# Weekend getaways from Tampa with kids

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

> The best trip within about five hours of Tampa 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: Orlando (about 1 hr 45 min)

Eolaween, a free Halloween party at Lake Eola on Saturday from 4.

- **Eolaween**, Sat Oct 24, 4–9 p.m., Lake Eola Park. Free. Trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, inflatables and a Haunted Mansion screening. Official page: https://www.orlando.gov/Events/Eolaween-2026

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Tampa. Creatures of the Night (Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, From 4 p.m., ZooTampa at Lowry Park; 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: Orlando (about 1 hr 45 min)

ICE! opens at Gaylord Palms.

- **ICE! at Gaylord Palms**, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, See the resort’s site, Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee. Separately ticketed. Giant ice sculptures, Nov. 13–Jan. 3. Official page: https://www.christmasatgaylordpalms.com/

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Orlando (about 1 hr 45 min)

Dazzling Nights opens at Leu Gardens, plus ICE! at Gaylord Palms.

- **ICE! at Gaylord Palms**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, See the resort’s site, Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee. Separately ticketed. Giant ice sculptures, Nov. 13–Jan. 3. Official page: https://www.christmasatgaylordpalms.com/
- **Dazzling Nights**, Fri Nov 20, Timed entry from 5:30 p.m., Harry P. Leu Gardens. Children $33–$53; adults $35–$56. Opens Friday, Nov. 20; select nights through Jan. 3. Official page: https://www.leugardens.org/Events/Calendar-of-Events/Dazzling-Nights

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Tampa. Christmas in the Wild (Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, From 4 p.m., ZooTampa at Lowry Park; https://zootampa.org/events/christmas-in-the-wild/)

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Tampa with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Tampa are Orlando. 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 Tampa?**
Orlando (about 1 hr 45 min), Jacksonville (about 4 hr). 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.