# Carolinas and Virginia weekend getaways with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/carolinas-virginia/ > 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. Last checked: 2026-10-18. Every event links to its official page. ## Weekend of Oct 23–25 **Pick: Greenville.** Boo in the Zoo with timed tickets, which keeps the paths from getting packed. Bring your own treat bag. - **Boo in the Zoo**, 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. Timed tickets. Bring your own treat bag. New this year: a Halloween afternoon session. Official page: https://www.greenvillezoo.com/boo-in-the-zoo ## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1 **Pick: 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. - **Boo in the Zoo**, 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. Timed tickets. Bring your own treat bag. New this year: a Halloween afternoon session. Official page: https://www.greenvillezoo.com/boo-in-the-zoo ## Weekend of Nov 6–8 **Pick: 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. - **Tricks and Treats at Carowinds**, Sat Nov 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Nov. 7 closes at 5:30 p.m., Carowinds. Included with park admission. The park's daytime, no-scares Halloween, with a costume contest, candy and family rides before the evening haunt takes over. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/carowinds/events/tricks-and-treats - **Carolina Renaissance Festival**, 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. 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. Official page: https://www.carolina.renfestinfo.com/special-event-weekends/timetravelers ## Weekend of Nov 13–15 **Pick: 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. - **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. 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. Official page: https://www.carolina.renfestinfo.com/special-event-weekends/timetravelers ## Weekend of Nov 20–22 **Pick: 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. - **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 **Pick: Greenville.** Disney On Ice is at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena over Thanksgiving weekend. - **Disney On Ice**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, See the tour page for show times, Bon Secours Wellness Arena. See the tour page. In Greenville Nov. 25–29. Official page: https://www.disneyonice.com/en-us/tickets/ ## 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.