Top Cheap 2025 Labor Day Weekend Flights from Austin

Posted on August 12, 2025November 3, 2025 by Alyse Nicole

Top Cheap 2025 Labor Day Weekend Flights from Austin

If you’re itching for a quick getaway this Labor Day weekend but don’t want to spend a fortune, you’re in luck. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) offers a variety of affordable nonstop and one-stop flights for the Aug 29 – Sep 1, 2025 holiday. From vibrant city escapes to sunny beaches, here are the best cheap Labor Day weekend flights from Austin plus tips to snag the lowest summer getaway deals before they disappear.

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1. Las Vegas (LAS) — Nonstop Fun in the Desert

With plenty of nonstop options on Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and Delta, Vegas tops the list for value and variety. Roundtrip fares typically range from $100–$250, with Frontier and Spirit sometimes dipping even lower. Make time for nightlife, shows, and possible day trips to the Grand Canyon.

Where to Stay in Vegas

Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

2. Denver (DEN) — Affordable Mountain Escape

Frontier, Southwest, and United make Denver an easy choice for outdoor lovers. Expect $110–$260 roundtrip and nonstop flights throughout the day. Spend your long weekend hiking in the Rockies, exploring breweries, or catching a Rockies game.

3. Los Angeles (LAX / BUR / SNA) — West Coast on a Budget

American, Delta, Southwest, and Spirit keep LA area prices competitive. Typical fares run $130–$300, and flash sales can drop lower. Enjoy the beach, Hollywood sights, and endless food options.

Stay at The LINE Hotel in Los Angeles.

4. Phoenix (PHX) — Short Hop, Big Savings

American, Southwest, and Frontier offer $80–$220 roundtrip flights to Phoenix, with frequent nonstop service. Explore desert trails, speakeasies, Old Town Scottsdale, or relax at a resort pool.

5. Chicago (ORD/MDW) — Windy City for the Win

Nonstops on American, United, and Southwest make Chicago a very accessible city break. Fares usually range $150–$350 depending on your choice of airport. This trip is perfect for deep-dish pizza, museums, and lakefront strolls.

6. Miami / Fort Lauderdale (MIA/FLL) — Beaches and Nightlife

American, Spirit, and Frontier offer nonstop service (seasonal schedules vary). Roundtrip fares average $160–$350. Enjoy South Beach, Art Deco architecture, and Cuban cuisine in the Sunshine State.

7. New York (JFK/LGA/EWR) — Big Apple Energy

JetBlue (seasonal), American, and Delta provide nonstop options, with plenty of one-stop flights as well. Expect $150–$350 roundtrip. Hit the Big Apple for Broadway shows, iconic landmarks, and world-class dining.

Quick Tips for Scoring the Best Deals

Book ASAP! Holiday weekend fares climb quickly.
Set price alerts on Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner for instant fare-drop notifications.
Be flexible. Depart Thursday night or return Tuesday morning for savings.
Compare nearby airports like San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston for potential bargains.
Watch baggage fees. Ultra-low-cost carriers offer rock-bottom fares but charge extra for bags and seat selection.

Labor Day weekend is the perfect excuse for a quick adventure, and flying from Austin gives you plenty of affordable options. Whether you want the bright lights of Las Vegas, the fresh air of Denver, or the beaches of Miami, now’s the time to book! With smart timing and a little flexibility, you can score a cheap ticket and make the most of the last long weekend of summer.

You may also like Ask a Local: Things to Do in New York City

Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks Near Austin, TX in 2025

Posted on July 1, 2025November 12, 2025 by Alyse Nicole

Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks Near Austin, TX in 2025

Looking for the best places to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Austin, TX, and nearby cities like Round Rock, Pflugerville, Manor, and Georgetown? Whether you’re craving live music, family-friendly festivals, or grand fireworks finales, I’ve got your 2025 Independence Day plans covered!

Here’s your ultimate guide to the top firework shows and 4th of July events happening on July 4, 2025 in Central Texas.

photo credit: Long Center for the Performing Arts

Austin, TX — Star-Spangled Celebrations in the Capital

Austin Symphony H-E-B July 4th Concert & Fireworks

📍 Auditorium Shores / Long Center Lawn

🕐 Live music begins ~5:00 p.m. | Fireworks ~9:30 p.m.

Experience Austin’s most popular Fourth of July celebration with a free patriotic concert by the Austin Symphony followed by a spectacular fireworks show over Lady Bird Lake. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars!

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic & Fireworks

📍 Germania Insurance Amphitheater at Circuit of the Americas

🕐 Doors 3:00 p.m. | Fireworks after final performance

Celebrate with a Texas legend! Willie Nelson headlines this epic day of live music, featuring special guests like Bob Dylan, The Mavericks, and more. The night ends with an epic fireworks finale that lights up the COTA sky.

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival

📍 Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave

🕐 All-day festival | Fireworks at night

This all-ages event includes shopping, food trucks, music, and a splash pad for the kids—plus a big fireworks show to end the night.

Round Rock, TX — Small Town Charm, Big-Time Fireworks

Frontier Days Festival & Sertoma Parade

📍 Old Settlers Park, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, TX

🕐 All-day activities | Fireworks ~9:00 p.m.

Start the day with a patriotic parade and stay for a full festival with carnival rides, live music, and food vendors. The night wraps with a dazzling fireworks show over Old Settlers Park.

Round Rock Express Red, White & Blue Night

📍 Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, TX

🕐 Game starts 7:15 p.m. | Fireworks immediately after

Catch a baseball game with the Round Rock Express and stay for a postgame fireworks display—perfect for sports fans and families alike.

Pflugerville, TX — Pfun for the Whole Family

Red, White & Boom Pfireworks Show

📍 Typhoon Texas Field, 18500 TX-130 N. Service Road, Pflugerville, TX

🕐 Fireworks ~9:00 p.m.

Celebrate with water park thrills, live music, and delicious eats at Pflugerville’s signature Independence Day event. Stake out a spot near Typhoon Texas for a great view of the “Pfireworks” display!

Georgetown, TX — Classic Americana

Sertoma 4th of July Family Celebration

📍 San Gabriel Park & McMaster Athletic Fields

🕐 Events start 10:00 a.m. | Fireworks ~9:30 p.m.

Enjoy a day full of old-fashioned fun: a hometown parade, live music, car show, arts & crafts, and kids’ activities. End your day with a booming fireworks show lighting up the Georgetown sky.

Manor, TX — Local Vibes and High-Flying Fun

Manor 4th of July Celebration

📍 15317 US Hwy 290 E, East Manor Development

🕐 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Fireworks near 10:00 p.m.

This family-friendly event features games, music, food trucks, and even a skydiving performance! Stick around for the fireworks show as the perfect patriotic finish.

Pro Tips for 4th of July in Central Texas

Arrive early to find parking and a great viewing spot.
Bring water, sunscreen, and shade—it’s Texas in July!
Use rideshare or carpool if parking is limited.
Check city websites for updates or weather delays.

Final Spark

Whether you want a laid-back picnic, a legendary live show, or a hometown celebration, Austin and its neighboring towns offer some of the best 4th of July fireworks in Texas. Mark your calendars, gather your crew, and get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a BANG!

How to Prepare for ACL Festival

Posted on September 28, 2022November 11, 2025 by Alyse Nicole

How to Prepare for ACL Festival

It’s festival season! So here’s some last minute tips on how to prepare for ACL Festival to help out this year’s attendees. Keep reading for all the things I wish I knew before going.

What to Wear

Of course everyone wants to dress their best, but do yourself a favor and wear comfy cute clothes, like a tank top and shorts. Whatever you do, DON’T WEAR HEELS! I saw it with my own eyes, people not realizing how much walking was involved or that you’re literally out there for an entire day. Save yourself and your feet by just saying no. You may get away with some brands of cowboy boots, but think more like cute sneakers or even something you don’t mind getting dirty.

Consider bringing a towel or bandana because you’re 100% going to sweat, and you’ll need something to wipe it off. You can even wear the bandana as a headband to catch sweat going into your face while still looking kind of cute.

Prepare for the Weather

Though ACL Fest is in October, it’s still going to be hot because Texas. Plus, there’s literally thousands of people around you putting off massive body heat. So dress light, drink lots of water, and since you’ll be outside for a full day, apply and reapply sunscreen.

There will be stations for you to refill your water bottle. So bring one or purchase one there. Also, not weather related, but don’t try to sneak in alcohol. They will find it!

Download the App

The ACL Fest app is very convenient and helps make sure you don’t miss anyone you wanted to see. It shows you who’s performing when on what stage, and you can mark the shows you’re interested in so you don’t forget. It also shows where everything is located, like the water stations, the VIP or GA+ sections, special pop-ups, etc. It’s nice to have, and you can just delete it right after til next year.

Free $5 from American Express

If you have an American Express card, you can link it to your wristband and receive a $5 credit to use for food, drinks, merch, whatever! You’ll also be able to use your wristband to make all your purchases while you’re there. So, there’s no need to bring cash or your card to accidentally lose in the sea of people around you.

What to Bring

Bring a small backpack or drawstring bag with you to hold water, a towel or bandana, a portable charger, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, deodorant, etc. Yes, you read that correctly. BRING DEODORANT! Again, it’s going to be hot. You’ll more than likely sweat off your deodorant, even your antiperspirant. So, bring it with you to reapply as needed.

You may be able to get free canned or bottled water at some booths. Get it, and put it in your bag for later. Be sure to drink plenty of water while you’re there.

More Bang for Your Buck

Regardless of what wristband level you had this year, I strongly suggest getting the GA+ wristbands. They don’t cost much more than the GA wristbands, and you get access to a shaded sitting area with a huge screen to watch shows while you cool down. In this area, there’s also private air conditioned restrooms, food vendors, and a bar. Oh, and did I mention all the free water you can drink??

I know VIP has more bells and whistles, but if you want to fully experience the actual festival, GA+ is all you need. Just pop into the private section for a bit to rest and recharge. Then, get back out there to enjoy the shows!

These are just a few tips I wanted to share to make sure you had the best experience possible at this year’s ACL Festival. Also, remember. If you’re feeling under the weather, please stay home. Yours and everyone else’s health and safety are more important than a wasted wristband or missing some music acts. Stay safe and smart, and hopefully I’ll meet you by the flags at ACL Festival 2025!

Ask a Local: Things to Do in New York City

Posted on October 6, 2021November 12, 2025 by Alyse Nicole

Ask a Local: Things to Do in New York City

William and I are visiting New York for the first time and want to squeeze in as many activities as possible during our trip. I was searching must see attractions, restaurants, you name it. Then I thought why not ask someone who actually lives there?? So, I did just that.

I asked my friend Joyce of JoyofMyLife a few questions about things to do in New York City and thought I’d share her answers with you.

Joyce is a content creator from New York. Her YouTube channel, JoyofMyLife, started as a fun way to make videos but has now become a platform where she ultimately wants to empower her audience to embrace what makes them unique!

As a Black woman working in the tech industry by day, Joyce strives to show on JoyofMyLife that developers or coders don’t have to fit the typical stereotype and can still be successful while having outside interests like fashion and beauty!

What food spots do you recommend (restaurants, stands, etc.)?

Some places off the top of my head include Il Cortile in Little Italy, Industry Kitchen in South Street Seaport, Tacombi in the Financial District, The Cabin NYC in Alphabet City, and BLVD Bistro in Harlem, but there’s so many different types of food in New York that I don’t think you’ll get bored.

What’s your favorite side of town or borough?

Hmm, that’s a good question. if I had to pick one, I would say the areas surrounding Union Square – West Village, Chelsea, and Flatiron District..

What’s something tourists think about New York that isn’t true?

Hailing a taxi is not as glamorous as it is in the movies. I can’t remember the last time I was in an actual taxi; I always use the subway or walk if it’s close enough.

Do you have any touristy guilty pleasures? If so, what?

When I was in high school, I went on a class trip to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center). It was such a beautiful view, and I have been meaning to go again. So yeah, basically any type of place with a nice skyline view. The Edge is next on my list of touristy things to do. lol

Is there a #1 must see attraction that you recommend to visitors?

I always say the High Line since it’s more of a leisurely attraction, and you can visit it on a day where you’re not as jam packed with activities. You can decide if you want to walk the entire length or just part of it, and you are also able to see some nice views of the city and the Hudson River.

The South Street Seaport is nice too, with views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Is New York Pizza really that good?

YES! I haven’t found any pizza that is better than New York’s.

What local businesses do you suggest for us to support?

Gooey on the Inside! Such good cookies!

I want to thank Joyce for her amazing answers. They definitely added more to our “things to do” list! It was very refreshing to get a local’s point of view instead of reading other tourists tell about their trips and experiences.

I plan to get a local’s suggestions whenever we visit somewhere new from now on. Also, be sure to check out Joyce’s social media outlets. She’s the best! Her links are below.

JoyofMyLife

Email: contact@joyofmylife.com

YouTube: YouTube.com/JoyofMyLife

Instagram: Instagram.com/ItsJoyofMyLife

What to Pack for a Camping Trip

Posted on April 7, 2021November 12, 2025 by Alyse Nicole

WHAT TO PACK FOR A CAMPING TRIP

Last October, William and I went camping together for the first time at Big Bend Ranch State Park. We each had different camping experiences when we were younger, but this was our first time doing primitive camping. So we wanted to make sure we had everything we needed since we’d be basically in the middle of nowhere with zero cell service.

We’re super excited to be going back to Big Bend Ranch very soon. So, I thought I’d bring you all along as we prep for the trip in case you decide to visit the great outdoors this spring or summer.

panoramic view of our campsite in Big Bend Ranch State Park — our campsite

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The Necessities

I’ll start with what you’ll definitely need for your trip. Then, we can talk about things that are nice to bring along, just in case. So, the necessities are:

a tent with stakes
sleeping bag or several blankets
lantern or flashlight
batteries
portable charger
first-aid kit
sunscreen
deep woods insect repellent
1 gallon of water per person per day
a separate gallon or more of water for cleaning and misc.
knife
firewood and kindling
matches or other fire starter
cooler
pots, skillet, cooking utensils, and eating utensils
plates, bowls, cups, or mugs (depending on what you plan to eat or drink)
towels
hand sanitizer
toilet paper
a spade or small shovel (if there’s no bathroom nearby)
washcloths
toothbrush, toothpaste
unscented biodegradable soap
canned goods and easy to cook foods
can opener
tape
trash bags

Nice to Have Items

These next items aren’t necessary for your trip, but they may make it more enjoyable.

lawn chairs
plastic tablecloth (if a picnic table is available at the campsite. Trust me!)
a small grill
sleeping pad
headlamp
small folding table (if a picnic table isn’t nearby)
hammock
cord or rope
grill rack
cards and board games
binoculars
reading material
action camera (like a GoPro)
baby wipes

Clothing

Something to remember when camping is that the weather can change at any time, especially when camping somewhere like Big Bend Ranch. The nights are waaay colder than the day. So try bringing multiple options such as:

short sleeve and long sleeve shirts
a sweatshirt
a jacket
socks
thick socks
pants
shorts
underwear (of course)
bandana or sweat band
sneakers
maybe hiking boots
flip flops
stretchy pants, like leggings or yoga pants
swimsuit
warm pajamas (a MUST)
rain gear
maybe long johns

These are all great items to have, some less necessary than others, but it’s a nice list to help you realize what you may want or need to pack for your camping trip. Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments if you have any additional suggestions.