WEEKEND 1
Oct 30–Nov 1
No pick this weekendWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Nothing worth the drive
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Lehigh Valley that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Lehigh Valley has the local list.
Next 6 weekends · Oct 30–Nov 1 to Dec 4–6
Weekend getaways from Lehigh Valley with kids
The best trip within about five hours of Lehigh Valley 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
2 cities
Closest: 1h 30mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Departures
From Lehigh ValleyHow far is fun?
Everything within 5 hours
Each ring is one hour of driving from Lehigh Valley. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Cities we cover (weekly updates)Other family getaways (no event listings)
Philadelphia1h 30m
New York City · Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey2h
Fairfield County3h
Baltimore3h 15m
Washington, DC · Syracuse4h
Albany · Hartford and New Haven4h 15m
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 1 hr 15 min from Lehigh Valley
Trails and bridges link a series of eight waterfalls in the Pocono Mountains, known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania.
- Ocean City Ocean City, NJ · about 2 hr 45 min from Lehigh Valley
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 from Lehigh Valley
A county zoo with free admission and free parking, open every day except Christmas.
- Shenandoah National Park Front Royal, VA · about 4 hr 30 min from Lehigh Valley
Over 200,000 acres of waterfalls and wooded hollows shelter deer and black bears, just 75 miles from Washington, DC.
- Mystic Aquarium Mystic, CT · about 4 hr 45 min from Lehigh Valley
Beluga whales are the stars here, and the aquarium also keeps African penguins and California sea lions.
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 Lehigh Valley that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in Lehigh Valley has the local list.
WEEKEND 3
Nov 13–15
2h
DestinationWeekend of Nov 13–15: New York City
about 2 hr from Lehigh Valley
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
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 nightsNew York Botanical Garden
Timed tickets; see the event page
WEEKEND 4
Nov 20–22
1h 30m
Destination · 4 picksWeekend of Nov 20–22: Philadelphia
about 1 hr 30 min from Lehigh Valley
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
Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23.
Fri Nov 20 · 5–9pmElmwood Park ZooWith Wild Lights admission (adults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online)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 8:30pmElmwood Park ZooAdults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online, 0–2 free; $18.95 after 7:30pmA Longwood Christmas
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10.
Fri Nov 20 · Daily 10am–11pmLongwood GardensAdults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under freeChristmas 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–9pmLOVE Park and City HallNo admissionAlso within reach
Hartford and New Haven~4h 15m
Glow Hartford opens Friday inside the Connecticut Convention Center, an indoor light festival with a trackless train, and kids 3 and under get in free.
WEEKEND 5
Nov 27–29
1h 30m
DestinationWeekend of Nov 27–29: Philadelphia
about 1 hr 30 min from Lehigh Valley
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 · 5–7pmFranklin SquareSee the event pageWEEKEND 6
Dec 4–6
1h 30m
DestinationWeekend of Dec 4–6: Philadelphia
about 1 hr 30 min from Lehigh Valley
A Longwood Christmas is open daily 10 a.m.–11 p.m., and kids 4 and under are free.
A Longwood Christmas
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Daily 10am–11pmLongwood GardensAdults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under freeLittle-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.More trips
Every region, every weekend
Good questions
Weekend trips from Lehigh Valley: the FAQ
Where can we go for a weekend from Lehigh Valley with little kids?
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Lehigh Valley are 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 Lehigh Valley?
Philadelphia (about 1 hr 30 min), New York City (about 2 hr), Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey (about 2 hr), Fairfield County (about 3 hr), Baltimore (about 3 hr 15 min), Washington, DC (about 4 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Lehigh Valley?
Bushkill Falls (about 1 hr 15 min), Ocean City (about 2 hr 45 min), Cape May County Park & Zoo (about 3 hr), Shenandoah National Park (about 4 hr 30 min), Mystic Aquarium (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.