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 Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey with kids

The best trip within about five hours of Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey 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

3 cities

Closest: 2h

Last checked Oct 29, 2026 against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From Central PA

Oct 30–Nov 1PittsburghFall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn · 4h 15mJack O'Lantern ExtravaganzaOvernight Nov 6–8Nothing worth the driveSee this week in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey Nov 13–15New York CityHoliday Train Show at NYBG · 3h 45mNew York Botanical GardenOvernight Nov 20–22PhiladelphiaSanta’s Workshop at Wild Lights · 2hWild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo · A Longwood Christmas · Christmas Village in PhiladelphiaBest at dusk Nov 27–29PhiladelphiaJingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square · 2hFranklin SquareFriday fun Dec 4–6PhiladelphiaA Longwood Christmas · 2hLongwood GardensBest at dusk

How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

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

Cities we cover (weekly updates)Other family getaways (no event listings)

Baltimore1h 45m

Philadelphia · Lehigh Valley2h

Washington, DC2h 45m

New York City3h 45m

Pittsburgh4h 15m

Fairfield County · Richmond4h 45m

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.

Bushkill Falls Bushkill, PA · about 3 hr 15 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey
Trails and bridges link a series of eight waterfalls in the Pocono Mountains, known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania.
Shenandoah National Park Front Royal, VA · about 3 hr 15 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey
Over 200,000 acres of waterfalls and wooded hollows shelter deer and black bears, just 75 miles from Washington, DC.
Ocean City Ocean City, NJ · about 3 hr 15 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey
Billed as America's Favorite Family Vacation, with a boardwalk along the beach.
Cape May County Park & Zoo Cape May Court House, NJ · about 3 hr 30 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey
A county zoo with free admission and free parking, open every day except Christmas.
Luray Caverns Luray, VA · about 3 hr 45 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey
Luray Caverns are the largest caverns in the eastern United States.
Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle, PA · about 4 hr from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey
Kids can sit in the creek bed and ride the water down two natural waterslides in Meadow Run.

WEEKEND 1

Oct 30–Nov 1

4h 15m

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Pittsburgh

about 4 hr 15 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey

The last weekend for both the Alice flower show at Phipps, which is warm and indoors, and the zoo's Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza, which starts at 6 if you want one late night.

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

Fall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn

Chrysanthemum displays inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ends Nov. 1.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Conservatory hours

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Included with admission

Official page

Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza

Runs nightly through Nov. 1.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · 6–11 p.m.

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

See the zoo's ticket page

Official page

Pittsburgh city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Pittsburgh

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 Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey has the local list.

WEEKEND 3

Nov 13–15

3h 45m

DestinationWeekend of Nov 13–15: New York City

about 3 hr 45 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey

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.

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

Holiday Train Show at NYBG

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 nights

New York Botanical Garden

Timed tickets; see the event page

Official page

New York City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in New York City

WEEKEND 4

Nov 20–22

Destination · 4 picksWeekend of Nov 20–22: Philadelphia

about 2 hr from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey

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.

Leave after lunch, nap in the car, stay until dark.

Santa’s Workshop at Wild Lights

Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23.

Fri Nov 20 · 5–9pm

Elmwood Park Zoo

With Wild Lights admission (adults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online)

Official page

Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo

Opens 11/20; runs through 12/30. Closed Nov 26 and Dec 24–25. Cookie decorating is $10 on select dates.

Fri Nov 20 · 5–9pm; last entry 8:30pm

Elmwood Park Zoo

Adults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online, 0–2 free; $18.95 after 7:30pm

Official page

A Longwood Christmas

Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10.

Fri Nov 20 · Daily 10am–11pm

Longwood Gardens

Adults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under free

Official page

Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Opens 11/21; runs through 12/27. Open 9am–5pm on Thanksgiving and noon–5pm on Christmas Eve. Kids under 12 ride SEPTA free.

Sat Nov 21 · Sun–Thu noon–8pm, Fri–Sat noon–9pm

LOVE Park and City Hall

No admission

Official page

Philadelphia city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Philadelphia

Also within reach

Pittsburgh~4h 15m

Phipps Holiday Magic opens Friday, and Light Up Night is Saturday.

WEEKEND 5

Nov 27–29

Beat traffic: leave Tuesday or early Wednesday

DestinationWeekend of Nov 27–29: Philadelphia

about 2 hr from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey

Jingle and Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square on Friday, 5 to 7pm, and Christmas Village at LOVE Park is open all weekend.

Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square

Opens 11/27; runs through 12/19. Santa photos on select evenings during Holidays in Franklin Square.

Fri Nov 27 · 5–7pm

Franklin Square

See the event page

Official page

Philadelphia city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Philadelphia

Also within reach

Pittsburgh~4h 15m

The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors.

WEEKEND 6

Dec 4–6

DestinationWeekend of Dec 4–6: Philadelphia

about 2 hr from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey

A Longwood Christmas is open daily 10 a.m.–11 p.m., and kids 4 and under are free.

Leave after lunch, nap in the car, stay until dark.

A Longwood Christmas

Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10.

Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Daily 10am–11pm

Longwood Gardens

Adults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under free

Official page

Philadelphia city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Philadelphia

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.

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This week in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey

Good questions

Weekend trips from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey are Pittsburgh, New York City, Philadelphia. 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 Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey?

Baltimore (about 1 hr 45 min), Philadelphia (about 2 hr), Lehigh Valley (about 2 hr), Washington, DC (about 2 hr 45 min), New York City (about 3 hr 45 min), Pittsburgh (about 4 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey?

Bushkill Falls (about 3 hr 15 min), Shenandoah National Park (about 3 hr 15 min), Ocean City (about 3 hr 15 min), Cape May County Park & Zoo (about 3 hr 30 min), Luray Caverns (about 3 hr 45 min), Ohiopyle State Park (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.