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For most of us, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer (sigh), and the final opportunity to pack your family into a car like human luggage or file them into their plane seats like an army general and head off for our Labor Day weekend getaways of sun, sand, and inevitable sunburns. Whether you’re into beautiful beaches, golf courses, state parks, or just trying to enjoy one last family summer trip without totally losing your mind, we’ve rounded up the best destinations to make your holiday weekend unforgettable.
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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a vacation hot spot and the hub of the Grand Strand – 60 miles of beautiful Atlantic beaches! It’s a great place for a Labor Day getaway if your family enjoys outdoor entertainment, water parks, lavish resorts, and arguing over who gets to choose the lunch spot.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is more than just a few fish in a tank; it’s an aquatic experience like no other. Get ready for face-to-face encounters with man-eating sharks, giant sawfish, the beloved Gabby the green sea turtle, and an array of over 14,000 fish, as you wander through its glass tunnel. Kids will love the interactive, hands-on experiences, from touch tanks and animal feedings to dive tours and live shows. Parents will love that they don’t feel trapped in an endless maze; the exhibits are well-organized and easy to navigate, making time fly by, mainly because you aren’t walking in circles while wondering, “Weren’t we just here?” Tickets range from $13 to $40.
Broadway at the Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Myrtle Beach! And of course it is. This sprawling outdoor entertainment complex checks all the boxes for everyone in your family. It’s filled with charming shops, restaurants, and one-of-a-kind events and shows, featuring everything from magicians to fire dancers. Labor Day weekend at Broadway is celebrated with a weekend of karaoke, live music, and a fireworks extravaganza over the lake. It’s truly a one-stop shop, eat and groove ‘til you drop.
Strolls, snacks, and sea breeze vibes. The Boardwalk never disappoints! Photo by Drew Perales @ unsplash.
Everyone loves a good water park, and the Myrtle Beach Waves Water Park is one of the best! With over 30 water slides and 12 water attractions with names like “Saturation Station”, “Turbo Twisters”, and “Bubble Bay”, plan to get wet and wild while working on your tan. Waves also features a FlowRider wave pool attraction for the surfers in your family and a lazy river for those of us parents that are looking for a bit of chill time.
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Once you’ve had your fair share of water park fun, head to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. This oceanfront boardwalk is pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to stroll and plan your next adventure. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a family favorite because it’s home to the old-fashioned Family Kingdom amusement park and the SkyWheel, one of the country’s tallest Ferri wheels, as well as Pier 14, Second Avenue Pier, and Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. Plus, there are arcades galore, souvenir shops, and eateries dotting the promenade. And of course, beach access for getting toes into the sand.
Where to Stay In Myrtle Beach
Dunes Village Resort is a great spot for your family when you’re visiting Myrtle Beach. It’s a water park resort, what more can we say?
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Guess what? Outer Banks is not just a Netflix show! It’s a great spot for that Labor Day weekend getaway you’ve been promising the kids since spring break. Outer Banks is basically the relaxed version of Myrtle Beach. Expect pristine beaches, historic sites, horseback riding, and the slow, calming realization that no one’s phone has a signal.
Catch a glimpse of the Outer Banks’ legendary wild horses living their best beach life. Photo by Bonnie Kittle @ unsplash.
The Outer Banks is known for its wild horses. You will be the vacation hero when you book an Outer Banks Wild Horse Adventure. There are several ways to experience these equine beauties in their natural surroundings. Consider a guided tour, such as Corolla Wild Horse Tours or Bob’s Corolla Wild Horse Tours. These tours take the fam in safari-style vehicles that are family-friendly and accommodate car seats for the littles. Your guide will take you to all the best viewing spots and give you a bit of history and information along the way. Families can also opt for a self-guided tour. Set out on your own private horse exploration along 4×4 beach areas where the horses roam free.
The Outer Banks is rich in history, and with that comes ghosts, right? For a thrilling and bone-chilling adventure, take the family on a ghost tour. These tours are especially satisfying for squashing that “I ain’t afraid of no ghost” attitude from your teen once and for all. Spend the evening strolling through town with OBX Ghost Tours as they spin spooky stories and haunted legends about the mysterious coastal town of Outer Banks.
Where to Stay In Outer Banks
Booking a stay at Surf Side Hotel gives you a chance to spend some time in Kitty Hawk, which is a big plus! This hotel has a family-friendly atmosphere, indoor and outdoor pools, and a convenient location.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the perfect place for a last-minute Labor Day weekend escape. Find your favorite amusement parks, grab tacos by the ocean, or chill at a live music venue while your kids build sandcastles up and down the coast. Plus, the summer weather here is like Goldilocks’ porridge—just right.
Of course, good old-fashioned beach time awaits anywhere along the coast, but we suggest hitting a few favorites, like La Jolla Shores or Mission Beach, because these spots have all the components of a great beach day, including gentle waves for surfing or boogie boarding, lifeguards, and decent parking. There are plenty of non-beachy activities to do in SD, too.
Balboa Park is more than a park, it’s like an oasis in the middle of the city. Your family can set out on a choose-your-own-adventure filled with museum visits, tag at the playground, and rides on the carousel. Within the Park, visitors can see the Spreckels Organ Pavilion or get a peek at aircraft and space shuttles at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Water sports are the name of the game at Mission Bay Park. Take the family down by the bay, rent your favorite watercraft, and send those teens on their way to paddleboard or kayak their way around the bay while you relax at the water’s edge, far enough away so that you can’t hear their bickering. Those who want to stay dry can visit Belmont Park across Mission Blvd. for good ‘ol-fashioned amusement park fun. Ride the wooden rollercoaster or try your luck at the games of chance to walk away with a stuffed animal you’ll have to figure out how to schlep for the rest of the day.
Paddleboarding on Mission Bay in San Diego offers the ultimate SoCal chill. Photo by Tower Paddle @ unsplash.
Part theme park, part aquarium, and wholly adventurous, SeaWorld San Diego offers an exciting and adventurous experience for the entire family. It’s not just whales and water here. Kids and discerning teens have their pick of exciting shows and fan-favorite entertainment like Pirates Ahoy!, BMX Blast, and Laser Reef. SeaWorld has something for parents who are spending Labor Day at the park: the Craft Beer Festival, which pairs nicely with its Labor Day “Enchanted Wonders” fireworks spectacular!
Where to Stay In San Diego
The Dana on Mission Bay is the perfect spot to lay your head when visiting San Diego. It’s conveniently located near SeaWorld, Mission Bay, and has easy access to the freeway.
Key West, Florida
Welcome to Key West, where you’ll find beautiful beaches, warm weather, and more outdoor adventure options than you thought possible. It’s the perfect way to send summer off with a bang—or a boat party.
Now, while not technically in Key West, the Dry Tortugas National Park is an absolute must-do! In our opinion, every single aspect of this experience is amazing and unbelievably cool. The Dry Tortugas National Park is located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 68 miles west of Key West. Getting there marks the beginning of this epic adventure, as it can only be reached by seaplane or ferry. Once there, your family can explore Fort Jefferson – complete with a moat! Or head to the water to spot the most vivid coral reefs and the marine life that lives there. You will also hear from the host/guides about local shipwrecks and legends of hidden treasures.
If you want to see as much of Key West as you can, hop on the Conch Train. This train journey covers the entire island and visits most of Key West’s notable sights, making it easy to spot the places you may want to revisit later, with or without the kids (no judgment). The Shipwreck Treasure Museum, the Key West Aquarium, the Harry S. Truman Little White House, the Sails to Rails Museum, the Ernest Hemingway Home, the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, the Key West Botanical Gardens, and Nancy’s Secret Garden are just some of the places you can visit. While aboard the train, soak in the rich history of a town that has somehow blended pirate energy with Jimmy Buffett’s vibe. Also, don’t mind the roosters; they roam the streets freely here, which is either charming or terrifying, depending on how you feel about street-strutting poultry.
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The Dry Tortugas Ferry equals ocean breezes, island dreams, and adventure on the horizon. Photo courtesy of nps.org
Where to Stay In Key West
When you’re in Key West, book a room at the Hilton Garden Inn. It’s a laid-back lodging with a pool and proximity to attractions like Smathers Beach and the Botanical Gardens.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Craving cooler temperatures, but not quite ready for pumpkin spice? Lake Tahoe is the Labor Day answer. With outdoor activities galore—from hiking to water sports—it’s a great outdoor destination that makes you feel fit just by breathing the air.
The best thing about a Labor Day getaway to Tahoe is that, because most of the activities are outdoors, they are either free or low cost, and everyone’s wallet could use a break right about now, you feel me?
Lake Tahoe offers your family the chance for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming until their hearts’ content, with rental shops on every street, corner, and shoreline. Not into powering your own boat? Consider booking a cruise on the beloved and iconic MS Dixie II. This paddlewheel boat is one of a kind, and as its giant paddlewheel churns water while gliding around the lake, it also features a glass bottom, offering a unique glimpse at the jaw-dropping depths of Lake Tahoe. The Dixie offers sunset cruises, captain dinner cruises, and day trips around Emerald Bay; you just can’t go wrong.
Cruise in style! Discover Lake Tahoe aboard the Iconic MS Dixie Paddlewheeler. Photo by visitlaketahoe.com
Lake Tahoe also has hiking and mountain biking trails for all levels. The Eagle Falls Trail and the Rubicon Trail are popular choices for hikers, while mountain bikers can enjoy the trails at places like Northstar California Resort. If you want to keep it peaceful and mellow or are looking for an after-dinner walk, there is an even paved trailway that meanders around the lake.
If beach time is on your mind, popular beaches like Sand Harbor, Pope Beach, and Kings Beach offer swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking – the perfect trifecta for Labor Day.
Where to Stay In Lake Tahoe
Booking a stay at Tahoe Sands Resort puts you right near beach fun at Kings Beach and mountain trails galore at Northstar.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head is classy and sassy, just like that teenage daughter of yours! Think fewer boardwalks, more golf courses, and upscale vibes that scream, “We brought the good beach towels.” A visit in early September means fewer crowds, but still plenty of activities and sunshine to enjoy.
There’s no shortage of beaches here! The beach is wide and flat, making walking or riding bikes easy, fun, and breathtaking. Not to mention, it’s the perfect canvas for sandcastle building. When the tide is out, tide pooling is in! And those sandy castle architects of yours, and the sunbathing beauties, will likely turn into Jacques Cousteau, exploring hidden sea creatures found at low tide.
For the young, pirate-crazed travelers in your crew, nothing beats a day trip to the Pirates of Hilton Head. Climb aboard the Black Sparrow and embark on a thrilling journey to capture Stinky Pete.
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Where to Stay In Hilton Head
With two pools and a spa, the Sonesta Resort will be the ideal place for your family to chill out. Spacious rooms, on-site restaurants, and a fitness room to work off all the vacation is all included.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is the perfect time machine back to New England charm, with historic homes, outdoor activities, and late summer weather. If your idea of a perfect Labor Day involves ocean breezes, seafood, and the occasional whale photobomb, Cape Cod has you covered. As the unofficial whale-watching capital of the East Coast (sorry, Boston Harbor), Cape Cod offers front-row seats to humpback whales showing off their breeching abilities. Hop aboard a Dolphin Fleet whale watch tour out of Provincetown—you’ll get a fascinating marine biology lesson, plus a chance to shout “THAR SHE BLOWS!” like a true waterman.
While you’re in Provincetown, wander through its artsy, vibrant downtown packed with quirky galleries, local shops, and enough lobster rolls to sustain a small island nation. Don’t miss the Pilgrim Monument—climbing it totally counts as cardio.
To properly celebrate Labor Day, hit up the Cape Cod Labor Day Craft Festival for handmade treasures, or catch a seaside fireworks display in Dennis or Barnstable. Nothing says “thank you, labor movement” quite like sparkly explosions over the Atlantic.
Cape Cod is dotted with historic lighthouses that stand as beacons of beauty along the coast. Photo by Rusty Watson @ unsplash.
Where to Stay In Cape Cod
The Old Harbor Inn is the perfect mix of history and seaside beauty.
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The Last Hurrah
Whatever your family’s vibe—whether you’re music lovers, great outdoors explorers, or people just trying to survive the holiday weekend without yelling at a GPS—it’s a great time to embrace Labor Day weekend trips. Just remember: it’s not about the perfect place, it’s about the perfectly fun time you have getting lost, overpacking, and trying to fit one more bag of souvenirs in your suitcase.
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Laura Kent
. I am a master brand storyteller, creative ringleader and kick-a content creator, based in Park City, Utah, where I live with my three incredible kiddos, my guy, and three of the goofiest doodle doggies you’ll ever meet. My specialties include copywriting, content creation, word smithing, editing, proofreading, SEO marketing, brainstorming, and picking brains. I’m also very good at multitasking, single-tasking, and “I’ll just do it myself” tasking. Last, but certainly not least, I specialize in spontaneous bursts of sheer brilliance. I traded life near the Pacific Ocean for mountain town living in Park City, which actually feels like a chill beach town…so, it’s a pretty even trade, except for the snow – obvi!