It’s about that time of year. Shorter days, cooler weather and back-to-school are right around the corner—but don’t let summer come to an end without enjoying one last vacation. Book one of these cheap Labor Day weekend getaways to take advantage of low airfares, affordable hotel rates, and special events in a variety of U.S. and international locations.
Las Vegas
There’s never a bad time to visit Las Vegas, and Labor Day weekend is no exception. “Fierce competition amongst low-cost carriers like Sun Country, Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier in this top leisure market means there are often deals to be had,” notes Radka. “In some instances, you might be able to hit the jackpot with a traditional legacy carrier price matching with one of the no-frills airlines on head-to-head routes. As an example on Sun Country, flights from PDX to LAS on Friday to Monday are tallying in at $222, and from the carrier’s hub in MSP, trips to Vegas are $150 for a Friday to Tuesday itinerary.”
CheapOair lists the city as one of its most affordable Labor Day getaways, with average round-trip fares around $298. A quick search of hotels on TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) turns up numerous options under $150 a night for the holiday weekend, especially if you’re willing to stay off the Strip. Booking.com also has Labor Day hotel deals, starting at $22 a night.
Los Angeles
If you want to combine arts, culture, and beach time during your Labor Day getaway, Los Angeles is the place to be—and with a median airfare of $211 round-trip, according to Cheapflights, it won’t break the bank. Booking.com has gathered special Labor Day deals on Los Angeles hotels.
Must-see Los Angeles attractions include everything from the world-class art collection at the Getty Center to the glitzy shops of Rodeo Drive. You can also check out Labor Day weekend events such as the LA County Fair and the Pasadena Daydream Festival, headlined by the Pixies and the Deftones.
Chicago
With a median fare of $204 round-trip (per Cheapflights data) and a central location that’s easily reached from most parts of the U.S., Chicago is one of the best Labor Day getaways for travelers looking for an urban escape. There’s a diverse slate of events in the city that weekend, from the Jazz Festival and the African Festival of the Arts to the Great American Lobster Fest at Navy Pier.
Puerto Rico
There are two affordable gateways for flights into Puerto Rico—Aguadilla (the median round-trip fare, according to Cheapflights, is $280) and San Juan ($314). Either one gives you access to the island’s beautiful beaches and unique culture. Ricky Radka, Senior Content and Deal Strategist at Airfarewatchdog, SmarterTravel’s sister site, notes that you’ll find particularly reasonable fares from JetBlue strongholds such as Boston, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.
As the island continues to recover from Hurricane Maria, it’s welcoming visitors back to key sites such as El Yunque National Forest, Old San Juan, and the stunning Flamenco Beach. Eating at locally owned restaurants is one way you can support the island’s ongoing recovery—as well as enjoy a fantastic meal. Popular spots include Santaella (for upscale Caribbean cuisine), Caldera Cafe (coffee and light fare), and Cafe El Punto (Latin American dishes).
Hat tip: https://www.smartertravel.com/cheap-labor-day-weekend-getaways/
