# Weekend getaways from Charlotte with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/weekend-getaways/

> The best trip within about five hours of Charlotte 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: 2026-10-18.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25: Greenville (about 1 hr 45 min)

Boo in the Zoo with timed tickets, which keeps the paths from getting packed. Bring your own treat bag.

- **Boo in the Zoo**, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 3–8 p.m. entry; Oct. 31 session 1–4 p.m., Greenville Zoo. $15; members $12; $3 trick-or-treat add-on. Timed tickets. Bring your own treat bag. New this year: a Halloween afternoon session. Official page: https://www.greenvillezoo.com/boo-in-the-zoo

Also within reach: Columbia (about 1 hr 45 min): Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks, 6 to 9 nightly.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Greenville (about 1 hr 45 min)

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.

- **Boo in the Zoo**, 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-on. Timed tickets. Bring your own treat bag. New this year: a Halloween afternoon session. Official page: https://www.greenvillezoo.com/boo-in-the-zoo

Also within reach: Columbia (about 1 hr 45 min): The last night of Boo at the Zoo is Friday.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Staycation is your best option: Charlotte is the regional pick this weekend. 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.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

Staycation is your best option: Charlotte is the regional pick this weekend. 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. If you'd rather go somewhere: Charleston (about 4 hr): Opening weekend of the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Raleigh (about 2 hr 45 min)

The NC Chinese Lantern Festival opens Saturday in Cary. The paths are paved and stroller-friendly, and the 4:30 twilight session is less crowded.

- **NC Chinese Lantern Festival**, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 6–10 p.m.; twilight session gates 4:30 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. See Koka Booth for prices; 2 and under free. Paved, stroller-friendly paths. The 4:30 twilight session has smaller crowds. Most people take 45 to 75 minutes. Official page: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/chinese-lantern-festival

Also within reach: Columbia (about 1 hr 45 min): Opening weekend for Fireflies Holiday Lights and Riverbanks Wild Lights. Knoxville (about 4 hr): Disney On Ice is at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum Thursday through Sunday.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Greenville (about 1 hr 45 min)

Disney On Ice is at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena over Thanksgiving weekend.

- **Disney On Ice**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, See the tour page for show times, Bon Secours Wellness Arena. See the tour page. In Greenville Nov. 25–29. Official page: https://www.disneyonice.com/en-us/tickets/

Also within reach: Columbia (about 1 hr 45 min): Fireflies Holiday Lights and Wild Lights, with Santa. Raleigh (about 2 hr 45 min): The Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary.

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Charlotte with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Charlotte are Greenville, Raleigh. 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 Charlotte?**
Greenville (about 1 hr 45 min), Columbia (about 1 hr 45 min), Raleigh (about 2 hr 45 min), Knoxville (about 4 hr), Charleston (about 4 hr), Savannah (about 4 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**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 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.