# Weekend getaways from Lakeland with kids

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

> The best trip within about five hours of Lakeland 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: 2026-10-29.

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

Creatures of the Night, ZooTampa’s family Halloween nights, from 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

- **Creatures of the Night**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, From 4 p.m., ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Event ticket. The zoo’s family Halloween nights. Official page: https://zootampa.org/events/creatures-of-the-night/

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Orlando (about 1 hr 15 min)

ICE! opens at Gaylord Palms.

- **ICE! at Gaylord Palms**, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, See the resort’s site, Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee. Separately ticketed. Giant ice sculptures, Nov. 13–Jan. 3. Official page: https://www.christmasatgaylordpalms.com/

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Orlando (about 1 hr 15 min)

Dazzling Nights opens at Leu Gardens, plus ICE! at Gaylord Palms.

- **ICE! at Gaylord Palms**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, See the resort’s site, Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee. Separately ticketed. Giant ice sculptures, Nov. 13–Jan. 3. Official page: https://www.christmasatgaylordpalms.com/
- **Dazzling Nights**, Fri Nov 20, Timed entry from 5:30 p.m., Harry P. Leu Gardens. Children $33–$53; adults $35–$56. Opens Friday, Nov. 20; select nights through Jan. 3. Official page: https://www.leugardens.org/Events/Calendar-of-Events/Dazzling-Nights

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Jacksonville (about 3 hr 45 min)

Deck the Chairs at Jacksonville Beach is free every evening, and Saturday’s Holiday River Fest has a tree lighting, a lit boat parade at 6:30 and fireworks, also free.

- **Deck the Chairs**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Evenings, Jacksonville Beach. Free. Student-decorated lifeguard chairs and free holiday entertainment, Nov. 25–Jan. 1. Official page: https://deckthechairs.org/
- **Holiday River Fest and Light Boat Parade**, Sat Nov 28, From 5 p.m.; boat parade 6:30 p.m., Riverfront Plaza. Free. Tree lighting, lit boats on the St. Johns and fireworks. Official page: https://events.jacksonville.gov/special-events/jaxholidayriverfest

Also within reach: Tampa (about 45 min): Christmas in the Wild opens at ZooTampa on Black Friday.

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## 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.

- **Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge**, Crystal River, FL (about 2 hr from Lakeland). Crystal River has the only national wildlife refuge created specifically to protect habitat for the Florida manatee. Official page: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/crystal-river
- **Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex**, Merritt Island, FL (about 2 hr from Lakeland). You can get a close-up look at Space Shuttle Atlantis, the only space shuttle displayed as if in flight. Official page: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
- **Castillo de San Marcos**, St. Augustine, FL (about 3 hr 15 min from Lakeland). The Spanish built Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, and it is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm
- **Lion Country Safari**, Loxahatchee, FL (about 3 hr 45 min from Lakeland). You drive your own car through more than 300 acres where big herds roam open habitats, then park for the animal encounters. Official page: https://www.lioncountrysafari.com/

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Lakeland with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Lakeland are Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville. 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 Lakeland?**
Tampa (about 45 min), Orlando (about 1 hr 15 min), Sarasota–Bradenton (about 1 hr 45 min), Fort Myers–Naples (about 2 hr 45 min), Jacksonville (about 3 hr 45 min), Miami and Fort Lauderdale (about 4 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Lakeland?**
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (about 2 hr), Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (about 2 hr), Castillo de San Marcos (about 3 hr 15 min), Lion Country Safari (about 3 hr 45 min). 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.