Who's ready for a three-day weekend?
Good, because Labor Dayis almost here, marking the unofficial end of summer.
There's no end of activities to enjoy in Florida, although heat and humidity, not to mention this being the peak of hurricane season, are all factors to consider when making your plans.
Not to mention there's plenty of unknowns as of Sept. 3 on when the next tropical storm or hurricane
will pop up in the tropics.Amazon Labor Day sales
So we're offering a few suggestions, depending on where you are or where you may go in the Sunshine State over the long weekend. Think of it as an unofficial list of ideas you may not have considered or a reminder of a favorite activity you haven't done in a long time.
We tried for a variety of activities
for each region, because, you know, Florida weather can be a bit fickle:
- outdoor
- indoor
- free
- family-friendly
Whether you opt for one or more of the suggestions below, or just spend some quiet time at home, enjoy!
When is Labor Day 2026?
Labor Day 2026 is observed on the first Monday in September.
In 2026, Labor Day will be observed on Monday, Sept. 7, giving many workers a three-day weekend from Sept. 5 through Sept. 7.
4 ways to spend Labor Day weekend in Florida Panhandle
Outdoor activity: Explore Grayton Beach State Park near Santa Rosa Beach, which "consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States." Explore four miles of trails, fish, paddle or even enjoy camping. It's a popular spot and will close for several hours if it reaches capacity so have a backup plan just in case. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset, and cost is $5 per vehicle.
Inside activity: Visit the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. It's the world’s largest naval aviation museum and one of the most-visited museums in Florida. "Enjoy the thrill of flight in the flight simulators and catch all the drama and power of the amazing giant digital screen theater." See more than 150 restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation. Located at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, access is available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the west gate only. Admission is free, but everyone 18 and older must have a real ID or valid U.S. passport.
Free activity: Walk the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and enjoy harbor views, shops, boats, and live entertainment. Or head over to any beach or thePensacola Beach Pier to enjoy a stunning sunset. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the Blue Angels.
Family-friendly activity: Is there anything better than enjoying a water park during Florida's summer heat? Big Kahuna's Water Park has Foam Zone Fridays scheduled from 2-5 p.m. Sept. 4 and Aqua Palooza on Labor Day, Sept. 7. Located in Destin, Big Kahuna's offers "heart-pounding water slides and surf simulators to lazy rivers and kid-friendly play zones." Single-day tickets are $49.99 and can be purchased online for a discount. Hours are generally 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Check to see if the park will be open on Labor Day. Note the entire park is cashless.
4 ways to spend Labor Day weekend in North Florida
Outdoor activity: Explore Little Talbot Island State Park north of Jacksonville for beaches, boat tours, camping, kayaking, bicycling or hiking. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset and cost is $5 per vehicle.
Inside activity: Tour the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville. Marvel at more than 5,000 works of art and enjoy the serenity of " historically significant gardens, set against the backdrop of the St. Johns River." There is a cost for parking, which varies by day. The museum is closed on Mondays. Cost is $20 for adults; $15 for students ages 6-17 or seniors 62+; children 5 and under free.
Free activity: Visit the University of Florida's bat houses near Lake Alice west of Gainesville. Arrive before sunset to find a spot to watch the bats, which normally emerge 15 to 20 minutes after sunset.
Family-friendly activity: Explore the Cade Museum in Gainesville. Described as an "experiential museum for all ages," the Cade Museum "you'll be challenged to think and create like an inventor. Come get hands-on, conduct an experiment, 3D print something cool — and explore our exhibits to learn about people and inventions that have changed the world." The museum is open Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for youth 5-17, and free for kids 4 and younger. Families with SNAP benefits — you'll need to show your card — get a discount: adult tickets $3; free for youth.
4 ways to spend Labor Day weekend in Central Florida
Outdoor activity: Wander the gardens and tower grounds at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. over the Labor Day weekend, withfree admission for all military veterans and active-duty servicemen and women. Enjoy a walk around 50 acres of historic and terraced gardens as you enjoy The Singing Tower, a carillon tower that plays daily bell concerts. Explore El Retiro, a 1930s mansion, and the Hammock Hollow Children's Garden. Ticketsare $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-17. Eligible Polk County residents with a SNAP or WIC EBT card can receive complimentary general admission for up to four adults and six children.
Inside activity: Explore the Orange County Regional History Center in the heart of downtown Orlando. Housed in a historic courthouse, the History Center offers four floors of exhibits exploring 14,000 years of Central Florida’s heritage. Hoursare 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission prices are $10 for adults; $6 for children ages 5-12. Florida educators can get in for free.
Free activity: How about heading over to Brownwood Paddock Square at The Villages? "Immerse yourself in the charm of an early 19th century Florida cattle town and discover shopping, dining, and free nightly entertainment. Enjoy the many unique shops and restaurants ... and take in live music, a festival, special event, and so much more."
Family-friendly activity: Spend the day at Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven. There are plenty of rides and attractions. When you get tired of those, take a break at thewater park or wander through the Sea Life Florida Aquarium. Adult ticketsstart at $79; kid tickets start at $39. Park hoursare 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Labor Day.
4 ways to spend Labor Day weekend on Florida's East Coast
Outdoor activity: Consider taking a bioluminescent kayak trip. Tours are available near Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island and Titusville. With the new moon occurring Sept. 10, the Labor Day weekend offers little moonlight to compete with bioluminescence. Costs range from $67 to $87, depending on location and which experience you select, and takes about 1.5 to 3 hours.
Inside activity: You can't visit the Space Coast and not do something, well, spacey. Stop by the American Space Museum and Walk of Fame in Titusville. Take your time as you examine exhibits ranging from spacecraft parts to astronaut suits to photos and working launch consoles. Don't forget to visit the Space View Park Monuments "dedicated to the space programs workers and astronauts." Ticketsare $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 13-18. Hoursare 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Free activity: Take a stroll along Downtown Stuart's Riverwalk, a scenic promenade along the St. Lucie River. Enjoy marina views, public art and waterfront dining. Time it right and enjoy a freeRock'n Riverwalk concert.
Family-friendly activity: Visit Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, named the No. 3 best zoo in the United Statesby USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2023. See more than 700 animals, feed giraffes, ride a train, and even kayak past animal habitats. Feeling adventurous? Try the Treetop Trek adventure to see animals from a totally different perspective. Ticketsare $36.95 at the zoo, $24.95 for children ages 3-11. Hoursare 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:15 p.m.
4 ways to spend Labor Day weekend in South Florida
Outdoor activity: Explore Everglades National Park on the southern tip of Florida. The Everglades spans 1.5 million acres over the southern part of Florida, but is easy to access via Miami, Everglades City, or Homestead. What's there to do? Enjoy guided tours, camp, fish, bicycle, hike and watch for Florida wildlife. The park is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Cost is $35 for a private vehicle.
Inside activity: Visit the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in downtown Miami. Frost Science is "one of only a few institutions worldwide to have both an aquarium and a planetarium in one museum." Enjoy exhibits that range from the history of flight to a hands-on experience with the Power of Science. Adult tickets start at $29.95; youth ticketsfor ages 4-11 start at $24.95. Hoursare 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free activity: Pack a picnic supper and head to Key West to enjoy the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration. The "nightly festival brings together street performers, artisans, food vendors, and visitors for a communal salute to the setting sun." Plan to get there 1 to 1.5 hours before the sunset for the best view.
Family-friendly activity: Is there anything better than going on a safari ... without leaving Florida? Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee is divided into seven main habitats and home to Lion Country Safari is home to hundreds of wild animals and about 80 species, including lions, giraffe, zebras, rhinos, chimpanzees and much more. And don't forget to wander through The Gardens, 55 acres of animal habitats and encounters, food and shopping. Ticketsare $54.99 for adults; $43.99 for ages 3-9. Hoursare 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the last car admitted at 4:30 p.m.
4 ways to spend Labor Day weekend in Southwest Florida
Outdoor activity: Walk the 2.25-mile boardwalk through Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples. The sanctuary is home to the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America, as well as alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles across 13,000 acres. Bird watcher? Enjoy watching wading birds, songbirds, and raptors. There have been 265 bird species recorded. Ticket prices are $17 per adult; $6 for children ages 6-14. Hoursare 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Inside activity: Explore the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, where the two celebrated innovators — Thomas Edison and Henry Ford — spent their winters. "Step back in time and explore the lives and legacies of two American icons" as you wander 20 acres of historical buildings, gardens, the Edison Botanical Research Lab and the Edison Ford Museum. Adult ticketsfor a self-guided tour are $28, teens 13-19 is $20; and children 6-12 is $15. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the last tickets sold at 4:30 p.m.
Free activity: Stop by and spend some time at Bayfront Park in Sarasota. There's a playground and splash pad for the kids — or young at heart — which are covered by large shade sails to make them more comfortable. Work up an appetite or go for a stroll along a walking path. Go kayaking or fishing along the waterfront, and then eat a leisurely lunch on the grounds or one of the available picnic tables. Both the playground and splash pad are ADA-compatible.
Family-friendly activity: Have some train enthusiasts in the family? Check out the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish. The museum's goal is to preserve Florida’s railroad history and offers diesel-powered train rides between Parrish and Willow in rural Manatee County on the weekends. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Ticket costs vary by event. The 1.5 hour Willow Express ride costs between $17 and $19.99.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 24 Labor Day things to do across Florida for the long weekend
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