The unofficial end of summer is here, and Americans aren’t sitting still.
Labor Day 2025 is packed with cheaper flights, affordable hotels, and cities buzzing with events.
Some spots — like Seattle and Orlando — are surging with bookings, while Yosemite’s waterfalls are roaring back just in time for the holiday. Here’s where travelers are headed, what’s happening on the ground, and why this year’s long weekend is easier on the wallet.
Seattle
AAA says Seattle is the #1 Labor Day destination again. Expect jammed ferries, I-90 traffic, and record air travel into Sea-Tac. Hotel prices are lower than last year, keeping demand sky-high.
Orlando
Theme parks remain king. Disney and Universal are using Labor Day deals to boost late-summer attendance. Families are making this the go-to long-weekend trip.
New York City
Tourist bookings remain strong. Broadway shows, rooftop parties, and parades keep NYC on the top-ten list.
Boston
Boston Harbor festivals, fireworks, and neighborhood block parties keep the city buzzing. Great weather is fueling late-summer crowds.
Anchorage
A sleeper hit: cruise ship traffic and adventure tours have made Anchorage one of AAA’s top destinations this year. Visitors are cashing in before Alaska’s season winds down.
Chicago
Despite Trump’s Guard threats, Chicago is on AAA’s top list. Navy Pier fireworks, food festivals, and jazz events outweigh the political noise.
Atlanta
Labor Day weekend brings concerts, Braves baseball, and festivals — plus it’s one of the more affordable big-city options compared to the coasts.
Denver
Red Rocks shows, Rockies games, and quick escapes to the mountains put Denver high on the list for travelers seeking outdoor fun.
Miami
Caribbean festivals, nightlife, and beach parties ensure Miami is a perennial Labor Day magnet.
Las Vegas
Hotels, casinos, and pool parties dominate. Labor Day packages mean Vegas is running full tilt for the long weekend.
Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital has 38+ events: DC JazzFest, Afro+Fest at RFK, block parties, and a massive art fair downtown.
Austin
Future Front Festival celebrates women and LGBTQ+ artists across film and music — tickets still under $50, making it one of the country’s most inclusive Labor Day gatherings.
Virginia Beach
Newly revamped with Atlantic Park, a surf lagoon and buzzing arts district. A coastal escape reinvented for 2025.
Yosemite National Park
Unusual late-summer storms brought Yosemite Falls and Vernal Fall roaring back to life — normally dry by August, now running strong for Labor Day visitors.
Central Texas
Local families are crowding Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool, and Lake Travis for one last summer cooldown as public pools shutter for the season.
What’s Cheaper This Year
- Flights: down 6% year-over-year
- Hotels: down 11%
- Car rentals: down 3%
Predictions
Labor Day 2025 is different. For once, travel isn’t more expensive than last year — it’s cheaper. Cities are packed with festivals, Alaska and Yosemite are drawing rare late-summer crowds, and even Washington, D.C. is stacked with music and art. The season might be ending, but the energy is peaking. This is one long weekend where the deals are real and the hot spots are hotter than ever.
