Where will you travel to this Labor Day weekend? As summer draws to a close, what better way to make the most of the long weekend than to have some fun in the sun, with an oceanic view? Here are some dreamy beach getaways from a city near you – your Labor day weekend travel sorted! 

Best Labor Day Weekend Getaway from NYC

Cape May, NJ

Cape May, known as the Queen of the Seaside Resorts, distinguishes itself in many ways. It has a variety of pristine beaches, such as the popular Beach ave. It has beautiful beachfront inns that make the seashore town lovely, as well as a rich history and an architectural diversity, making it an idyllic travel destination.

Cape May, New Jersey

Photo: cgsullivan via Flickr

Cape May has become known for its Victorian-style homes and its cultural offerings. The town hosts the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Cape May Music Festival and New Jersey Film Festival. There’s also the Cape May Stage, an Equity theater founded in 1988, which is held at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. This getaway is perfect for those looking to find a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. 

Cape May, New Jersey

Photo: mbtrama via Flickr

Getaway from San Francisco

Drake’s Bay, CA

Drakes Beach is a remote beach in Point Reyes National Seashore that requires a long scenic drive to reach, but is worth the travel for the quiet, scenic view. Drakes Beach is protected by the point at Chimney Rock, so the surf is typically mellow, and safe for stand-up paddle boarding and playing at the water’s edge. The beach is wide and sandy near the parking lot and extends in both directions for some relaxing walks. Chimney Rock also has trails, and the opportunity to view elephant seals that frequent the area, just a short drive away.

Drakes Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Photo: Michael Fiegle via Wikimedia Commons

The Point Reyes Lighthouse is another wonderful nearby location worth seeing. As lighthouses in the United States are now automated, it is now a museum piece, where the era of the light keepers’ lives, the craftsmanship and the beauty of the lighthouse are preserved for travel lovers. The rich history is what adds charm to this beautiful spot for a Labor Day weekend getaway!

Drakes Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Photo: John Menard via Flickr

Getaway from Washington, DC

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

Assateague stretches for 37 miles along the Atlantic coasts of Maryland and Virginia. It is part of a vast chain of barrier islands extending from Maine to Texas, and is best known for its herds of feral horses, pristine beaches, and the Assateague Lighthouse. The island also has numerous marshes, bays, and coves, including Tom’s Cove, making for a perfect travel escape.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Maryland

Photo: judithsweet via Flickr

Bridge access for cars is possible from both Maryland and Virginia, though there are no roads that run the full length of the island. Assateague is a great travel spot within easy reach for many East Coast residents, offering a remote feel only a few hours away. Sightseeing cruises, kayak tours, bird watching, biking, and other activities continually make this a wonderful paradise for travel lovers who enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities!

Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Maryland

Photo: JamesDeMers via Pixabay

Getaway from Seattle

Orcas Island, Washington

Travel to the horseshoe-shaped Orcas Island and drink in the green paradise the locals call “the gem of the San Juans” ­— a happy combination of stunning shoreline, the highest mountain in the islands, and a handful of charming hamlets, including Eastsound, the main village on the Emerald Isle.

Orcas Island, San Juan County, Washington

Photo: Jessica Fiess-Hill via Flickr

Most of the 57 square miles are rural and hilly, with a shoreline studded with numerous beaches. This could be a pleasure for drivers and an exciting feat for cyclists, with curving roads that wind through forests and past artists’ studios, fields with old apple barns, and the occasional prune drying barn. It’s a way to wind down during your vacation if you’re not one for too much commotion! Travel here for instant nirvana!

Orcas Island, San Juan County, Washington

Photo: David Stanley via Flickr

Getaway from Raleigh

Hatteras Island, North Carolina

This long stretch of barrier island shoreline is one of the longest islands in the United States, but somehow, is also one of the Outer Banks’ least populated regions. With just seven small villages scattered throughout roughly 50 miles of coastline, it has become a beacon to beachcombers who want a quiet travel destination.

Hatteras Island, North Carolina

Photo: John Bule via Flickr

There are no major resorts, large hotels, amusement parks or big boardwalks to be seen. Instead, travel lovers will find miles of wide open space, uncrowded and even undisturbed beaches, and enough amenities and attractions to fill up a relaxing vacation. If your idea of a perfect getaway involves lots of natural surroundings, gorgeous beaches, and not too many other distractions, then you’ll love everything about Hatteras Island!

Hatteras Island, North Carolina

Photo: betancourt via Flickr

Getaway from Boston

Race Point Beach, Provincetown

Race Point, one of the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches in Provincetown, has a wide area of sand that stretches far off into the distance. There are many activities that are allowed in the water, such as swimming, surfing, and/or boating, to name a few. However, Race Point is known for its rougher waters and beautiful landscape. A strong undertow makes it more difficult for swimmers, so it’s highly recommended that inexperienced swimmers stay in shallow waters.

Race Point Beach, Provincetown, Maine

Photo: Art01852 via Flickr

It is also spectacular for sunbathers due to its northern location – the sun shines directly on the sand all day, meaning a full chance of that sunkissed look! For more athletic vacationers who want to stretch their limbs after lounging on the beach all morning, Province Lands Bike Trail is nearby and leads to fellow Seashore beach, Herring Cove. It’s a perfect travel getaway for people with diverse interests. 

Race Point Beach, Provincetown, Maine

Photo: m01229 via Flickr

The end of the summer always feels like the closing of a chapter. The most memorable way to end it could be with an amazing, sunny time that you may not experience again until the next time it warms up. Is there anything that sounds better than that?

These destinations are not too far to travel to for the Labor Day weekend – we hope you have a memorable one!

Also Read:

Best Beach Holidays: Tropical Escapes to Soak Up the Winter Sun

12 Astonishingly Unique Beaches You Won’t Believe Exist