Labor Day weekend marks the first official fall holiday, and is a welcome break from all the hustle and bustle of back to school activities for those families with school age children. It is a weekend that offers the chance for a last-minute camping trip before the weather turns cold, or perhaps a long weekend at a bed and breakfast, where someone else will make the bed. If you are wondering what to do with the upcoming holiday weekend, we have a few suggestions. For those living in the Phoenix area:
City parks usually plan a variety of great events that range from a 5-mile bike ride, hiking workshops, snake feeding, butterfly watching, and showcases of the history of gold mining.
The Dolly Steamboat Narrated Nature Cruise is a 90 minute trip on Canyon Lake narrated by an expert guide. Bring your binoculars and be prepared to see local wildlife that may include bighorn sheep, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain lions, coyote, bobcats, vultures, bald eagles, and more. A winner of New Times award, ‘Best of Phoenix,’ and rated one of the ‘Best Things to Do in Arizona,’ by the Official Visitor’s Guide of Greater Phoenix, this is a great way to spend time this long weekend. Suitable for family and friends of all ages.
Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Rides. Check out the beautiful Phoenix area of Arizona like never before with one of the Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Rides offered in the area. Plan on spending the afternoon, as the entire experience, including air time, will consume approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. A light post-flight meal is included.
If you prefer to stay on the ground, check out a Sonoran Desert 2 Hour Guided ATV & UTV Tour. You can expect to spend roughly 3 hours total, as the tour lasts approximately 2 hours, with time before for safety briefing and returning all of the gear once the tour is over.
Check out the night sky. If you are looking for an exciting after sunset activity for the whole family, you can see the beauty of the Arizona night sky and the Milky Way through one of the most amazing perspectives ever experienced, with a guided stargazing tour.
In the Tucson area, check out these ideas for Labor Day weekend fun:
Labor Day Jazz All-Star Celebration of Motown. Promising to be an event jam packed full of music and fun, festivities will include tribute performances by an all-star jazz and R&B group, drink and dinner specials and a special resort price ($99) for guests staying overnight, followed by a Sunday brunch concert.
If you like music but jazz isn’t your thing, check out the HoCoFest Music Festival in downtown Tucson for a fun place to hang out with friends, enjoy food and listen to unique indie music. With over 40 bands playing inside Hotel Congress’s Club Congress as well as outdoors, HoCoFest will have plenty of live music to keep you entertained. The event also features an eco-fair and solar-powered entertainment venues, a family fair, a barbecue, a fashion show, street vendors and more.
Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo. For a taste of the Old West, check out this live event for a family-friendly way to enjoy the holiday weekend. Rodeo events include a wild horse race, ladies barrel race, bull riding, team roping, and a kid’s rodeo at 1:00 p.m.
Westward Look Resort. For a cushier weekend, this hotel is offering up great resort deals and specials for guests. Stay Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and only pay $99 each night. The deal includes a gift for every night of your stay, a daily breakfast for two adults and two kids in the hotel restaurant and a late check-out the evening of your departure (either Sunday or Monday). Poolside activity suites filled with games like Wii, air hockey, arts and crafts and more will keep the kids entertained while you relax.
Kartchner Caverns State Park. If want to escape the heat and do something really cool, take a trip to this unique state park and experience a stunning limestone cave that boasts world-class features. Tour guides will unveil this fascinating underground landscape during a memorable 1½ hour tour. Reservations are highly recommended at this popular spot. There are also campgrounds, hiking trails, lockers, shaded picnic areas, a deli, an amphitheater, and a hummingbird garden to explore and enjoy
These are just a few of the many fun and exciting adventures that await you in Arizona. We hope this gives you some ideas and gets you started thinking about what to do with your extra time on this long Labor Day weekend.