# Northeast weekend getaways with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/northeast/

> 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.

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

**Pick: 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.

- **Holiday Train Show at NYBG**, Sat Nov 14, Garden hours; evening hours on select nights, New York Botanical Garden. Timed tickets; see the event page. 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. Official page: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2026/

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

**Pick: 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.

- **Santa at Glow Hartford**, Fri Nov 20, During Glow hours, Connecticut Convention Center. Free photo with Santa with a Glow ticket. Opens 11/20; runs through 12/23. Glow tickets are needed to get in. Official page: https://hartford.glowgardens.com/
- **Glow Hartford**, Fri Nov 20, Select dates; see the calendar, Connecticut Convention Center. Adults $34, kids 4–15 $24, 3 and under free (fees included). 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. Official page: https://hartford.glowgardens.com/

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

**Pick: 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.

- **Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo**, Fri Nov 27, 5–9:30pm, Roger Williams Park Zoo. $13–$15; buy online ahead. 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. Official page: https://www.rwpzoo.org/event/holiday-lights-spectacular/
- **Rhode Island Lights Festival**, Fri Nov 27, See the ticket page, Centreville Bank Stadium. Tickets on sale Nov 10. Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. A new light festival at the Pawtucket stadium, with a holiday market and Santa. Official page: https://centrevillebankstadium.com/pages/rhodeislandlights

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

No standout verified yet.


## 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.