# Weekend getaways from Virginia Beach–Norfolk with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/virginia-beach-norfolk/weekend-getaways/ > 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. Last checked: 2026-10-29. ## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 6–8 Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Virginia Beach–Norfolk. Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (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 nights, Norfolk Botanical Garden; https://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/dominion-energy-garden-lights/) ## Weekend of Nov 13–15 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Raleigh (about 4 hr) 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. - **NC Chinese Lantern Festival**, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 6–10 p.m.; twilight session gates 4:30 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. See Koka Booth for prices; 2 and under free. Paved, stroller-friendly paths. The 4:30 twilight session has smaller crowds. Most people take 45 to 75 minutes. Official page: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/chinese-lantern-festival ## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Raleigh (about 4 hr) The Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary. - **NC Chinese Lantern Festival**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 6–10 p.m.; twilight session gates 4:30 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. See Koka Booth for prices; 2 and under free. Paved, stroller-friendly paths. The 4:30 twilight session has smaller crowds. Most people take 45 to 75 minutes. Official page: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/chinese-lantern-festival Also within reach: Richmond (about 2 hr): GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter. ## Weekend of Dec 4–6 Staycation is your best option: Virginia Beach–Norfolk is the regional pick this weekend. Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights is open every evening, and kids under 3 are free. ## Other family getaways within 5 hours We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on. - **Wright Brothers National Memorial**, Kill Devil Hills, NC (about 2 hr from Virginia Beach–Norfolk). Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful airplane flights here on December 17, 1903, after four years of experiments. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm - **Shenandoah National Park**, Front Royal, VA (about 4 hr 30 min from Virginia Beach–Norfolk). Over 200,000 acres of waterfalls and wooded hollows shelter deer and black bears, just 75 miles from Washington, DC. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm - **Luray Caverns**, Luray, VA (about 4 hr 30 min from Virginia Beach–Norfolk). Luray Caverns are the largest caverns in the eastern United States. Official page: https://luraycaverns.com/ ## Day trips any weekend - **Yorktown Battlefield**, Yorktown (about 1 hr from Virginia Beach–Norfolk). The battlefield tour roads let families drive between the earthworks and cannons where the Revolution was won, stopping wherever the kids want. Hours: Visitor center daily 9am–5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day (tour roads stay open). Cost: $15 per adult 16 and up for 7 days, under 16 free. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/colo/planyourvisit/hours.htm - **Historic Jamestowne**, Williamsburg (about 1 hr 30 min from Virginia Beach–Norfolk). Kids can watch costumed glassblowers at the Glasshouse work the way they did in 1608, then walk out to the James Fort site. Hours: Daily 9am–5pm (entrance gate 8:45am–4:30pm); closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Cost: $15 per adult 16 and up for 7 days, under 16 free; James Fort and the Archaearium take an extra $15 Preservation Virginia ticket. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/colo/planyourvisit/fees.htm - **Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge**, Chincoteague (about 2 hr 30 min from Virginia Beach–Norfolk). About 15 miles of trails and a quiet beach make this a good long nature day with kids. Hours: Roads, beach and trails 6am–6pm Nov–mid-March (6am–8pm in October); visitor center Friday–Monday 10am–4pm. Cost: Day passes start at $10; free if you hike or bike in. Official page: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague/visit-us ## FAQ **Where can we go for a weekend from Virginia Beach–Norfolk with little kids?** 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. **What are good day trips from Virginia Beach–Norfolk with kids?** 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. **Which cities are within an easy drive of Virginia Beach–Norfolk?** Richmond (about 2 hr), Raleigh (about 4 hr), Washington, DC (about 4 hr), Baltimore (about 5 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic. **What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Virginia Beach–Norfolk?** 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. **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 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.