Labor Day weekend is here and that means that most of us have three-day weekends ahead of us. Sure, 4th of July has fireworks and hotdog-eating contests, but how do you celebrate Labor Day?

Labor day weekend for most people signifies bbq’s with close family and friends, fun in the sun on the beach, sports and activities with colleagues, and sadly…the last holiday of the summer. If you are like most people, you want to find the best vacation or tourist spot to have a great time without breaking the bank.

If you are a native New Yorker, a frequent visitor to the city, or a tourist looking for the perfect place to visit or spend your weekend for cheap, we have come up with 10 perfect attractions to fit your budget and desire for a good time.

1.) The Beach
If you are looking for a family friendly beach check out Staten Island’s South Beach. With a playground, boardwalks, bocce courts, ball field, roller hockey rink, and shuffleboard, kids of all ages will be entertained.
If you want an “adult only” outing Harry’s Bar at Water Taxi is for you. This late night oasis in Queens has a great view of the Manhattan skyline. If you want to end the summer Jersey Shore style hit up Seaside Heights, you never what reality show stars you might run into.

2.) Coney Island
If you are looking for some classic amusement park fun, a freak show, a boardwalks, or some go old burlesque fun, go check out Coney Island. With fun for kids and adults this could be the perfect end to a great summer.

3.) Day in the Park
If you looking for something to do with out spending tons of cash, spend the day in one of many beautiful parks in NYC. If you are looking to bbq, check out Manhattan’s Riverside Park, located at Riverside Drive, West 135 to West 158 Street. With baseball fields, playgrounds, and spray showers, you are in for a cheap day of fun in the sun. If you want to visit the most known park in the world, pack that picnic, grab some friends, and head to Central Park. With guided tours, dog parks, and carousel, you are sure to enjoy your day.

4.) New York Renaissance Fair
The NY Renaissance Fair is guaranteed fun. Take a stroll back in time through Elizabethan England with 16th Century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music, and dance. For ticket information go to http://www.renfair.com/ny/index.asp

5) Snout N’ Stout Neighborhood Pig Roast and Sidewalk Party
Go check out this pig roast in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Catering company Woody’s Pig Roast is teaming up with Mean Red Productions for a North Carolina style BBQ side walk party. The $23 ticket includes a plate of pork smothered in one of three yummy sauces (NC barbecue, pineapple teriyaki or Cuban mojo) plus coleslaw and your choice of potatoes Caesar or fruit salad. Go to www.meanredproductions.com for more info.

6.) Brooklyn County fair
If you’re looking for some less risqué fun that’s suitable for the whole family, head to what’s being dubbed the Brooklyn County Fair: Gowanus Hootenany (388 Carroll St.).
This family-friendly event is set to feature fresh-baked treats, crafts from Etsy, DJs and live music from the Woes, Honne Well and more. Plus, free popsicles for the kids. Can’t beat that.
This is a FREE event. Fun starts at noon. Complete event schedule and details: Brooklyn County Fair: A Gowanus Hootenany

7.) West Indian-American day festival
Returning for the 42nd year, the West Indian-American Day Carnival culminates on Labor Day with a parade that is among the City’s largest. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the parade route along Eastern Parkway, from Rochester Avenue to Grand Army Plaza, to view masqueraders, elaborately designed costumes, live performances and more.

8.) Brooklyn Urban Arts Market
Party and shop at the Brooklyn Urban Arts Market, featuring live music, visual art performances, food from Myrtle Avenue restaurants, and 50 local, DIY vendors selling fashion, art, and accessories. Starts Sunday, Sept. 6th at Myrtle Avenue between Grand Ave. and Emerson Place.

9.) Splish Splash Water Park (Riverhead, Long Island)
Labor Day Weekend is your last chance to take the train to this great water park in Long Island. Splish Splash has 19 water slides, a wave pool, a 1300′ long Lazy River, and more. The park has loads of trees and shady sots plus kiddie areas that have wading pools that are fun for toddlers and little slides that let preschoolers in on the fun. The MTA offers Splish Splash packages that include discounted round-trip rail to/from Ronkonkoma Station, connecting shuttle bus and park admission. Visit the Splish Splash website for more information or call (631) 727-3600. Package Price is: Adult $58.75 Children* (4-11) $46 – Note: kids must be under 48 inches tall.

10.) Shinnecock Pow Wow South Hampton (Shinnecock Reservation, West Gate Road, South Hampton)
This four day harvest festival includes music & dance performances, fire lighting at sunset, demonstrations, foods and native crafts. Admission: Adults: $10 Children: $7 ages 5-12 Seniors: $7 Take the Jitney bus: $10 each plus a short cab ride or take the LIRR which offers a Shinnecock Pow Wow package that includes train, shuttle from train station and festival admissions: $39 for adults & $16 kids. 631-283-6143

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 5:02 pm and is filed under Top 10 Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.