Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Next 6 weekends · Oct 23–25 to Nov 27–29

Weekend getaways from New Orleans with kids

The best trip within about five hours of New Orleans for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

6 weekends1 cityClosest: 1h 30m

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From NOLA
Oct 23–25Baton RougeBoo at the Zoo · 1h 30mHaints, Haunts & HalloweenEasy driveOct 30–Nov 1Nothing worth the driveSee this week in New OrleansNov 6–8Nothing worth the driveSee this week in New OrleansNov 13–15Nothing worth the driveSee this week in New OrleansNov 20–22Nothing worth the driveSee this week in New OrleansNov 27–29Baton RougeLouisiana Lights · 1h 30mLSU Burden Museum & GardensFriday fun
How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from New Orleans. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

1h2h3h4h5hBaton RougeNOLA
Baton Rouge1h 30m

Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.

WEEKEND 1
Oct 23–25
1h 30m
Easy drive: under 2 hoursDay trip: home by bedtime

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Oct 23–25: Baton Rouge

about 1 hr 30 min from New Orleans

Boo at the Zoo, 9:30 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday, with trick-or-treat stations.

Boo at the Zoo

Daytime trick-or-treat stations, rain or shine.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Regular zoo admission ($7 ages 2–12, $10 adults)
Official page

Haints, Haunts & Halloween

An old-fashioned Halloween country fair with storytelling and cake walks.

Sun Oct 25 · 2–4:30 p.m.
LSU Rural Life Museum
$6–$12
Official page
Baton Rouge city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Baton Rouge
WEEKEND 2
Oct 30–Nov 1

No pick this weekendWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Nothing worth the drive

We couldn't verify anything within a few hours of New Orleans that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in New Orleans has the local list.

WEEKEND 3
Nov 6–8

No pick this weekendWeekend of Nov 6–8: Nothing worth the drive

We couldn't verify anything within a few hours of New Orleans that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in New Orleans has the local list.

WEEKEND 4
Nov 13–15

No pick this weekendWeekend of Nov 13–15: Nothing worth the drive

We couldn't verify anything within a few hours of New Orleans that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in New Orleans has the local list.

WEEKEND 5
Nov 20–22

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

We couldn't verify anything within a few hours of New Orleans that's worth the trip this weekend. This week in New Orleans has the local list.

WEEKEND 6
Nov 27–29
1h 30m
Friday fun: day-after pickTurkey week: school is out

DestinationWeekend of Nov 27–29: Baton Rouge

about 1 hr 30 min from New Orleans

Opening weekend of Louisiana Lights at Burden Gardens.

Louisiana Lights

An immersive holiday light stroll through the gardens, Nov. 27–Dec. 30.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · From 5:30 p.m.; final entry 8:30 p.m.
LSU Burden Museum & Gardens
Timed tickets
Official page
Baton Rouge city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Baton Rouge
Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

Car snacksMore than you think. Then a few more.
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

Lower Mississippi weekendsAll regionsThis week in New Orleans
Good questions

Weekend trips from New Orleans: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from New Orleans with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from New Orleans are Baton Rouge. 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 New Orleans?

Baton Rouge (about 1 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

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 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.