Last Minute Labor Day Getaways around New England

Every year, we find ourselves saying, “Jeez, summer flew by!” So if Labor Day snuck up on you yet again this year, don’t waste the long weekend berating yourself for being a bad planner. There’s still time to have some fun and take advantage of the few remaining warm days, whether you plan on staying in Boston or getting the heck outta town.

If you’re staying in the city…

One of the eye-catching shared spaces at citizenM/Courtesy photo

…book a room at the new citizenM and go on a BBQ and Beer cruise.

If you’ve traveled around Europe, you might be familiar with this Dutch chain of hotels. They embrace the communal atmosphere of a hostel by creating big, highly designed shared spaces, but without the awkwardness of a shared room and bathroom. The 272 contemporary rooms are very streamlined and mostly bright white with pops of red and have a Jetsons space-age décor. But they’re also some of the more affordable beds in town—for Labor Day weekend, rooms are going for less than $200 a night. Located on the site of the original Boston Garden, the hotel is 10 stories tall with a rooftop terrace that has incredible views and is located only about a mile away from Rowe’s Wharf, where your Barbecue and Beers Cruise departs. 

One of the many nautical excursions aboard the 1920s-style 115-foot motor yacht, the Northern Lights, this meaty cruise will only be available until the end of September. Like a floating backyard party complete with corn hole, music, seasonal beers, and Spanish BBQ prepared by on board chef Nick Clanton (think lots of seafood, peppers and paella), you’ll sail for 1.5 hours past historical landmarks surrounded by picturesque views. It costs $57 a person and departs at 1:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

citizenM is located at 70 Causeway St. in Boston. To book a room go to citizenM.com. To book the cruise go to boston-sailing.com.

If you want one last beach weekend…

Photo by Luke Reidy for Lollie Videography

…book a flight to Nantucket on Fly Louie and learn to surf.

Sometimes the ferry ride is part of the fun of traveling to Nantucket. But you know what’s also super fun? Feeling like a boss who has a private jet and gets free snacks. Fly Louie, a luxury charter plane company founded by Julia Takeda in 2017, started offering flights this summer between Hanscom Field airport in Bedford, Massachusetts and Nantucket. Book however many seats you need online, stroll up to the plane 15 minutes before departure without having to go through security, and arrive on the island in less than hour with no seasickness or salty skin.

In addition to private jetting this weekend, you could also take up surfing. Book a lesson with Gary “Kona” Kohner, the owner of the Nantucket Island Surf School, and learn to ride the waves at Cisco Beach before surf season is over. Reward yourself with a beer afterwards at Cisco Brewery, and maybe take advantage of the end-of-summer sales at the boutiques downtown. Be sure to stay for at least part of the day on Monday so you can catch some of the annual all-day party at Cru oyster bar with DJ Ryan Brown. In the past, these parties have been known to lead to wig-clad patrons dancing on tables. You’ve been warned.

To book a flight on Fly Louie go to flylouie.com. For a surf lesson, go to nantucketsurfing.com. Cru is located at 1 Straight Wharf. For more info, go to crunantucket.com. 

If you want to head for the hills…

Courtesy photo

…book a room at Spruce Peak and enjoy the New England Food and Wine Fest. 

Does staring at mountain peaks from a comfy perch on a patio make you hungry and thirsty? Fear not, the Spruce Peak luxury resort located at the base of Mount Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont is hosting its first-ever food and wine festival. The big event will be called A Taste of New England, and aims to celebrate local culinary talent. The event begins on Saturday evening with a cocktail reception followed by a five-course dinner paired with wines, al fresco on the resort’s large lawn. The lineup up of talented chefs includes Will Gilson of Cambridge’s Puritan & Co., Colt Taylor, who co-owns The Essex and Cantina Los Charros in Connecticut, and Benjamin Lacey of Cafe Art Science, also in Cambridge. With a full belly and tired head, you only need to walk a few steps to your cozy yet decadent room at the nearby Lodge, where special summer discounts are still to be had.

And then when you wake up on Sunday, you get to be the chef. Starting at noon, each chef will lead cooking demonstrations. Learn about a proper New England clambake from Chef Gilson, pasta from Chef Lacey and all about foraging and fermentation from Chef Taylor.  Of course, you could also just book a CBD massage in the spa or lounge by the pool.

For tickets and to book a room, go to sprucepeak.com.