The best trip within about five hours of Reno for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
1 cityLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Reno. 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.
Steam trains and an old roundhouse in Gold Country, open 9:30 to 4:30 daily. The Polar Express train ride runs here November 27 to December 20.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Reno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Reno has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Reno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Reno has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Reno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Reno has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Reno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Reno has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Reno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Reno has the local list.
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Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Reno this weekend.
A tree lighting and the Hometowne Christmas Parade, with Santa on hand.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5 · Tree lighting Friday, parade Saturday; see the site for timesVictorian Square, Sparks
FreePlaces outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
Fossils, a walk-through replica mine and Nevada history in the old Carson City Mint building.
about 45 min from Reno · Carson City
Daily 8:30am to 4:30pm
Adults $10; 17 and under freeA lakeside park with a pioneer history visitor center, a half-mile nature trail and a small beach at China Cove.
about 45 min from Reno · TruckeePark open sunrise to sunset; visitor center daily 10am to 5pm, closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25 and Jan 1$10 per vehicleRestored locomotives and coaches in a big engine house, with train rides on select weekends and holidays.
about 45 min from Reno · Carson CityThursday to Monday, 9am to 4:30pmAdults $10; 17 and under free
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.None of our other cities are close enough for a weekend pick yet, so start with a day trip: Nevada State Museum in Carson City (about 45 min), Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee (about 45 min), Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City (about 45 min).
Sacramento (about 2 hr 30 min), Stockton–Modesto (about 3 hr 30 min), San Francisco Bay Area (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (about 3 hr 45 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.