The best trip within about five hours of Dallas–Fort Worth for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
2 cities
Closest: 3h 30mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Dallas–Fort Worth. 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.
Oklahoma's largest waterfall at 77 feet, with swimming below the falls in season.
Home of Schlitterbahn, a waterpark built around river rides and slides.
A wildlife refuge known for its roaming herds of bison and longhorn.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Dallas–Fort Worth that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Dallas–Fort Worth has the local list.
3h 30m
about 3 hr 30 min from Dallas–Fort Worth
The OKC Renaissance and Scottish Festival at Fair Park has jousting, falconry and fire breathers. Kids are $5, and every advance adult ticket comes with a free kid ticket.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Jousting, falconry, fire breathers, magicians, pirates and fairies, and turkey legs.
Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.OKC Fair Park, between Gates 1 and 2
Adults $13 in advance, $17 at the gate; kids $5; 2 and under free; one free kid ticket (12 and under) with each advance adult ticket3h 30m
about 3 hr 30 min from Dallas–Fort Worth
The Devon Ice Rink opens Friday, and Safari Lights opens at the zoo on Saturday. Little skaters can rent a penguin helper for $10 an hour.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Outdoor rink downtown. Opens Nov. 13.
Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Fri 3–11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.Myriad Botanical Gardens$15 with skate rental; penguin skate helper $10 an hourWildlife lanterns by car or on foot, nightly from Nov. 14. Timed tickets in advance.
Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · 5:30–11 p.m.Oklahoma City ZooWalk-thru from $14; drive-thru combo from $60 per vehicleGalaxy Lights at Space Center Houston, 6 to 10pm. Kids 3 and under are free, and the indoor exhibits are right there if it rains.
3h 30m
about 3 hr 30 min from Dallas–Fort Worth
Safari Lights at the zoo in the evening, and the downtown ice rink opens at 11 on Saturday, before nap.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Outdoor rink downtown. Opens Nov. 13.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · Fri 3–11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.Myriad Botanical Gardens$15 with skate rental; penguin skate helper $10 an hourWildlife lanterns by car or on foot, nightly from Nov. 14. Timed tickets in advance.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 5:30–11 p.m.Oklahoma City ZooWalk-thru from $14; drive-thru combo from $60 per vehicleSugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field. The family four-pack is $59 on select dates, and early-bird prices end November 20.
3h 30m
about 3 hr 30 min from Dallas–Fort Worth
Safari Lights and the Devon Ice Rink.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Outdoor rink downtown. Opens Nov. 13.
Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Fri 3–11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.Myriad Botanical Gardens$15 with skate rental; penguin skate helper $10 an hourWildlife lanterns by car or on foot, nightly from Nov. 14. Timed tickets in advance.
Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · 5:30–11 p.m.Oklahoma City ZooWalk-thru from $14; drive-thru combo from $60 per vehicle4h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Dallas–Fort Worth
Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field is open Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/03. Includes photos with Santa nightly through Dec 23. A sensory-friendly night is Dec 15.
Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Evening times on the ticket pageConstellation FieldFamily 4-pack $59 on select dates; early-bird prices through Nov 20Places outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
Real dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy riverbed, best seen when the water is low. Day passes can sell out, so reserve ahead.
about 1 hr 30 min from Dallas–Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Gates 6am–10pm daily, office 8:30am–4:30pm$8 per adult 13 and up, kids 12 and under freeA 7.2-mile drive-through where giraffes and antelope come up to the car, and each car gets a bag of feed. The Overlook halfway around has a café and restrooms.
about 1 hr 45 min from Dallas–Fort Worth · Glen RoseOpen year-round except Thanksgiving and Dec 24–25; gates open 8:30amPer person, priced by date; buy ahead online. 2 and under freeA walkable zoo set in a large city park, sized well for a few hours with young kids.
about 2 hr from Dallas–Fort Worth · WacoDaily 9am–5pm, last entry 4:30pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's DayAdults $18, kids 3–12 $14, 2 and under free
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 Dallas–Fort Worth are Oklahoma City, Houston. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose (about 1 hr 30 min), Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose (about 1 hr 45 min), Cameron Park Zoo in Waco (about 2 hr). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Oklahoma City (about 3 hr 30 min), Austin (about 3 hr 45 min), Houston (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Turner Falls Park (about 2 hr 15 min), Schlitterbahn New Braunfels (about 4 hr 30 min), Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (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.