One of our biggest yearly events, Labor Day honors workers and their accomplishments. It was established in the late 19th century and has long been advertised as a summer festivity featuring parades and cookouts. It is observed on the first Monday in September, and the weekend leading up to it is known as Labor Day Weekend; this year, it will take place from September 3 to September 5. There are always a variety of great Labor Day offers and activities going on. The top five cities for celebration are listed below.
Portland, Oregon
With a few Voodoo Doughnuts, prepare for a fun-filled Labor Day weekend in Portland.
Portland is a terrific destination to celebrate Labor Day because it is known for its beer, coffee, culinary scene, and active local way of life. The Multnomah French Quarter’s Bluebird ThaiPDX food cart’s mouthwatering Thai doughnuts (Pa Thong Ko) and savory delicacies like sweet potato falafel can be found on food trucks. If the latter wasn’t sufficient to satisfy your sweet tooth, other popular locations in the city for refueling before the celebrations include Voodoo Doughnuts and Blue Star Donuts.
Additionally, a lovely farmers market is held on Labor Day. Enjoy some good Portland coffee, craft beer from a nearby brewery, or perhaps one of the many wine tastings offered as part of the Labor Day festivities to refresh.
Visit the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls to take in the surrounding natural beauty of Portland.
Take a short trip to walk among waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge or on alpine lake trails close to Mount Hood to experience some of the rich natural beauty that surrounds Portland. Relax to the highly recognized Lolo Pass in Southeast Portland for the evening, where visitors can spend the evening by the rooftop fire pit.
New York City, New York
A Labor Day weekend in New York City is a triumphant one, filled with a variety of activities that give this federal holiday a new perspective. A display of color and costumes, the West Indian Day Carnival or Parade (which is held on Labor Day itself) attracts tourist’s eager to sample some Caribbean food specialties like jerk chicken while witnessing a parade full of dance and music. Visit the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, a free exhibition featuring the work of local artists, for something culturally more understated.
Labor Day weekend, rent a bike, and cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
Even though New York City is known as the “city that never sleeps,” Labor Day weekend sees a significant decline in activity, making it the ideal time to hire a bike and take a peaceful ride through Central Park or across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has long been an attraction for music fans, and Labor Day weekend makes music a focus. The Chicago Jazz Festival is a free event honoring jazz greats of the past and present that runs from September 1 through September 4 this year. Additionally, it is Chicago’s oldest lakefront festival, so get a spot on Labor Day at Millennium Park. On Chicago’s Northerly Island, the North Coast Music Festival hosts a variety of electronic music performers.
Los Angeles, California
If you’re spending the weekend in Los Angeles, you’ll notice that the city’s Labor Day celebrations frequently make the most of the city’s consistently warm climate and film industry. The Rooftop Cinema Club will frequently host outdoor movie screenings of classics like Top Gun and My Neighbor Totoro. Additionally, there is the Cinecon Classic Film Festival, a nostalgic tour of Hollywood’s vintage black-and-white movies. It runs from Thursday, January 1 through Monday, January 5 at the storied and lavish Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre.
Atlanta, Georgia
The sheer number of associated events makes “The Big Peach,” or Atlanta, a fantastic Labor Day weekend vacation option. The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, where college football teams compete against one another, is a Labor Day tradition for sports lovers. In the meantime, Dragon Con is a must if you enjoy science fiction. One of the biggest multi-media pop culture conventions in the world, you may play any board or video game you can think of, see the stormtrooper-filled Dragon Con Parade, or just go for the excuse to dress as your favorite fictional character.
