The best trip within about five hours of Augusta for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.
6 weekends
3 cities
Closest: 1h 30mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Augusta. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
We don't post event listings for these places, so check the official page for hours and what's on. The numbers match the map.
Helen is an alpine village in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and families can float down the Chattahoochee River by tube.
Visitors can watch sea turtle rehab in action at Georgia's only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility.
George Vanderbilt built Biltmore, billed as America's largest home, on an 8,000-acre estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Typically 1,000 or more butterflies fly free in the Day Butterfly Center, one of North America's largest tropical butterfly conservatories.
Myrtle Beach sits on the Grand Strand, 60 miles of sandy coastline shared by 14 beach communities.
2h 45m
about 2 hr 45 min from Augusta
Boo in the Zoo has its last evening on Friday, and new this year is a Halloween afternoon session from 1 to 4, which works well for little kids.
Timed tickets. Bring your own treat bag. New this year: a Halloween afternoon session.
Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31 · 3–8 p.m. entry; Oct. 31 session 1–4 p.m.Greenville Zoo
$15; members $12; $3 trick-or-treat add-on3h 15m
about 3 hr 15 min from Augusta
Pirates' Christmas Weekend at the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, plus the last day of Tricks and Treats at Carowinds on Saturday, 11 to 5:30.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
The park's daytime, no-scares Halloween, with a costume contest, candy and family rides before the evening haunt takes over.
Sat Nov 7 · 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Nov. 7 closes at 5:30 p.m.CarowindsIncluded with park admissionJousting, 16 stages of music, comedy and circus acts, and more than 1,000 costumed villagers. Nov. 7–8 is Pirates' Christmas Weekend and Nov. 14–15 is Time Travelers' Weekend. Free parking, rain or shine; last weekend is Nov. 21–22.
Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville4 and under always free; kids 5–12 free with a school-supply donation Nov. 14–15; see the festival for ticket prices3h 15m
about 3 hr 15 min from Augusta
Time Travelers' Weekend at the Carolina Renaissance Festival: kids 5 to 12 get in free with a school-supply donation, and 4 and under are always free. Parking is free too.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Jousting, 16 stages of music, comedy and circus acts, and more than 1,000 costumed villagers. Nov. 7–8 is Pirates' Christmas Weekend and Nov. 14–15 is Time Travelers' Weekend. Free parking, rain or shine; last weekend is Nov. 21–22.
Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville4 and under always free; kids 5–12 free with a school-supply donation Nov. 14–15; see the festival for ticket pricesGarden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Kids 2 and under don't need a ticket.
1h 30m
about 1 hr 30 min from Augusta
Opening weekend for Fireflies Holiday Lights and Riverbanks Wild Lights.
More than 2 million lights, with Santa nightly.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 6–9pmSegra ParkSee tickets onlineWildlife lanterns, nightly snowfall and Santa.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 5–9pmRiverbanks Zoo & GardenTickets sold from Nov 22h 45m
about 2 hr 45 min from Augusta
Disney On Ice is at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena over Thanksgiving weekend.
In Greenville Nov. 25–29.
Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · See the tour page for show timesBon Secours Wellness ArenaSee the tour page
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Augusta that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Augusta has the local list.
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Augusta are Greenville, Charlotte, Columbia. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Columbia (about 1 hr 30 min), Greenville (about 2 hr 45 min), Savannah (about 2 hr 45 min), Atlanta (about 2 hr 45 min), Charlotte (about 3 hr 15 min), Charleston (about 3 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Helen (about 3 hr 30 min), Georgia Sea Turtle Center (about 4 hr 15 min), Biltmore (about 4 hr 15 min), Callaway Gardens (about 4 hr 15 min), Myrtle Beach (about 4 hr 30 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.
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.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.