By the time Labour Day crawls around each summer, Canadians all over the country rush to enjoy the last bit of summer.
tripatlas.com/new has put together five great last-minute Labour Day ideas that singles, couples & families can plan and put together for the long weekend – from day trips to overnights and longer getaways. Enjoy!
Last-minute Labour Day getaways
- Rent a cottage. For those looking to rent a cottage in Canada, whether you’re in Ontario, Quebec, or British Columbia, sites like www.cottagesincanada.com offer thousands of lists of properties all over the country. The easy-to-use “Cottage Retriever” search tool allows potential renters to look for a cottage by date, province, region, price range, preferences, and etc. Although prices will generally be higher for those looking to book just a weekend (and Labour Day weekend, at that), there are still some great options.
- Hit the beach! From east coast to west coast, there are great beaches to be enjoyed across Canada and great fireworks shows. From Long Beach in Tofino to Wreck Beach in Vancouver, and Sandbanks Provincial Park in Newfoundland & Labrador, read more about the Best Beaches in Canada on tripatlas.com/new and find one nearby for your Labour Day enjoyment.
- Last chance for back-to-school shopping. With the U.S. still reeling from recession, the prices at the outlet malls are as good as ever. It’s a great opportunity to stock up on school clothes for the kids, new shoes, backpacks, and of course, a few things for yourself. Best of all, outlet shopping trips take very little planning. Remember, you’re allotted an allowance of only $50 duty-free for 24 hours spent in the U.S. and $400 for 48 hours spent in the U.S. per person. Also, be sure to check the Canada Border Services Agency’s Border Wait Times website to pick a route with a lesser wait time: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html .
- Spend a day in the countryside. Since it’s all about “going local” these days, it’s a great time to really discover local farms, vineyards, orchards, and etc., in and around your area. Best of all, through from August to September is when there is the most variety of produce, and many items are ripening earlier this year because of the hot summer. For more information, go to: www.getlocalbc.org ; www.localcanadianfood.com ; or www.foodland.gov.on.ca .
- Look for last-minute resort deals. Resorts all over the country are offering great deals to sell off their last rooms for Labour Day weekend. For lower rates, book Thursday to Saturday or Sunday to Tuesday (since most people are booking Saturday to Sunday). For example, Langdon Hall near Waterloo, Ontario is one of Canada’s top hotel properties and is offering a rates from $195 on Friday, Sept 3rd & Mon, Sept 6th (regular: midweek rates start at $259, weekend rates start at $329). To book, call 1-800-268-1898 or go to: www.langdonhall.ca .