The best trip within about five hours of Las Vegas for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. Some weekends only have something farther out, and those are marked as a long drive. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
3 cities
Closest: 5hLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Las Vegas. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
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.
A free shuttle runs through Zion Canyon and Springdale, and the Riverside Walk follows the river toward the Narrows.
The Grand Canyon Railway has left from Williams since 1901, and it runs The Polar Express rides for the holidays.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards.
Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration of hoodoos on Earth, and kids can become Junior Rangers.
Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill, where Pluto was discovered, runs stargazing for visitors.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Las Vegas that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Las Vegas has the local list.
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Las Vegas is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a drive-through, so the kids can stay in pajamas in the back seat. It's priced per car.
Opens 11/06; runs through 01/03. A 3-mile drive-through with 6 million lights. Take I-15 exit 54 (Speedway Blvd.); GPS can send you to a closed gate. Santa Tram rides are $25 a person on select nights.
Fri Nov 6 · From 5pmLas Vegas Motor Speedway
$39 cash or $44 by card per vehicleWe couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Las Vegas that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Las Vegas has the local list.
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Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Las Vegas this weekend.
Opens 11/20; runs through 12/27.
Fri Nov 20 · Evenings, with a timed arrival windowLas Vegas Ballpark, Downtown SummerlinTickets from $27; Santa photo packages extraOpens 11/20; runs through 12/27. A Christmas light maze with Santa, ice skating and a snow slide as paid add-ons.
Fri Nov 20 · Evenings, with a timed arrival windowLas Vegas BallparkFrom $27; prices change by date6h
about 6 hr from Las Vegas · long drive
Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden, with paths lined in luminarias from 5 to 9:30pm. Kids 2 to 17 are $18.95.
This is a long drive, so plan on an overnight.
Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days.
Fri Nov 27 · 5–9:30pmDesert Botanical GardenAdults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95)5h
about 5 hr from Las Vegas
L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Santa photos cost extra on select nights, and the ice rink is ticketed separately. Dec 8 is a sensory-inclusive night. Parking is free. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 14–16, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 4–7.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Box office 5:45–8:45pmLos Angeles ZooAdults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 freePlaces outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
Start at the visitor center for maps and views of the lake, then head down to the shore. Payment at entrance stations is card only.
about 45 min from Las Vegas · Boulder City
Visitor center daily 9am–4:30pm$25 per private vehicleExhibits and an observation deck over the dam, with paid tours deeper inside for older kids. Guided Dam Tour tickets are sold on site only.
about 45 min from Las Vegas · Boulder CityDaily 9am–5pm, doors close 4:15pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas DayVisitor Center $15 per person, ages 3 and under freeBright red sandstone and petroglyphs about an hour from the Strip. Stop at the visitor center first, and go on a cool day.
about 1 hr 15 min from Las Vegas · OvertonOpen daily sunrise to sunset$10 per vehicle with Nevada plates, $15 for out-of-state
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.Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Las Vegas are Phoenix, Los Angeles. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City (about 45 min), Hoover Dam Visitor Center in Boulder City (about 45 min), Valley of Fire State Park in Overton (about 1 hr 15 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Inland Empire (about 4 hr 15 min), Los Angeles (about 5 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Zion National Park (about 3 hr), Grand Canyon Railway (about 4 hr), Big Bear Lake (about 4 hr 15 min), Bryce Canyon National Park (about 4 hr 45 min), Flagstaff (about 4 hr 45 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.
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.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.