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 Northwest Arkansas with kids

The best trip within about five hours of Northwest Arkansas 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: 2h 15m

Last checked Oct 29, 2026 against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From NW Arkansas

Oct 30–Nov 1TulsaHallowZOOeen · 2h 15mTulsa ZooNap in the car Nov 6–8Oklahoma CityOKC Renaissance and Scottish Festival · 4hOKC Fair Park, between Gates 1 and 2Overnight Nov 13–15Oklahoma CityDevon Ice Rink · 4hSafari LightsOvernight Nov 20–22Oklahoma CityDevon Ice Rink · 4hSafari LightsOvernight Nov 27–29TulsaRhema Christmas Lights · 2h 15mBotanic Garden of LightsFriday fun Dec 4–6TulsaRhema Christmas Lights · 2h 15mRhema campus, Broken ArrowFree day

How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

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

Cities we cover (weekly updates)Other family getaways (no event listings)

Tulsa2h 15m

Little Rock3h 30m

Oklahoma City4h

Kansas City4h 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.

Buffalo National River Jasper, AR · about 1 hr 45 min from Northwest Arkansas
Established in 1972, the Buffalo flows freely for 135 miles under massive bluffs in the Ozark Mountains.
Silver Dollar City Branson, MO · about 2 hr 15 min from Northwest Arkansas
This 1880s theme park near Branson has more than 40 rides and attractions, and craftsmen like glassblowers work in the open.
Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs, AR · about 3 hr 45 min from Northwest Arkansas
Historic bathhouses line this park, where ancient thermal springs and forested hikes sit right in the middle of town.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park Camdenton, MO · about 4 hr from Northwest Arkansas
The ruins of a stone castle look out over a huge natural bridge and the Lake of the Ozarks.

WEEKEND 1

Oct 30–Nov 1

2h 15m

DestinationWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Tulsa

about 2 hr 15 min from Northwest Arkansas

HallowZOOeen has a Halloween afternoon session from 2 to 5, with Goblin Stops and carnival games. It aims for spooky but not too scary.

HallowZOOeen

Goblin Stops for treats and carnival games. Spooky but not too scary. Online reservations required.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31 · Day sessions 2–5 p.m. (Oct. 25, 31); night sessions 6–9 p.m. (Oct. 24, 25, 30)

Tulsa Zoo

$19.99; members $14.99; 2 and under free with a ticket

Official page

Tulsa city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Tulsa

Also within reach

Little Rock~3h 30m

Howl-O-ween at the Little Rock Zoo on Halloween, 9 to 4, included with regular admission ($9.95 ages 3 to 12).

Kansas City~4h 15m

Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

WEEKEND 2

Nov 6–8

DestinationWeekend of Nov 6–8: Oklahoma City

about 4 hr from Northwest Arkansas

The OKC Renaissance and Scottish Festival at Fair Park has jousting, falconry and fire breathers. Kids are $5, and every advance adult ticket comes with a free kid ticket.

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

OKC Renaissance and Scottish Festival

Jousting, falconry, fire breathers, magicians, pirates and fairies, and turkey legs.

Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

OKC Fair Park, between Gates 1 and 2

Adults $13 in advance, $17 at the gate; kids $5; 2 and under free; one free kid ticket (12 and under) with each advance adult ticket

Official page

Oklahoma City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Oklahoma City

Also within reach

Kansas City~4h 15m

The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings.

WEEKEND 3

Nov 13–15

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 13–15: Oklahoma City

about 4 hr from Northwest Arkansas

The Devon Ice Rink opens Friday, and Safari Lights opens at the zoo on Saturday. Little skaters can rent a penguin helper for $10 an hour.

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

Devon Ice Rink

Outdoor rink downtown. Opens Nov. 13.

Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Fri 3–11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

$15 with skate rental; penguin skate helper $10 an hour

Official page

Safari Lights

Wildlife lanterns by car or on foot, nightly from Nov. 14. Timed tickets in advance.

Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · 5:30–11 p.m.

Oklahoma City Zoo

Walk-thru from $14; drive-thru combo from $60 per vehicle

Official page

Oklahoma City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Oklahoma City

Also within reach

Kansas City~4h 15m

GloWild lanterns, Wednesday to Sunday evenings.

WEEKEND 4

Nov 20–22

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 20–22: Oklahoma City

about 4 hr from Northwest Arkansas

Safari Lights at the zoo in the evening, and the downtown ice rink opens at 11 on Saturday, before nap.

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

Devon Ice Rink

Outdoor rink downtown. Opens Nov. 13.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · Fri 3–11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

$15 with skate rental; penguin skate helper $10 an hour

Official page

Safari Lights

Wildlife lanterns by car or on foot, nightly from Nov. 14. Timed tickets in advance.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 5:30–11 p.m.

Oklahoma City Zoo

Walk-thru from $14; drive-thru combo from $60 per vehicle

Official page

Oklahoma City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Oklahoma City

Also within reach

Kansas City~4h 15m

GloWild at the zoo, the Pigeon's holiday show at Crown Center and the Ice Terrace next door. Do one before nap and one after.

WEEKEND 5

Nov 27–29

2h 15m

Beat traffic: leave Tuesday or early Wednesday

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 27–29: Tulsa

about 2 hr 15 min from Northwest Arkansas

Two kinds of lights: Rhema's are free to walk, with a $5 kids' train, and the Botanic Garden has s'mores and Santa every night.

Rhema Christmas Lights

Millions of lights on the campus, free to walk or drive. The train runs nightly, first come, first served.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · 5:30–11:30 p.m.

Rhema campus, Broken Arrow

Free; train rides $5 kids 4–12, $10 adults

Official page

Botanic Garden of Lights

S'mores over fire pits and Santa every night from Nov. 27 to Dec. 23. Timed tickets.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · 5–9 p.m.

Tulsa Botanic Garden

$20 adults, $9 ages 3–15, 2 and under free

Official page

Tulsa city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Tulsa

Also within reach

Oklahoma City~4h

Safari Lights and the Devon Ice Rink.

Kansas City~4h 15m

The Crown Center tree lighting and Santa's arrival on Friday, plus GloWild.

WEEKEND 6

Dec 4–6

2h 15m

DestinationWeekend of Dec 4–6: Tulsa

about 2 hr 15 min from Northwest Arkansas

Rhema Christmas Lights is free to see, and train rides are $5 for kids 4–12.

Rhema Christmas Lights

Millions of lights on the campus, free to walk or drive. The train runs nightly, first come, first served.

Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · 5:30–11:30 p.m.

Rhema campus, Broken Arrow

Free; train rides $5 kids 4–12, $10 adults

Official page

Tulsa city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Tulsa

Also within reach

Kansas City~4h 15m

GloWild's giant lanterns line a one-way path at the zoo, about an hour's walk, open 6–10 p.m. all three nights.

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

Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas weekends

All regions

This week in Northwest Arkansas

Good questions

Weekend trips from Northwest Arkansas: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from Northwest Arkansas with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Northwest Arkansas are Tulsa, Oklahoma City. 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 Northwest Arkansas?

Tulsa (about 2 hr 15 min), Little Rock (about 3 hr 30 min), Oklahoma City (about 4 hr), Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Northwest Arkansas?

Buffalo National River (about 1 hr 45 min), Silver Dollar City (about 2 hr 15 min), Hot Springs National Park (about 3 hr 45 min), Ha Ha Tonka State Park (about 4 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.