The best trip within about five hours of Hartford and New Haven 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 45mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Hartford and New Haven. 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.
Beluga whales are the stars here, and the aquarium also keeps African penguins and California sea lions.
An open-air museum in Plymouth that tells the stories of the Wampanoag and English people who met on this shore.
Trails and bridges link a series of eight waterfalls in the Pocono Mountains, known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania.
Three floors of hands-on exhibits plus Maddy's Theatre, which the museum calls the longest-running children's theatre in the nation.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Hartford and New Haven that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Hartford and New Haven has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Hartford and New Haven that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Hartford and New Haven has the local list.
2h 45m
about 2 hr 45 min from Hartford and New Haven
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.
Leave after lunch, nap in the car, stay until dark.
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 Garden
Timed tickets; see the event page
0 min
Hartford and New Haven is our pick for the whole region this weekend. 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)Christmas Village is free at LOVE Park and City Hall, and Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo runs 5 to 9pm with Santa's Workshop inside.
1h 45m
about 1 hr 45 min from Hartford and New Haven
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 10Jingle and Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square on Friday, 5 to 7pm, and Christmas Village at LOVE Park is open all weekend.
4h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Hartford and New Haven
A Longwood Christmas is open daily 10 a.m.–11 p.m., and kids 4 and under are free.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Daily 10am–11pmLongwood GardensAdults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 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 Hartford and New Haven are New York City, Providence, Philadelphia. 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 15 min), Fairfield County (about 1 hr 15 min), Providence (about 1 hr 45 min), Boston (about 2 hr), Albany (about 2 hr 15 min), New York City (about 2 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Mystic Aquarium (about 1 hr 15 min), Plimoth Patuxet Museums (about 2 hr 45 min), Bushkill Falls (about 3 hr 30 min), Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (about 4 hr). 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.