# Mid-Atlantic weekend getaways with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/mid-atlantic/

> Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC. Baltimore and DC are about an hour apart, and Philadelphia is about two hours from Baltimore and three from DC. Richmond is about two hours south of DC and Pittsburgh about five hours west. The Lehigh Valley is about an hour and a half from Philadelphia. Lancaster and Harrisburg are about two hours from Philadelphia and a little less from Baltimore. 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: 2026-10-29. Every event links to its official page.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

No standout verified yet.


## Weekend of Nov 6–8

No standout verified yet.


## Weekend of Nov 13–15

No standout verified yet.


## Weekend of Nov 20–22

**Pick: Philadelphia.** 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.

- **Santa’s Workshop at Wild Lights**, Fri Nov 20, 5–9pm, Elmwood Park Zoo. With Wild Lights admission (adults $27.95 online, kids 3–12 $24.95 online). Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23. Official page: https://elmwoodparkzoo.org/wildlights/
- **Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo**, 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. Opens 11/20; runs through 12/30. Closed Nov 26 and Dec 24–25. Cookie decorating is $10 on select dates. Official page: https://elmwoodparkzoo.org/wildlights/
- **A Longwood Christmas**, Fri Nov 20, Daily 10am–11pm, Longwood Gardens. Adults $45–$52, youth 5–15 $25–$32 by date; 4 and under free. Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Official page: https://longwoodgardens.org/visit
- **Christmas Village in Philadelphia**, Sat Nov 21, Sun–Thu noon–8pm, Fri–Sat noon–9pm, LOVE Park and City Hall. No admission. Opens 11/21; runs through 12/27. Open 9am–5pm on Thanksgiving and noon–5pm on Christmas Eve. Kids under 12 ride SEPTA free. Official page: https://www.philachristmas.com/

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

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

- **Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square**, Fri Nov 27, 5–7pm, Franklin Square. See the event page. Opens 11/27; runs through 12/19. Santa photos on select evenings during Holidays in Franklin Square. Official page: https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/holidays-in-franklin-square/

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

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

- **A Longwood Christmas**, 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. Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Official page: https://longwoodgardens.org/visit

## FAQ

**Which Mid-Atlantic city is best for a weekend with little kids?**
It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Philadelphia, chosen for what's on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.

**How long are the drives?**
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC. Baltimore and DC are about an hour apart, and Philadelphia is about two hours from Baltimore and three from DC. Richmond is about two hours south of DC and Pittsburgh about five hours west. The Lehigh Valley is about an hour and a half from Philadelphia. Lancaster and Harrisburg are about two hours from Philadelphia and a little less from Baltimore. 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 29, 2026. Tap the official link before you buy, since venues change hours and prices.