# Weekend getaways from Las Vegas with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/las-vegas/weekend-getaways/

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-29.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Staycation is your best option: Las Vegas is the regional pick 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.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Las Vegas. Santa at Enchant Christmas (Fri Nov 20, Evenings, with a timed arrival window, Las Vegas Ballpark, Downtown Summerlin; https://www.enchantchristmas.com/las-vegas/); Enchant Christmas (Fri Nov 20, Evenings, with a timed arrival window, Las Vegas Ballpark; https://www.enchantchristmas.com/las-vegas/)

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Phoenix (about 6 hr, 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.

- **Las Noches de las Luminarias**, Fri Nov 27, 5–9:30pm, Desert Botanical Garden. Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95). 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. Official page: https://dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias/

## Weekend of Dec 4–6: Los Angeles (about 5 hr)

L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free.

- **L.A. Zoo Lights**, Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Box office 5:45–8:45pm, Los Angeles Zoo. Adults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 free. 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. Official page: https://www.lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/zoolights/

## 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.

- **Zion National Park**, Springdale, UT (about 3 hr from Las Vegas). A free shuttle runs through Zion Canyon and Springdale, and the Riverside Walk follows the river toward the Narrows. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/zion/
- **Grand Canyon Railway**, Williams, AZ (about 4 hr from Las Vegas). The Grand Canyon Railway has left from Williams since 1901, and it runs The Polar Express rides for the holidays. Official page: https://www.thetrain.com/
- **Big Bear Lake**, Big Bear Lake, CA (about 4 hr 15 min from Las Vegas). Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards. Official page: https://www.bigbear.com/
- **Bryce Canyon National Park**, Bryce Canyon City, UT (about 4 hr 45 min from Las Vegas). Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration of hoodoos on Earth, and kids can become Junior Rangers. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/brca/
- **Flagstaff**, Flagstaff, AZ (about 4 hr 45 min from Las Vegas). Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill, where Pluto was discovered, runs stargazing for visitors. Official page: https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/

## Day trips any weekend

- **Lake Mead National Recreation Area**, Boulder City (about 45 min from Las Vegas). 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. Hours: Visitor center daily 9am–4:30pm. Cost: $25 per private vehicle. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/fees.htm
- **Hoover Dam Visitor Center**, Boulder City (about 45 min from Las Vegas). Exhibits and an observation deck over the dam, with paid tours deeper inside for older kids. Guided Dam Tour tickets are sold on site only. Hours: Daily 9am–5pm, doors close 4:15pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Cost: Visitor Center $15 per person, ages 3 and under free. Official page: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/
- **Valley of Fire State Park**, Overton (about 1 hr 15 min from Las Vegas). Bright red sandstone and petroglyphs about an hour from the Strip. Stop at the visitor center first, and go on a cool day. Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset. Cost: $10 per vehicle with Nevada plates, $15 for out-of-state. Official page: https://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Las Vegas with little kids?**
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.

**What are good day trips from Las Vegas with kids?**
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.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Las Vegas?**
Inland Empire (about 4 hr 15 min), Los Angeles (about 5 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Las Vegas?**
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.

**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.