Best Labor Day Getaways for a Final Summer Hurrah

It’s time to say farewell to summer with one final sun-filled trip over Labor Day weekend.

Whether you want to play it low-key by lying on a beach all day, or take in the sights and sounds at one of our nation’s cities, these five destinations make the perfect place to savor one last taste of summer.

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Ocean Drive, South Beach 📸 @visuals.by.luis #oceandrive #southbeach

A post shared by USA Travel Destination ❤🇺🇸 (@_iloveusa) on Aug 26, 2019 at 4:16am PDT

No passport? No worries! There’s no need to leave the country to get an authentic latin vacation feel, thanks to Miami’s rich immigrant heritage. South Beach, Miami is the ultimate getaway for those looking to soak up the sun during the day and live it up at some of the nation’s hottest clubs in the evening. Miami is home to a number of world class restaurants and bars serving up some truly delicious ethnic cuisine – and of course, that all important mojito. The sugary soft sands of South Beach, together with some awesome people watching opportunities, will have you wishing summer could last all year long.

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Eat your heart out Caribbean! 🏝Welcome to my favorite place on earth: Lake Tahoe!! I’ve partnered up with @tahoesouth to show you why I love this amazing destination so much, especially during the summertime. The best part during the warm seasons of course, enjoying the Lake. 🌊The water in Lake Tahoe is incredibly fresh, with so many different shades of blue from dark indigo to turquoise clear like here in the secret cove bay! Just a short drive from @tahoesouth you can find this crystal cove paradise. Fair warning, this is a clothing optional beach… meaning you can go nude or just chill in your bathing suit, it’s up to you! 😉😜 Located in the Nevada state park you can access the cove beach by parking on the road above and hiking about 15-20 minutes down. We were here for 9-10am and it was already getting crowded so make sure to get a spot earlier if visiting! The water in Tahoe is a bit on the colder side as it comes melted snow straight from the surrounding mountains but the shallow coves warm up super quickly in the summer. 📍FUN FACT: Did you know Lake Tahoe is known as the purest lake in North America…Lake Tahoe offers the freshest, cleanest water available. While commercially distilled water is 99.998% pure, the lake measures 99.994% pure, making it one of the purest lakes of its size in the world! #tahoesouth #travelnevada #outdoorsusa #Tahoe #beautifuldestinations #wildernessculture #LakeTahoe

A post shared by Layla Nia ✈ LA Travel Girl (@latravelgirl) on Aug 26, 2019 at 5:40am PDT

Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake offering visitors the chance to say goodbye to summer days with a swim in its clear, deep-blue waters. The area has a distinctly chill vibe and is renowned for the outdoor activities on offer, with everything from biking, fishing, hiking – and in the winter, skiing – attracting visitors all year long. Sand Harbor State Park offers visitors excellent kayaking opportunities, while hikers will love climbing to the top of Eagle Rock in Tahoe City for some truly breathtaking views.

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Lobster + Lighthouse = ❤️ • • • 📷: @steakovercake • • • #visitportlandme #vacationland #mainething #thewaylifeshouldbe #fun #vacation #portlandmaine #instafun #instatravel #tourism #maine #portlandme #instapic #travelgram #bestoftheday

A post shared by Visit Portland Maine (@visitportland) on Aug 12, 2019 at 2:05pm PDT

Nothing epitomizes summer like a fresh lobster roll, so what better way to say farewell to those long sunny days than chomping down on the quintessential New England dish in Portland, Maine. Extending into Casco Bay, Portland has a working harbor where visitors can stroll around the Old Port, which is home to a plethora of historic buildings, unique indie shops, and some truly great fresh seafood. Hop on a ferry to take a quick trip to Peaks Island, where you can bike, or kayak around this quaint island, before taking that last summer swim at Sandy Beach.

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Missing Mackinac Island. 🌄 . . We took this sunset pic on the way to arch rock on an evening bike ride. Went down a road we didn’t know was there and as usual while exploring this island we were blown away by the views. If you haven’t stayed overnight yet, make plans to do so! Definitely worth it! 🙌 #puremichigan #thisismackinac #meanwhileinmichigan #upnorthmichigan #mightymac #michigansunset #sunset #mackinacisle #mackinacisland #puremittigan #onlyinmichigan #michigander #travel #explore #surprise #adventure #michiganders #greatlakes #thegreatlakesstate #greatlakesstate #upnorth #bike #trail #sunsets #themittenstate #michigansummer #mackinac_inspiration #love #michigan #canonusa

A post shared by Joey and Jessica Sancrant (@michiganaddicts) on Aug 5, 2019 at 3:51am PDT

Before snow and ice descends from the frosty north, Michiganders love to spend the Labor Day weekend on Mackinac Island. This quaint island, situated in Lake Huron, is car-free and really makes visitors feel as though they are stepping back in time. The main form of transportation around the island is via bike, or horseback. Visitors can explore Mackinac Island State Park with plenty of hiking trails, woods, and the Limestone Arch Rock formation, which covers most of the island, before enjoying some of the world-famous Mackinac Island fudge!

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… It Is Good To Have An End To Journey Towards, But It Is The Journey That Matters In The End. — Ernest Hemingway #hemingway #ernesthemingway #literature #prose #art #visualart #sunset #photography #sunsetlovers #citylife #city #skyline #sky_brilliance #awakening #yoga #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity

A post shared by Janavi S.R. (@janavi_sr) on Aug 27, 2019 at 3:51am PDT

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Big Apple, but hate having to navigate a ton of people, Labor Day weekend is the time to go and explore New York City. Many New Yorkers flee the city during holiday weekends and Labor Day is no exception, with many residents heading out of the city to spend the weekend at the beach. Labor Day weekend is a great time to experience everything New York City has to offer, from Central Park to museums, art galleries, the Empire State Building and designer shops galore. With the city being somewhat deserted, Labor Day weekend means you can snag a table at one of the city’s top notch restaurants before hitting a Broadway show.