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The_last_hurrah_Where_American_travellers_are_spending_Labor_Day_weekend.txt
The card counting pokerlast hurrah: Where American travellers are spending Labor Day weekend29 August 2025ShareSaveLynn BrownShareSaveGetty ImagesNew York City's Shakespeare in the Park is back this end-of-summer season (Credit: Getty Images)Seeing Shakespeare in New York, Bright Eyes in Seattle and Roald Dahl's Enormous Crocodile in London – these five destinations are topping lists for the last holiday of summer.For many Americans, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer; a long weekend for parades, barbecues and one last getaway before the school year begins. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the Transportation Security Administration expects 17.4 million people to travel between 28 August and 3 September, up from 17.2 million last year. Data from travel sites including AAA, Dollar Flight Club and Kayak show that domestic travel is up significantly, likely due to the fact that domestic flights are the cheapest they've been in five years."This Labor Day we're seeing one of the biggest splits in pricing we've ever tracked," says Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club. "Domestic flights are about 5% lower than last year and nearly 20% lower than 2019. On the flip side, international fares are still sky-high."According to Neugarten, international fares are two to three times higher on average, while domestic Labor Day fares are currently at a five-year low, with New York, Seattle and Boston being some of the most affordable US destinations overall.Even so, Americans aren't just staying close to home. There are several international destinations showing up on Labor Day travel hot lists, with Rome and London ranking among the most affordable this year, according to Dollar Flight Club."Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides one final holiday weekend before the fall routine begins," Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, said in a statement.Here are the five top destinations Americans are choosing for their last hurrah of summer 2025.Getty ImagesTennis fans can catch the final week of the 2025 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY (Credit: Getty Images)New York City, New YorkThe Big Apple remains one of the busiest Labor Day hubs, with Kayak noting it as one of the most popular destinations this time of year. That's no surprise as the US Open continues this weekend, and the West Indian Parade thunders through Brooklyn on 1 September. At an average $263 flight cost – down 2% from last year – it's also a relative bargain. Beyond the parade, the free Shakespeare in the Park festival is back this summer after a renovation hiatus, with a starry lineup including Sandra Oh, Peter Dinklage and Lupita Nyong'o.Getty ImagesVisitors to Seattle this Labor Day will find a city-wide celebration of the arts (Credit: Getty Images)Seattle, WashingtonSeattle is a top choice for music lovers this Labor Day weekend, and the top domestic choice overall according to AAA. This year's edition of the Kitsap Blues Music Festival brings artists including Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and Eric Gales; while Bumbershoot, Seattle's largest music and arts festival, features Bright Eyes, Janelle Monáe and Tank and the Bangas. Expect a citywide celebration of art, music, food and culture.Getty ImagesThe city of Boston is holding its first Labor Day parade in 2025 (Credit: Getty Images)Boston, MassachusettsBoston shows up on all three lists as one of the most popular and affordable destinations this Labor Day, and as of 28 August it's reachable by what Amtrak is calling its "fastest passenger train in the US", the NextGen Acela, which reaches 160mph and connects Boston to New York, Washington DC and various points between. On 1 September, the city is also hosting its first Labor Day parade which will see marchers organised by the Greater Boston Labor Council stroll from the State House to City Hall Plaza. The Lawn on D, an open-air community space, will have a family-friendly celebration with lawn games and live music all weekend. Baseball lovers should catch a game at the legendary Fenway Park, where the Chicago Cubs will face the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend.Getty ImagesEarly September in London is booming with theatre and museum exhibitions (Credit: Getty Images)London, UKFor those still dreaming of heading overseas, London is among the most affordable international destinations for Americans, with flights averaging $687, down 5% from last year.More like this:? Three experts tips for taking a last-minute break for less? Is this the end of the breakfast buffet?? The rise of ultra-sport holidaysOnce there, visitors can take in Brigadoon and Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, or tour Buckingham Palace before its magnificent State Rooms close to the public on 28 September. This year is also the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, and the London Transport Museum is offering a series of family-friendly activities and workshops to highlight the milestone.Getty ImagesRome is traditionally a beloved end-of-summer destination for Americans (Credit: Getty Images)Rome, ItalyDespite summer heat – and recent overtourism protests – Rome remains high on Americans' bucket lists. Bookings to the Italian capital are up this year, with more than 30 million visitors, including many Americans, flocking to the city for the Catholic Jubilee. Labor Day travellers can enjoy music, theatre and cultural exhibitions at the Estate Romana festival, which takes place on the weekends from 15 June until 15 October; or catch a concert at the Roma Summer Fest, a citywide music festival that runs into September.--If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news, delivered to your inbox twice a week. 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