7 Fun Things To Do This Labor Day Weekend
The first thing that comes to mind when September is here is Labor Day weekend. A three day weekend is always better than a two day weekend, never complain. This is a great time to press pause on work and indoor hobbies and catch up on some last-minute summer activities before the weather cools down.
This year has definitely been a challenging one, most of us have been staying indoors due to COVID-19 and spending more time than we ever had with our family. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets released into the air. Being outside, there is fresh air constantly moving and you are less likely to breathe in these respiratory droplets. However, you should also keep in mind that even though the risk is lower outdoor, it doesn’t mean it’s zero.
1. Go for a picnic
We have been staying at home (or working from home) for many months and spending lots of time with our family. Now that the sun is out, it is a great time to gather a few friends for a picnic. Nothing beats sitting on the green grass and enjoying drinks rather than having virtual happy hour over Zoom. If you are spending family time at the park, activities like flying a kite or playing frisbee with your children is also great for them to run around since they have spending too much time indoors.
2. relax at the beach, by the water
New York and New Jersey have been experiencing storms on one day and sweltering heat on another. The weather can be unpredictable so why not make the most of the beautiful weather this labor day weekend. Grab your chairs, umbrella, sunscreen and enjoy a nice, relaxing day reading a book by the water or even better, get into the cool water. The sea is a safe space when it comes to COVID-19 as respiratory secretions will be diluted quickly. Just remember to social distance whether you’re in the water or be six feet away from other beach go-ers when you’re on the sand.
3. have a good a meal with outdoor dining
More than ever, it is important for us to support small businesses and restaurants. New York City has not made a decision on when indoor dining will restart, hence, outdoor dining or takeout are the only options for the people in the city. Enjoy brunch during the day with your girlfriends or early dinner before the sun sets outside will definitely make you miss the warm weather. There are a total of 76 streets closed on Friday nights and weekends only for the Open Restaurant Program so you can enjoy your meal outdoors without worrying about vehicles passing by.
4. enjoy Outdoor activities
For people into fitness and would rather not go to the gym for now, outdoor activities are perfect for you this weekend. Being outdoors, whether to jog, bike, hike, kayak is a great way to stay healthy, reduce stress and anxiety while being able to practice social distancing. What’s even better than to reconnect with mother nature? There are many great places to go hiking and parks have trails of different lengths and difficulty. Kayaking is also another great day activity, surrounded by water. Camping outdoors is another good option for a three day weekend, being out of the city, you may be lucky enough to catch some stars at night.
5. drive-in theatres are back
The movies will always be our top entertainment and a way of escaping reality. Instead of staying indoors and binge watching on Netflix shows, head over to drive-in theatres. Some drive-in theatres are showing movies dating way back to the 1980’s and there’s nothing more nostalgic than that. Even Walmart has jumped onto the bandwagon and is touring the country with this pop up event, at its 160 Supercenter locations. If you have a car, definitely consider drive-in movie theatres this summer!
6. Visit New York City
New York City is slowly reopening with some museums open to guests now. However, if you don’t feel comfortable being indoors, there are outdoor places you can visit such as Top of the Rock. The view of both upper Manhattan and lower Manhattan is truly breathtaking, especially during sunset. If you have kids with you, The Bronx Zoo is also a great place to visit this labor day weekend. With over 8,000 animals in the zoo, there are many species to see and discover. Prospect Park Zoo is also another option you can visit. Both zoos have different exhibits and is certainly exciting to visit!
7. Relax In Your Backyard
Home is always where the heart is. If you are one of the lucky ones with a backyard, it will always be one of the best places to hang out and spend the day. You can turn your backyard into anything you want it to depending on your mood for the weekend - whether to have an inflatable pool and sunbath, read a book in a hammock, roast marshmallows or even camp there for the weekend if you don’t feel comfortable going camping outdoors.
