Want to create an itinerary from this post?
Create a VisitWidget account and start creating your own sharable itineraries
But fret not! Before life gets busier again, Labor Day weekend will come and go, giving us all a chance to take in a few more days that embody summer’s true spirit.
For those still putting their long weekend plans together, here are five excellent places to spend it in Massachusetts.
Boston, MA
Boston typically needs little introduction as a travel destination, but Labor Day presents an especially suitable time for a trip. Not only is it a good chance to swing by before the chillier weather arrives, but there’s also plenty to see and do while in the area.
In Christopher Columbus Park, located right next to the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the appropriately named ähts: The Boston Arts Festival will take place September 7-8. On site will be all sorts of entertainment, ranging from musical performances to interactive activities to live art, as well as 45+ local craftsmen and women selling their work.
Photo: Rose Kennedy Greenway by Kindra Clineff
And don’t miss Boston Nightlife Presents… Labor Day Weekend Pier Pressure™ White Party Cruise “Everyone’s Doing it!” 4 Decks 3 DJs 2 Floors of Music 1 Amazing Yacht Party!
Plymouth, MA
America’s hometown is gearing up for the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims landing. Plymouth 400 will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building of America.
Photo: Plymouth Rock courtesy of PCCVB
Take in the sites of Plimoth Plantation; visit the Mayflower; watch corn meal being made at the Jenney Grist Mill and browse the shops and restaurants in downtown Plymouth.
Gloucester, MA
Cool ocean air makes Gloucester an enviable place to be throughout the summer. For a special experience in this historic port city, Labor Day weekend is high time to visit. This coming weekend will welcome the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival, a celebration of maritime history and the unique role that the schooner has played throughout it.
Photo: Schooner Fame in Gloucester, MA
The festival runs from August 30 – September 2, featuring concerts, fireworks, parades, a lobster bake, a walking tour and lots of sailing, of course. The annual Heritage Day celebration, which falls on Saturday, August 31, is definitely an event to circle, if your time is limited. To put your feet up in between the festivities, both the Harborview Inn and Gloucester Inn by the Sea are welcoming and right by the water.
Sturbridge, MA
Thanks to Old Sturbridge Village, this central Massachusetts town is a favorite destination for family-friendly fun, and the upcoming long weekend will have lots of it. First off, entry is free for kids aged 17 and under who are accompanied by an adult. After getting in, visitors will be treated to Family Fun Days through the whole weekend.
Photo: Toy fire-balloon flight at Old Sturbridge Village
To make entry quick, it’s best to purchase tickets online, and multiple-day stays are made easy with lodgings on site.
Northampton, MA
Further west, the Three County Fair will get underway in Northampton right around the same time. The Three County Fair is one of several Massachusetts shindigs that began as a primarily agricultural gathering and has evolved through the years to become a whole lot more.
Photo: Downtown Easthampton
This year, the gates will open on August 30 and for four days of amusement rides, music, fleet-footed racing pigs, demolition derbies and more. There’ll be high-flying Frisbee dogs, too, of course. Directions to the fair are available online, and for anyone making a trip into the area, there’s no shortage of accommodations nearby, including the Historic College Inn, which is a ten-minute walk from the grounds.
For a look at more Labor Day fun all across the Commonwealth, visit our Labor Day landing page. You can also peruse Massachusetts events that take place throughout the entire year by visiting our events calendar.
TOPICS: Gloucester Schooner Festival, Labor Day, Old Sturbridge Village, Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Plymouth 400, Three County Fair
Want to create an itinerary from this post?
Create a VisitWidget account and start creating your own sharable itineraries