These are the 10 best Labor Day Weekend getaways of 2026, according to Lonely Planet

The clock is ticking on summer 2026. Labor Day weekend is just around the corner, and if you haven't yet figured out your summer send-off plans, the travel experts at Lonely Planet have curated a lineup of ten stellar, last-minute getaways across North America (and just beyond) tailored for every type of long-weekend traveler.

If your ideal holiday requires a water view, The Oregon Coast offers rugged, wild beauty. You can kayak the Nestucca River, scaling the 327-foot sand dunes at Cape Kiwanda, camp in Pacific City and wrap things up with local craft beers at Pelican Brewing. Looking for turquoise waters instead? Bermuda is less than a mile wide, sit just off the East Coast and lets you spend your days swimming and snorkeling (and fueling up with local wahoo fish nuggets). Meanwhile, California’s Central Coast gives you the full spectrum: kayaking Monterey Bay, wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea and scenic drives through Big Sur.

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If you prefer urban adventures, head south to Guadalajara, Mexico, the birthplace of mariachi. It offers a more relaxed vibe than Mexico City, paired with hyper-innovative culinary scenes and world-class museums. New York City is surprisingly peaceful on holiday weekends. Locals clear out, making it effortless to grab hot restaurant reservations, duck into air-conditioned art museums or catch a cool breeze on the NYC Ferry. Toronto offers cool breezes as well, off Lake Ontario, plus multicultural food scenes and the famous Canadian National Exhibition carnival. Further south, Charleston, South Carolina brings cooler September temperatures, perfect for strolling King Street, grabbing fresh marsh oysters at Bowens Island and catching the Low Country Jazz Festival.

To escape the heat entirely, head to Highlands, North Carolina, where crisp mountain air in the 70s sets the scene for hiking to natural waterfalls and eating ice cream on cozy porch swings. For small-town charm, Burlington, Vermont offers easy lakefront living on Lake Champlain and independent bookstore browsing along Church Street. Finally, if you need to fully recharge before autumn hits, book a weekend at Pagosa Springs, Colorado to soak in natural hydrothermal springs and indulge in guided wellness retreats.

Start making your plans—summer isn't over just yet, but time is running out.

The best Labor Day Weekend getaways for 2026, according to Lonely Planet: 

1. Guadalajara, Mexico—Best for food and mariachi
2. Oregon Coast—Best for coastal hiking and camping
3. Bermuda—Best for a quick island getaway
4. Charleston, South Carolina—Best for a laid back long weekend
5. Toronto, Canada—Best for cooling off
6. Burlington, Vermont—Best for charming small town vibes
7. California's Central Coast—Best for a beach escape
8. New York City—Best for enjoying fewer crowds
9. Pagosa Springs, Colorado—Best for a wellness retreat
10. Highlands, North Carolina—Best for a mountain town escape