The 5 Best Labor Day Destinations in the Southeast!

Planning a trip for Labor Day Weekend? Here’s a list of the 5 best Labor Day destinations in the Southeast!

The southeastern United States has plenty to offer when it comes to planning that final summer vacation before the fall season arrives. 

Ranging from beautiful mountain towns to breezy coastal cities, this list of the best Labor Day destinations in the Southeast will give you some great options for your weekend getaway.

Each of these Southern destinations offers exciting places to explore, plenty of opportunities to relax, and delicious food to eat! Let’s dive in:

#1 | Asheville, NC

Asheville has the perfect balance of nature and city to give you a fun-filled Labor Day weekend!

This is your best chance to do all the summer mountain activities before fall comes – river tubing, hiking, ziplining, kayaking, and more. You can also take a quick road trip up or down the Blue Ridge Parkway for some stunning mountain views!

You’ll definitely want to head downtown to go shopping for those Labor Day sales, and grab some delicious eats at their many local restaurants, bars, and dessert shops.

There’s also the extravagant Biltmore Estate to visit, with over 8,000 acres of grounds to explore. You could even spend your whole Labor Day weekend at the Biltmore if you wanted to – you can stay on property at one of their resorts!

#2 | Savannah, GA

Savannah is one of the loveliest Labor Day destinations in the Southeast!

Their downtown historic district is full of southern charm, with museums, pre-Civil War homes, and beautiful churches.

You can also stroll along the Savannah River, or take a day trip to one of the beaches close by. Tybee Island is just 20 minutes away.

There are plenty of great places to eat and drink, ranging from cozy pub food to southern fine-dining.

You’ll find plenty of family-friendly activities, like the Marine Science Center or the Savannah Children’s Museum.

To keep adults busy, there are tons of arts / cultural sites to explore as well! The many art museums and haunted ghost tours are sure to make some great weekend memories.

#3 | Charleston, SC

When it comes to planning a fun weekend getaway, Charleston is a destination that’s always at the top of my list.

There’s something for everyone in this historic coastal city!

You might spend a day shopping on King Street or at the Charleston City Market. Or, you can explore all the historic sites, museums, and colonial homes.

For a day out on the water, you might grab the ferry to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. And, just like Savannah, the beach is close by. I’m a big fan of Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach. 

You’ll never run out of delicious restaurants to try in Charleston. This city is known for its southern comfort food and fresh seafood. If you leave Charleston without trying some She Crab Soup, then you haven’t done the trip right!

For help planning your long weekend in Charleston, you can check out my Weekend in Charleston Guide here!

#4 | St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine is definitely one of the best Southeast destinations to visit for Labor Day weekend, perfect if you’re looking to visit Florida but want to avoid the large crowds.

Whether you want to lounge around on the beach all day, or explore the oldest city in the United States, this place has something for every kind of vacation style.

St. Augustine Beach and Anastasia State Park are just a short drive away from downtown, if you’re hoping to enjoy those Florida white-sand beaches.

But my favorite part of St. Augustine is all the historic adventures they have to offer.

There’s the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, the Pirate Museum, the St. Augustine Lighthouse–even the Fountain of Youth!

The city is also known for its abundance of breweries, distilleries, and their famous local winery.

And, there’s a wide variety of restaurants, but you’ll definitely want to check out some of their Spanish and Latin-style cuisine!

#5 | Helen, GA

Helen is a more unique Labor Day destination in the southeast, but it’s tons of fun to explore!

This North Georgia mountain town is a delightful replica of a Bavarian Alpine Village. As soon as you arrive downtown, it feels like you’ve been transported from Georgia to Germany!

The Chattahoochee River runs straight through Helen, so you best believe there is plenty of river tubing, kayaking, and other water activities to do. 

You’ll find tons of scenic waterfalls and hiking trails in the nearby Chattahoochee National Forest that make for a perfect day in the mountains.

I really enjoyed exploring the downtown area and going to all the funky gift shops and specialty stores. 

What’s more, there are delicious German restaurants all over town!

And, you’ll find plenty of local vineyards and breweries within driving distance.

Have you visited any of these Labor Day destinations? How will you be spending your next Labor Day Weekend?

I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Danielle xx