Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Northeast · next 6 weekends

Northeast weekend getaways with kids

New York City, Hartford and New Haven, Providence and Boston. Providence is a little over an hour from Boston and about an hour and a half from Hartford. Boston is about two hours from Hartford, and New York is about two and a half hours from Hartford. Philadelphia is about two hours from New York. Albany is about two and a quarter hours from Hartford and about three hours from New York. Fairfield County is about an hour and a half from New York and from New Haven. Worcester is about an hour from Boston and from Providence. 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 weekends7 cities3 of 6 picked

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

Northeast
Oct 30–Nov 1No standout yetWe check again ThursdayNov 6–8No standout yetWe check again ThursdayNov 13–15New York CityHoliday Train Show at NYBGNew York Botanical GardenBest at duskNov 20–22Hartford and New HavenSanta at Glow HartfordGlow HartfordFree dayNov 27–29ProvidenceHoliday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park ZooRhode Island Lights FestivalFriday funDec 4–6No standout yetWe check again Thursday
WEEKEND 1
Oct 30–Nov 1

The pickWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: No standout yet

Nothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for New York City, Hartford and New Haven, Providence, Boston, Albany, Fairfield County, Worcester are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.

Also this weekend in the region

Boston
  • Santa’s Elevator Express at Natick Mall, Sun Nov 1, Daily; see the booking page, Natick Mall. Photo packages; reservations encouraged. Official page
WEEKEND 3
Nov 13–15
Best at dusk: lights after dark

The pickWeekend of Nov 13–15: New York City

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.

Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Fairfield County · about 2 hr 45 min from Hartford and New Haven · about 3 hr from Albany · about 4 hr from Worcester · about 4 hr from Providence · about 4 hr 45 min from Boston

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

Also this weekend in the region

Providence~4h
  • Santa’s Arctic Clipper at Providence Place, Fri Nov 13, See the booking page, Providence Place, L1 Garden. Photo packages; reservations recommended. Official page
WEEKEND 4
Nov 20–22
Free day: no admission

The pickWeekend of Nov 20–22: Hartford and New Haven

Glow Hartford opens Friday inside the Connecticut Convention Center, an indoor light festival with a trackless train, and kids 3 and under get in free.

Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Worcester · about 1 hr 15 min from Fairfield County · about 1 hr 45 min from Providence · about 2 hr from Boston · about 2 hr 15 min from Albany · about 2 hr 45 min from New York City

Santa at Glow Hartford

Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23. Glow tickets are needed to get in.

Fri Nov 20 · During Glow hours
Connecticut Convention Center
Free photo with Santa with a Glow ticket
Official page

Glow Hartford

Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23. An indoor light festival with a trackless train and a holiday market. It takes about 2 hours, and you enter at a timed slot.

Fri Nov 20 · Select dates; see the calendar
Connecticut Convention Center
Adults $34, kids 4–15 $24, 3 and under free (fees included)
Official page
Hartford and New Haven city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Hartford and New Haven

Also this weekend in the region

New York City~2h 45m
  • Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, Sat Nov 21, Select evenings; timed tickets, Bronx Zoo. See the ticket page. Official page
Boston~2h
  • Santa at the Faneuil Hall tree lighting, Sat Nov 21, 2–6pm; tree lit at 6, Quincy Market. Free. Official page
  • ZooLights at Stone Zoo, Fri Nov 20, 4–9:30pm; last entry 8:30, Stone Zoo. Ticketed. Official page
Albany~2h 15m
  • Schenectady County Holiday Parade, Sat Nov 21, Steps off at 5pm, Downtown Schenectady. Free. Official page
WEEKEND 5
Nov 27–29
Friday fun: day-after pickTurkey week: school is out

The pickWeekend of Nov 27–29: Providence

The Holiday Lights Spectacular opens Friday at Roger Williams Park Zoo, a walk through 40 acres of lights that takes about an hour to an hour and a half, and strollers are welcome.

Drive: about 45 min from Worcester · about 1 hr 15 min from Boston · about 1 hr 45 min from Hartford and New Haven · about 2 hr 45 min from Fairfield County · about 3 hr 15 min from Albany · about 4 hr from New York City

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. A walk through 40 acres of lights. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Strollers are allowed, and rentals are at the entrance.

Fri Nov 27 · 5–9:30pm
Roger Williams Park Zoo
$13–$15; buy online ahead
Official page

Rhode Island Lights Festival

Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. A new light festival at the Pawtucket stadium, with a holiday market and Santa.

Fri Nov 27 · See the ticket page
Centreville Bank Stadium
Tickets on sale Nov 10
Official page
Providence city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Providence

Also this weekend in the region

New York City~4h
  • Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square, Fri Nov 27, Book a time; reservations open daily at 6:30am, 7 days ahead, Macy’s Herald Square, 8th floor. Free with a reservation; photo packages from $44.99; Premium Experience $250 per group. Official page
WEEKEND 6
Dec 4–6

The pickWeekend of Dec 4–6: No standout yet

Nothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for New York City, Hartford and New Haven, Providence, Boston, Albany, Fairfield County, Worcester are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.

Also this weekend in the region

Albany
  • City of Albany Holiday Tree Lighting, Fri Dec 4, 5–7pm, Academy Park. Free. Official page
  • Troy Victorian Stroll, Sun Dec 6, 11am–5pm, Downtown Troy. Free. Official page
From your city

Picked for where you start

From New York CityFrom Hartford and New HavenFrom ProvidenceFrom BostonFrom AlbanyFrom Fairfield CountyFrom WorcesterAll regions
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.
Good questions

Northeast getaways: the FAQ

Which Northeast city is best for a weekend with little kids?

It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are New York City, Hartford and New Haven, Providence, chosen for what's on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.

How long are the drives?

New York City, Hartford and New Haven, Providence and Boston. Providence is a little over an hour from Boston and about an hour and a half from Hartford. Boston is about two hours from Hartford, and New York is about two and a half hours from Hartford. Philadelphia is about two hours from New York. Albany is about two and a quarter hours from Hartford and about three hours from New York. Fairfield County is about an hour and a half from New York and from New Haven. Worcester is about an hour from Boston and from Providence. 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.