# Weekend getaways from Miami and Fort Lauderdale with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/miami/weekend-getaways/

> The best trip within about five hours of Miami and Fort Lauderdale 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: Tampa (about 5 hr 15 min, long drive)

Creatures of the Night, ZooTampa’s family Halloween nights, from 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

- **Creatures of the Night**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, From 4 p.m., ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Event ticket. The zoo’s family Halloween nights. Official page: https://zootampa.org/events/creatures-of-the-night/

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Santa at Zoo Lights Miami (Fri Nov 27, 6:30–10pm, Zoo Miami; https://www.zoomiami.org/zoo-lights); Zoo Lights Miami (Fri Nov 27, 6:30–10pm, Zoo Miami; https://www.zoomiami.org/zoo-lights)

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## 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.

- **Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex**, Merritt Island, FL (about 4 hr 15 min from Miami and Fort Lauderdale). You can get a close-up look at Space Shuttle Atlantis, the only space shuttle displayed as if in flight. Official page: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

## Day trips any weekend

- **Palm Beach Zoo**, West Palm Beach (about 1 hr 30 min from Miami and Fort Lauderdale). Kids can see tigers at the Tiger Experience, and the zoo runs Zoo Lights in the holiday season. Hours: Daily 9am–5pm, last entry 4:15pm; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Cost: Prices are on the ticket page. Official page: https://www.palmbeachzoo.org/plan-your-visit
- **John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park**, Key Largo (about 1 hr 30 min from Miami and Fort Lauderdale). Glass-bottom boat tours show the reef without getting wet, and the visitor center has big saltwater aquariums. Hours: 8am to sunset, 365 days a year. Cost: $8 per vehicle plus 50 cents per person. Official page: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park
- **Lion Country Safari**, Loxahatchee (about 1 hr 45 min from Miami and Fort Lauderdale). A drive-through safari where kids watch the animals from the back seat of your own car. Hours: Daily 10am–5pm, last car into the preserve at 4pm; closed Thanksgiving. Cost: $54.99 plus tax ages 10 and up, $43.99 plus tax ages 3–9, 2 and under free; lower rates Monday–Thursday. Official page: https://www.lioncountrysafari.com/ticket-page

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Miami and Fort Lauderdale with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Miami and Fort Lauderdale are Tampa. 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 Miami and Fort Lauderdale with kids?**
Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach (about 1 hr 30 min), John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo (about 1 hr 30 min), Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee (about 1 hr 45 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Miami and Fort Lauderdale?**
Fort Myers–Naples (about 2 hr 45 min), Sarasota–Bradenton (about 4 hr 15 min), Orlando (about 4 hr 30 min), Lakeland (about 4 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Miami and Fort Lauderdale?**
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (about 4 hr 15 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.