Top 5 Labor Day Destinations For 2013

Views of planes on the tarmac from the restaurant
Views of planes on the tarmac from the restaurant

Priceline has released a list of the top Labor Day destinations in the United States for 2013. This list is based on thousands of actual Name Your Own Price credit card bookings made on Priceline, which obviously is more accurate than lists that use polls or votes.

Surprisingly, travelers picked big cities over beach destinations. With unpredictable end of summer weather, travelers have decided to pass on the sunscreen and board shorts for big cities, sightseeing, museums, shopping, and eating.

According to Priceline, here are the top 5 Labor Day destinations :

New York City

New York City skyline at night
New York City skyline at night

First on the list of top Labor Day destinations, not surprisingly, is New York City. The city receives over 40 million visitors each year

This iconic destination offers something new each visit, whether it is your first time or 100th time. You can spend a lifetime wandering the concrete maze of the city while visiting the many sights, museums, parks, and restaurants.

Must do: Go to a Broadway show, eat a slice of thin crust New York pizza, and catch a Yankees game in the Bronx if they are in town.

Chicago

The skyline of downtown Chicago
The skyline of downtown Chicago

Chicago, The Windy City, always seems to take a back seat to its big brother New York City. This might be true, but according to Priceline, Chicago is still the second most visited Labor Day destination. Over 30 million visitors come to Chicago each year.

There is something for everyone in Chicago from great museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago to wide open parks with panoramic views of Lake Michigan.

Chicago is also one of the top sports destinations in the world and is home to many professional sports teams including the Cubs and White Sox (baseball), Bulls (basketball), Bears (football), and Blackhawks (ice hockey).

If you want to shop til you drop and can afford it, take a walk down The Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue where you can find mid to high end shops, retail stores, restaurants.

Must do: Try deep dish pizza or a Vienna Beef hot dog, visit historic Wrigley Field, and take a look at the mirror like Bean sculpture which is also known as the Cloud Gate.

Las Vegas

The Bellagio Resort on the Las Vegas Strip
The Bellagio Resort on the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas, Sin City, comes in at number 3 on the top Labor Day destinations.

Not much to say here as everyone knows what they are getting themselves into with a trip to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is a huge playground for adults. Look no further to find some of the world’s best resorts, nightlife, entertainment, and restaurants.

If you are tired of walking past huge resorts on the strip, head a few miles north to downtown to view a different and older side of Vegas.

Must do: See a show, eat at one of the many buffets, and try your luck at a table.

Oahu

Looking down on Waikiki from Diamond Head
Looking down on Waikiki from Diamond Head

The first sun and beach location on the top Labor Day destinations list is the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Oahu and Honolulu is a great choice for any type of traveler. The island is best known for Waikiki Beach and surrounding nightlife and shopping. If you can, rent a car and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. It is here where you will find the true beauty of Hawaii and its amazing and green scenery. Explore the island and you can find beautiful beaches, hikes to hidden waterfalls, and coves that offer great snorkeling.

Must do: Lay out on Waikiki Beach, have a snow cone at Matsumoto Shave Ice on the north shore, snorkel at Hanauma Bay, and pay respect to those lost at Pearl Harbor.

San Francisco

San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge

Coming in at number 5 on Priceline’s top Labor Day Destinations for 2013 is San Francisco.

When you think of San Francisco, you probably think of cold weather and fog, which is often the case. The weather in San Francisco from Labor Day into fall is usually quite pleasant with many sunny and mild days.

Each district in the city seems to have its own personality. Looking for hippies? Look no further than the Haight-Ashbury district. Or maybe the trendy Marina district is more your style with upscale restaurants and bars and amazing views of the bay and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Other endless actives include Alcatraz, touristy Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, and Chinatown.

Must do: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market each Saturday, a visit to Alcatraz, picnic in one of the many parks with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge or Bay Bridge

Last Updated on April 4, 2024

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