WEEKEND 1
Oct 30–Nov 1
Pacific Northwest · next 6 weekends
Pacific Northwest weekend getaways with kids
Seattle, Portland and Spokane. Portland is about three and a half hours south of Seattle on I-5. Spokane is about five hours east of Seattle across the Cascades on I-90, so check the pass before you go in winter. 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
3 cities
4 of 6 pickedLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Departures
Pacific NorthwestWEEKEND 2
Nov 6–8
WEEKEND 3
Nov 13–15
The pickWeekend of Nov 13–15: Seattle
WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo, 4 to 9pm with last entry at 8:30. Tickets are dated, so pick your night before you drive over.
Drive: about 3 hr 30 min from Portland · about 5 hr 15 min from Spokane
WildLanterns
Opens 11/13; runs through 01/17. Low Sensory Nights are Nov 15, Dec 1 and Jan 10.
Fri Nov 13 · 4–9pm (last entry 8:30pm)Woodland Park Zoo
Dated tickets; price on the ticket page
WEEKEND 4
Nov 20–22
The pickWeekend of Nov 20–22: Seattle
Santa is at the Seattle Christmas Market in Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center. Weekend hours run from 11:30am, so you can go before nap.
Drive: about 3 hr 30 min from Portland · about 5 hr 15 min from Spokane
Santa at the Seattle Christmas Market
Opens 11/20; runs through 12/24.
Fri Nov 20 · Weekdays 4–9pm and weekends 11:30am–9pm through Dec 13; Dec 24 10am–7pmSeattle Center, Fisher PavilionMarket ticket required; price on the ticket pageAlso this weekend in the region
Portland~3h 30m
- ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo, Fri Nov 20, Nightly from 4:30pm; closed Nov 17–19, Nov 24–26 and Dec 25, Oregon Zoo. Adults $13–$35, youth $13–$30 by date. Official page
Spokane~5h 15m
- Winter Glow Spectacular, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Evenings, Kendall Yards. Free. Official page
WEEKEND 5
Nov 27–29
The pickWeekend of Nov 27–29: Seattle
The Winterfest train and village at the Seattle Center Armory is free, 10am to 6pm, and Snowflake Lane runs in Bellevue at 7pm.
Drive: about 3 hr 30 min from Portland · about 5 hr 15 min from Spokane
Cookies with Santa on the Christmas Ship
Opens 11/27; runs through 12/23. Kids on 2pm sailings get cookies with Santa. Every sailing has a choir and Santa reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Fri Nov 27 · 2pm sailingsArgosy Cruises Christmas ShipCruise ticket; price on the booking pageSnowflake Lane
Opens 11/27; runs through 12/24. A free holiday show on Bellevue Way every night at 7. On Friday through Sunday, get there about an hour early.
Fri Nov 27 · 7pm (about 25 minutes)Bellevue Way between NE 4th and NE 8th
Free; parking is free in Bellevue Collection garagesWinterfest Winter Train and Village
Opens 11/27; runs through 12/31. A model train and holiday village inside the Armory. Kids can take a turn running the train between 10:30am and 5:30pm.
Fri Nov 27 · 10am–6pmSeattle Center ArmoryFree; donations acceptedAlso this weekend in the region
Portland~3h 30m
- Breakfast with Santa at Kennedy School, Sat Nov 28, Seatings at 9am and noon, McMenamins Kennedy School gym. $36 per person or $265 for a table of 8. Official page
- Holiday Express at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Fri Nov 27, Departures 10am–7pm, Oregon Rail Heritage Center. Adults $35, kids 3–13 $25, under 3 free on a lap; family pass $105. Official page
- Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto, Fri Nov 27, 5–9:30pm, The Grotto. Online $17.95 ages 12+, $8.95 ages 3–11; 2 and under free. Official page
- Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square, Fri Nov 27, 5:30–6:45pm, Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free. Official page
Spokane~5h 15m
- Winter Glow Spectacular, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Evenings, Kendall Yards. Free. Official page
WEEKEND 6
Dec 4–6
The pickWeekend of Dec 4–6: Seattle
Seattle Center's Winterfest Winter Train and Village is free and open 10 a.m.–6 p.m., a daytime outing that fits around naps.
Drive: about 3 hr 30 min from Portland · about 5 hr 15 min from Spokane
Winterfest Winter Train and Village
Opens 11/27; runs through 12/31. A model train and holiday village inside the Armory. Kids can take a turn running the train between 10:30am and 5:30pm.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · 10am–6pmSeattle Center ArmoryFree; donations acceptedFrom your city
Picked for where you start
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
Pacific Northwest getaways: the FAQ
Which Pacific Northwest city is best for a weekend with little kids?
It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Seattle, chosen for what's on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.
How long are the drives?
Seattle, Portland and Spokane. Portland is about three and a half hours south of Seattle on I-5. Spokane is about five hours east of Seattle across the Cascades on I-90, so check the pass before you go in winter. 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.