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Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer, with many of us heading back into school schedules and fall routines. If you’re like my family, you may dream of one last weekend getaway or family vacation – but then end up doing back-to-school shopping or house projects, because nothing else was planned.
Planning Labor Day fun doesn’t have to be complicated or pricey. Families looking for easy ideas to make the holiday weekend exciting and relaxing – the perfect way to say goodbye to summer, could try these trip ideas. They will help families find what to do and where to go this Labor Day weekend.
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See a City in 24 Hours
A quick, one-day trip means there’s no pressure to see and do everything. Just have fun! Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash.
Challenge yourselves to drive to a nearby city and plan the ultimate 24-hour itinerary. When our family makes a quick trip to a new town, we usually breeze by a few well-known attractions, walk around the historic or downtown areas, find a local place for dinner, and then rest up before hitting the zoo or a museum the next day.
Not sure where to start? Try picking a theme for the visit – walking tours, food tours, museums, etc. And make a schedule that matches. Stay in a high-rise hotel to get a perfect view of your destination or stay close-by to get a taste of two areas.
Where To Stay
We recently visited Charleston for a long weekend, and there was tons to do inside the city, and gorgeous, warm beaches to visit nearby. We stayed at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina with a view of the harbor and the pool. Borrow a bike to ride around the roads leading from the resort to Patriot’s Point and beyond. Or hang out on the private beach. There’s an on-site restaurant, bar, and spa.
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Soak Up Labor Day Fun at a Resort
Unwind poolside and let someone else worry about meals. Photo by Lisa Wagstaff on Unsplash.
Treat your family to an indulgent weekend at a resort that fits within your budget and schedule. Exotic destinations like Hawaii or Mexico are a dream, but families can also find amazing resorts in the continental U.S. with no planes or passports required.
Where To Stay
Enjoy an indoor water park with no weather worries by staying at Anaheim’s Great Wolf Lodge. With dining options throughout the resort, you can hide your car keys and settle in with everything you need for the whole weekend.
If palm trees and ocean waves are more your style, then try Terranea, a family-friendly luxury resort about an hour south of Los Angeles. Families will love the activities here; especially, stand-up-paddle boarding, the Leopard Shark tour, and the guided tide pool adventure!
If the Patriotic spirit moves you, hop on a plane to the Florida Keys! On Labor Day weekend, Hawks Cay Resort, the iconic destination resort in the Florida Keys, once again hosts the annual Heroes Salute Tribute Weekend, honoring active and retired military, police officers, firefighters, and medical professionals with exclusive discounts, free onsite offerings, and live entertainment. Huge discounts are valid from August to December for first responders and military, and even civilians who donate $5 to Firehouse Subs can get 15% off their stay!
Watch the sun set at this Florida Keys’ lagoon this Labor Day. ©Hawks Cay Resort
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Plan an Outdoor Adventure this Labor Day
If the activity involves water and adventure, then my kids are game (even when it involves early alarms, long hikes, or lots of exercise). Photo by Paul Nicholson.
Parents looking for a way to connect with tweens and teens over the holiday weekend can get outdoors and find adventure! Kayaking, tubing, and caving have been popular activities with my boys. (You can combine two of those activities in one trip by cave kayaking in the Channel Islands.)
Where To Stay
Take the adventure to the next level by camping out at the end of the day. Not ready to commit to a tent and camping supplies? Rent an RV or go glamping with a full-service company like Tentrr. But if the comfort of a bed calls, check out Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor. This hotel offers free breakfast, WiFi, a heated pool, fire pit, and marina views.
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Labor Day Fun, Cabin-Style
State parks are one of our favorite ways to find last-minute, affordable vacation ideas. Photo by Christy Nicholson.
Family travelers looking to get out into nature with a low-key, affordable option can reserve a cabin at a nearby state park. We love cabins as no-brainer weekend getaways — we don’t have to worry about paying for parking, finding sleeping bags, or listening to noisy hotel guests. This is an especially good option for parents with young kids who need a slow weekend before diving into a busy school year.
Where To Stay
Try a historic beach cabin at Crystal Cove State Park, or drive north and stay among the sequoias at Calavera Big Trees State Park. You can plan easy walks through nature or just bring books and board games and let everyone relax in a quiet setting.
[ctt template=”5″ link=”kUI6y” via=”no” ]Labor Day fun doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re looking for easy ideas to make your Labor Day weekend exciting, relaxing, or a perfect way to say goodbye to summer, try these great ideas![/ctt]
Plan a Family Beach Bash
Say goodbye to summer, but not to adventure. There’s more fun to be had all year long! Photo by Paul Nicholson.
There’s no better way to bid summer farewell than a celebration at the beach. If your family already visits the shore each weekend, shake things up by trying a new beach away from your usual spots. If you’ve tried everything along the nearby coast, visit a lake beach instead or hike to a pristine swimming hole.
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Settle in for a fun day and go all out to create that summer party vibe — beach balls, picnic food, and popsicles. Set the kids loose in the waves (keeping a cautious eye on them for safety, of course!). Then relax by the water, enjoy the scenery, and say goodbye to summer and hello to all the good things the next year will bring.
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