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 McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley with kids

The best trip within about five hours of McAllen and the Rio Grande 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 weekends2 citiesClosest: 4h 15m

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From McAllen
Oct 30–Nov 1San AntonioZoo Boo! · 4h 15mSan Antonio ZooOvernightNov 6–8Nothing worth the driveSee this week in McAllen and the Rio Grande ValleyNov 13–15San AntonioZoo Lights! · 4h 15mSan Antonio ZooOvernightNov 20–22Nothing worth the driveSee this week in McAllen and the Rio Grande ValleyNov 27–29San AntonioZoo Lights! · 4h 15mFord Holiday River ParadeOvernightDec 4–6Stay in McAllenChristmas in the ParkStaycation is your best optionStay home
How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

1h2h3h4h5hSan AntonioMcAllen
Cities we cover (weekly updates)Other family getaways (no event listings)
San Antonio4h 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.

  1. Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi, TX · about 3 hr 15 min from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley

    The Texas State Aquarium has dolphin shows at Dolphin Bay.

  2. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels New Braunfels, TX · about 5 hr from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley

    Home of Schlitterbahn, a waterpark built around river rides and slides.

WEEKEND 1
Oct 30–Nov 1
4h 15m
Overnight: pack the PJs

DestinationWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: San Antonio

about 4 hr 15 min from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley

Zoo Boo! runs all three days, with free trick-or-treating from 4 to 5 and the zoo open until 9 on Halloween.

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

Zoo Boo!

Daily trick-or-treating, the new Fiesta de los Muertos and live entertainment.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Free trick-or-treating 4–5pm daily; open until 9pm on Oct 31
San Antonio Zoo
Included with Zoo admission
Official page
San Antonio city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in San Antonio
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 McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley has the local list.

WEEKEND 3
Nov 13–15
4h 15m
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

DestinationWeekend of Nov 13–15: San Antonio

about 4 hr 15 min from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley

Zoo Lights! opens Saturday, Nov 14.

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

Zoo Lights!

Miles of lights, glowing tunnels and Santa photos on select dates; 2026 ticket details still to come.

Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Check the Zoo for 2026 times
San Antonio Zoo
Included with Zoo admission
Official page
San Antonio city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in San Antonio
WEEKEND 4
Nov 20–22

No pick this weekendWeekend of Nov 20–22: Nothing worth the drive

We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley has the local list.

WEEKEND 5
Nov 27–29
4h 15m
Parade day: get there earlyOvernight: pack the PJs

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 27–29: San Antonio

about 4 hr 15 min from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley

The Ford Holiday River Parade on Friday at 6 has a free viewing area (bring a chair; strollers aren’t allowed on the River Walk for the parade), and Zoo Lights is included with zoo admission.

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

Zoo Lights!

Miles of lights, glowing tunnels and Santa photos on select dates; 2026 ticket details still to come.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Check the Zoo for 2026 times
San Antonio Zoo
Included with Zoo admission
Official page

Ford Holiday River Parade

Lit floats and the River Walk lighting the day after Thanksgiving. Strollers aren’t allowed on the River Walk for the parade.

Fri Nov 27 · 6pm
San Antonio River Walk
Tickets for seating; free viewing area (bring a chair)
Official page
San Antonio city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in San Antonio
WEEKEND 6
Dec 4–6
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionFree day: no admission

Stay close to homeWeekend of Dec 4–6: McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley

Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley this weekend.

Christmas in the Park

Free concerts, food and a balloon preview on parade weekend.

Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5 · Fri 5–11pm; Sat noon–11pm
Municipal Park, McAllen
Free admission; carnival bracelet $25
Official page

McAllen Holiday Parade

Helium balloon parade with free park-and-ride from South Texas College.

Sat Dec 5 · 6pm; gates 3:30pm
Bicentennial Blvd. and McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium
Ticketed seating; kids under 3 free
Official page
McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley
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.
More trips

Every region, every weekend

Texas weekendsAll regionsThis week in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley
Good questions

Weekend trips from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley are San Antonio. 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 McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley?

San Antonio (about 4 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

What other family getaways are within 5 hours of McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley?

Texas State Aquarium (about 3 hr 15 min), Schlitterbahn New Braunfels (about 5 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.