# Weekend getaways from Pittsburgh with kids

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

> The best trip within about five hours of Pittsburgh 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

Staycation is your best option: Pittsburgh is the regional pick this weekend. Daytime ZooBoo on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 3, the Alice in Wonderland flower show at Phipps, and costume activities at Phipps on Friday evening. Most of it fits between breakfast and nap. If you'd rather go somewhere: Cincinnati (about 4 hr 45 min): HallZOOween is daytime trick-or-treating, noon to 5 on Saturday and Sunday, included with a regular zoo ticket. Kings Island's no-scares Tricks and Treats runs 11 to 5 the same days.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

Staycation is your best option: Pittsburgh is the regional pick this weekend. The last weekend for both the Alice flower show at Phipps, which is warm and indoors, and the zoo's Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza, which starts at 6 if you want one late night.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8: Buffalo (about 3 hr 30 min)

DinoFEST takes over the Buffalo Museum of Science both days: fossil digs, an oobleck pit, a giant foam dig pit, T. Rex films and a dinosaur stage show on Sunday afternoon.

- **DinoFEST: Roar & Explore Weekend**, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Buffalo Museum of Science. $29; members $5; sluice bags and some crafts extra. A whole weekend of dinosaurs: fossil digs, an oobleck pit, a giant foam dig pit, T. Rex film showings, meet-the-scientists on Saturday and a dino stage show on Sunday. Official page: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/dinofest-roar-explore-weekend/

Also within reach: Dayton (about 4 hr 15 min): The 50th Original Dayton Train Show fills the fairgrounds with more than 20 running layouts, LEGO trains included, and kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult. Kings Island's Bonus Weekend of rides is in Mason if you want to add a second stop.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Cleveland (about 2 hr 15 min)

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's North Pole Adventure starts Friday. Book the 5 p.m. train and you're back by 6:30.

- **North Pole Adventure**, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 5 p.m. (back 6:30) or 7:55 p.m. (back 9:25), Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Rockside Station, Independence. $60–$110 per person, depending on seat class and date. Runs Nov. 13 to Dec. 22. The 5 p.m. train is back by 6:30. Official page: https://www.cvsr.org/excursions/north-pole-adventure/north-pole-adventure

Also within reach: Cincinnati (about 4 hr 45 min): Holiday Junction opens Friday at Union Terminal: the Duke Energy holiday trains, included with museum admission and entirely indoors.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Columbus (about 3 hr)

Wildlights opens Friday, and your daytime zoo ticket covers the lights. Arrive at noon, nap in the car and stay until dark.

- **Wildlights**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 12–10 p.m. Fri–Sat; 12–9 p.m. Sun, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Included with zoo admission. Your daytime ticket covers the lights, so you can arrive at noon and stay for dark. Official page: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights

Also within reach: Detroit (about 4 hr 45 min): Wild Lights' opening weekend: more than 500 animal and nature displays, and Santa every night. Cleveland (about 2 hr 15 min): North Pole Adventure train rides.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

Staycation is your best option: Pittsburgh is the regional pick this weekend. The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors. If you'd rather go somewhere: Cincinnati (about 4 hr 45 min): Thanksgiving weekend has the most going on here: the zoo's Festival of Lights, Holiday Junction (Santa arrives Friday) and WinterFest opening at Kings Island. Columbus (about 3 hr): Wildlights, covered by your daytime zoo ticket.

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Pittsburgh with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Pittsburgh are Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus. 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 Pittsburgh?**
Cleveland (about 2 hr 15 min), Columbus (about 3 hr), Buffalo (about 3 hr 30 min), Dayton (about 4 hr 15 min), Toledo (about 4 hr 15 min), Detroit (about 4 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.