It may be a well-known fact that holidays are a more expensive time to travel, but that doesn’t mean enjoying one last hurrah to close out summer is out of the question. A new report from the travel site Hipmunk details where to find Labor Day deals. But don’t delay, the biggest bargains on Labor Day weekend flights are available this week. Those who book through the end of this week stand to save 11 percent. If purchasing on short notice doesn’t work for you, not to worry. There will still be some bargains next week as well. As for where to go, here are 37 great destinations where Hipmunk says hotel rooms can be had for under $300 on Labor Day weekend.
Scott Nyerges contributed to this story.
Related: 11 Tips for Finding Last-Minute Summer Travel Deals
Charlotte, North Carolina
Median Hotel Price: $111
The Queen City is also North Carolina’s largest. Racing fans will want to check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where you can learn about the sport’s past and try your skills at one of eight driving simulators. Or visit the Billy Graham Library, where you can tour the boyhood home of “America’s pastor” and spend a moment of quiet reflection in the Memorial Prayer Garden. No trip to North Carolina would be complete without barbecue (Midwood Smokehouse is just one of many options) or craft beer (there are some 30 breweries in the area).
San Jose, California
Median Hotel Price: $130
San Jose is home to the famous (and famously quirky) Winchester Mystery House. “Sprawling” doesn’t begin to describe this Victorian mansion, which has about 160 rooms, including 40 bedrooms, 47 fireplaces, and three elevators. Did we mention it’s also rumored to be haunted? San Jose is also the gateway to wine country, with three dozen wineries within easy drive, while the Santa Cruz Mountains beckon hikers and bikers.
Park City, Utah
Median Hotel Price: $163
Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains southeast of Salt Lake City, tiny Park City is best known for the Sundance Film Festival and mountain sports. Late summer is an ideal time to visit the Park City Mountain Resort, where you can ride one of four ski lifts and gondolas to the top, then hike back down along a ski run. Or visit Utah Olympic Park, which hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, and try your hand at riding a bobsled.
Jacksonville, Florida
Median Hotel Price: $133
Sprawling across nearly 900 square miles, Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the U.S., boasting some 22 miles of beaches. Water sports are the big attractions here, whether it’s boating on the Intercoastal Waterway, fishing and swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, or kayaking on the river. If all that’s not enough, Jacksonville is home to some of the freshest seafood in the state, and you can wash it all down with some craft beer from one of the 18 breweries along the Jax Ale Trail.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Median Hotel Price: $106
This Texas Gulf Coast city has beaches of its own, but the real attraction is Padre Island National Seashore. It protects 70 miles of this barrier island, providing a haven for sea turtles and some 380 bird species. You can swim, fish, camp, canoe and kayak on Laguna Madre, or drive for miles along the beach. Corpus, as locals call it, also has some great attractions to see, including the Texas State Aquarium and the U.S.S. Lexington aircraft carrier museum.
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Las Vegas
Sin City, anyone? If nightlife, 24-hour casinos and watching fountains synchronized to music are your thing, it may be time to head to Las Vegas. There are countless hotel options here, many themed around famous European cities (in case a trip across the pond isn’t in your budget) ranging from the Venetian with its grand canal to Paris Las Vegas and its replica of the Eiffel Tower. There are also loads of cheap attractions, too.
Related: 22 Must-See Vegas Attractions That Aren’t on The Strip
Nashville, Tennessee
Median Hotel Price: $181
If you love live music (and country most of all) then a trip to Music City, U.S.A., is the perfect destination for Labor Day weekend. Catch Steve Earle, Trella, Lindsay Ell, and 10 other musicians at Live on the Green downtown, or head over to Fair Park for the Nashville Soul Music Festival. If music’s not your thing, maybe food is. Nashville’s food scene known for hot chicken (Hattie B’s is a landmark), barbecue, and old fashioned home cookin’.
Niagara Falls, New York
Median Hotel Price: $291
Sure, we all know there’s a waterfall in Niagara Falls (and a few tourist traps, too), but there are cool things to do, too. Head to the Canadian side (bring your passport!) and catch the final weekend of the Summer Music Series at Queen Victoria Park, then stay for the fireworks after. Or stay stateside, wander Old Falls Street, or visit Old Fort Niagara. Buffalo, with its vibrant art and museums, beautiful parks, and stately architecture, is just 20 or so miles away.
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New Orleans
Median Hotel Price: $149
The Big Easy is another option known for its around-the-clock nightlife and cheap entertainment. There’s also an outstanding music scene and for the foodies, there’s a particularly unique range of dining options thanks to the city’s French, African, and American roots. In addition, each year over Labor Day weekend the French Quarter hosts Southern Decadence, a celebration of LGBT culture.
Portland, Oregon
Median Hotel Price: $185
Portland is foodie heaven, no question about it. This town put craft beer, coffee roasting, and farm-to-table cooking on the map, and you could quite easily spend a week eating and drinking your way through the city (we especially love Pine State Biscuits). Feeling especially full and fond of the Rose City? Stick around until Sept. 12 for Feast Portland. Oh yeah, and Portland has some awesome art, too; check out the 23rd annual Art in the Pearl Labor Day Weekend.
Washington, D.C.
Median Hotel Price: $146
The nation’s capital loves to put on a show, especially for a big holiday like Labor Day weekend. The Kennedy Center begins its fall season with its annual Labor Day Capitol Concert on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Bookworms of all ages will want to check out the 2019 National Book Festival, while sports fans may want to catch a Washington Nationals game. And don’t forget the 11 museums and galleries on the National Mall, including the Smithsonian Institution.
St. Augustine, Florida
Median Hotel Price: $182
St. Augustine is the second-oldest city in the U.S., founded in 1565 (San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the oldest), and history is the main attraction here. Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monument harken back to the days when Florida was part of the Spanish empire. Gawk at the Gilded Age beauty of Flagler College, housed in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon. Or just relax on the beach.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Median Hotel Price: $188
Nestled among the ridges and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains and Cumberland Plateau, Chattanooga is paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, even cave exploring await visitors. Discover the history of the Civil War at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Or stay in town and explore the Hunter Museum of Art, or see what local produce, music, and art pops up at the Chattanooga Market.
Chicago
Median Hotel Price: $192
One of the best museums in the country, the Art Institute of Chicago by itself is reason enough to visit this city. But that’s not the only reason of course. One of the largest cities in the country, additional top stops include Navy Pier, John Hancock Center and Willis Tower (which offer sky-high views), and Millennium Park, a green space known for its state-of-the-art collection of architecture, landscape design, and art.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Median Hotel Price: $192
The Gulf of Mexico is the main attraction here and in neighboring Orange Beach. Soak up some sun or splash in the surf at one of the regions many white-sand beaches. Labor Day weekend sees the return of the annual Mobile Big Game Fishing Club invitational tournament, now in its 52nd year. But you don’t need to enter a contest or even get your feet wet to enjoy some of the finest seafood in the state. And don’t forget to check out the Blue Angels practice flyover on Sept. 4 in nearby Naval Air Station Pensacola.
San Diego
Median Hotel Price: $218
Endless beaches, the famed San Diego Zoo, and museum-filled Balboa Park are some of the attractions that keep San Diego at the top of many travelers’ lists. And then there’s the temperate climate. There are plenty of reasons why San Diego has been nicknamed America’s Finest City. San Diego is also home to a thriving craft beer scene, by some accounts it has become the craft beer capital of America.
Savannah, Georgia
Median Hotel Price: $213
Savannah is famous for its antebellum architecture and history, and it’s easy to spend a day exploring the shops and galleries of City Market, the stately homes of the Historic District, and Bonaventure Cemetery with its trees dripping Spanish moss. Want something a little more lively for the Labor Day weekend? Drive to nearby Tybee Island for the annual Beach Bash and fireworks afterward.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Median Hotel Price: $294
There’s only one reason to stay at Lake Buena Vista instead of neighboring Orlando, and that’s Walt Disney World. You can’t get much closer to the action, though you don’t need to visit the Magic Kingdom or Epcot to have fun. There’s splash-tastic fun at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, live music at the House of Blues (catch George Clinton on Aug. 31), and shopping at Disney Springs. And if you just want to gawk at some crazy architecture, check out the Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Median Hotel Price: $155
One of the best beaches in America for a family trip, Myrtle Beach is a popular choice with its miles of beachfront boardwalk, arcades, and old-fashioned Family Kingdom amusement park. There are also numerous celebrity-designed golf courses around the city.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Median Hotel Price: $292
Milwaukee boasts of being “the city that beer built,” rightfully so with more than 50 breweries and beer gardens. But there’s plenty more to than Milwaukee than beer. Swim, surf, kayak, or rent a Jet-Ski on Lake Michigan and beat the late-summer heat. Or get your motor running in Harley-Davidson’s hometown with the annual Milwaukee Rally.
Miami
Median Hotel Price: $238
If the heat doesn’t bother you, or you’re a fan of spending days at the beach, Miami is another affordable Labor Day weekend choice. Consider an art-deco walking tour while in town, taking in some of the stunning architecture the city is known for. The annual Miami Spice event is also a popular option over Labor Day. The event showcases some of the city’s finest restaurants, which offer three-course meals for $23 during lunch and $39 during dinner. Cheap attractions also abound here, too.
New York City
Median Hotel Price: $237
Between its world class museums, outstanding dining options, Broadway shows, Central Park and endless shopping, the Big Apple almost always makes for a great getaway, no matter what your interests. The only question will be what to spend your time doing when there are so many choices, including many free options.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Median Hotel Price: $211
Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The city is close to Pike National Forest, which offers a plethora of hiking trails and a railway that leads to the summit of Pikes Peak. Yet another stunning stop is the Garden of the Gods, a park known for its red sandstone formations. The city will be hosting a variety of events over Labor Day weekend as well, including a mass ascension of hot-air balloons and a wakeboarding exhibition.
Key West, Florida
Median Hotel Price: $255
Every day is a party in Key West, but Labor Day weekend is something special for beer-loving Conchs (that’s what locals are called) at the annual Key West Brewfest, where nearly 200 local and regional brews will be on tap. Nature is everywhere, with plenty of diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, and swimming, and the town is a longtime favorite for LGBTQ travelers.
Santa Cruz, California
Median Hotel Price: $266
Yes, the banana slug really is the mascot of the Santa Cruz campus of the University of California. That should give you an idea of how quirky this city is. Check out the beach boardwalk, where you can get your roller coaster fix, and stroll out along the Santa Cruz Wharf, which has commanding views of Monterrey Bay, Santa Cruz, and the mountains beyond. Or explore along the greater Monterrey Bay National Marine Seashore, where you may catch a glimpse of a humpback whale.
Reno
Median Hotel Price: $198
A city that is experiencing a renaissance, Reno was known for years for its casinos and proximity to ski resorts. But more recently it has undergone something of a revitalization, and its craft beer industry has taken off. At the same time, Reno is being recognized for the many other activities it offers beyond gaming, such as hiking and biking trails, its National Automobile Museum, which showcases more than 200 vintage cars, and its MidTown District, which is lined with shops and restaurants.
Atlanta
Median Hotel Price: $175
A city that played a critical role in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, there’s much history to explore in Atlanta. The Atlanta History Center showcases a great deal of the city’s past, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park is another fascinating stop. Still other top attractions include the city’s Centennial Olympic Park, which was built for the 1996 Olympics, and the Georgia Aquarium.
Ocean City, Maryland
Median Hotel Price: $260
Another resort town ideal for celebrating Labor Day, Ocean City offers miles of beach and a boardwalk lined by restaurants, shops, and hotels. There’s also Trimper’s Rides, a theme park at the southern end of the boardwalk that has been in business since 1893. Ocean City is one of the East Coast’s best beach towns.
San Francisco
Median Hotel Price: $289
One of the priciest cities in the country, scoring a bargain in San Francisco is nothing to sniff at. With hotel prices under $300, now is the time to experience a ride on a cable car, walk amid its colorful Victorian houses and perhaps take a boat ride to Alcatraz Island, home of the legendary prison.
Denver
Median Hotel Price: $142
The state’s capital and a city that dates back to the Old West, Denver is still home to a block of buildings from the 19th century. The Denver Art Museum is also a noteworthy stop, an ultramodern building known for its collection of indigenous works. History buffs won’t want to miss visiting the mansion of famed Titanic survivor Molly Brown.
Panama City, Florida
Median Hotel Price: $224
A popular vacation destination in northwest Florida, Panama City Beach is home to miles of white sand and the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The 1,200-acre St. Andrews State Park is just 3 miles away. A protected nature preserve, the park includes two nature trails through coastal plant communities that provide a great place for bird watching. Want to do a little shopping? Head to Pier Park where there are about 124 stores.
Los Angeles
Median Hotel Price: $164
Want to spend the holiday weekend star spotting, then pack your bags and head for Los Angeles. As the center of the film and television industry, there are countless industry-related attractions, including hiking to the Hollywood sign, taking behind-the-scenes tours of Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, or Warner Brothers lots or simply walking along Hollywood Boulevard and exploring the Walk of Fame. If you’re really bent on checking out how the rich and famous live, hop on a bus tour that takes you past the homes of stars.
Anaheim, California
Median Hotel Price: $133
Just a bit south of Los Angeles, Anaheim is home to Disneyland. But if you need still another reason to visit, there’s also the Knott’s Berry Farm theme park. And while in the area, don’t miss the 20,000-square-foot Vans Skatepark if you have a budding skateboarder in your family. The massive park offers lessons and equipment rentals. For sports fans, Anaheim is also home to Angel Stadium, where behind-the-scenes tours allow visitors to see parts of the stadium not typically open to the public.
Philadelphia
Median Hotel Price: $195
Philadelphia will say goodbye to summer with the Made in America music festival, with headliners Cardi B, Travis Scott, and Lizzo. Or close out summer with the last days of the season at Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest. And don’t forget all the history! Attractions include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and other sites related to the American Revolution.
Orlando, Florida
Median Hotel Price: $125
Theme park overload anyone? Orlando is home to more than a dozen theme parks. Of course, the most famous is Walt Disney World, which includes the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and which currently costs more than $100 for a day. There’s also Universal Orlando (notable for being the location of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), and not to be overlooked, Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Honolulu
Median Hotel Price: $239
Does anyone really need an excuse to visit Hawaii? If so, here it is: bargain hotel room prices for the budget-conscious traveler. Located on Oahu’s south shore, Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii. Among the most popular places here is the Waikiki neighborhood, offering dining, nightlife and shopping. Waikiki is also the location of an iconic crescent beach that’s lined by palm trees and high-rise hotels. Don’t miss visiting sites related to World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Galveston, Texas
Median Hotel Price: $222
Located on an island on the Gulf Coast of Texas, Galveston offers something for everyone. There are amusement rides and restaurants along Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, located on the south shore, and on the west, visitors will find Galveston Island State Park, home to trails, kayak launches and fishing galore. Meanwhile, on the island’s eastern end, there’s still more beach to explore, including Stewart Beach and East Beach.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Median Hotel Price: $230
One of the top attractions in Virginia Beach is its 3-mile-long boardwalk. The oceanfront area is also a hub of hotels, dining, and entertainment, including live music, street performers, and outdoor cafes. The city is home to the First Landing State Park, which marks the 1607 arrival of the Jamestown colonists from England. Also, noteworthy, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center features exhibits of ocean life, including sharks and sea turtles in themed habitats.
