Labor Day Weekend Guide: Things To Do With Families
Labor day weekend is here, and it’s also almost the end of summer! Schools are opening back up, too. But we know how everyone loves their long weekends with the whole family. There are many things to do in and around Jersey City, whether you want to do something adventurous or relax. This is the perfect time to spend some quality time with the family and participate in different activities. Here’s a Labor Day weekend guide with all the things you can do.
Enjoy a BBQ With Friends and Family
What is labor day weekend without a BBQ? Fire up the grill for some great eats with family and friends. Spend some quality time with loved ones over some delicious food. You can even make it into a game night or a movie night. Make sure to prepare some delicious food and enjoy it!
Head to the Beach and Boardwalk
Who doesn’t love to go to the beach, especially before summer ends, and for a long holiday weekend? Luckily, New Jersey has many beaches that you can drive to from Jersey City and enjoy with the family for the day. You can also enjoy visiting a boardwalk with the family and eating a fun snack and playing some games of chance. We have a full list of beaches near Jersey City. Make sure to buy passes in advance depending on what beach you are interested in visiting, as it can get crowded during a long weekend. So whether it is Belmar or Point Pleasant Beach, this is a perfect beach time.
Have a Picnic at a Local Park
Pack your blanket, lunch, and games and enjoy a day at the park. There are many parks in and around Jersey City for families to enjoy. Make sure to get there early and find a good spot. The weather is perfect during this time of year, and it’s a great free activity for you to enjoy over Labor Day weekend.
Enjoy a Beer at a Beer Garden
Most beer gardens are outdoors, so if you and your friends want to enjoy a cool beer, check one out! Most of the beer gardens offer some specials, and it is a perfect way to enjoy the last bit of summer with friends and family.
Go Camping
There are a lot of reasons to go camping. The most important one is to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and get a break from your wired devices and enjoy nature. Camping is a perfect activity to do with your family or friends on a long weekend. There are many places to go camping near Jersey City that make it a perfect activity in August. There are many campgrounds like the Great Divide Campground, Brendan T Byrne State Forest etc. We have a full guide here.
Go Kayaking, Rafting, and Tubing
The long weekend is the perfect time to try fun water activities like kayaking, rafting, and tubing! Near Jersey City, there are a ton of options for these types of adventures. Check out this list we created.
Weekend Getaway
Long weekends especially Labor Day weekend, are perfect for a quick getaway! Enjoy the last bit of summer and heading into fall by visiting some of these places. We have compiled a comprehensive list of some of the best getaways you can take in New Jersey. There is a little something for the whole family! Check out the full list here.
Enjoy a Day at an Amusement Park
Amusement parks are a must-visit with the family when it comes to the summer, especially on Labor Day weekend! There are quite a few amusement/theme parks that are open near Jersey City. So have a fun-filled day with family or friends on some thrill rides and take in the adventure for the day. Check the full list here.
Visit a Waterpark
This is a perfect activity for Labor Day weekend! It’s still hot out, and kids especially love going to a waterpark on a hot summer day. There are quite a few near Jersey City too! We have a full guide here.
Visit a Local Winery
Labor Day weekend can be even more fun with a glass of wine! Luckily, there are some amazing wineries and vineyards near Jersey City that you can go to over the long weekend. Most of these wineries are only an hour away from downtown Jersey City. They have a ton of outdoor space, and a lot of them are family-friendly.
Visit a Garden
Luckily, near Jersey City, there are many gorgeous and luscious gardens that are open to the public. So you can spend the day or a long weekend strolling through a botanical garden with the whole family! Many of these them are easy to get to and while there you can enjoy the beauty of your surroundings without any distractions. Please take a look at our guide.
Go On a Drive-Through Safari
If you are interested in a fun activity for the kiddos, drive-through zoos are perfect. The kids will totally enjoy this animal-filled experience, most especially during the long weekend when many places can get crowded. Some of these options are over two hours, so you can always make a fun trip out of them for the long weekend if you want to go out of state or make it a weekend getaway! Make sure to check each zoo’s information before you visit.
Visit a Beautiful Lake
We know how much families enjoy the beautiful outdoors during warmer weather. Luckily, there are endless opportunities to make unforgettable memories and experiences. New Jersey has some of the best lakes and clean water for swimming, sailing, fishing, paddle boarding, and even kayaking. Check out the list we’ve created for you of New Jersey’s most beautiful lakes.
Go Glamping
We have all heard of camping, but have you ever gone glamping? Glamping is the more luxurious way of camping! Why sleep on the ground when you can snuggle beneath a comfy blanket under the stars in a queen size bed? Glamping is the perfect getaway to enjoy the experience of camping but with a bit of added ease. Lucky for you, there are some great spots near Jersey City where you can go glamping. Check out the guide here.
Go Apple Picking
Once we start hitting September, it’s the start of the perfect season for fresh yummy apples. The whole family will enjoy this activity over the long weekend! Pick your own apples and then maybe go back home and bake your own apple pies! We have a full blog on ‘Apple and Pumpkin Picking in Jersey City.
This Labor Day weekend guide gives a lot of options and we are sure you will get one or more that you can try this coming long weekend.
Labor Day weekend offers the perfect opportunity to escape the city and spend some quality time with family and friends before all of the Fall activities, like back to school, begin. It is also the perfect time to enjoy outdoor adventures before the weather turns cooler. Once the Fall sets in, kids will be geared to Fall activities, the favorite being Halloween. Then usually time goes fast as we approach Thanksgiving and going into the holiday season. Though we look forward to Christmas and the winter fun, many of which would be mostly indoors unless you go skiing, ice skating etc., we do rue the fact that the warm days are waning. Let us make the most of it as we savor the fun of outdoor cafes and restaurants, hiking, visiting lakes and even studying outside.
Updated August 23, 2024
