The best trip within about five hours of Boston 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
4 cities
Closest: 1h 15mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Boston. 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.
An open-air museum in Plymouth that tells the stories of the Wampanoag and English people who met on this shore.
Beluga whales are the stars here, and the aquarium also keeps African penguins and California sea lions.
Three floors of hands-on exhibits plus Maddy's Theatre, which the museum calls the longest-running children's theatre in the nation.
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Boston this weekend.
Opens 11/01; runs through 12/24. An elevator ride to the North Pole, then Santa photos. The mall warns of 3 to 4 hour waits for weekend walk-ups.
Sun Nov 1 · Daily; see the booking pageNatick Mall
Photo packages; reservations encouraged
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Boston that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Boston has the local list.
4h 45m
about 4 hr 45 min from Boston
The Holiday Train Show opens Saturday at the New York Botanical Garden, with model trains running past New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Opens 11/14; runs through 01/10. Model trains run past New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts. Evening hours run 5–8pm on Nov 27–29 and select December dates.
Sat Nov 14 · Garden hours; evening hours on select nightsNew York Botanical GardenTimed tickets; see the event page
2h
about 2 hr from Boston
Glow Hartford opens Friday inside the Connecticut Convention Center, an indoor light festival with a trackless train, and kids 3 and under get in free.
Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23. Glow tickets are needed to get in.
Fri Nov 20 · During Glow hoursConnecticut Convention Center
Free photo with Santa with a Glow ticketOpens 11/20; runs through 12/23. An indoor light festival with a trackless train and a holiday market. It takes about 2 hours, and you enter at a timed slot.
Fri Nov 20 · Select dates; see the calendarConnecticut Convention CenterAdults $34, kids 4–15 $24, 3 and under free (fees included)1h 15m
about 1 hr 15 min from Boston
The Holiday Lights Spectacular opens Friday at Roger Williams Park Zoo, a walk through 40 acres of lights that takes about an hour to an hour and a half, and strollers are welcome.
Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. A walk through 40 acres of lights. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Strollers are allowed, and rentals are at the entrance.
Fri Nov 27 · 5–9:30pmRoger Williams Park Zoo$13–$15; buy online aheadOpens 11/27; runs through 01/03. A new light festival at the Pawtucket stadium, with a holiday market and Santa.
Fri Nov 27 · See the ticket pageCentreville Bank StadiumTickets on sale Nov 10
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Boston that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Boston 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 Boston are New York City, Hartford and New Haven, Providence. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Worcester (about 1 hr), Providence (about 1 hr 15 min), Hartford and New Haven (about 2 hr), Fairfield County (about 3 hr 15 min), Albany (about 3 hr 30 min), New York City (about 4 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Plimoth Patuxet Museums (about 1 hr), Mystic Aquarium (about 2 hr), Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (about 2 hr 15 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.