Is this your situation? You promised yourself—and others—that 2022 would be the year those great Labor Day Weekend plans were actually, y’know, planned months in advance. Now, with less than three weeks to go, here you are, yet to lift a finger or click a mouse for a hotel reservation. If that’s the deal, you came to the right place. Here are a dozen epic, last-minute trips to book for Labor Day Weekend, whether you’re craving mountain adventure or a cosmopolitan escape.
Nikolas Koenig
1. Asbury Ocean Club in Asbury Park, NJ
This LDW, head to this gorgeous oceanfront retreat in the artsy, thrumming town of Asbury Park. Yes, the same one where Bruce Springsteen launched his career. There’s a big surf culture here, so bring your board if you skip waves, or just pack a few books to enjoy from the pool deck with a stellar view of the Atlantic. To celebrate summer’s sweet conclusion, catch Motown greats, the Commodores at Asbury Lanes, September 2, or check out Gotham Smash Burger x Asbury Brewing Company September 3 at Asbury Ocean Club’s sister property, The Asbury Hotel (from $695/night) for juicy burgers and hoppy brews. A leisurely stroll along the nearly 130-year-old boardwalk doesn’t disappoint, nor does a jaunt to The Stone Pony’s outdoor stage and beer garden.
Looking for a trip down the shore later in September? Book your stay around the Full Moon Party at The Asbury Hotel (September 9-11). This woo-woo fest will be led by celebrity psychic medium Sarah Potter, and includes a Full Moon ceremony under the stars, complete with night swims and live tunes.
The lure of Maine peaks in late summer, and this bucolic retreat is where you want to spend your holiday weekend enjoying it. Perched on Casco Bay—a short water taxi ride from Portland—prepare yourself for a summer camp throwback in the remote backcountry of coastal Maine. Under the resplendent shade of two-and-a-half acres of trees, play cornhole, bocce ball, croquet, badminton, volleyball, or ladder toss—or all of ‘em (available by request at the front desk). The inn also has you a stone’s throw from biking and hiking trails on craggy coastlines, sandy beaches, tennis, golf, and fishing excursions.
If you want to get your craft beer fix, transportation to and from Portland is provided upon request for swinging by a brewery or two. When you’re ready to relax, nothing beats lazing in an Adirondack chair with a “Sunset Landing” cocktail and appetizer menu, or lounging on the porch for the designated “Summer Reading Hour.”
[Starting rate for September 1 is $299, with a minimum three-night stay for LDW; chebeagueislandinn.com]
Rosewood Washington D.C.
3. Rosewood Washington, D.C.
There’s something about D.C. in the summer. If you’re looking for a city getaway here, set your sights on this winning hotel, complete with 55 superb accommodations including the city’s first standalone Townhouses (from $1,900/night). Spend your long weekend at the rooftop pool with the city skyline glimmering in the background and noshing at the property’s CUT by Wolfgang Puck or CUT Bar and Lounge. Before you skip town, book a Potomac River Cruise through the hotel. The private water tour includes a picnic lunch from the CUT culinary wizards.
There’s no shortage of natural draws to this singular Jersey Shore hideaway—starting with a private boat charter right from the hotel’s docks, where kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and Hobie Mirage Eclipse stand-up pedalboards are at the ready. Then it’s on to the property’s Salt Spa for flotation therapy or a massage. Beachfront fun here inludes complimentary daily beach service in a chauffeured electric car, followed by a bayfront meal at Water Star Grille. Downtown is brimming with small-town shops, perfect for browsing pre-beach and/or after your 8 a.m. yoga class on the roof garden sun deck (included with your stay). You may only be 90 minutes from Philly or two hours and 45 minutes from NYC, but otherwise these breezy, luxury resort digs are a world apart.
It’s off to “the end of the world” you go to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. During your stay, embrace Montauk’s famous surf culture, gaze at the scenic bluffs, and swing by the Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by President George Washington in 1792. Other items on your itinerary should include TailWrapped Sportfishing for an off-shore fishing charter and Montauk Brewing Company for a tipple. To “rough it,” camp out on the beach at Hither Hills State Park or stay in renovated motel-style accommodations at Hartman’s Briney Breezes Beach Resort (from $495/night).
Gurney’s Resorts
We’d be remiss not pointing you towards Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa (from $1,025/night)—featuring a newly revamped spa with the only ocean-fed seawater pool in North America, plus indoor-outdoor treatment rooms overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and a eucalyptus steam room. Otherwise, post up on the resort’s 2,000-foot stretch of private beach in a daybed or lounge sofa before heading to Scarpetta Beach for fresh catch like seared scallops, charred octopus, and branzino.
The Bay Area is spoiled with some of the best weather of the year come September, and this bayfront lodge is a fine option to spend the last of your summer Fridays. Tucked off the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, you’ll be surrounded by a soul-restoring 75,000 acres of national parkland filled with some of the most gorgeous hiking and biking trails in the Bay Area. Try hiking from the ocean to the top of Montara Mountain at Rancho Corral de Tierra if you have a half-day or more.
For a longer journey to Muir Woods or Rodeo Beach, grab one of the hotel’s in-house Lexus vehicles for the day—or hop on a complimentary vintage e-bike to wander around Sausalito. When your sore Achilles needs a break, book a treatment at the property’s Healing Arts Center & Spa for a massage or cupping treatment.
Make it a Sullivan County summer for the books at Kenoza Hall, an idyllic lakefront property about two hours from New York City. They’ve got aerial yoga, a pool, barrel sauna, and the stellar Hemlock Spa—plus the recently unveiled group of ten luxury accommodations that’s a hat tip to the late-19th-century bungalow colonies in the Catskills. Should you choose to leave your bloody mary and moules frites lunch from the property’s restaurant patio, head to Roscoe, just a few minutes away. Anglers and imbibers alike will adore “Trout Town USA,” thanks to streams galore and Do Good Spirits, Roscoe Beer Co., and The Junction.
Lawrence Braun
During your trip, be sure to make a reservation at The DeBruce, a hotel and restaurant in nearby Livingston Manor for a memorable multi-course tasting menu ($225 per person). It’s well worth the pretty penny, with innovative dishes like trout consommé, chicken liver with saltines (an homage to original Polish and Jewish communities from the Catskills’ heyday), and chocolate made with burned bread and pine ice cream with sorrel, gooseberry, and maple. The property has a private trail system and private fly-fishing. A few, winding miles away, Upward Brewing is located on a public park with hiking trails and a mountain nicknamed “Beer Mountain”—for enjoying that mile-high brewski.
Golfers, this one’s for you. Venture to the newly transformed PGA National Resort, which reopened last spring after a $100 million renovation. The spectacular property now features a pair of new golf courses, a new restaurant collection, and a spa designed by Venus Williams’ V Starr (the tennis pro’s first spa). During Labor Day Weekend, guests receive the special offer of 15% off accommodations, a $75 resort credit, and complimentary self-parking. When you’re not on the The Palmer or The Estate course, play tennis or pickleball, or feast at The Butcher’s Club or Honeybelle.
Itching to scratch Oregon off your list? A voyage to Brasada Ranch is a good place to introduce yourself to the Beaver State. Located just a half-hour from Bend, the luxury ranch’s cinematic views of the Cascade Range are your backdrop here. Pamper yourself with Labor Day weekend offerings like horseback riding to the top of Spirit Rock or a nature walk, guided meditation, and yoga with jaw-dropping high desert views. Once you’re all sweated up, cool off at the adults-only pool, which will be playing tunes and serving up craft beers and local wine by Silver Moon Brewery and Treasury Wine Estates. Close out the day at Brasada’s Feast From The Fire, showcasing a three-course family-style meal with ingredients from local farms and live music from beloved regional acts.
You can spend your days on these sprawling 2,000 acres golfing, hiking, fishing, biking, playing volleyball, shooting hoops, or just lounging at one of the many fire pits around the property with new friends or old. Accommodations here run the gamut from lodge suites to cabins.
Other must-visits include live music at BB King’s and a fancy dinner at speakeasy Itta Bena (up the fire escape above BB King’s), and a BBQ ribs spread at Rendezvous. Of course, you’ll have to drop by Elvis’ home, Graceland, and visit the National Civil Rights Museum. If you can, spend an afternoon at one of the Memphis River Parks. Our vote is Mud Island or Greenbelt.
11. The Foundry Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a town right after our sensibilities: great beer, great mountains, great people. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, pack your hiking boots for long days experiencing the grandeur that is Great Smoky Mountains National Park—and your flip-flops for a smattering of microbrewery tastings. Asheville has one of the highest numbers of breweries per capita in the entire country. Make The Foundry Hotel, housed within the city’s old steel foundry, your home away from home. The hotel offers one-on-one neighborhood tours with an on-site historian, a Tesla Model X house car to take a spin on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and an onsite restaurant Benne on Eagle which doles out critically acclaimed Appalachian cuisine.
The big (as in humongous) don’t-miss attraction in these parts is the Biltmore Estate—the largest private residence in the U.S. Chill out afterwards with a Picnic in the Block Experience on the property’s great lawn via the hotel’s partnership with Dreamscape Luxury Picnics. For more tips on where to climb, bike, hike, and brewery hop, check out our guide here.
Minnesota in September is always a good idea. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have some incredible urban greenspaces, superb craft beers, and lakes, lakes, lakes. There are 11,842 of them in the state. Hop on a bike and push your pedals along the Twin Cities’ portion of the Mississippi River Trail as it follows the mighty river from north Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul and beyond. We’re also drawn to voyages along the Midtown Greenway, a 5.5-mile former railroad corridor bike highway for south Minneapolis, and a traipse through the amazing House of Balls art gallery.
The famed Mall of America is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, if tax-free shopping beckons you indoors. When it comes time to call it a night, our top two choices are Hewing Hotel (from $300/ night), located in the thrumming North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, and St. Paul Hotel, one of the “Historic Hotels of America” (from $199/night).
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
Courtesy image
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
