Guests are increasingly discovering great places to stay close to home. Over the past five years, the number of nights Airbnb guests spend within 300 miles of home (about a tank of gas) has nearly doubled.1 Even though international travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels, the trend toward local travel shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, local travel is growing twice as fast as long-distance travel on Airbnb.2
Late-summer holidays like Labor Day in the United States are a great opportunity to stay close to home. In 2023, more than half of Airbnb stays in the United States during Labor Day weekend took place on less than a tank of gas. Particularly in large states like California, Florida, and Texas, and in states known for their outdoor activities, like Oregon, Alaska, and North Carolina, many guests rely on Airbnb to discover destinations close to home. The following U.S. states had the highest percentage of guests staying in their home state during the first half of 2024.
By using Airbnb to travel locally, travelers can discover off-the-beaten-path destinations close to home, while saving time and money. Families can forgo expensive flights, spend more time relaxing rather than coordinating logistics, and find a unique Airbnb listing that offers an experience in itself.
Additionally, by offering visitors affordable, nearby accommodations, Airbnb helps boost tourism and local economies, particularly in domains with few or no hotels. In 2023, Airbnb guests in the United States spent an average of $210 per day on attractions, transportation, and small businesses as part of their stay, including about $65 at local restaurants.3 This made it possible to generate an estimate $80 billion of visitor spending across the country last year alone.
Plan Your Last Minute Labor Day Getaway
Even though Labor Day is right around the corner, it's not too late to plan a last-minute getaway. And what better way to find inspiration than to look to where the locals go?
Below, we've rounded up some of the hottest Labor Day destinations booked by locals.4 From the nation's bourbon capital of Louisville, Kentucky, to coastal getaways like North Topsail Beach in North Carolina and South Padre Island in Texas, each of these destinations are Labor Day travel spots that locals love.
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Somerville, Massachusetts
- Syracuse, New York State
- Big Bear Lake, California
- New Haven, Connecticut
- North Topsail Beach, North Carolina
- South Padre Island, Texas
- Ocean City, New Jersey
To further inspire the end of summer holidays, we have also highlighted some of our Guest Favorites which were the most reserved by the locals.5 Many of these unique listings are destinations in themselves, allowing guests to experience an adventure without traveling far from home.
Please note: All listings mentioned in this article are for inspiration and illustration purposes only. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse these listings or any other listings on the platform.
