Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene

Carolinas and Virginia · next 6 weekends

Carolinas and Virginia weekend getaways with kids

Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. Columbia is about two hours from Charlotte, Greenville and Charleston, and Raleigh to Richmond is under three. Here's the best weekend trip in the region for each of the next 6 weekends, and what to do once you get there.

6 weekends

6 cities

6 of 6 picked

Last checked Oct 18, 2026 against official pages. How we choose

Departures

Carolinas and Virginia

Oct 23–25GreenvilleBoo in the ZooGreenville Zoo Oct 30–Nov 1GreenvilleBoo in the ZooGreenville Zoo Nov 6–8CharlotteTricks and Treats at CarowindsCarolina Renaissance Festival Nov 13–15CharlotteCarolina Renaissance Festival16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville Nov 20–22RaleighNC Chinese Lantern FestivalKoka Booth Amphitheatre, CaryBest at dusk Nov 27–29GreenvilleDisney On IceBon Secours Wellness ArenaFriday fun

WEEKEND 1

Oct 23–25

The pickWeekend of Oct 23–25: Greenville

Boo in the Zoo with timed tickets, which keeps the paths from getting packed. Bring your own treat bag.

Drive: about 1 hr 45 min from Charlotte · about 2 hr from Columbia · about 4 hr from Charleston · about 4 hr 30 min from Raleigh

Boo in the Zoo

Timed tickets. Bring your own treat bag. New this year: a Halloween afternoon session.

Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 3–8 p.m. entry; Oct. 31 session 1–4 p.m.

Greenville Zoo

$15; members $12; $3 trick-or-treat add-on

Official page

Greenville city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Greenville

Also this weekend in the region

Charlotte~1h 45m

Tricks and Treats at Carowinds, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Nov. 7 closes at 5:30 p.m., Carowinds. Included with park admission. Official page
Carolina Renaissance Festival, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville. 4 and under always free; kids 5–12 free with a school-supply donation Nov. 14–15; see the festival for ticket prices. Official page

Richmond

Ice Age Invasion, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, Zoo hours, Metro Richmond Zoo. See the zoo for prices. Official page

Columbia~2h

Boo at the Zoo, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 6–9pm, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Tickets online; under 2 free. Official page

Charleston~4h

Boo at the Zoo in Mixson, Sat Oct 24, 4–8 p.m., Mixson, North Charleston. Free. Official page

WEEKEND 2

Oct 30–Nov 1

The pickWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Greenville

Boo in the Zoo has its last evening on Friday, and new this year is a Halloween afternoon session from 1 to 4, which works well for little kids.

Drive: about 1 hr 45 min from Charlotte · about 2 hr from Columbia · about 4 hr from Charleston · about 4 hr 30 min from Raleigh

Boo in the Zoo

Timed tickets. Bring your own treat bag. New this year: a Halloween afternoon session.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31 · 3–8 p.m. entry; Oct. 31 session 1–4 p.m.

Greenville Zoo

$15; members $12; $3 trick-or-treat add-on

Official page

Greenville city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Greenville

Also this weekend in the region

Charlotte~1h 45m

Tricks and Treats at Carowinds, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Nov. 7 closes at 5:30 p.m., Carowinds. Included with park admission. Official page
Carolina Renaissance Festival, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville. 4 and under always free; kids 5–12 free with a school-supply donation Nov. 14–15; see the festival for ticket prices. Official page

Richmond

Ice Age Invasion, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Zoo hours, Metro Richmond Zoo. See the zoo for prices. Official page

Columbia~2h

Boo at the Zoo, Fri Oct 30, 6–9pm, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Tickets online; under 2 free. Official page

WEEKEND 3

Nov 6–8

The pickWeekend of Nov 6–8: Charlotte

Pirates' Christmas Weekend at the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, plus the last day of Tricks and Treats at Carowinds on Saturday, 11 to 5:30.

Drive: about 1 hr 45 min from Greenville · about 1 hr 45 min from Columbia · about 2 hr 45 min from Raleigh · about 4 hr from Charleston · about 4 hr 45 min from Richmond

Tricks and Treats at Carowinds

The park's daytime, no-scares Halloween, with a costume contest, candy and family rides before the evening haunt takes over.

Sat Nov 7 · 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Nov. 7 closes at 5:30 p.m.

Carowinds

Included with park admission

Official page

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Jousting, 16 stages of music, comedy and circus acts, and more than 1,000 costumed villagers. Nov. 7–8 is Pirates' Christmas Weekend and Nov. 14–15 is Time Travelers' Weekend. Free parking, rain or shine; last weekend is Nov. 21–22.

Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville

4 and under always free; kids 5–12 free with a school-supply donation Nov. 14–15; see the festival for ticket prices

Official page

Charlotte city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Charlotte

WEEKEND 4

Nov 13–15

The pickWeekend of Nov 13–15: Charlotte

Time Travelers' Weekend at the Carolina Renaissance Festival: kids 5 to 12 get in free with a school-supply donation, and 4 and under are always free. Parking is free too.

Drive: about 1 hr 45 min from Greenville · about 1 hr 45 min from Columbia · about 2 hr 45 min from Raleigh · about 4 hr from Charleston · about 4 hr 45 min from Richmond

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville

4 and under always free; kids 5–12 free with a school-supply donation Nov. 14–15; see the festival for ticket prices

Official page

Charlotte city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Charlotte

Also this weekend in the region

Charleston~4h

Holiday Festival of Lights, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 5:30–10 p.m., James Island County Park. Per car. Official page

WEEKEND 5

Nov 20–22

The pickWeekend of Nov 20–22: Raleigh

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.

Drive: about 2 hr 45 min from Charlotte · about 2 hr 45 min from Richmond · about 4 hr 15 min from Columbia · about 4 hr 30 min from Greenville · about 5 hr 15 min from Charleston

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

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, Cary

See Koka Booth for prices; 2 and under free

Official page

Raleigh city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Raleigh

Also this weekend in the region

Charlotte~2h 45m

Speedway Christmas, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 6–10 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord. See the speedway for prices. Official page
Carolina Renaissance Festival, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville. 4 and under always free; kids 5–12 free with a school-supply donation Nov. 14–15; see the festival for ticket prices. Official page

Columbia~4h 15m

Fireflies Holiday Lights, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 6–9pm, Segra Park. See tickets online. Official page
Wild Lights, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 5–9pm, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Tickets on sale Nov 2. Official page

Charleston~5h 15m

Holiday Festival of Lights, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 5:30–10 p.m., James Island County Park. Per car. Official page

WEEKEND 6

Nov 27–29

The pickWeekend of Nov 27–29: Greenville

Disney On Ice is at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena over Thanksgiving weekend.

Drive: about 1 hr 45 min from Charlotte · about 2 hr from Columbia · about 4 hr from Charleston · about 4 hr 30 min from Raleigh

Disney On Ice

In Greenville Nov. 25–29.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · See the tour page for show times

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

See the tour page

Official page

Greenville city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Greenville

Also this weekend in the region

Charlotte~1h 45m

Speedway Christmas, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 6–10 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord. See the speedway for prices. Official page
WinterFest at Carowinds, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Fri noon–8 p.m.; Sat noon–9 p.m.; Sun noon–8 p.m., Carowinds. Live shows, light displays and most rides included with park admission. Official page

Raleigh~4h 30m

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. Official page

Richmond

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Evenings, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Advance tickets; see the garden. Official page

Columbia~2h

Fireflies Holiday Lights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 6–9pm, Segra Park. See tickets online. Official page
Wild Lights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 5–9pm, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Tickets on sale Nov 2. Official page

Charleston~4h

Holiday Festival of Lights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 5:30–10 p.m., James Island County Park. Per car. Official page

From your city

Picked for where you start

Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

Car snacksMore than you think. Then a few more.

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.

Good questions

Carolinas and Virginia getaways: the FAQ

Which Carolinas and Virginia city is best for a weekend with little kids?

It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Greenville, Charlotte, Raleigh, chosen for what's actually on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.

How long are the drives?

Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. Columbia is about two hours from Charlotte, Greenville and Charleston, and Raleigh to Richmond is under three. Drive times on this page are normal driving times without traffic.

What if a weekend says “No standout yet”?

It means we couldn't confirm anything worth the drive. We'd rather leave the slot empty than fill it with filler. Check back after the Thursday refresh.

Are the prices right?

They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap the official link before you buy, since venues change hours and prices.