Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Next 6 weekends · Oct 30–Nov 1 to Dec 4–6

Weekend getaways from Houston with kids

The best trip within about five hours of Houston 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 weekends2 citiesClosest: 3h 30m

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From Houston
Oct 30–Nov 1San AntonioZoo Boo! · 3h 30mSan Antonio ZooOvernightNov 6–8Nothing worth the driveTry a day trip insteadNov 13–15Stay in HoustonGalaxy Lights at Space Center HoustonStaycation is your best optionStay homeNov 20–22Stay in HoustonSugar Land Holiday LightsStaycation is your best optionStay homeNov 27–29San AntonioZoo Lights! · 3h 30mFord Holiday River ParadeOvernightDec 4–6Stay in HoustonSugar Land Holiday LightsStaycation is your best optionStay home
How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from Houston. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

1h2h3h4h5hAustinSan AntonioDallas–Fort WorthBaton RougeHouston
Cities we cover (weekly updates)Other family getaways (no event listings)
Austin3h
San Antonio3h 30m
Dallas–Fort Worth4h 30m
Baton Rouge5h

Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.

Other family getaways within 5 hours

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.

  1. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels New Braunfels, TX · about 3 hr 15 min from Houston

    Home of Schlitterbahn, a waterpark built around river rides and slides.

  2. Waco Mammoth National Monument Waco, TX · about 3 hr 30 min from Houston

    See the nation's only recorded nursery herd of Columbian mammoths.

  3. Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi, TX · about 4 hr from Houston

    The Texas State Aquarium has dolphin shows at Dolphin Bay.

WEEKEND 1
Oct 30–Nov 1
3h 30m
Overnight: pack the PJs

DestinationWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: San Antonio

about 3 hr 30 min from Houston

Zoo Boo! runs all three days, with free trick-or-treating from 4 to 5 and the zoo open until 9 on Halloween.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Zoo Boo!

Daily trick-or-treating, the new Fiesta de los Muertos and live entertainment.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Free trick-or-treating 4–5pm daily; open until 9pm on Oct 31
San Antonio Zoo
Included with Zoo admission
Official page
San Antonio city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in San Antonio
WEEKEND 2
Nov 6–8

No pick this weekendWeekend of Nov 6–8: Nothing worth the drive

We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Houston that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Houston has the local list.

WEEKEND 3
Nov 13–15
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionBest at dusk: lights after dark

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Nov 13–15: Houston

Houston is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston, 6 to 10pm. Kids 3 and under are free, and the indoor exhibits are right there if it rains.

Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston

Opens 11/14; runs through 01/03.

Sat Nov 14 · 6–10pm (tickets until 9pm)
Space Center Houston
$19.95–$27.95 over age 3; 3 and under free
Official page
Houston city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Houston

If you'd rather hit the road

San Antonio~3h 30m

Zoo Lights! opens Saturday, Nov 14.

WEEKEND 4
Nov 20–22
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionGrateful: family weekend

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Nov 20–22: Houston

Houston is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field. The family four-pack is $59 on select dates, and early-bird prices end November 20.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights

Opens 11/20; runs through 01/03. Includes photos with Santa nightly through Dec 23. A sensory-friendly night is Dec 15.

Fri Nov 20 · Evening times on the ticket page
Constellation Field
Family 4-pack $59 on select dates; early-bird prices through Nov 20
Official page
Houston city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Houston
WEEKEND 5
Nov 27–29
3h 30m
Parade day: get there earlyOvernight: pack the PJs

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 27–29: San Antonio

about 3 hr 30 min from Houston

The Ford Holiday River Parade on Friday at 6 has a free viewing area (bring a chair; strollers aren’t allowed on the River Walk for the parade), and Zoo Lights is included with zoo admission.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Zoo Lights!

Miles of lights, glowing tunnels and Santa photos on select dates; 2026 ticket details still to come.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Check the Zoo for 2026 times
San Antonio Zoo
Included with Zoo admission
Official page

Ford Holiday River Parade

Lit floats and the River Walk lighting the day after Thanksgiving. Strollers aren’t allowed on the River Walk for the parade.

Fri Nov 27 · 6pm
San Antonio River Walk
Tickets for seating; free viewing area (bring a chair)
Official page
San Antonio city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in San Antonio
WEEKEND 6
Dec 4–6
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionBest at dusk: lights after dark

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Dec 4–6: Houston

Houston is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field is open Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights

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 page
Constellation Field
Family 4-pack $59 on select dates; early-bird prices through Nov 20
Official page
Houston city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Houston
Any weekend

Day trips from Houston

Places outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.

Moody Gardens

Three glass pyramids hold an aquarium, a rainforest and a science center, so a rainy day still works.

about 1 hr from Houston · Galveston
Hours change week to week and are posted every Friday on the hours page
Tickets are sold per attraction; prices are on the hours and pricing page
Official page

Brazos Bend State Park

Alligators sun themselves along the lake trails, and the George Observatory in the park opens on Saturday nights.

about 1 hr from Houston · Needville
Daily 8am–10pm; reservations recommended because the park often fills
$7 per person 13 and up, 12 and under free
Official page

Sea Center Texas

A free aquarium and fish hatchery with tanks of Texas Gulf fish, a good short stop for little kids.

about 1 hr from Houston · Lake Jackson
Tuesday–Saturday 9am–4pm, Sunday 1–4pm
Free; donations appreciated
Official page
Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

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.
More trips

Every region, every weekend

Texas weekendsAll regionsThis week in Houston
Good questions

Weekend trips from Houston: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from Houston with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Houston are San Antonio. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

What are good day trips from Houston with kids?

Moody Gardens in Galveston (about 1 hr), Brazos Bend State Park in Needville (about 1 hr), Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson (about 1 hr). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.

Which cities are within an easy drive of Houston?

Austin (about 3 hr), San Antonio (about 3 hr 30 min), Dallas–Fort Worth (about 4 hr 30 min), Baton Rouge (about 5 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Houston?

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels (about 3 hr 15 min), Waco Mammoth National Monument (about 3 hr 30 min), Texas State Aquarium (about 4 hr). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.

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 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.