Who doesn’t love a long weekend getaway? September brings the last public holiday of the summer in Canada, which means it’s the perfect excuse to spend a few days somewhere new! Keep reading for some awesome ideas of where to go and what to do this Labour Day weekend.
What is Labour Day?
Labour Day is a national, statutory holiday in Canada. For many Canadians, it’s just another paid holiday day off work. But there’s an important historical reason we enjoy this extra Canadian holiday and day of rest.
It all began in Toronto, March 1872. Workers were tired of extra-long workdays and little or no employee rights. When calls for better work conditions fell on deaf ears, members of the Toronto Printers Union went on strike, which caused havoc to the daily news. By mid-April, more than 10,000 protesters marched the streets of Toronto. By 1894, demands from the working class were so strong that PM Sir John Thompson made Labour Day in Canada an official stat holiday. And we’re so grateful.
When is Labour Day in Canada?
Labour Day in Canada always falls on the first Monday in September. This year, Labour Day is on September 2nd, which means the long weekend starts on Friday afternoon (for most people), August 30. Corporate and government workers will enjoy three days away from the grind.
If you’re wondering what’s open on Labour Day in Canada, most restaurants, cafes, bars will be serving. But government agencies like Canada Post, liquor stores, and cannabis shops will be closed. In some provinces such as Nova Scotia, all retail stores and shopping malls will also be closed on Labour Day.
Best Things to Do in Canada on Labour Day Weekend
Urban hiking in Vancouver
Great Labour Day getaway for: Fitness fanatics
Vancouverites are well-known for their outdoor lifestyle and love of fitness! Labour Day weekend in British Columbia should come with great weather, which means everyone and their dog will be out and about. The downtown area of Vancouver is mostly flat with easy-to-navigate inclines.
Some of Vancouver’s best sights are located in the downtown area, so for some nature time, head straight to Stanley Park. Hike around the seawall or walk through the towering forests of this incredible city park. Bring your camera for shots of the park’s Totem Poles, Lumberman’s Arch, and Lions Gate Bridge. If the sun is out, take a break at Third Beach at Ferguson Point.
From Stanley Park, hike along the West End’s Denman and Davie Streets for some colourful city culture. A cruise down Davie Street, all the way to Yaletown for happy hour at the Yaletown Brewery is always a good idea. That should fill day one of your weekend getaway.
More places to walk to in Vancouver
- Vancouver Public Library
- Y Yoga on Burrard Street
- Granville Island (take the ferry from Hornby Street)
- Gastown (a ghost walking tour, perhaps?)
Labour Day in Edmonton
Best Labour Day getaway for: Families and outdoor enthusiasts
Things are still warm and sunny in Edmonton during the month of September, so take advantage! Head to Alberta’s charming capital city and spend the weekend exploring parks, lakes, museums, and spoil the kids on a trip to the West Edmonton Mall.
You can easily spend an entire day enjoying the outdoors at the many parks of the River Valley in Edmonton. Experience Canada’s largest urban park, filled with lots of attractions, events, and more. From Churchill Square to the Edmonton Valley Zoo, there’s something for everyone here. For a comprehensive map of the area’s seasonal trails, click here.
This Labour Day weekend, the Alberta Railway Museum in Edmonton is offering free admission for union members all weekend (Aug.31st-Sept.2nd). And while you’re in the city, enjoy some of Edmonton’s best food like some breakfast at Toast Culture by Pearl Tower in downtown Edmonton, and get some tapas at Izakaya Tomo for dinner. They are closed on Mondays and holidays but should be open during the weekend, so check their website before you go. Also, don’t miss the 124 Grand Market, which has a Sunday market every week from June til the end of September, which hosts local vendors offering everything from awesome eats to handmade goods to take home.
Wine tasting in Niagara
Great Labour Day vacation for: Girlfriends getaways
After taking selfies at Niagara Falls, get ready to sample some of Canada’s best wine. This booming wine region is something for us to be proud of, as it’s quickly becoming an internationally known area for some excellent vineyard! At Niagara-on-the-Lake, you’ll be spoiled for choice with more than 88 wineries in this beautiful region in Ontario.
Begin your Labour Day tour at Hare Wine & Co, one of our wine county’s newest and hottest wineries. Sample some of their delicious Cab and chat with Richard or any of the experts here. Next up, stop into the big red barn at Between the Lines for a glass of sparkling wine or a drop of red ice wine.
If you’re travelling with non-wine drinkers, don’t miss the Wayne Gretzky Estates. You’ll find a variety of wine and whisky at this beautiful cellar door, which also serves craft beer. Who knew ‘The Great One’ could produce such greatness outside of the hockey rink? Be sure to try the very Canadian No. 99 Rye Lager.
Labour Day weekend wine tasting tours of the region are readily available in Niagara-on-the-Lake. You’ll be free to sample as much as you’d like without worrying about driving.
More wineries to enjoy in Niagara
Enjoy the outdoors in St. John’s
Best getaway for: Party-goers and nature lovers
About a three-hour trip from Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa is the rugged Atlantic coastline of St. John’s. Before the Canadian winter hits, why not fly out east and spend the last long weekend of the summer in our fabled Atlantic province of Newfoundland?
Get settled in downtown St. John’s for your long weekend and start your trip by checking out some of the top sights. For an intermediate hike and epic views, walk up to Signal Hill, the easternmost point of North America. For an unforgettable day in St. John’s, be sure to book a boat tour for a chance to see whales and puffins. This area is home to top-notch wildlife spotting, and is literally the best place in the world for whale-watching! There are still tours available in September, so book your tour and prepare for an adventure.
No trip to St. John’s is complete without paying a visit to their beloved George Street. It’s a popular walking street year-round, and you’ll find plenty of pubs here offering great food, drink, and that warm east coast hospitality.
It doesn’t get much more beautiful than the coast of Newfoundland. With some Labour Day flight deals from major Canadian cities, there’s no excuse not to go!
Labour Day weekend camping trips
Great getaway for: A friends’ weekend
Camping on Labour Day weekend is a classic Canadian thing to do! Think campfires, hiking, maybe some fishing, canoeing, beverages by the lake and lots of good times with your best friends. Not only is camping fun, but it’s also easy on the travel budget. And luckily, Canada’s beautiful landscapes and provincial parks provide amazing backdrops for your campsites.
Vancouver Island is certainly a camping hotspot on the west coast. Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park are ideal places for laidback cruisers who just want to chill. But, if you’re up for some active adventures, there are plenty of forest paths to walk, kayaks to paddle, whales to watch, and fish to catch.
For some east coast action, Nova Scotia is the place to become one with nature. Some Nova Scotians make a trip to Kejimkujik National Park each summer as a tradition. Located about 163km southwest of Halifax, the park offers a chance to re-connect to nature and to learn about Mi’kmaw culture.
More beautiful spots for camping in Canada
- Banff National Park, Alberta
- Alice Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia
- Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
Best Things to Do Abroad on Labour Day Weekend
Camping near Boston
Great getaway for: Families with teens
When it comes to camping, let’s not forgot about our American counterparts! Massachusetts, in particular, has some lovely scenery worthy of a Labour Day weekend of camping. Near Boston, you’ll find many campgrounds on the mainland, and the harbour islands, offering tent sites for about C$20 per person. Also, check out Cape Cod’s family-friendly Maple Park Campground for resort-style campgrounds. You’ll find loads of traditional camping activities like canoeing, kayaking, paddleboats, and swimming on offer. It’s like summer camp for families.
More beautiful spots for camping in the U.S.
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Lyman Lake State Park, Arizona
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Eat your way around Chicago
Great getaway for: Foodies
With so many flights to Chicago from Canada, take your Labour Day weekend here and you won’t be disappointed! The weather in Chicago will still be comfortable so you can walk around downtown or one of Chicago’s many eclectic neighbourhoods and sample all of the food to your heart’s delight.
It’s a given that deep-dish pizza will spring to mind when you think of food in Chicago, but there’s more food to eat in the Windy City than pizza. If you like gourmet eats and craft beer, make a trip to Band of Bohemia your mission. They say they’re the first brewpub to be given the Michelin Star, so expect gourmet food like lamb, duck, and butter-poached halibut.
For a taste of Asian-American fusion, try Parachute in North Chicago. Here you can sample Korean flavours in the way of japchae tempura, a take on a traditional glass-noodle dish with vegetables and sweet and sour sauce. Got a sweet tooth? Order their malted matcha tiramisu.
No weekend in Chicago is complete without a hot dog or two. For the best of the best, head out of the city to River Grove, a suburb of Chicago for the area’s (maybe the country’s) best hot dogs. Gene & Jude’s hot dog stand (literally because there are no seats here) opened in 1946 and they’re still going strong. Their motto is No Seats No Ketchup No Pretense No Nonsense. You’ll learn this quickly on your trip here – Chicagoans are serious about their hot dogs!
And if you do want to try the best deep-dish, thick-crust pizza pie in Chicago, make a b-line to Pequod’s in Lincoln Park or any Lou Malnati’s branch found throughout the city.
More top Chicago food experiences
Take the kids to Disneyland, LA
Great getaway for: Families
All kids dream of a trip to Disneyland in California. Labour Day weekend is a fantastic time to make that dream come true with seat sales to Los Angeles from Canada.
From LAX, it’s about a 45-minute drive south to Anaheim and California’s Disneyland. Kids of all ages will lose their minds at the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge adventure park. Experience the feeling of flying the Millennium Falcon, building your own lightsaber, or designing a droid at the droid depot and make all your Star Wars fantasies come alive. There’s also several galaxy-themed restaurants at this Disneyland site to re-fuel little bodies for more out-of-this-world adventures.
A long weekend is a great amount of time to discover the magic, mystery and fun of Disneyland’s other parks within the resort. Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Critter Country, and Mickey’s Toontown offer all-day fun for the whole family.
Unmissable attractions at Disneyland, California
Live large in Las Vegas
Great getaway for: Night owls
If you’ve never been to Sin City, what better time than Labour Day Weekend? Although Labour Day is all about rest and relaxation, don’t expect any of that in Las Vegas.
But there’s more to Vegas than gambling and all-you-can-eat buffets. For something a bit different, face your fears with a flight down The Las Vegas Strip at FLYLINQ. This 1000ft long zip line is strung 1000ft above ground and will take you all the way to the High Roller Observation Wheel. While you’re there, jump aboard the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. If you just want to relax, you can always spend your Labour Day weekend in Las Vegas lounging by the pool. For a local experience while you’re there, try these recommended things to do off the Vegas Strip.
Celebs can be found everywhere in Vegas, so if you’re looking to treat yourself with an epic dining experience, consider splurging on a meal at Hell’s Kitchen – yes, the Gordon Ramsay reality cooking show-themed restaurant. You can even choose from the red or blue team menus. If you’re after something a bit more casual, there’s an In-N-Out Burger on the Las Vegas Strip, too.
For sleeping (cause you may want to at some point), the Flamingo Hotel has new bunk bed suites, which are ideal for a group of besties and families. We’ve got more of the best hotels on the Strip right here.
More top Las Vegas experiences
Road trip around Ireland
Great getaway for: Adventurers
In less than 7 hours, you could be in Ireland for Labour Day weekend. That’s right, direct flights from Toronto to Dublin are about 6.5 hours, which is doable for a short getaway.
Once you touch down, pick up your rental car, and head into Dublin for your first night. Imagine drinking a pint of Guinness at an Irish pub while fun-loving musicians play folk songs and deliver good-natured humour. The Irish are fun and funny people so good times are almost guaranteed.
The next day, make your way south to Cork. Fill your belly with fresh produce and artisan foods from The English Market. Save time for a stroll down St. Patrick’s Street for a spot of shopping and people watching. Drive on to Limerick for the night and visit the Frank McCourt Museum. Fans of the Irish writer may also like to do the Angela’s Ashes Walking Tour.
More must-do things in Ireland
Plan Your Labour Day 2019 Weekend Getaway
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