor Day Weekend

Airbnb Sees Major Increase in Travelers Looking for a Quiet, Nature-filled Labor Day Weekend

Vacationing at a social distance is still a priority as Airbnb travelers are heading to more remote locations, less than 300 miles away from home.
The 10 Best Places to Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in the U.S., According to Yelp (Video)

The 10 Best Places to Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in the U.S., According to Yelp (Video)

A Record Number of Passengers Are Expected to Travel by Plane This Labor Day Weekend

A Record Number of Passengers Are Expected to Travel by Plane This Labor Day Weekend

What’s Open and Closed on Labor Day

What’s Open and Closed on Labor Day

The Best Places to Travel in September

The Best Places to Travel in September

Get Ready NYC, Tiny House Glamping Is Coming to Governors Island

Get Ready NYC, Tiny House Glamping Is Coming to Governors Island

More Labor Day

What to Know If You're Flying This Labor Day Weekend

What to Know If You're Flying This Labor Day Weekend

Airlines for America is out with its annual report.
Which Airports, Airlines and Days Will Have the Biggest Delays This Labor Day Weekend

Which Airports, Airlines and Days Will Have the Biggest Delays This Labor Day Weekend

The Most Popular Labor Day Weekend Destinations and What to Do in Each of Them

The Most Popular Labor Day Weekend Destinations and What to Do in Each of Them

10 Perfect Last-minute Labor Day Weekend Destinations

10 Perfect Last-minute Labor Day Weekend Destinations

Top Labor Day Destinations and What to Do in Them for the Best Weekend Ever

Top Labor Day Destinations and What to Do in Them for the Best Weekend Ever

6 Labor Day Trips You Can Book Today

6 Labor Day Trips You Can Book Today

Where to Find the Best Sales This Labor Day Weekend

You'll want to bookmark these now.

All Labor Day

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Park City

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Park City

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Austin

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Austin

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Philadelphia

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Philadelphia

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Virginia Beach

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Virginia Beach

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in the Catskills

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in the Catskills

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Washington, D.C.

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Washington, D.C.

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in New York City’s Greenwich Village

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in New York City’s Greenwich Village

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Manchester, Vermont

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Manchester, Vermont

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend on Nantucket

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend on Nantucket

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in L.A.’s Beach Cities

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in L.A.’s Beach Cities

The Perfect Three-day Weekend in the Finger Lakes

The Perfect Three-day Weekend in the Finger Lakes

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Miami

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Miami

The Perfect Three-day Weekend in Boston

The Perfect Three-day Weekend in Boston

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Las Vegas

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Las Vegas

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in New Orleans

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in New Orleans

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Sonoma

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Sonoma

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Palm Springs

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Palm Springs

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Santa Barbara

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Santa Barbara

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in San Francisco

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in San Francisco

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Portland, Maine

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Portland, Maine

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Des Moines

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Des Moines

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Boulder

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Boulder

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in the Berkshires

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in the Berkshires

The Perfect Three-day Weekend in Los Angeles

The Perfect Three-day Weekend in Los Angeles

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Seattle

The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Seattle

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