Labor Day Weekend Getaways Near NYC

Labor Day weekend is getting closer and I know for many, this is the last long weekend for awhile to take a trip! I always like to save the last trip of the summer for road trip or very short flight destinations near New York City. These are great family trips as well as romantic getaways or weekend spots to check out with friends. I suggest everyone save the holiday weekend for some fun and relaxation before the summer ends and the new school year begins. For all of these place, Airbnb would be a great place to check out for your stays, but I included great hotel options for all!

Here are 10 weekend getaways to visit this Labor Day Weekend!

Cape Cod

Cape Cod is a great place to visit for the unofficial end of summer, as there really are so many things to do there! Firstly, the beach is always a yes from me! The Cape Cod beach is breathtaking and one of the best places to take a long walk. The Nauset Lighthouse is a popular attraction, as it is a New England landmark and my kids are always interested in checking out lighthouses! If you drive out there, you’ll have to check out the Wellfleet Drive-In movie theater, I think some of the best summer childhood memories are doing fun things like that as a family! Moreover, a few honorable mentions are the Sandwich Glass Museum as well as the Antiques Center and a trip to Truro Vineyards if you’re there without kids!

Distance from NYC: 4.5 hours driving

Where to stay: Surfcomber on the Ocean, DoubleTree Hyannis 

 

Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic is a great place to bring your family for a three-day weekend! There really is just a lot to check out there as a whole family. The Museum of Art, Seaport Museum and the Aquarium are all a good time! Who doesn’t love want to go to an aquarium?! Those are always fun to see out of town. Get ready for Autumn with B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill! They have apples, honey and so much more! They also have a lighthouse here, and you can find it at the Old Lighthouse Museum. Finally, Dubois Beach is a must-go if you’re looking for a great beach and Sift Bake Shop has some of the tastiest treats you can imagine! Make it a whole day and see a museum, grab a treat and finish at the beach!

Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours driving

Where to Stay: The Whaler’s Inn, Hilton Mystic

Fire Island

Fire Island is a popular getaway spot near NYC. The beautiful beaches themselves are enough of a reason to book this as a last-minute getaway! Spend some time at the beach, hike at Smith Point County Park, visit the Lighthouse and check out Sailor’s Haven. A few great spots to eat at are CJ’s and Maguire’s.

Distance from NYC: about 2 hours driving

Where to Stay: The Palms, Ice Palace Resort

 

Camden, Maine

Camden is one of the most beautiful, scenic places to visit! The views of the trees and rich history of the town is the perfect opportunity to escape the city and get a true breath of fresh air. Take a ride on the Schooner Surprise, which gives 2 hour boat rides, try canoeing and take a hike at the Mount Battie & Camden Hills State Park. Don’t forget to get some treats from Uncle Willie’s Candy Shoppe! You’ll want to make sure to stop by Natalie’s which is an Inn with absolutely stunning views of the Old Windjammers and some delicious food!

Distance from NYC: about 7 hours driving or a 50 minute flight

Where to Stay: Grand Harbor Inn, The Inn at Ocean’s Edge

 

Nantucket

If you haven’t been to Nantucket, it’s about 16 miles from Cape Cod! This is a fantastic place to spend the three-day holiday weekend! It’s a charming town with beautiful beaches. They have museums, a lighthouse, sailing opportunities and breweries that are great to check out with friends! It’s definitely a popular area in recent years, during the summer holiday weekends, so you will want to book your excursion ASAP.

Distance from NYC: 7 hours driving or an hour flight

Where to Stay: White Elephant, Cliff Lodge Bed and Breakfast

 

Montauk

Obviously, Montauk is a must in the summertime! You can take a day trip or weekend trip out there via train, bus or car. The Point Lighthouse is something everyone should see, primarily! Something people don’t realize is that there are quite a few state parks to take walks and hikes in, making it a top choice for Labor Day getaways. It’s a small town, but there are a ton of food options, shops and beaches to enjoy. You can also Kayak and take electric bike tours! Gurneys, TT’s, the Clam Bar and LUNCH are some of the best places for food!

Distance from NYC: about 3 hours 15 minutes driving

Where to Stay: Gurneys, Driftwood

The Hamptons

The Hamptons is another obvious spot for Labor Day weekend getaways! Both here and Montauk make for great road trips with friends and family because they are so close to each other. I recently wrote a few blog posts on everything to do here and everywhere to eat, so this is the perfect time to check those out!

Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours driving

Where to Stay: Topping Rose House

Adirondacks

I can’t express enough how much my family loves to get out and be active. The Adirondacks is one of our favorite places to travel to because not only is it only a few hours away, but there is so much to do in the great outdoors. There are beaches, parks to hike in, boats to ride, breweries to check out and so much more! If you’re more outdoorsy, I’d say this is a top place to spend the long weekend. Take a bike ride as a family or hike Mount Jo, go see Mirror Lake or Lake Placid. Spend the day at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari. That’s a great option for this heat wave! This is a popular area for New Yorkers because it’s so easy to get to.

Distance from NYC: 4 hours driving

Where to Stay: Towne Place Suites by Marriott, Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs

 

The Berkshires

Does anyone watch The Real Housewives of New York here? I can’t help but think of that when I think of the Berkshires! Ha, but honestly it is one of the most beautiful places near NYC. The nature is truly breathtaking. Jason and I spent a weekend there a couple of years ago and I have a whole blog post about it here, but I’ll name off a few more things you can do on your trip! Take a nice walk on Monument Mountain, Mount Greylock or down the block of wherever you are staying because you will want to take all the scenery in. Go ziplining at Ramblewild Adventure Park (my kids love this!), there are tons of Museums- the Massachusetts Contemporary Museum, Norman Rockwell Museum and check out the Berkshire Botanical Garden!

Distance from NYC: about 4.5 hours driving

Where to Stay: Hotel on North, Blantyre

Bethany Beach, Delaware

NYC family, have you been to Delaware? Bethany Beach and boardwalk are a really great getaway spot for the summer holiday! It’s a super cute town that is nice and quiet– a great break from the city or busy parts of the Hamptons this summer. They have mini golf, which the kids love- at Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf, the Salt Pond Golf Club if anyone wants to try out a course, a spa for relaxation at the Spa on Hollywood and electric bikes to ride on the boardwalk! Something fun is that they have a ton of surf shops, which are always cool to check out when traveling, I think! Who doesn’t want a souvenir from vacation?!

Distance from NYC: 4 hours driving

Where to Stay: Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Inn by Marriott, Hotel Bethany Beach

This post was originally published August 10th, 2022*

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