10 AMAZING LABOR DAY WEEKEND GETAWAYS NEAR NYC

Take advantage of that extra day off by using our list of Labor Day 2018 weekend getaways including nearby beaches

A three-day weekend is the perfect excuse to travel, so use the upcoming holiday to plan either one of our relaxing or adventurous Labor Day 2018 weekend getaways. While the city has no shortage of fun things to do on Labor Day as well as many wonderful New York beaches to visit, sometimes you just need to take a breather from Gotham. Our list includes incredible weekend getaways to New Jersey, Long Island and either Massachusetts, so visit these summertime destinations now while the weather is still nice.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Labor Day in NYC

Best Labor Day weekend getaways

1. Catch waves and live music in Montauk

 

Photograph: Shutterstock

120 miles, 3hrs by car or LIRR

Head East and don’t stop until you reach the tip of the Hamptons, where the ritzy clubs and high-fashioned vacationers give way to lifetime native fisherman and surfers who quit New York to chase the area’s big waves. If you’re hoping to hang ten yourself, spend your mornings at Ditch Plains, a beach where you'll be among many longboarders and have access to tasty seasonal food trucks. Afterward, spend your night dining over fresh seafood at 668 The Gig Shack, hit a Lynn's Hula Hut for some tiki drinks, and say goodbye to summer with live music as the sun sets behind a pond at the hip Surf Lodge.

2. Get cultured in the Hamptons

 

Photograph: Courtesy Pollack Krasner House

100 miles, 2hrs 30mins by car or various times by LIRR

If the warm weather or sun is threatening to run away before the (unofficial) end of summer, a weekend in the Hamptons is still worth the schlep to Long Island. Skip the beautiful white sands of Cooper Beach and East Hampton’s award-winning Main Beach for amazing cultural activities like the Southampton Historical Museum. Art fans shouldn’t miss the Pollock-Krasner House and Studio where you can see where famed artists Jackson Pollock and his wife Lee Krasner spent their days in peaceful seclusion creating Modern art pieces, including some by Pollock that are still exemplified as the best of Abstract Expressionism.

3. Enjoy the wilderness in the Adirondacks/Lake George

 

Photograph: Shutterstock

200 miles, 3hrs 20mins by car

For a true breath of fresh air, ditch New York City for the simple life in upstate New York. After you spend a full day dedicated to the new Wild Walk, a system of wooden bridges that snakes through the Adirondack Park as a “High Line of the Forest,” which offers stunning views of the trees and wildlife, check out the area’s fun low-key events. The Annual Hobo Fest, which takes place the Sunday before Labor Day, is a free, full-day folk music celebration near Saranac Lake, which embraces the free-traveling “hobo spirit.” Make sure to pay a visit to the annual Long Lake Labor Day Chicken Barbeque and Fireworks celebration on Saturday, Sept 1.

4. Relax on the beach at Fire Island

 

Photograph: Shutterstock

60 miles, 2hrs 15mins by car

It can take a bit of planning to get to this car-free summer oasis, but if you haven’t been, hop aboard the first ferry you can for the perfect fun-in-the-sun destination. Catching those last rays of summer sun on one of the well-maintained beaches, for a 3-day beach party. Get into the groove at a gay bar called Sip-n-Twirl or relax with a cocktail with a waterfront view at Cherry's On The Bay.

 

5. Gorge on fried Oreos at the Great New York State Fair

 

Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Doug Kerr

253 miles, 4hrs by car

If you want a different pace from Gotham, look no further than this 12-day country bonanza. The oldest State Fair in America is back with its 375-acre fairgrounds and hours of entertainment, including plenty of farm animals, rides, greasy finger-licking-good treats and live music everyday. The star-studded line-up for this weekend features The Temptations, Ludacris, Blondie, Smokey Robinson, Hanson, Niall Horan, Counting Crows and more. Drive or take the Amtrak directly to the fairground on Labor Day for one-buck admission prices and a chance to see music legends Chicago.

6. Party by the sea at Wildwood, New Jersey

 

Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Allie_Caulfield

155 miles, 2hrs 30mins by car

Forget what you think you know about the Jersey Shore from the late but memorable MTV series—this spot is the real deal. The whole weekend is jam-packed with ways to get your America on, from the Labor Day Weekend Fireworks Spectacular on the beach, Ed’s Funcade World Championship Skeeball Competition (Sept 1) and the Wildwood Block Party and Music Festival (Sept 2). Don’t forget to leave time for exploring the historic boardwalk—there’s plenty of shops and rides waiting for you.

7. Check out Jersey beaches in Atlantic City

 

Photograph: Courtesy of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority

125 miles, 2hrs by car

Take a break from hitting the slots and grab some sun and sand among the busy shores on Atlantic City. It's like The Vegas of the east coast, except with less tourists. Just don’t party too hard, if you want to make the last bus back to New York for work the next day.

8. Taste exceptional wine in the Finger Lakes

 

Photograph: Shutterstock

250 miles, 4hrs 30mins by car

Sure, Long Island has plenty of wineries, but in upstate New York you get a refreshing glass while appreciating the hills and blue lakes of this quiet region of the state. Sip some of the town’s best Riesling offerings while overlooking a lake from the Ravines Wine Cellars’ tasting room, or the green Adirondack chairs at Sheldrake Point Winery. While you’re in the area, designate a non-boozy day and take advantage of the canoeing and kayaking opportunities, or maybe take a dip under a waterfall.

9. See the art of the Berkshires, MA

 

Photograph: Shutterstock

150 miles, 2hrs 45mins by car

If the weather’s nice, it’s imperative that you go white water rafting and hike the gorgeous Monument Mountain or speed down a zipline through a thick forest, but if you’re all natured-out, have no fear. This region of Massachusetts is full of amazing art opportunities. Check out true Americana art at the Norman Rockwell Museum, the fantastic architecture and magnificent collection of the Clark Art Institute and the largest collection of contemporary visual and performing arts in the country at MASS MoCa.

10. Shop till you drop in Hudson, New York

 

Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Teri Tynes

110 miles, 2hrs by car or 2hrs 20mins by train

The walkable and bike-friendly town of Hudson only has 6,000 residents, but it’s an upstate treasure that is easily accessible to and from the city. With 300 historic buildings, including many with exceptional architectural elements, and over 50 antique stores, this spot is perfect for a full day of moseying. Start at a local café like Rev Coffee & Tea before heading down Warren Street for a slew of galleries displaying works by contemporary locals, oil paintings and antiquities from around the world over. Once you’re inspired, drop by any one of the numerous vintage and antique stores to search for new furniture, jewelry and decorative items to fit your taste. Before you leave, check out the historic lighthouse and the killer views of the Hudson River.