Labor Day Weekend is quickly approaching (August 30 – September 2) and if you’re looking for something to plan for the long weekend, we have some recommendations for you! The “unofficial end of summer” and 3-day long weekend is the perfect time to getaway from NYC one last time for a getaway.
Just a few hour’s drive from the city, there’s plenty of charming destinations to book for the weekend…whether you fancy one last beach trip or maybe an early fall mountain excursion. Here’s the best Labor Day Weekend getaways from NYC to book before autumn season begins.
1. New Paltz, NY
Just a short drive north of NYC is New Paltz, a quaint and nature-driven town where there’s so much to do…like hiking, kayaking, and wine tasting. We suggest heading out here during Labor Day Weekend because it’s destined to be the perfect time weather-wise to explore the likes of the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park, Huguenot Street, and Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary. We also highly recommend visiting the lovely Twin Star Orchards, a massive 210-acre property that features award-winning natural hard ciders and wood-fired pizza from Brooklyn Cider House.
Don’t forget to get apple picking too (Dressel Farms, Jenkins-Lueken Orchards, Apple Hill Farm to name a few) since LDW is officially the start of apple season!
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
2. Atlantic City, NJ
Feeling lucky?! Atlantic City’s lively casinos, beaches, and iconic boardwalk can be a glitzy weekend getaway to end the summer off with a bang. Book a stay at the Ocean Casino Resort (who’s hosting an Olympics-themed pop-up “Medal Bar” through LDW), and you’ll be right on the beach and right within reach of all the fun. Besides the casinos and restaurants, there’s also plenty of concerts, comedy shows, and other entertainment happening too.
You can always balance it out too with the beach or a visit to the Absecon Lighthouse or Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. You can pretty much pick your vacation vibe here.
Distance from NYC: 2 hours, 30 minutes
3. The Hamptons/Montauk
It’s safe to say The Hamptons and Montauk were the destination of Summer 2024, and there’s still a chance to book your stay before it’s over! Known for its upscale charm and gorgeous beaches, its that kind of vacation where you can ball out and get your money’s worth. No matter what you want out of a weekend getaway here there’s something for everyone…luxury shopping, fine dining, and art galleries or even laid-back surfing, fishing, and outdoor activities.
Some restaurants and bars we highly recommend, The Surf Lodge, Nick & Toni’s, and Ruschmeyer’s to name a few. See our full list of best things to do in the Hamptons here!
Distance from NYC: 2 hours
4. The Berkshires, MA
Spend Labor Day Weekend in the rolling hills of The Berkshires, Western Massachusetts’ gorgeous oasis that serves as the perfect spot for nature lovers and art enthusiasts. There’s plenty of charming towns in the region, many of which are renowned for outdoor activities, (early) fall foliage, and plenty of culture!
We recommend grabbing a cabin of sorts and checking out some of the area renowned cultural institutions like Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Clark Art Institute, and more. Plus, there’s plenty of amazing farm-to-table restaurants to taste test if you’re a foodie.
Although the best time to visit The Berkshires is mid-October for the fall foliage, heading there for LDW gives you a chance to scout the best towns and hiking trails!
Distance from NYC: 3 hours
5. The Finger Lakes
How about some wineries, waterfalls, and stunning lakes this Labor Day Weekend? The Finger Lakes region near Central New York is well worth a getaway…and there’s so many incredible towns to pick from. Some of the most notable to jot down include:
- Ithaca, NY: Home to natural wonders like Taughannock Falls State Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park, and Cornell University
- Watkins Glen, NY: Home to Watkins Glen State Park and Watkins Glen International raceway
- Skaneateles, NY: Sits on Skaneateles Lake and features charming downtown filled with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants
- Canandaigua, NY: Sits on north end of northern end of Canandaigua Lake with attractions like Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park and popular wineries Finger Lakes Wine Company and Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery
Distance from NYC: 4 hours 30 minutes
6. Hudson Valley
We love the Hudson Valley and by now it’s well documented that the region is one of our favorite weekend getaways. The area’s charming towns are less than a couple hours away from NYC and they’re incredible for outdoor activities, natural landscapes, history, and wineries/breweries. It’s hard to dig deep into the Hudson Valley in just one short paragraph, so here’s a few towns to bookmark:
- Rhinebeck, NY: Visit Wilderstein Historic Site, Ferncliff Forest, and have a meal at The Amsterdam.
- Hudson, NY: Walk to the Olana State Historic Site and see the interesting Hudson Athens Lighthouse
- Beacon, NY: Be amazed by the Bannerman Castle, shop at the Beacon Flea Market, and have a drink at Denning’s Point Distillery
- New Paltz, NY: As mentioned earlier, it’s home to the gorgeous Minnewaska State Park, historic Huguenot Street, and luxurious Mohonk Mountain House
7. Lake Placid, NY
Escape to the Adirondack Mountains this Labor Day Weekend to see Lake Placid, a northern New York town with tons of heritage and stunning nature. If you’re still inspired by the 2024 Paris Olympics, you’ll absolutely love this destination since it was a host city to the Winter Games in both 1932 and 1980. You can explore remnants of the town’s Olympics heritage which still stands today…or opt for some outdoor recreation yourself in the form of hiking the High Peaks, kayaking, and canoeing in Mirror Lake.
Fall foliage tends to peak earlier than most NY places in Lake Placid, so you can probably see some early orange and red leaves during LDW!
Distance from NYC: 5 hours
8. Cape May, NJ
One of our favorite beach towns along the Jersey Shore, Cape May is unbelievably charming…from the stunnig Victorian architecture to the well-preserved beachfronts. The town itself is a National Historic Landmark and there’s so much to do besides the beach. Stroll through town and visit their boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants…or go for an adventure and explore the Cape May Lighthouse or take a dolphin-watching cruise.
It’s the ultimate Jersey Shore weekend getaway without all of the tourists that some of the bigger-name towns attract during LDW.
Distance from NYC: 3 hours
9. Wildwood, NJ
Although a little more touristy, Wildwood, NJ is a great Labor Day Weekend getaway especially if you have kids! You’ll get the “classic Jersey Shore experience” here…wide sandy beaches, an iconic boardwalk, and loads of amusement parks and water rides. A long 3 day weekend is all the time you need in Wildwood, enough time to take advantage of the free public beach, amusement park Morey’s Piers, and massive water park Splash Zone Water Park.
If these high foot-trafficked areas aren’t really what you’re looking for on a vacation, book a spot at the outer Wildwood Crest area which has much quieter beaches and accommodation but is still close to the action.
Distance from NYC: 3 hours
10. Rehoboth Beach, DE
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware might just be the furthest destination on this list, but it could definitely be the best for Labor Day Weekend. It’s Delaware’s best beach town in our opinion and is a great spot to spend the unofficial last weekend of summer. Like other spots on this list, the beach and accompanying boardwalk are the main attractions here, but there’s other great things to check out too like the Funland amusement park for the kids or Clear Space Theatre Company for some performing arts.
Distance from NYC: 4 hours, 30 minutes