# Weekend getaways from Houston with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/houston/weekend-getaways/ > 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. Last checked: 2026-10-29. ## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: San Antonio (about 3 hr 30 min) Zoo Boo! runs all three days, with free trick-or-treating from 4 to 5 and the zoo open until 9 on Halloween. - **Zoo Boo!**, 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. Daily trick-or-treating, the new Fiesta de los Muertos and live entertainment. Official page: https://sazoo.org/zooboo/ ## Weekend of Nov 6–8 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 13–15 Staycation is your best option: Houston is the regional pick 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. If you'd rather go somewhere: San Antonio (about 3 hr 30 min): Zoo Lights! opens Saturday, Nov 14. ## Weekend of Nov 20–22 Staycation is your best option: Houston is the regional pick 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. ## Weekend of Nov 27–29: San Antonio (about 3 hr 30 min) 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. - **Zoo Lights!**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Check the Zoo for 2026 times, San Antonio Zoo. Included with Zoo admission. Miles of lights, glowing tunnels and Santa photos on select dates; 2026 ticket details still to come. Official page: https://sazoo.org/sitewrench-calendar/san-antonio-zoo/?swwpc_calendar_id=839&swwpc_event_date=2026-11-14&swwpc_event_id=5830305 - **Ford Holiday River Parade**, Fri Nov 27, 6pm, San Antonio River Walk. Tickets for seating; free viewing area (bring a chair). Lit floats and the River Walk lighting the day after Thanksgiving. Strollers aren’t allowed on the River Walk for the parade. Official page: https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ford-holiday-river-parade/ ## Weekend of Dec 4–6 Staycation is your best option: Houston is the regional pick this weekend. Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field is open Saturday and Sunday evenings. ## Other family getaways within 5 hours We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on. - **Schlitterbahn New Braunfels**, New Braunfels, TX (about 3 hr 15 min from Houston). Home of Schlitterbahn, a waterpark built around river rides and slides. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/schlitterbahnnewbraunfels - **Waco Mammoth National Monument**, Waco, TX (about 3 hr 30 min from Houston). See the nation's only recorded nursery herd of Columbian mammoths. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/waco/ - **Texas State Aquarium**, Corpus Christi, TX (about 4 hr from Houston). The Texas State Aquarium has dolphin shows at Dolphin Bay. Official page: https://www.texasstateaquarium.org/ ## Day trips any weekend - **Moody Gardens**, Galveston (about 1 hr from Houston). Three glass pyramids hold an aquarium, a rainforest and a science center, so a rainy day still works. Hours: Hours change week to week and are posted every Friday on the hours page. Cost: Tickets are sold per attraction; prices are on the hours and pricing page. Official page: https://www.moodygardens.org/hours/ - **Brazos Bend State Park**, Needville (about 1 hr from Houston). Alligators sun themselves along the lake trails, and the George Observatory in the park opens on Saturday nights. Hours: Daily 8am–10pm; reservations recommended because the park often fills. Cost: $7 per person 13 and up, 12 and under free. Official page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/brazos-bend - **Sea Center Texas**, Lake Jackson (about 1 hr from Houston). A free aquarium and fish hatchery with tanks of Texas Gulf fish, a good short stop for little kids. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9am–4pm, Sunday 1–4pm. Cost: Free; donations appreciated. Official page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishing/sea-center-texas/ ## 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.