Cheap and Cheerful: Labor Day Getaways in Florida
The writing is on the wall…
Back to school shopping. Shorter days. And a slightly more hurried pace for everyone. The summer is coming to a close. But it doesn’t have to end right away.
It’s still possible to get in a little last minute summer fun. Labor Day weekend is the perfect time.
This year, Labor Day is on Monday, Sept. 2. Use the weekend for a last minute family vacay, couples trip or girlfriend getaway. And there’s no better place than Florida to find a cheap and cheerful Labor Day travel deal.
The beaches are bound to be bustling. But Florida has more than sand and sun. Here are some options for locations you may not have thought about in the past. No worries: you can still reach the beach in less than 20 minutes from all of our hotels.
Ft. Myers
Labor Day in Ft. Myer’s is all about the beach. The southwest Florida coastal town is home to some of the state’s most pristine beaches including Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Beach, Sanibel and Captiva Islands. It’s also a great jumping off point for a day trip to Key West. The Key West Express boat makes frequent trips back and forth between the Keys and Ft. Myers. After that, you can explore the rich history of the area by paying a visit the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The historical figures both spent winters in Ft. Myers sand their homes are now preserved as a cultural attraction.Stay in the middle of all the action in Fort Myers here: Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Myers / Cape Coral
Tarpon Springs
If you’re craving seaside vibes of a small Greek town, you’d be hard pressed to find anything closer to in the United States than Tarpon Springs. The Tampa Bay city is sandwiched between the Anclote River and Gulf of Mexico. The city began to take shape in the 1800s after natural sponges were discovered in its waters. Greek divers migrated to the town in droves and built up its sponge industry. Long after that industry died, the culture lives on. These days, you’ll find one of the area’s most concentrated Greek populations, authentic Greek restaurants and signature festivals. The Sponge Docks Arts & Crafts Festival takes place during Labor Day weekend. The festival features dozens of vendors, fine art, homemade crafts, food and music.Stay at the Holiday Inn Express in nearby Trinity for deals on hotel stays.