In 1882 President Grover Cleveland announced the first official ‘Labor Day’, a holiday set into standard by a local NYC labor union, making the day an official annual workers’ holiday. Ever since then every first Monday in September is marked as Labor Day and celebrated accordingly, mostly with travel plans and end of the summer blowouts.
Known as the ‘unofficial end of summer’, Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, millions of Americans utilizing the last bit of good weather to hit the beach, plan a family reunion, attend a big festival or concert, or just sightsee a city before the season ends.
In 2015 35 million travelers across America took to the roads, the skies, and the seas in search of something exciting to see and do, and that number is only increasing each year, which is why we think it is essential to give our clients and curious readers our expertise in travel tips and top locations for Labor Day travel this year.
Here are our 3 tips to keep in mind:
- If you are driving, get your car maintenanced beforehand. Be sure all tires are well-aired and the tread is good, ensure the engine is in top shape, and replenish all fluids, from your oil to your washer fluid. It is also wise to prepare an emergency car kit including jumper cables, a spare tire and jack, and kit including roadside emergency items such as water, blankets, and a flashlight.
- Beat the traffic by leaving as early as you can and avoiding mid-Friday travel. The roads, and the airports, on the Friday before Labor Day will be just about as packed as you are going to see them all weekend, so try to plan a sooner departure time if possible. We suggest leaving anywhere from Wednesday evening to early Friday morning, ensuring you will avoid as much traffic as possible and head into your 3 day weekend on the bright side!
- Check the weather and plan accordingly. This may seem like a no brainer before making travel plans, but more often times than not travelers forget that even though there may not be inclement weather on your travel path, there may still be delays in your future if a major weather event is happening anywhere in the U.S that weekend. Take the infamous 2016 hurricane delays at airports across the country, for instance, in lieu of tropical storm watches and warnings (Hermine).
Top Location Suggestions:
- Miami, Florida - This ultimate Floridian paradise proves to be the perfect summer spot to celebrate the weekend!
- Monterey, California - All the surf, sand, and sun you can pack into your weekend can be found along this Cali coastal city.
- Charleston, South Carolina - Outdoor shopping and festivals abound await in Charleston!
- Kansas City, Missouri - Water and theme parks and excellent outdoor activities such as concerts and museum installments will greet you in Missouri!
- Houston, Texas - Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the opportunity for end of the summer fun!
- Any Cruise - There really may be no better way to end your summer than by setting sail to any major ports of call around the U.S coastline!
