Make the last long weekend of summer ‘19 a memorable one. This Labor Day, be spontaneous and take part in one of these annual New York traditions. Planning in advance is not required!
Go to the Summer HD Festival
Lincoln Center is closing its Summer HD Festival with the presentation of the opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Cilea on Monday, September 2, 2019 at 8pm. This event is free, no tickets are required but seating is on a first come first serve basis. Get there early because there are only around 3,000 seats, plus a standing area in Lincoln Center Plaza.
Go Shopping for Deals
Labor Day is the warm up for Black Friday. That doesn’t mean that sales won’t be worth your time. Many large chains and department stores are offering great discounts over Labor Day weekend. We recommend visiting the following stores early on Labor Day or simply following their social media updates to get an idea of what you’ll find:
Department Stores
Macy’s
Bloomingdales
Saks Fifth Avenue
Chains around Times Square
H&M
Urban Outfitters
Gap
Forever 21
Uniqlo

Peruse Artwork at Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
The most colorful Labor Day tradition takes place in the heart of Greenwich Village. The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit is a favorite mellow and cultural activity. What can be more relaxing than strolling around a beautiful park while taking in beautiful artwork? You’ll find fine art, photography, crafts and sculpture. If you’re looking for the next original painting to hang in your home, this is a must.
Look for Happy Hours or Special Menus
Do you want to avoid crowded stores, performance venues and exhibits on Labor Day? Go to OpenTable and look for lunch and dinner specials on Labor Day. You can make reservations for Happy Hour at Le Rivage (French, Theater District) , Woodpecker by David Burke (American, NoMad), Farmer & The Fish - Gramercy (Seafood, Gramercy/Flatiron), Bazar Tapas Bar and Restaurant (Tapas, NoMad) and many more.
Did you love these ideas? Get more travel trips to the Big Apple at The Manhattan Club blog.