It’s Labor Day in two days and you probably have no plans. The good news is it’s not too late to come up with ideas to spend a fun weekend with your family. A last-minute Labor Day vacation doesn’t have to be stressful or break the bank. It would be best to have some flexibility and creativity, but it can still be done. Let’s take a look at the possibilities!
Keep it Local for a ‘Staycation’
You don’t have to stay in your house for the entire weekend unless you want to. A staycation can be simply traveling a short distance from your home for a change of scenery. This may be the perfect answer if you’re trying to avoid congested airports, train stations, and highways. Plus, you save money! Discover a hiking trail near you, or go to the beach. If you want to feel like you’re getting away from it all, book a nearby Air BnB to satisfy your wanderlust. Good deals, including Labor Day vacation, are usually to be had at the end of the season.
Stay Off the Highways and Explore the Byways
Plan your route, pack your suitcases, and gas up the car—it’s road trip time. The U.S. interstate system will be busy, but the scenic roads will be less crowded. Go online and find the nearest U.S. Parkway system near you. Parkways in the United States were created in the 1930s to create jobs and beautify the road system. Now, these roads are under the care of the National Park Service. Most have bike paths and scenic turnouts. Scenic byways were tailor-made for Labor Day vacation.
Get Your Kicks On Route 66
If you’re feeling nostalgic and pining for the days when our grandparents spent Labor Day vacation, take a trip down U.S. Route 66, which stretches from St. Louis to Los Angeles. You don’t have to travel the whole way but can have fun driving a segment. Now recognized by the National Park Service, Route 66 is known as the “Mother Road” and is a bucket list item for many roadtrippers. More than 250 sites along the way are on the National Register for Historic Places.
Booking Hotel Rooms Last Minute
Hotel rooms need to be filled, and empty rooms mean lost revenue. In the industry, the mantra is “get heads in the beds.” If you’re flexible and not too picky, many hotels are willing to negotiate a deal with last-minute bookings. You may have to call the hotel directly on the day you wish to stay, as many of these deals aren’t found online.
Fly to Florida for Labor Day Vacation
Florida is the least expensive state to fly in and out of year-round. Book a flight with only a carry-on to save money and hassle. This frees you from worrying about lost luggage, baggage claims, and fees. Also, if you’re only going out of town for a couple of days, packing light is the way to go. Find last-minute all-inclusive vacation deals in Florida and enjoy at least a couple of days soaking up the sun.
The Takeaway
It’s not too late to have a great time this weekend. Get creative, keep an open mind, and be curious. Check out the corner bookstore you’ve been driving by but haven’t had time to enter. Try a restaurant in a nearby city or tour a local museum you’ve never been to. You might learn something about your neighborhood. Use your imagination to see your town through a visitor’s eyes. You may never look at your hometown the same way again.
