By Tyler R. Morrissey
Labor Day weekend is widely considered the unofficial end to the summer time season. People return to work from vacation, children go off to school and night fall starts getting earlier each day. For those who love autumn, this is a sign of the season to come. If you have an unwavering love for summer and are sad to see it go, there is still one more weekend to enjoy it with some of these family friendly activities.
Throw an Outdoor Party
Before we know it the temperatures will drop and that dreaded white stuff will fall from the sky. This means with each passing weekend, your opportunities to throw an outdoor party will become rarer. Labor Day weekend is the perfect time for one more barbeque or outdoor cocktail party with friends and family. One theme idea for a party that lifestyle blog “Oh Happy Day” recommends is a white Labor Day picnic. Roll out a white blanket and put down some white plates for your guests and use disposable silverware if you’re looking for an easier clean up. Don’t forget to bring a set of dominoes or some yard games to entertain your guests between courses.
Plan One Last Getaway
Traveling in the fall and winter can be challenging with holidays, weather delays and other distractions. The long weekend will give you a chance to take once last trip this summer with your family or with a few close friends. Recently, the Chicago Sun Times compiled a list of some of the top destinations in America for a Labor Day weekend getaway and some of them are right here in the Northeast. Typically known for its fall foliage and winter sports, Stowe, Vermont is one of the best Labor Day destinations because you’ll beat the crowds and enjoy ideal weather. Whether it’s for a hike to a swimming hole or a mountain biking and brewery tour, you’re going to want an extra day in the Green Mountains.
For one of the best Labor Day destinations from New York City, head to Saratoga Springs. About a 3.5-hour drive or one-hour flight into Albany, you can watch the last horse races of the season at Saratoga Racecourse and round out the weekend at the nearby Polo Club for a polo match. If horseracing isn’t for you, spend some time outdoors at Saratoga Spa State Park or relax in the historic bathhouse, Roosevelt Baths and Spa.
Take a Day Trip
There is also plenty to do in our area for a day trip as well. Families looking for the perfect way to wrap a summer of fun can check out the crafts, live music, and tasty treats at the CORNucopia at the Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hallow, N.Y. on Sept. 2-4. In Fairfield County you can bid farewell to summer with the 10th annual Blues Views & BBQ Festival in Westport on Sept. 3-4. If you are looking to get away to the Berkshires for a day trip, you can take a guided canoe trip of the Housatonic River. The tour will leave from Ashley Falls, Mass. will be run on Sept. 2-3 from 9-11 a.m.
Prep your Home for Winter
Winter is coming and for some it will come quicker than others. This weekend may be reserved for a break from work, but it’s also a perfect chance to prep your home for the colder months. Apartment Therapy made a checklist for home owners to follow to get their property winter-ready. After all the cookouts are over for the season, it’s a good idea to deep clean your grill before it goes into storage. While you have the cleaning supplies out, it’s also beneficial to wash windows and glass doors, vacuum any air vents and make any repairs to outdoor spaces, such as a balcony or deck. One last tip is to check your home’s sources of heat before the cold temperatures arrive at your doorstep. HVAC professionals are usually busier in the winter so test your heating system and clean your fireplace to be ready to take on what Mother Nature throws at the region.
Change Up Your Décor
With the changing of the seasons, comes the changing of home décor. While it may be a bit too early for pumpkins and Halloween decorations, you can start to plan out what you want your home to look like for fall. In early September garden centers around the region will begin to start selling chrysanthemums, which can help brighten up any room or patio. If you are throwing one last summer party, Houzz recommends having your guests bring a decoration or two if they don’t want to bring a dish. Some people don’t like to cook, but would love to bring a mason jar of flowers or a string of paper lanterns to hang over the table.
