The best trip within about five hours of Virginia Beach–Norfolk 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
2 cities
Closest: 4hLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Virginia Beach–Norfolk. 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.
Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful airplane flights here on December 17, 1903, after four years of experiments.
Over 200,000 acres of waterfalls and wooded hollows shelter deer and black bears, just 75 miles from Washington, DC.
Luray Caverns are the largest caverns in the eastern United States.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Virginia Beach–Norfolk that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Virginia Beach–Norfolk has the local list.
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Virginia Beach–Norfolk this weekend.
Opens 11/06; runs through 01/03. A one-mile walking loop that works with strollers and wagons; double strollers have to fold to get through Baker Hall. The elves roam on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8, and Nov 12 is holiday-pajama night.
Fri Nov 6 · Every evening, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day; open until 8:15pm on value nights, 9:15pm on popular nightsNorfolk Botanical Garden
Value nights: adults $24, kids 3–12 $15; popular nights: adults $30, kids $18; under 3 free; $5 more at the gateWe couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Virginia Beach–Norfolk that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Virginia Beach–Norfolk has the local list.
4h
about 4 hr from Virginia Beach–Norfolk
The NC Chinese Lantern Festival opens Saturday in Cary. The paths are paved and stroller-friendly, and the 4:30 twilight session is less crowded.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Paved, stroller-friendly paths. The 4:30 twilight session has smaller crowds. Most people take 45 to 75 minutes.
Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 6–10 p.m.; twilight session gates 4:30 p.m.Koka Booth Amphitheatre, CarySee Koka Booth for prices; 2 and under free4h
about 4 hr from Virginia Beach–Norfolk
The Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Paved, stroller-friendly paths. The 4:30 twilight session has smaller crowds. Most people take 45 to 75 minutes.
Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · 6–10 p.m.; twilight session gates 4:30 p.m.Koka Booth Amphitheatre, CarySee Koka Booth for prices; 2 and under free0 minVirginia Beach–Norfolk is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights is open every evening, and kids under 3 are free.
Opens 11/06; runs through 01/03. A one-mile walking loop that works with strollers and wagons; double strollers have to fold to get through Baker Hall. The elves roam on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8, and Nov 12 is holiday-pajama night.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Every evening, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day; open until 8:15pm on value nights, 9:15pm on popular nightsNorfolk Botanical GardenValue nights: adults $24, kids 3–12 $15; popular nights: adults $30, kids $18; under 3 free; $5 more at the gatePlaces outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
The battlefield tour roads let families drive between the earthworks and cannons where the Revolution was won, stopping wherever the kids want.
about 1 hr from Virginia Beach–Norfolk · Yorktown
Visitor center daily 9am–5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day (tour roads stay open)$15 per adult 16 and up for 7 days, under 16 freeKids can watch costumed glassblowers at the Glasshouse work the way they did in 1608, then walk out to the James Fort site.
about 1 hr 30 min from Virginia Beach–Norfolk · WilliamsburgDaily 9am–5pm (entrance gate 8:45am–4:30pm); closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day$15 per adult 16 and up for 7 days, under 16 free; James Fort and the Archaearium take an extra $15 Preservation Virginia ticketAbout 15 miles of trails and a quiet beach make this a good long nature day with kids.
about 2 hr 30 min from Virginia Beach–Norfolk · ChincoteagueRoads, beach and trails 6am–6pm Nov–mid-March (6am–8pm in October); visitor center Friday–Monday 10am–4pmDay passes start at $10; free if you hike or bike in
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 Virginia Beach–Norfolk are Raleigh. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Yorktown Battlefield in Yorktown (about 1 hr), Historic Jamestowne in Williamsburg (about 1 hr 30 min), Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Chincoteague (about 2 hr 30 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Richmond (about 2 hr), Raleigh (about 4 hr), Washington, DC (about 4 hr), Baltimore (about 5 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Wright Brothers National Memorial (about 2 hr), Shenandoah National Park (about 4 hr 30 min), Luray Caverns (about 4 hr 30 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.