The best last-minute Labor Day weekend getaways for 2024

In the fall, busy Yosemite sees a drop in attendance—and a drop in water levels, which affects the waterfalls. But the best part is the drop in temperature, which makes hiking more enjoyable. In September, the average temperature is a decent, last-vestige-of-summer 83 degrees, although parts of the park like Tuolumne Meadows can be significantly colder, even by 20 degrees!

Where to stay: With an on-site spa, a year-round heated pool, and close proximity to the park's entrance, Rush Creek Lodge is a perfect base for exploring Yosemite. 

As Labor Day nears, a visit to the nation's capital becomes even more appealing. Festivals take center stage with the DC Jazz Fest taking over The Wharf and the D.C. Magical Festival bringing a weekend of magicians to the Capital Hilton. An annual concert from the National Symphony Orchestra takes place on Labor Day on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol—and the Nationals take on the Chicago Cubs. Of course, there's always incredible dining and monuments to take in, too.

Where to stay: The Willard Intercontinental is about as close as you can get to the White House—and it's a landmark on its own, laden with presidential history and claims to fame. If you're looking to be at the other end of the National Mall, the Kimpton George offers boutique rooms blocks from both the U.S. Capitol and Union Station.

The Pacific Northwest is stunning in late summer, and Olympia—the capital of Washington state—is no exception. Known for its eclectic arts and music scene, thriving maker community, and bustling waterfront, the town celebrates big over Labor Day weekend. The annual Harbor Days festival runs from August 30–September 1, boasting more than 300 things to see and do. These include a 75-drone maritime light show, vintage tugboats, live music, and plenty of food and drink. 

Where to stay: For a quaint stay, book a room at The Swanton Inn, a bed and breakfast in an 1887 Queen Anne Victorian listed on both the city and state historical registers. 

Things wind down on the coast after a busy summer, and you’re more likely to find cheap accommodations at places like Cannon Beach (and wait until October for even better deals). In Oregon, fall is the rainy season, which means you can see powerful surf and Instagrammable fog, feel exhilarating winds and enjoy beachcombing for treasures brought ashore by high tides.

Where to stay: Relax oceanside at the Ocean Lodge, located on the coast. Bonus: It's pup-friendly.  

From mid-August to the beginning of September, you have your best chance of seeing fields of sunflowers in bloom. At Grinter Farms just east of Lawrence, blooming is expected around Labor Day—check Facebook for updates on timing your free visit just right. Or check out the Sunflower Festival from August 21 to September 14 in Buhler, KS, with ticketed admission. 

Where to stay: If you want to be central to campus and a short drive away from the sunflowers, The Oread Lawrence Tapestry Collection by Hilton—located in a renovated, 100-plus-year-old castle, is a perfect choice. 

The Atlantic might be too cold in September for all but the most hearty of swimmers, but Maine’s glorious beaches are still worth walking in a sweater! At Old Orchard Beach, dine on an extended pier or visit Palace Playland, New England’s only beachfront amusement park—the rides close right after Labor Day. Check out the waves from the Ferris wheel!

Where to stay: You're here for the ocean, so why not stay right on it? Friendship Oceanfront Suites offers 71 two-room suites with direct access to the beach. 

Although the quiet season doesn’t officially start until November, September is a great time to visit because Grand Canyon crowds have thinned out and the North Rim is still open (facilities and lodging close down in October). This year, why not stay in the first hotel to open in the park in over 50 years? That’s the Maswick South Lodge.

Where to stay: If location and luxury are on your checklist, The Grand Hotel is one mile from the park entrance—plus offers an indoor heated swimming pool and on-site dining. 

Over Labor Day weekend, the ski town of Vail becomes a music lover's destination with the Vail Jazz Fest, now in its 30th year and featuring performances from top jazz artists. Keep the performances going with a show at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.

Where to stay: For some end-of-summer pampering, indulge in more than just music by staying at one of Vail's luxury resorts. The Four Seasons offers individual treatments and multiple pools.

Lake Michigan, the warmest of the Great Lakes, is most likely to hold onto some late-season warmth for swimmers in September. Beaches are largely deserted as lifeguards have moved on, and even if the air is chilly, the water is warm. The artsy town of Saugatuck, Michigan, has charm to spare and you can get an elevated view of the lake aboard the paddlewheeler Star of Saugatuck, which plies the Kalamazoo River.

Where to stay: Located directly on Lake Michigan, the Lake Shore Resort is both trendy and affordable. Every room features gorgeous views, plus the hotel offers kayaks and bikes to launch your adventures. 

In addition to cooler temperatures, you can check out the sixth annual Riverfront Jazz Festival, August 30 to September 1, which draws musical artists from all over the world to play jazz, blues, R&B, soul, pop, and Neo-soul music. Then, jump on the free McKinney Avenue Trolley that runs through the arts district to find some art to match the earworm. 

Where to stay: Who knew a Switzerland-Texas design aesthetic would be so chic? The Hôtel Swexan (get the name?) is a boutique hotel that's as swanky as they come—amenities abound, but the top one may be the 20th-floor pool bar. 

For Labor Day weekend, why not visit the birthplace of the labor movement, where shoemakers first organized in 1794? A statue in Elmwood Park called The Labor Monument commemorates the city’s connection to labor. Plus, September marks festival season in the city, including a mushroom festival that’s been around for nearly 40 years, September 7-8.

Where to stay: The Hotel Anna & Bel is new to the scene—and we mean really new. Opening in August, this 50-room design-forward boutique hotel offers a heated outdoor pool, rooms with balconies, and a buzzy on-site restaurant, Bastia. 

By day, this resort town is still warm in September, but nights get chilly—basically, the perfect way to bid adieu to summer and transition to autumn. Snow here can sometimes arrive in mid-October! So, take advantage of these last weeks to float down the Snake River with a rafting guide, hit the trail on a horse, or try your hand at fly fishing.

Where to stay: Yellowstone Hotel is an adults-only, intimate hotel with a central location that's perfect for exploring Yellowstone and/or Grand Teton National Park. For a kid-friendly option, check out the Lodge at Jackson Hole.

The famous saying that the "coldest winter you'll ever spend is a summer in San Francisco" may hold true in June, but come September, average highs are back in the 70s and the tourism influx has slowed a bit. An afternoon in Golden Gate Park—the country's largest urban park, topping even NYC's Central Park—is always worth a spot on the agenda. While you're there, check out the museums: the de Young for a remarkable art collection and the family-friendly California Academy of Sciences. And a classic institution, the Ferry Building, plays home to a top-tier farmers' market and diverse dining options.

Where to stay: The chic, sustainable 1 Hotel San Francisco, located along the Embarcadero, offers modern rooms, a health-forward restaurant, and a unique, terrace-top spa featuring treatments and stone baths. 

Locals say mid-May to mid-September is the best time to drive this scenic parkway. You’ll be forced to drive leisurely; the speed limit is only 25-45 mph. Along the way, you’ll appreciate gorgeous mountain vistas, Civil War battlefields, and more. Start in Washington, D.C., and cruise along through Tennessee and Virginia to the endpoint in Cherokee, North Carolina. 

Where to stay: Located on a 12,000-acre private mountain estate, the Primland is downright regal. Take in gorgeous views of the mountains, indulge in the Auberge Spa, and take on various adventures—from horseback riding to trout fishing.

The air is at a comfortable temperature and many visitors have returned home, leaving New York open for adventures. See a show on Broadway, wander Central Park, and then get funky at the Electric Zoo, a three-day electronic music festival that always takes place on Labor Day weekend at Randall’s Island Park. Don’t forget to enjoy the Hell Gate Wildflower Meadow there.

Where to stay: Choosing where to stay in New York is a puzzle—the most common question: which neighborhood is best? While that depends on your plans, if you simply want to be somewhere cool with a ton going on, opt for the Nine Orchard on the Lower East Side. Located in an old bank, you'll feel very New York every minute spent here. 

The city’s still wearing its greenery from the summer but those striking red, orange and yellow leaves are starting to assert themselves. Vermont’s famous foliage season starts in early to mid-September and lasts until late October. Stroll the brick-paved Church Street Marketplace, an award-winning outdoor pedestrian mall, and search for pumpkin whoopie pies! Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s, perfect for rambling.

Where to stay: Located downtown, Hotel Vermont is a trendy independent hotel that's an ideal base for exploring Burlington's restaurants and attractions.  

The summer crowds are gone, but the beach temps are still balmy (mid-80s). Based on when kids return to school, you could either sneak in one last family ride aboard Dumbo or have an awesome kid-free trip to Disneyworld. On the other hand, September is the month most likely for a hurricane to touch down.

Where to stay: Orlando is packed with hotels to accommodate the droves of visitors to Disneyworld. Our favorite? The Waldorf Astoria Orlando has a massive pool, award-winning restaurants, and an exclusive spa. Do we need to say more?