Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of Summer, but we’re not going to think of it that way. We refuse, plugging our ears, chanting la-la-la-la-la-la, like a child! There are still so many warm days, bright blue skies, and sultry evenings to come to let the Labor Day Weekend be anything other than just another chance to gather and enjoy great food and drink. With that in mind, our team perused RealFoodTraveler.com (hey, we use it as a resource ourselves), and compiled a handy list of (somewhat arbitrary) Labor Day Celebration Ideas.

Save these tips to Pinterest for your late summer / early fall getaways.

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS: EXPERT TIPS FOR GRILLING 

Former Chef Josh Bettis from Devil’s Thumb Ranch, in Colorado, tells us the biggest mistakes people make when grilling and how to know when your meat is done. Listen to our podcast to get the scoop.

Meat is expensive, especially really high quality meat like Wagyu beef. Chef Al from A Bar N Ranch in Dallas, tells us how to not screw it up and what his simple seasonings are for the best result. Listen to our podcast interview with him (plus hear about the awkward lessons the Ranch learned in the beginning).

What will you be eating over Labor Day Weekend?

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS: RECIPES 

Everything tastes better, and is just more fun to eat, when you’re outside. Make a batch of fried chicken using this authentic recipe from Kentucky, some potato salad, corn on the cob, and a fruit cobbler and you’ve got a perfect picnic. Here’s the recipe for real-deal Kentucky fried chicken.

Prepare to lick your fingers. Lebanon, KY has 40-plus eateries, several of which serve up crispy Southern-style fried chicken. Photo: Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission.

Coleman, the folks who know how to make the most out of cooking and eating outdoors, published the Outdoor Adventure Cookbook. Get a copy, fast, and you’ll be planning a Labor Day celebration feast and making cookout and camping plans for this season and next.

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS: SEASONINGS AND SAUCES 

Gain the reputation for being the outdoor entertaining guru with tips, recipes, tools, sauces and seasonings from the Grill Masters Club. We loved receiving a box each month that was filled with goodies designed to make us better grillers. And it worked!

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS: GEAR AND ACCESSORIES 

Grills are getting bigger and bigger, taking up more room than most patios can accommodate. That’s why we loved the magnetic, attachable/detachable tools from Yukon Glory. Slap ’em on when you need them and remove them when you don’t. Brilliant! Learn about them, and another great grilling tool, here.

This tip has nothing to do with cooking or summer or outdoor celebrations. Wait, yes it does, all of that. You’re gonna sweat. You’re gonna feel less than fresh but there will not be time for a shower. We just discovered (and are kind of obsessed with), Recess wipes and blotting papers. It keeps us looking fresh as a summer daisy!

If you’re by the pool, a lake, the ocean – or just out for a walk, this pretty Tassel Wrap by Mer-Sea makes for a light weight cover up, sarong, or scarf. Get it now for these last warm weeks, and then it’ll be ready for that first warm day of next year.

If RVing is your thing, this RV Superbag is going to be one of those “Why didn’t I think of that” products that’s going to make your life easier and your nights more comfortable.

Labor Day weekend means downtime, like for watching some favorite movies, or settling in with a great book. Choose some from our curated list of Books and Movies for Food and Travel Lovers.

The Mer-Sea Tassel Wrap comes in its own, cute bag for easy storage.

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS: UNIQUE PLACES TO GRAB A DRINK ACROSS THE U.S. 

Sometimes, you just want to hit the road. Holiday weekends are the perfect time for that. How about Hot Springs, Arkansas, which has a brewery that makes beer out of natural spring water?!

How about drinking where George Washington did? Believe it or not, there are quite a few places that are still open for business, where you can enjoy a libation within the same walls that our country’s first president did.

Maybe cider is your speed. You wouldn’t be alone. Cider is definitely having a “moment.” Here’s a list of the top cities across the U.S. for enjoying some.

They call New Mexico the “Land of Enchantment” with good reason – including the foodie scene. Find out where to eat in Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, Superior Bathhouse brews range from light to dark and mild to stout. Photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer.

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS: PLACES TO TENT CAMP OR RV CAMP 

Speaking of hitting the road for a holiday weekend (or anytime), we discovered a couple of great places to camp in tents, cabins or RV’s. Creekfire Motor Ranch is just outside of Savannah, Georgia, allowing you to commune with nature but then go into the city to sightsee and enjoy fine dining.

Less than an hour away from Taos, New Mexico (which is, in turn another hour away from Santa Fe and then Albuquerque, conveniently), we just discovered the Angel Fire Resort RV Park, in Angel Fire, New Mexico. What with a beautiful lodge, amazing views and access to all of the amenities of the main Angel Fire Resort up the road, people say they’ve been spoiled by the experience. We just visited ourselves and haven’t even had a chance to write about it yet, so visit their website to learn more.

RV Camping at Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico, is a pretty luxurious experience. Hang out with fellow RV-ers at the on-site lodge and enjoy beautiful views, live music and cookouts.