# Weekend getaways from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/lancaster-harrisburg/weekend-getaways/

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-29.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Pittsburgh (about 4 hr 15 min)

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.

- **Fall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, Conservatory hours, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Included with admission. Chrysanthemum displays inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ends Nov. 1. Official page: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar
- **Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, 6–11 p.m., Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. See the zoo's ticket page. Runs nightly through Nov. 1. Official page: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/experiences/events/

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: New York City (about 3 hr 45 min)

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.

- **Holiday Train Show at NYBG**, Sat Nov 14, Garden hours; evening hours on select nights, New York Botanical Garden. Timed tickets; see the event page. 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. Official page: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2026/

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Philadelphia (about 2 hr)

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.

- **Santa’s Workshop at Wild Lights**, Fri Nov 20, 5–9pm, Elmwood Park Zoo. With Wild Lights admission (adults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online). Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23. Official page: https://elmwoodparkzoo.org/wildlights/
- **Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo**, 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. Opens 11/20; runs through 12/30. Closed Nov 26 and Dec 24–25. Cookie decorating is $10 on select dates. Official page: https://elmwoodparkzoo.org/wildlights/
- **A Longwood Christmas**, Fri Nov 20, Daily 10am–11pm, Longwood Gardens. Adults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under free. Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Official page: https://longwoodgardens.org/visit
- **Christmas Village in Philadelphia**, Sat Nov 21, Sun–Thu noon–8pm, Fri–Sat noon–9pm, LOVE Park and City Hall. No admission. Opens 11/21; runs through 12/27. Open 9am–5pm on Thanksgiving and noon–5pm on Christmas Eve. Kids under 12 ride SEPTA free. Official page: https://www.philachristmas.com/

Also within reach: Pittsburgh (about 4 hr 15 min): Phipps Holiday Magic opens Friday, and Light Up Night is Saturday.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Philadelphia (about 2 hr)

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**, Fri Nov 27, 5–7pm, Franklin Square. See the event page. Opens 11/27; runs through 12/19. Santa photos on select evenings during Holidays in Franklin Square. Official page: https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/holidays-in-franklin-square/

Also within reach: Pittsburgh (about 4 hr 15 min): The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors.

## Weekend of Dec 4–6: Philadelphia (about 2 hr)

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

- **A Longwood Christmas**, 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. Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Official page: https://longwoodgardens.org/visit

## 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.

- **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. Official page: https://www.visitbushkillfalls.com/
- **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. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
- **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. Official page: https://www.oceancityvacation.com/
- **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. Official page: https://www.capemaycountynj.gov/352/Cape-May-County-Park-Zoo
- **Luray Caverns**, Luray, VA (about 3 hr 45 min from Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey). Luray Caverns are the largest caverns in the eastern United States. Official page: https://luraycaverns.com/
- **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. Official page: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/OhiopyleStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

## 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.