Labor Day is right around the corner, and Americans across the country are getting ready to celebrate one last great summer vacation weekend. So where are they going?
AAA’s latest booking data shows some interesting trends this Labor Day. According to the organization, Seattle is the number one destination for Labor Day weekend. Surprisingly, bookings to the Emerald City are up nearly 30% from last year, making it the top local destination for Labor Day travelers at the time. Overall, local travel over the holiday weekend is up 9% from last year.
While other common travel destinations like New York and Las Vegas also make the list, only one state has two entries in the top 10, and that's probably not what you'd expect: Alaska. Anchorage is in third place, and Juneau is in ninth.
Alaska travel, in particular, can be associated with travelers who embark on cruises around the Last Frontier departing from these cities.
“This is the time of year to take an Alaska cruise,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “There are fewer crowds than in early summer, and if you're lucky, you might even see fall colors! It's no surprise that Alaska cruises are sold out this Labor Day weekend.”
Next summer is still a long way off, but if you’re planning a summer 2025 cruise to Alaska, book now to get the best rates and room availability.
Here are the best domestic destinations for Labor Day weekend:
- Seattle, Western Australia
- Orlando, Florida
- Anchorage, AK
- New York, New York
- Boston, MA
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Denver, CO
- Chicago, IL
- Juneau, AK
- San Francisco, California
If you're looking to get your passport stamped this Labor Day, consider one of the top international destinations, according to AAA.
- Vancouver, Canada
- Rome, Italy
- London, England
- Paris, France
- Dublin, Ireland
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Barcelona, Spain
- Athens, Greece
- Mexico, Mexico
- Edinburgh, Scotland