The best trip within about five hours of Phoenix 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.
6 weekends
2 cities
Closest: 6hLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Phoenix. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
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.
Swim in Oak Creek at Slide Rock State Park, just north of Sedona.
Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill, where Pluto was discovered, runs stargazing for visitors.
The Grand Canyon Railway has left from Williams since 1901, and it runs The Polar Express rides for the holidays.
Stand where the 1881 gunfight at the O.K. Corral happened.
The Copper Queen Mine Tour takes families underground into a historic copper mine.
The South Rim of a canyon a mile deep, with a Junior Ranger program for kids.
The aerial tramway has the world's largest rotating tram car, climbing more than two and a half miles up Chino Canyon.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Phoenix that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Phoenix has the local list.
6h
about 6 hr from Phoenix · long drive
Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a drive-through, so the kids can stay in pajamas in the back seat. It's priced per car.
This is a long drive, so plan on an overnight.
Opens 11/06; runs through 01/03. A 3-mile drive-through with 6 million lights. Take I-15 exit 54 (Speedway Blvd.); GPS can send you to a closed gate. Santa Tram rides are $25 a person on select nights.
Fri Nov 6 · From 5pmLas Vegas Motor Speedway
$39 cash or $44 by card per vehicle
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Phoenix this weekend.
Opens 11/13; runs through 12/24. Closed Thanksgiving.
Fri Nov 13 · Varies by day; Christmas Eve 9am–6pmChandler Fashion Center, Macy’s CourtVisits free; photo packages for sale
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Phoenix that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Phoenix has the local list.
0 min
Phoenix is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden, with paths lined in luminarias from 5 to 9:30pm. Kids 2 to 17 are $18.95.
Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days.
Fri Nov 27 · 5–9:30pmDesert Botanical GardenAdults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95)0 minPhoenix is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden runs Friday through Sunday.
Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · 5–9:30pmDesert Botanical GardenAdults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95)Places outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
Desert trails past cactus gardens, a small lake and a creek, set under a big rock cliff. The main loop is about a mile and a half.
about 1 hr 15 min from Phoenix · Superior
Daily 8am–5pm October through March, last admission an hour before closeAdults and teens $24.95, kids 5–12 $10, under 5 freeA tram takes you out through the free-roaming Serengeti area, and the big cat feedings are the part kids talk about afterward.
about 1 hr 45 min from Phoenix · Camp VerdeDaily 9:30am–5pm, admissions close at 4pm; closed Thanksgiving and ChristmasAdults 13+ $42.95, kids 3–12 $27.95, seniors $40.95One of the largest natural travertine bridges anywhere, with viewpoints along a paved path. Some lower trails have been closed after flooding, so check the park page first.
about 2 hr 15 min from Phoenix · Payson9am–5pm, last entry 4pm; trails close an hour before the parkAdults 14+ $10, youth 7–13 $5
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.Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Phoenix are Las Vegas. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior (about 1 hr 15 min), Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde (about 1 hr 45 min), Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Payson (about 2 hr 15 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Tucson (about 2 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Slide Rock State Park (about 2 hr 30 min), Flagstaff (about 2 hr 45 min), Grand Canyon Railway (about 3 hr), Tombstone (about 3 hr 30 min), Queen Mine Tour (about 4 hr), Grand Canyon National Park (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.
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.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.