Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Next 6 weekends · Oct 30–Nov 1 to Dec 4–6

Weekend getaways from Washington, DC with kids

The best trip within about five hours of Washington, DC for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

6 weekends4 citiesClosest: 3h

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From DC
Oct 30–Nov 1PittsburghFall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn · 5hJack O'Lantern ExtravaganzaOvernightNov 6–8Stay in DCSanta at Tysons Corner CenterStaycation is your best optionStay homeNov 13–15New York CityHoliday Train Show at NYBG · 4h 45mNew York Botanical GardenOvernightNov 20–22PhiladelphiaSanta’s Workshop at Wild Lights · 3hWild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo · A Longwood Christmas · Christmas Village in PhiladelphiaOvernightNov 27–29PhiladelphiaJingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square · 3hFranklin SquareOvernightDec 4–6PhiladelphiaA Longwood Christmas · 3hLongwood GardensOvernight
How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from Washington, DC. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

1h2h3h4h5hBaltimoreRichmondLancaster–Harrisburg–HersheyPhiladelphiaVirginia Beach–NorfolkLehigh ValleyNew York CityPittsburghDC
Cities we cover (weekly updates)Other family getaways (no event listings)
Baltimore1h
Richmond2h 15m
Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey2h 45m
Philadelphia3h
Virginia Beach–Norfolk · Lehigh Valley4h
New York City4h 45m
Pittsburgh5h

Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.

Other family getaways within 5 hours

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.

  1. Shenandoah National Park Front Royal, VA · about 1 hr 30 min from Washington, DC

    Over 200,000 acres of waterfalls and wooded hollows shelter deer and black bears, just 75 miles from Washington, DC.

  2. Luray Caverns Luray, VA · about 2 hr from Washington, DC

    Luray Caverns are the largest caverns in the eastern United States.

  3. Colonial Williamsburg Williamsburg, VA · about 3 hr from Washington, DC

    Kids can meet 18th-century people across 301 acres of Colonial Williamsburg, once the capital of Virginia.

  4. Cape May County Park & Zoo Cape May Court House, NJ · about 4 hr from Washington, DC

    A county zoo with free admission and free parking, open every day except Christmas.

  5. Ocean City Ocean City, NJ · about 4 hr from Washington, DC

    Billed as America's Favorite Family Vacation, with a boardwalk along the beach.

  6. Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle, PA · about 4 hr from Washington, DC

    Kids can sit in the creek bed and ride the water down two natural waterslides in Meadow Run.

WEEKEND 1
Oct 30–Nov 1
5h
Overnight: pack the PJsIndoors: rain-proof

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Pittsburgh

about 5 hr from Washington, DC

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.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Fall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn

Chrysanthemum displays inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ends Nov. 1.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Conservatory hours
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Included with admission
Official page

Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza

Runs nightly through Nov. 1.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · 6–11 p.m.
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page
Pittsburgh city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Pittsburgh
WEEKEND 3
Nov 13–15
4h 45m
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

DestinationWeekend of Nov 13–15: New York City

about 4 hr 45 min from Washington, DC

The Holiday Train Show opens Saturday at the New York Botanical Garden, with model trains running past New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Holiday Train Show at NYBG

Opens 11/14; runs through 01/10. Model trains run past New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts. Evening hours run 5–8pm on Nov 27–29 and select December dates.

Sat Nov 14 · Garden hours; evening hours on select nights
New York Botanical Garden
Timed tickets; see the event page
Official page
New York City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in New York City
WEEKEND 4
Nov 20–22
3h
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

Destination · 4 picksWeekend of Nov 20–22: Philadelphia

about 3 hr from Washington, DC

Christmas Village is free at LOVE Park and City Hall, and Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo runs 5 to 9pm with Santa's Workshop inside.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Santa’s Workshop at Wild Lights

Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23.

Fri Nov 20 · 5–9pm
Elmwood Park Zoo
With Wild Lights admission (adults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online)
Official page

Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo

Opens 11/20; runs through 12/30. Closed Nov 26 and Dec 24–25. Cookie decorating is $10 on select dates.

Fri Nov 20 · 5–9pm; last entry 8:30pm
Elmwood Park Zoo
Adults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online, 0–2 free; $18.95 after 7:30pm
Official page

A Longwood Christmas

Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10.

Fri Nov 20 · Daily 10am–11pm
Longwood Gardens
Adults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under free
Official page

Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Opens 11/21; runs through 12/27. Open 9am–5pm on Thanksgiving and noon–5pm on Christmas Eve. Kids under 12 ride SEPTA free.

Sat Nov 21 · Sun–Thu noon–8pm, Fri–Sat noon–9pm
LOVE Park and City Hall
No admission
Official page
Philadelphia city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Philadelphia
WEEKEND 5
Nov 27–29
3h
Overnight: pack the PJsFriday fun: day-after pick

DestinationWeekend of Nov 27–29: Philadelphia

about 3 hr from Washington, DC

Jingle and Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square on Friday, 5 to 7pm, and Christmas Village at LOVE Park is open all weekend.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square

Opens 11/27; runs through 12/19. Santa photos on select evenings during Holidays in Franklin Square.

Fri Nov 27 · 5–7pm
Franklin Square
See the event page
Official page
Philadelphia city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Philadelphia

Also within reach

Pittsburgh~5h

The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors.

Richmond~2h 15m

GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter.

WEEKEND 6
Dec 4–6
3h
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

DestinationWeekend of Dec 4–6: Philadelphia

about 3 hr from Washington, DC

A Longwood Christmas is open daily 10 a.m.–11 p.m., and kids 4 and under are free.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

A Longwood Christmas

Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10.

Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Daily 10am–11pm
Longwood Gardens
Adults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under free
Official page
Philadelphia city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Philadelphia

Also within reach

Virginia Beach–Norfolk~4h

Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights is open every evening, and kids under 3 are free.

Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

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.
More trips

Every region, every weekend

Mid-Atlantic weekendsAll regionsThis week in Washington, DC
Good questions

Weekend trips from Washington, DC: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from Washington, DC with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Washington, DC are Pittsburgh, New York City, Philadelphia. 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 Washington, DC?

Baltimore (about 1 hr), Richmond (about 2 hr 15 min), Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey (about 2 hr 45 min), Philadelphia (about 3 hr), Virginia Beach–Norfolk (about 4 hr), Lehigh Valley (about 4 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Washington, DC?

Shenandoah National Park (about 1 hr 30 min), Luray Caverns (about 2 hr), Colonial Williamsburg (about 3 hr), Cape May County Park & Zoo (about 4 hr), Ocean City (about 4 hr), Ohiopyle State Park (about 4 hr). 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.