Featured photo by A Taste of Colorado

Best Labor Day Weekend Destinations On Rivers

Labor Day Weekend is the time to have one last adventure before summer ends. If you want to book a destination trip for the last weekend of summer that doesn’t require too much traveling, check out these popular Labor Day holiday travel spots near rivers around the United States. Whether you go hiking at a National Park or relax on a lake you’ve never been to before, you can be sure to end your summer on a high note at these destinations.

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Labor Day Destinations: Tybee Island (Georgia)

Best For Historical Beach Retreat
Grab your sunblock, flip-flops, and swimsuits for this coastal Labor Day destination spot. Tybee Island can be found on the Savannah River right on the North Atlantic Coast in Georgia, about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Savannah. The coastal city is a perfect destination for a Labor Day weekend vacation because it offers visitors both an incredible beach retreat and the opportunity to visit interesting historical sites and landmarks in nearby Savannah. Over Labor Day weekend, Tybee Island will be throwing their free Labor Day Beach Bash on Sunday night, where you can enjoy food, drinks, and live music on the Tybee Pier & Pavilion. But there is plenty more to do on Tybee Island including fishing charters, guided island tours, dolphin watching, shopping, and enjoying the white sand beaches. Cozy up in one of Mermaid Cottages many unique vacation rentals to add even more island ambiance and charm to your stay. Top off your Tybee Island experience with coastal delicacies like shrimp, oysters, crab at local eateries like CoCo’s Sunset Grille and Fannie’s on the Beach.

Tybee Island Trip Tips
Air Bnb: Mermaid Cottages, Nearby Water: Tybee Creek, North Atlantic Ocean, Savannah River, Popular Attraction: Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure, Local Tourism Guide: Visit Tybee Island, Labor Day Weekend Event: Labor Day Beach Bash

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Labor Day Destinations: Page (Arizona)

Best For Unique Natural Attraction
If you’re interested in spending your last weekend of summer exploring a unique and stunning natural area, then a last-minute Labor Day weekend trip to Page, Arizona might be perfect for you. Located on the Colorado River, Page is a great home base for exploring the expansive Glen Canyon National Recreation Area that is home to unique geologic formations, scenic vistas, and a vast array of human history. During your stay, you can spend time at beautiful Lake Powell fishing, wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking, and tubing, or discover the amazing canyons and passages of Glen Canyon on a hike, like the Page Rimview Trail. Lower Antelope Canyon near Page is a popular spot for hiking, and Ken’s Tours is a great outfitter for guided tours through the canyon to make sure you don’t miss out on the best views and spots. After a long day of exploring, you can relax at the Bears Den Bed & Breakfast and refuel at local restaurants such as New York Teriyaki, Sunset 89, and BirdHouse. There are tons of outfitters in Page for renting gear and going on tours and excursions, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own or finding things to do.
Page Trip Tips
Air Bnb: Bears Den Bed & Breakfast, Nearby Water: Lake Powell, Colorado River, Popular Attraction: Ken’s Tours Lower Antelope Canyon, Local Tourism Guide: Visit Page Lake Powell, Labor Day Weekend Event: None
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Photo by Visit Denver

Labor Day Destinations: Denver (Colorado)

Best For Fun In The City
Denver is a great city to explore during Labor Day weekend, especially if you’re in the mood for festivals, live music, and lots of good food and drinks. Spend your weekend dining on patios, checking out the craft beer scene, hitting the rides at Elitch Gardens, or exploring real gardens at the Denver Botanical Gardens. Denver also puts on their Summer Finale and Labor Day Weekend event each year, which includes a long list of events, exhibitions, performances, outdoor activities, and more. If you’ve never been to Denver, you might not want to miss their A Taste of Colorado event over Labor Day weekend that celebrates the city’s diverse food, music and culture scenes. Other recommended experiences are the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, visiting the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and, of course, exploring the beautiful Denver outdoors on a hike or river.
Denver Trip Tips
Air Bnb: Historic Baker Row Home, Nearby Water: South Platte River, Popular Attraction: Elitch Gardens, Local Tourism Guide: Visit Denver, Labor Day Weekend Event: Cherry Creek Arts Festival, A Taste Of Colorado
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Labor Day Destinations: Cooperstown (New York)

Best For Historic Town Charm & Baseball Lovers
For fewer crowds, lower lodging rates, and milder summer weather, Cooperstown, New York is a great place to spend your Labor Day weekend. Located on the Susquehanna River and Otsego Lake, Cooperstown has great opportunities for getting out on the water in a boat, kayak, canoe, or tube for those who are looking for a little fun in the sun. Cooperstown is also known as the birthplace of America’s favorite pastime, baseball, and features the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Cruising along the rails on railbikes with Rail Explorers USA is a fun summer activity to do while you are in town. Currently Rail Explorers is offering a special Charlotte Valley Fireside Tour complete with a twilight ride along the Susquehanna River, warming up around the campfire, and s’mores! It’s the perfect way to end a long summer day exploring Cooperstown.

Cooperstown Trip Tips
Air Bnb: Cooperstown Hawkeye Lodging, Nearby Water: Susquehanna River, Otsego Lake, Popular Attraction: National Baseball Hall of Fame, Local Tourism Guide: This Is Cooperstown, NY, Labor Day Weekend Event: None

Content Writer and Social Media Coordinator. I paint, listen to music, and play with my dogs a lot. When I’m not doing all that, I love to read and try new things.

Maeve Miller

Writer, River Travel Magazine