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Where to Go for Summer’s Last Long Weekend

Experts say these destinations still offer affordable lodging options and plenty of exciting things to do over the holiday

By
Terri Colby
 
AARP
Comments
Published August 26, 2022
couple and their dog loading suitcases in a car for vacation
LWA/Dann Tardif/Getty Images

Summer’s last big weekend is fast approaching, but don’t worry about being left out of the fun if you’ve yet to make plans.

Travel experts say availability and value still can be had, and there’s even room at the inn at one particularly popular place that usually is booked solid months in advance for Labor Day weekend.

That’s Yellowstone National Park — one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

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Massive flooding in June damaged roads and infrastructure and two of the five park entrances remain closed, though the National Park Service reports that 93 percent of the park’s paved roads and 94 percent of Yellowstone’s backcountry are open to the public. Many of those with lodging reservations for the holiday weekend canceled when the flooding happened, meaning last-minute planners may be in luck.

“It was expected to be a record-setting visitation year because of the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone,” says Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing organization for northwestern Wyoming towns adjacent to Yellowstone. “But the sudden floods in June changed that dramatically because so many vacationers canceled their trips prematurely.”

Travel adviser Joanie Fisher of DeLaveaga Vacations in Santa Cruz, California, also suggests that last-minute travelers consider smaller towns outside major tourist areas and look for places that highlight local festivals and food.

“So many little towns are really coming up with some great food experiences,” she says. “There are places that have Michelin stars or just really great regional cuisine. It’s not just limited to the big cities.”

Melanie Fish, head of global PR for Expedia Brands, says plenty of options remain for Labor Day weekend.

“If you haven’t planned yet, no problem,” she says. “School is already back in many parts of the country so there are actually beach houses available.” Fish says cities like Port Aransas, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are still good options even though demand for VRBO vacation homes is up 25 percent for Labor Day weekend compared with 2019.

“The Labor Day getaway rules are minimize the travel time, maximize the getaway time,” Fish says. “That means try for direct flights and shorter road trips. Having said that, you wanna go where you wanna go.”

So, it comes down to availability, cost and personal preference. We can’t help with that last point, but here are four options that look promising for a last-minute getaway.

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a rainbow over old faithful erupting at yellowstone park wyoming
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Cody, Wyoming 

For quick access to Yellowstone National Park, the town of Cody, Wyoming, is about an hour’s drive to the park’s east entrance. Yellowstone, the oldest U.S. national park, boasts more than 4 million visitors a year. So the flooding could be a silver lining for folks who want to visit Yellowstone on this holiday weekend.

“Because the entire region has far fewer visitors and far more availability than expected, this may well be the best opportunity in a lifetime to visit Cody Yellowstone,” says Hauck of Cody Yellowstone.

That means a chance to visit Old Faithful and view amazing wildlife with fewer crowds. Hungry bears are out and about, fattening up to get ready for hibernation; male elk are noisy in their need to find a mate; and the fish are biting. And don’t forget horseback riding and hiking.

Where to stay: The Bill Cody Ranch has cabins starting at $165. In the town of Cody, rooms at the boutique Chamberlin Inn start at $289.

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

On the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has direct flights from many U.S. destinations and ample lodging options. 

"Milwaukee is the best Labor Day destination because it offers travelers all of the big-city amenities without all the big-city headaches like traffic jams and heavy financial costs,” says Jake Meister, leisure communications manager for Visit Milwaukee. The weather is typically beautiful in early September for kayaking and boat tours on three rivers, plus hiking, golfing and relaxing on the beaches along Lake Michigan.

Calling itself the “City of Festivals” and known for its brewery and motorcycle history, Milwaukee’s agenda for Labor Day weekend is chock-full of events, including Harley-Davidson’s 20th Hometown Rally. There will be live music, custom bike shows and — of course — motorcycle rides. In nearby Waukesha, the Wisconsin Highland Games celebrates the traditions of the British Isles with sports, music and food. 

Where to stay: Homewood Suites by Hilton Downtown Milwaukee has rooms starting at $154.

broadway street at night downtown nashville tennessee
Alamy Stock Photos

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville has the virtue of being an easy drive from much of the eastern United States, and of course Nashville is synonymous with country music. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Ryman Auditorium — once the home of the Grand Ole Opry — might be the chief attractions, but Johnny Cash has his own museum and Grand Ole Opry performances are surefire fun for country music fans. Lower Broadway, lined with bars featuring country music acts including the famous Tootsies, is the nightlife destination for fans.

But there are attractions for those who aren’t interested in Hank Williams or Loretta Lynn. Nashville is the home of a full-size replica of the Parthenon, set in the 1,000-acre Centennial Park. Parnassus Books, the renowned independent bookstore owned by author Ann Patchett, is a must for book lovers. Families will want to visit the Nashville Zoo and the Frist Art Museum. 

“The abundance of new properties, along with Nashville’s Southern hospitality, authenticity and unpretentious atmosphere, certainly make it a great, last-minute experience,” says Deana Ivey, president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. 

Where to stay: Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, located across from Vanderbilt University in the West End, has rooms starting at $230.

elephant seals on the beach in piedras blancas rookery in california
Alamy Stock Photos

California’s Central Coast 

Consider a quick visit to one or two of the charming towns along California’s central coast, where flights to smaller airports in places like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz may cost more but will drop you right in the heart of the action.

Of course, California’s Highway 1 delivers stunning ocean views and enough interesting stops along the way to fuel months of exploring. But if you choose wisely, you can pack a lot into a long weekend. Among the options are visits to the redwoods and surfing mecca near Santa Cruz, a stop at San Simeon for a tour of the historic and newly reopened Hearst Castle or a tour of the charming destinations of Monterey, Santa Barbara, Cambria or Pacific Grove. 

Many wineries dot this region, but the setting at Hearst Ranch Winery near Hearst Castle is sublime, a comfortably rustic space perched just above water’s edge. And it’s only a few miles from the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Just off the road, free and with parking, you can see hundreds, maybe even thousands of the largest seal in the northern hemisphere cavorting across the sands.

Where to stay: In Cambria, a short drive from Hearst Castle and the seals, rooms at the newly renovated Castle Inn start at $297. ​

Terri Colby spent decades as a journalist reporting hard news stories before she wised up and started roaming the world as a travel writer. An award-winning writer and photographer, she’s happiest exploring natural wonders but still thrills to big cities, cruising and luxury hotels.

 

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