Cheap and Fun DO Mix: Affordable Labor Day Escapes

By Kaeli Conforti

Labor Day weekend may be just around the corner, but it’s not too late to plan the perfect three-day getaway. From coast to coast, there are plenty of free and budget-friendly activities to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for a jazz festival in Chicago, water slides on the Jersey Shore, or an American music extravaganza in Virginia Beach, we’ve rounded up eight exciting events and festivals around the country you won’t want to miss.

Whether it’s baseball, a Journey tribute band, or rum, Daytona Beach will have you covered Labor Day weekend. (Courtesy: Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Daytona Beach: For family-friendly fun on a famous Florida beach

While the words Daytona Beach may conjure up scenes from MTV’s Spring Break, the area has come a long way since then, and is now much more of a family destination offering a wide variety of kid-friendly events, festivals, and beachfront entertainment fit for all ages. This Labor Day Weekend, you can catch free concerts at the Daytona Beach Bandshell on Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m., including performances by a Journey tribute band—stick around for a fireworks show starting at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday.

Baseball lovers can watch the Daytona Cubs play ball on Aug. 29-31 at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark starting at 7 p.m., where dogs are welcome and the kids will have a chance to run the bases—don’t miss their fireworks show Saturday night. If you’re traveling without kids, check out the Third Annual Main Street End of Summer Party & Rum Fest at Main Street Station, an event held August 31 featuring live entertainment on two stages and plenty of drink specials starting at 7 p.m. Also while you’re in town, stop by the Daytona International Speedway for a behind-the-scenes look at all things NASCAR. Hotels in this part of Florida are super affordable over Labor Day Weekend, too, with rates at the Courtyard Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport starting at $79 a night and rates at the Residence Inn Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport starting at $119 a night.

Related: Where America’s Going for Labor Day Weekend

You can pick which boat to board for Tahoe’s paddlewheer race.(Photo: ScottSchrantz/Flickr)

Lake Tahoe: For carnivals, boat races, and great discounts on ski gear

On August 30, you’ll have the opportunity to board one of South Shore’s two Mississippi paddlewheeler boats, the Tahoe Queen or the M.S. Dixie II, for the 22nd annual Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, a unique only-in-Tahoe experience that can be yours for $25 per person, including brunch and drink specials. If you’d rather be a spectator, cheer runners on from the sidelines as they compete in the third annual Heavenly Mountain Run, racing from the California Base Lodge at 6,565-feet all the way up to the Tamarack Lodge at 9,150-feet. You can also enjoy live music with an impressive fireworks display over the lake Sunday night starting at 8:30 p.m. Another notable weekend event is the 5th annual Sample the Sierra Festival on Aug. 31st from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bijou Community Park, where you can sample fresh farm-to-table food and wine creations by local chefs and farmers.

Ride waterslides to your heart’s content at Raging Waters, Morey’s Piers. (Courtesy: Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks)

The Jersey Shore: For beachside water parks on the pier

The beaches along the Jersey Shore have definitely bounced back from last year’s storm damage with style. This Labor Day weekend, pay a visit to one of New Jersey’s many beachside waterparks, like Raging Waters and the Ocean Oasis Waterpark & Beach Club at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, now celebrating its 45th season, for a fun way to cool off in the hot summer sun, whether you prefer to relax in the lazy river or take on adrenaline-pumping attractions like the Cliff Dive slide and WipeOut. Waterpark passes start at $43 for adults and $35 for children under 48”. Seniors over age 65 get in free with a valid photo ID.

Related: It’s Now or Never: Secrets to Booking a Last-Minute Labor Day Getaway

This year, guests staying at Morey Hotels & Resorts properties like the Pan American Hotel, Port Royal Hotel, Starlux Boutique Hotel, and Blue Palms Resort can save up to 70 percent on water park and ride passes thanks to the Play & Stay package now thru Sept. 14. Families with toddlers and small children should opt for Asbury Splash Park—try the $50 family fun pack that includes four passes to Asbury Splash Park, four passes to the onsite mini-golf course, four beach access passes, a daily parking pass, and discounts at vendors along the boardwalk. Admission to Asbury Splash Park costs $5 for adults, $9 for children, or $20 for a family day pass for two adults and two children.

Check out the National Symphony Orchestra for free this weekend. (Courtesy Andrew Bossi/Wikimedia Commons)

Washington, D.C.: For free concerts and kayaking on the Potomac

Each year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the National Symphony Orchestra performs a free concert for the public on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at 8 p.m. While no tickets are required, it is recommended that you get there early to get a good spot—gates open as early as 3 p.m. and you can watch them rehearse at 3:30 p.m. The 26th Annual DC Blues Festival is slated for August 30 at the Carter Barron Amphitheater from noon to 7:30 p.m., with performances by the Stacy Brooks Band, the Eddie Turner Band, and Shakura S’Aida among others. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend vocal, guitar, and harmonica workshops led by talented Blues artists at the John Cephas Workshop Stage. The DC Blues Festival is free and open to the public.

Want to enjoy the great outdoors during your long weekend? Consider renting a kayak or canoe from the Thompson Boat Center for a totally different view of the city from the Potomac. Canoe rentals cost $14 per hour or $35 for the day and can hold up to three adults or two adults and two small children. Rent a single kayak for $15 per hour or $40 per day, or a double kayak for $20 an hour or $50 per day. Also worth noting is the 150th Anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery, located just across the river from Downtown D.C. Kimpton’s Honor & Remembrance package gives you a special 10 percent discount at 11 of their hotels in Washington D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia, as well as two Metrorail cards, and a map of Arlington National Cemetery. Rates start at $119 a night when you use promo code ARL150 to book your stay now through September 1.

The Chicago Jazz Festival will be going all weekend at Millennium Park, and it’s free. (Courtesy: afloden/Flickr)

Chicago: For free art fairs and a jazz festival

The 36th annual Chicago Jazz Festival takes place this year from August 28-31 at Millennium Park. Admission is free and you’ll have the chance to view performances by Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane & Lionel, Kevin Eubanks, and Eric Harland among others. From Friday to Monday, Washington Park is home to the 25th Annual African Festival of the Arts, an event featuring exhibitions by Chicago’s best artists. General admission tickets cost $20 for adults; family and weekend passes are available for $30. If you believe that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, you may want to check out Remix Chicago, (formerly known as Ravenswood Remix), a recycled art fair on Saturday and Sunday where artists showcase their original, hand-made art, clothing, jewelry, and crafts made from used or recycled goods. You can even attend free one-hour workshops and learn how to get in on the eco-friendly action by creating new items from old or used materials.

Related: The Ultimate Chicago Chow Down: Pies, Dogs, and Italian Beef You’ll Drool Over

For live bands on the sand or a half-marathon for charity, head to Virginia Beach. (Mvogel/Dreamstime)

Virginia Beach: For three days of bands on the beach—and a half-marathon

Music lovers, rejoice! For three days over Labor Day weekend (Fri-Sun), more than 20 bands will take the stage for the 31st annual American Music Festival playing all kinds of music—rock and roll, jazz, blues, country, and R&B—by local, regional, and national bands on a giant beachfront stage on 5th Street as well as several outdoor stages at the 17th Street Park, the 24th Street Park, and the 31st Street Park. Highlights include big-name artists like Hunter Hayes and Waterloo Revival on Friday night, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Blues Traveler on Saturday night, and a performance by Train on Sunday night. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. Those seeking a more active vacation can sign up for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half-Marathon, a race through the streets of the city on Sunday, Aug. 31st, that raises money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Registration prices may vary; check the website for more details.

See more affordable Labor Day destinations.

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