# Weekend getaways from Orlando with kids

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

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

Last checked: 2026-10-18.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25: Tampa (about 1 hr 45 min)

The free Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat on Saturday and Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa.

- **Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat**, Sat Oct 24, 4–8:30 p.m., Cotanchobee Park. Free. Trick-or-treating, a costume contest and Ghostbusters on the lawn. Official page: https://www.tampa.gov/events/riverwalk-trick-or-treat/195066
- **Creatures of the Night**, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 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 Oct 30–Nov 1: Tampa (about 1 hr 45 min)

The last nights of Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa.

- **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

Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Orlando. ICE! at Gaylord Palms (Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, See the resort’s site, Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee; https://www.christmasatgaylordpalms.com/)

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Orlando. ICE! at Gaylord Palms (Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, See the resort’s site, Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee; https://www.christmasatgaylordpalms.com/); Dazzling Nights (Fri Nov 20, Timed entry from 5:30 p.m., Harry P. Leu Gardens; https://www.leugardens.org/Events/Calendar-of-Events/Dazzling-Nights)

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Tampa (about 1 hr 45 min)

Christmas in the Wild opens at ZooTampa on Black Friday.

- **Christmas in the Wild**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, From 4 p.m., ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Included with a Zoo Fun ticket. One of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, select nights Nov. 27–Dec. 30. Official page: https://zootampa.org/events/christmas-in-the-wild/

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Orlando with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Orlando are Tampa. 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 Orlando?**
Tampa (about 1 hr 45 min), Jacksonville (about 2 hr 45 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.