Top 10 Labor Day weekend getaways in the US

Summer has this way of slipping through your fingers. One moment it’s in full swing, and suddenly Labor Day is around the corner - maybe your last chance to make one more travel memory before fall settles in. So where should you go? We’ve gathered ten destinations in the US for your Labor Day weekend getaway, covering everything you need to know: the weather, the neighborhoods worth staying in, how to get around, and the experiences you don’t want to miss.

Where to go for Labor Day weekend

The long Labor Day weekend is a good opportunity to explore a vibrant, culture-rich city. Places like Seattle, Boston, San Diego, and Denver come alive in late summer with farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and gentle temperatures. 

How to avoid the crowds on a Labor Day trip

We all know it: Labor Day weekend is peak travel season. It's the last hurrah before summer ends, which means millions of Americans hit the road for one last trip. But with some planning, you can avoid the chaos altogether - trading in traffic and tourist hotspots for quieter roads and getting to know a city at your own pace.

• Time your travel. Thursday afternoon and Friday midday are historically the busiest times on roads and at airports. Leave Thursday morning or early Saturday instead. You'll thank yourself later.
• Get off the beaten path. Tourist guidebooks are useful, but they send everyone to the same spots. Ask a local where they actually spend their weekends, and you'll discover the parks, coffee shops, and side streets that most tourists never find.
• Skip the tourist hotels and try house sitting. Rather than checking into an overpriced, overbooked hotel in the middle of the tourist district, consider house and pet sitting instead. As a pet sitter, you care for someone’s pets and place while they travel - and in return, they open their home to you. House sitting allows you to stay in a real neighborhood, away from the crowds, and live in the city the way locals do.

Top 10 Labor Day weekend destinations

1. Portland, OR

Portland is a great destination if you’re the kind of traveler who likes to wander without a plan. Quiet, leafy streets, independent coffee houses, community-run bookstores - it’s a city that truly reveals itself when you're not rushing between sights. Labor Day is a great moment to explore Portland through pet sitting; early September brings the perfect, comfortable weather for an outdoor adventure with a pet.

• Early September weather: Comfortable temperatures with highs of around 75°F and minimal rain
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Laurelhurst, Alberta Arts District, Irvington, or Hawthorne
• Dog-friendly activities: Hike up Mt. Tabor Park for a spectacular view of Mt. Hood, or browse the stalls at the Portland Farmers Market
• Nature highlight: Set your alarm early and spend a morning exploring Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the country
• Getting around: Portland has a great metro network, and the city’s dedicated bike lanes make cycling a fun way to explore
• Must-see: Drive out to the Columbia River Gorge and see the historic waterfalls up close

2. Seattle, WA

Seattle is one of those cities that genuinely delivers on all fronts. You want coastline? Check. Mountains? Right there. An amazing food and coffee scene? Look no further. It's the perfect Labor Day destination for people who can’t possibly choose between a city break and a nature trip. And house sitting lets you experience it all at your own pace.

• Early September weather: Crisp, clear days with average highs of around 70°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne, or Green Lake
• Dog-friendly activities: Stroll the historic brick sidewalks of Pioneer Square or settle into a sidewalk café in a quieter neighborhood
• Nature highlight: Discovery Park in Magnolia - walk the sea cliffs and spot the historic lighthouse
• Getting around: Use the city’s metro lines to travel between neighborhoods, or take a scenic King County Water Taxi ride
• Must-see: Book a boat tour around Lake Union, watch the floating homes, and soak up the last bit of summer sun

3. San Francisco, CA

While Labor Day marks the end of summer for most of the US, San Francisco is only just getting started. September is the city’s warmest and sunniest month of the year, making it a great Labor Day destination. And forget staying near the touristy hotspots - the real city lives in the residential streets of Noe Valley, The Richmond, and Cole Valley, where locals shop, eat, and spend their weekends.

• Early September weather: Gorgeous and sunny, with average highs around 71°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Noe Valley, The Richmond, Cole Valley, or Pacific Heights
• Dog-friendly activity: Head to the off-leash areas of Crissy Field, where dogs can run freely with views of the Golden Gate Bridge
• Nature highlight: Spend a relaxing afternoon in Golden Gate Park, exploring the hidden lakes and windmills
• Getting around: Walk the hills, hop on the metro, or catch a cable car for the full experience
• Must-see: Walk down to the marina at golden hour to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean

“House sitting has made it possible for us to go and just 'live' in San Francisco. It’s a cool city with great food, good culture, history, and vibes!” - Susan, pet sitter

4. Denver, CO

If you’re up for an active Labor Day weekend, Denver might be for you. The city seems to be built for people who like to move, with its parks, gardens, and wildlife reserves. On any given morning, Washington Park is full of locals running the paths, walking their dogs, and meeting friends for coffee. Through house sitting, their daily life could become yours for a while, too.

• Early September weather: Warm, with highs near 77°F and refreshing evenings
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Washington Park, Platt Park, Highland, or Park Hill
• Dog-friendly activity: The RiNo Art District is a great place to explore with a pup, with its wide sidewalks, striking murals, and open-air patios
• Nature highlight: Washington Park is a must-visit, with its flower gardens and stunning lakes
• Getting around: Grab a bike from one of Denver's bike-share programs - it's a fun and active way to see the city
• Must-see: Drive out to Red Rocks Park, hike the trails, and visit the world-famous amphitheater

5. Washington, DC

By Labor Day weekend, the summer political frenzy has quieted down, and Washington, DC reveals a different side of itself - more relaxed and livable. The monuments are still there, but so are the tree-lined streets, neighborhood restaurants, and green spaces. Labor Day weekend, when the summer crowds have thinned out, is the perfect time to experience the city the way locals do.

• Early September weather: Comfortable, with daytime temperatures around 80°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, or Cleveland Park
• Dog-friendly activities: Walk the National Mall, or rent a kayak and see the city from the Potomac River
• Nature highlight: Explore the trails of Rock Creek Park, the huge natural oasis that cuts right through the city
• Getting around: The underground metro is clean, reliable, and covers the city well
• Must-see: Head to the District Wharf for dinner on the riverfront, with live music and water views

6. Boston, MA

Go to Boston for the American history, beautiful architecture, great restaurants, and vibrant culture. The best way to experience it all isn't from a hotel in the middle of downtown, but from a local neighborhood like Beacon Hill or Charlestown, where the city's history and daily life come together.

• Early September weather: Pleasant and temperate, with daily highs around 73°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Beacon Hill, Charlestown, South End, or South Boston
• Dog-friendly activities: Walk the Rose Kennedy Greenway or find a sidewalk café in the South End on a sunny afternoon
• Nature highlight: Relax in the Boston Public Garden, where you’ll find the famous swan boats and weeping willows
• Getting around: The city is known for being incredibly walkable, or hop on the metro to cross town quickly
• Must-see: Head to the historic harbor for an afternoon waterfront walk, and try the legendary fresh seafood

7. New York City, NY

Everybody knows New York City, but very few people actually experience it. While tourists crowd Times Square, house sitting lets you experience life in the city. A real apartment in Cobble Hill or Park Slope, a dog who knows every good park in the neighborhood, and a weekend that feels nothing like a tourist trip.

• Early September weather: Ideal early-fall weather, with averages of around 76°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Cobble Hill, West Village, Park Slope, or Astoria
• Dog-friendly activity: Take a morning walk through Madison Square Park, and stop by a local bakery for a pastry to go
• Nature highlight: Skip the main Central Park loop and find The Ramble instead, or walk along the elevated gardens of the High Line
• Getting around: The subway runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which makes getting around New York very easy
• Must-see: Take the free Staten Island Ferry ride at sunset for a spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan

8. Austin, TX

If you’re more of a fast-paced city person, Austin should be at the top of your destinations list, with its blue skies, community spirit, vibrant nightlife, and - of course - world-famous barbecue. Spend a few days living in Austin, and you'll understand why people who move here rarely leave.

• Early September weather: Hot and sunny, with highs averaging 90°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: South Congress, Hyde Park, Bouldin Creek, or Crestview
• Dog-friendly activity: Have dinner along East Austin - most spots have outdoor seating and water out for dogs
• Nature highlight: The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake is one of the best urban trails in the country
• Getting around: Discover the city by rideshare, metro, or shared electric scooters
• Must-see: Every night around 8 PM, the city’s famous bat colony takes flight from under the Congress Avenue Bridge - one of those experiences you won’t easily forget

9. Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles has so many unique neighborhoods, you might want to walk (and get lost in) them all. Each one has its own personality and food scene. Our advice? Pick one and settle into it for a few days; you may find that the city actually starts to feel like home.

• Early September weather: Mediterranean climate with daytime highs of around 83°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: Venice, Silver Lake, Santa Monica, or Los Feliz
• Dog-friendly activity: Hike the historic trails of Runyon Canyon for dedicated off-leash areas and a stunning view of the city
• Nature highlight: Spend a peaceful morning at Griffith Park, and walk the trails up to the Griffith Observatory
• Getting around: Most people drive, but the metro is there if you need it, and neighborhoods like Santa Monica are very walkable
• Must-see: Drive out to Malibu with a picnic and spend an afternoon on the coast

10. San Diego, CA

San Diego is the quintessential end-of-summer destination, with its beaches, perfect weather, and a laid-back coastal energy that leaves you feeling relaxed. Explore the sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines at your own pace, wander the gardens of Balboa Park, or head to Ocean Beach to walk the dog you’re caring for.

• Early September weather: Warm, with average daily highs around 77°F
• Neighborhoods to stay in: South Park, Ocean Beach, North Park, or Point Loma
• Dog-friendly activities: Go to The Original Dog Beach, where dogs can run completely free
• Nature highlight: Explore the paths, gardens, and hidden canyons of Balboa Park
• Getting around: The metro connects the major neighborhoods, and beach cruisers are the best way to ride along the coast
• Must-see: Drive up to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to walk the trails along the cliffs, and watch the views over the Pacific

Make your Labor Day trip count

Don’t let overpriced hotels and peak-season crowds stop you from exploring the US this Labor Day. Consider visiting the cities above through house and pet sitting. This way, you’re experiencing a place through a real home, a local neighborhood, and with a pet by your side. 

At TrustedHousesitters, we connect a global community of pet parents and sitters. Pet parents open up their home when they travel, and in return, sitters care for their pets and place like their own - all through an annual membership. This way, pet parents get peace of mind, and sitters get to experience a place like a local. Everyone wins.

Travel guides for Labor Day

• Pet-friendly Portland: Restaurants, cafes & things to do
• Dog-friendly Seattle: Restaurants, beaches & breweries
• Dog-friendly San Francisco: Restaurants, attractions, events
• Dog-friendly Denver CO: things to do in Denver with a dog
• Pet-friendly Washington DC: Things to do, restaurants & more
• Dog-friendly Boston: Restaurants, breweries, beaches & more
• Pet-friendly New York City: Attractions, restaurants, cafes
• Dog-friendly Austin: Restaurants, dog walks, & activities
• Dog-friendly LA: Restaurants, beaches, hikes, cafes & parks
• Dog-friendly San Diego: Things to do in San Diego with a dog