# Weekend getaways from Akron–Canton with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/akron-canton/weekend-getaways/

> The best trip within about five hours of Akron–Canton for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

Last checked: 2026-10-29.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Pittsburgh (about 2 hr 15 min)

The last weekend for both the Alice flower show at Phipps, which is warm and indoors, and the zoo's Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza, which starts at 6 if you want one late night.

- **Fall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, Conservatory hours, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Included with admission. Chrysanthemum displays inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ends Nov. 1. Official page: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar
- **Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, 6–11 p.m., Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. See the zoo's ticket page. Runs nightly through Nov. 1. Official page: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/experiences/events/

## Weekend of Nov 6–8: Dayton (about 3 hr 45 min)

The 50th Original Dayton Train Show fills the fairgrounds with more than 20 running layouts, LEGO trains included, and kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult. Kings Island's Bonus Weekend of rides is in Mason if you want to add a second stop.

- **Original Dayton Train Show**, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Montgomery County Fairgrounds. $10 per adult; kids 12 and under free with a paying adult. The 50th year of this show, with more than 20 operating layouts in HO, N and LEGO plus trains of every scale for sale. Official page: https://www.nmra.org/events/50th-original-dayton-train-show

Also within reach: Buffalo (about 4 hr 30 min): DinoFEST takes over the Buffalo Museum of Science both days: fossil digs, an oobleck pit, a giant foam dig pit, T. Rex films and a dinosaur stage show on Sunday afternoon. Detroit (about 3 hr 45 min): Sesame Street Live at the Fox Theatre on Sunday.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Cleveland (about 1 hr)

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's North Pole Adventure starts Friday. Book the 5 p.m. train and you're back by 6:30.

- **North Pole Adventure**, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 5 p.m. (back 6:30) or 7:55 p.m. (back 9:25), Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Rockside Station, Independence. $60–$110 per person, depending on seat class and date. Runs Nov. 13 to Dec. 22. The 5 p.m. train is back by 6:30. Official page: https://www.cvsr.org/excursions/north-pole-adventure/north-pole-adventure

Also within reach: Cincinnati (about 4 hr 45 min): Holiday Junction opens Friday at Union Terminal: the Duke Energy holiday trains, included with museum admission and entirely indoors.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Columbus (about 2 hr 30 min)

Wildlights opens Friday, and your daytime zoo ticket covers the lights. Arrive at noon, nap in the car and stay until dark.

- **Wildlights**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 12–10 p.m. Fri–Sat; 12–9 p.m. Sun, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Included with zoo admission. Your daytime ticket covers the lights, so you can arrive at noon and stay for dark. Official page: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights

Also within reach: Detroit (about 3 hr 45 min): Wild Lights' opening weekend: more than 500 animal and nature displays, and Santa every night. Pittsburgh (about 2 hr 15 min): Phipps Holiday Magic opens Friday, and Light Up Night is Saturday.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Pittsburgh (about 2 hr 15 min)

The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors.

- **Phipps Holiday Magic**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, See Phipps for hours, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. See Phipps for tickets. Opens Friday, Nov. 20. Official page: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/holiday-magic
- **Zoo Lights Drive-Thru**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 5–10 p.m., Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. $45 per vehicle ($40 members). Select nights. You stay in your car the whole way, and one price covers everyone in it. Official page: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/event/zoo-lights/

Also within reach: Columbus (about 2 hr 30 min): Wildlights, covered by your daytime zoo ticket. Cincinnati (about 4 hr 45 min): Thanksgiving weekend has the most going on here: the zoo's Festival of Lights, Holiday Junction (Santa arrives Friday) and WinterFest opening at Kings Island.

## Weekend of Dec 4–6: Cincinnati (about 4 hr 45 min)

Holiday Junction's holiday model trains run during museum hours and are included with museum admission, an easy daytime outing indoors.

- **Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains**, Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Museum hours, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Included with museum admission. Santa arrives Friday, Nov. 27. Official page: https://www.cincymuseum.org/holiday-junction/

## Other family getaways within 5 hours

We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on.

- **Cedar Point**, Sandusky, OH (about 2 hr from Akron–Canton). Cedar Point in Sandusky bills itself as the roller coaster capital of the world. Official page: https://www.cedarpoint.com/
- **Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial**, Put-in-Bay, OH (about 2 hr 30 min from Akron–Canton). A 352-foot Doric column rises over Lake Erie to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/pevi/index.htm
- **Hocking Hills State Park**, Logan, OH (about 3 hr 30 min from Akron–Canton). Waterfalls spill into deep, hemlock-shaded gorges here, and the Old Man's Cave trail is a moderate 1-mile hike. Official page: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park
- **Ohiopyle State Park**, Ohiopyle, PA (about 3 hr 30 min from Akron–Canton). Kids can sit in the creek bed and ride the water down two natural waterslides in Meadow Run. Official page: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/OhiopyleStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Akron–Canton with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Akron–Canton are Pittsburgh, Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Akron–Canton?**
Cleveland (about 1 hr), Pittsburgh (about 2 hr 15 min), Columbus (about 2 hr 30 min), Toledo (about 2 hr 45 min), Dayton (about 3 hr 45 min), Detroit (about 3 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Akron–Canton?**
Cedar Point (about 2 hr), Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial (about 2 hr 30 min), Hocking Hills State Park (about 3 hr 30 min), Ohiopyle State Park (about 3 hr 30 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.

**Why is the same city picked more than once?**
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.

**Are the times and prices current?**
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.