5 Perfect Last-minute Labor Day Weekend Destinations

Labor Day is coming closer and if you’re planning to take a little trip, here you will find plenty of options! Whether you’re craving a quiet day on a pink-sand beach or a hypnotizing zip down a mountain, you’re only a flight, car, or train ride away from an excellent Labor Day weekend getaway.

Also helpful: keeping your budget in mind. A weekend of spa treatments may sound sweet, but not if your wallet can’t take it. To that end, keep a lookout for last-minute getaway deals and stay local to help cut down travel time.

Here are 5 last-minute Labor Day weekend ideas you’re sure to love.

Newport, Rhode Island

On the Classic Coast, families can choose their own beach adventure, from the rocky shoreline of Cliff Walk to peaceful Gooseberry Beach. Outdoorsy types can head to Surfer’s End on Sachuest Beach for kayaking and kite flying, while Third Beach is set in a sleepy cove, making it perfect for curling up with a book.

Santa Barbara, California

The perfect jump-off point for a day trip to Ojai or Solvang, Santa Barbara feels worlds away from it all but is easily accessible. Here you can happily plop yourself at the beach or check out attractions like Casa del Herrero, a stunning example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Hungry? Eat (and drink) your way through downtown on a Taste Santa Barbara Food Tour.

Bermuda

This pink-sand destination is fantastic for families and super accessible for those on the East (flights from New York City clock in at about two and a half hours). Explore the charming island by bike — ask for a non-motorized “pedal bike,” which is safer than a moped — and hit the Bermuda Railway, which follows an old 22-mile-long railway.

Aspen, Colorado

If the mountains are calling your name, head to Aspen for live music (Jazz Aspen Snowmass happens Labor Day weekend), and a tour of the colorful Maroon Bells mountains. For the truly adventurous, there’s Aspen Paragliding, which can help you tick tandem jumping off your bucket list.

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

The famous estuary is the ultimate New England escape. Wander around historic Chestertown or catch a passenger-only ferry to Smith Island, where you can hear old-timey Elizabethan accents and devour Smith Island Cake (the state dessert). Stay at the pet-friendly Hyatt Regency, equipped with an indoor pool and River Marsh Marina.