# Weekend getaways from Chicago with kids

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

> The best trip within about five hours of Chicago for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.

Last checked: 2026-10-29.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Indianapolis (about 3 hr 30 min)

ZooBoo's final weekend, with Halloween fun at the zoo from 2 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1.

- **ZooBoo**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, Festivities from 2 p.m., Indianapolis Zoo. See the zoo's ticket page. Runs Wednesdays to Sundays through Nov. 1. Official page: https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/events/zooboo/

## Weekend of Nov 6–8: Milwaukee (about 2 hr)

Family Free Day: everyone gets into the Milwaukee County Zoo free on Saturday, Nov. 7. Parking and ride fees still apply.

- **Family Free Day**, Sat Nov 7, Zoo hours, Milwaukee County Zoo. Free admission; parking and attraction fees still apply. Everyone gets in free on the first Saturday in November. Official page: https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Milwaukee (about 2 hr)

Wild Kratts LIVE! plays the Miller High Life Theatre on Sunday at 1 and 5, and BrainExpo, a free hands-on brain science fair for all ages, runs 10 to 5 both days.

- **Wild Kratts LIVE! 2.0**, Sun Nov 15, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Miller High Life Theatre. See the Pabst Theater Group for tickets. Martin and Chris Kratt on stage with the rest of the team on screen, in an all-new creature-power adventure. Official page: https://www.pabsttheatergroup.com/events/detail/wild-kratts-2026
- **BrainExpo**, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., MCW Alumni Center. Free admission and parking; RSVP requested. A free hands-on neuroscience festival built for all ages, with real brain specimens and food trucks 11 a.m.–3 p.m. both days. Official page: https://www.brainexpo-mke.org/

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Milwaukee (about 2 hr)

Wild Lights opens, plus the Holiday Folk Fair.

- **Wild Lights**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 5:30–9 p.m. (gates close 8:15), Milwaukee County Zoo. $15 adults and kids 3–12 (early-bird online price through Nov. 8); 2 and under free; parking included. Closed Nov. 23–26 and Nov. 29–30. Sunday, Nov. 22 is a drive-thru night. Official page: https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/wild-lights/
- **Holiday Folk Fair International**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Fri 2–9 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis. $13 in advance for ages 8 and up. Food, music and dance from dozens of cultures under one roof. Official page: https://folkfair.org/festival-information/

Also within reach: Madison (about 3 hr): Zoo Lights opens Friday at Henry Vilas Zoo.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Milwaukee (about 2 hr)

Wild Lights is open Friday and Saturday, with parking included. It's closed Sunday.

- **Wild Lights**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, 5:30–9 p.m. (gates close 8:15), Milwaukee County Zoo. $15 adults and kids 3–12 (early-bird online price through Nov. 8); 2 and under free; parking included. Closed Nov. 23–26 and Nov. 29–30. Sunday, Nov. 22 is a drive-thru night. Official page: https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/wild-lights/

Also within reach: Madison (about 3 hr): Zoo Lights at Henry Vilas, Friday to Sunday. Indianapolis (about 3 hr 30 min): Christmas at the Zoo, from 5 p.m.

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

Staycation is your best option: Chicago is the regional pick this weekend. Kohlights at Kohl Children's Museum runs Friday and Saturday evenings, with early entry from 4:30 p.m. If you'd rather go somewhere: Grand Rapids (about 3 hr 30 min): Meijer Gardens' Christmas & Holiday Traditions is open during garden hours and included with admission, so it fits around naps.

## Other family getaways within 5 hours

We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on.

- **Lake Geneva**, Lake Geneva, WI (about 1 hr 45 min from Chicago). A public shore path follows about 21 miles of Geneva Lake shoreline, and most visitors walk it in sections. Official page: https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/
- **Galena**, Galena, IL (about 3 hr 30 min from Chicago). Galena has a historic Main Street and the Ulysses S. Grant Home, with rolling vineyards in the country around town. Official page: https://www.visitgalena.org/
- **Wisconsin Dells**, Wisconsin Dells, WI (about 3 hr 45 min from Chicago). The Dells has more indoor and outdoor waterparks per capita than anywhere else on the planet, with more than 220 waterslides. Official page: https://www.wisdells.com/
- **Amana Colonies**, Amana, IA (about 4 hr 45 min from Chicago). Visitors have been coming to the seven villages of the Amana Colonies for over a century for German food and handcrafted goods. Official page: https://amanacolonies.com/
- **Field of Dreams Movie Site**, Dyersville, IA (about 4 hr 45 min from Chicago). Families can walk the movie diamond in the cornfields and play catch with the Ghost Players, and the field is open year-round. Official page: https://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/
- **Brown County State Park**, Nashville, IN (about 4 hr 45 min from Chicago). Indiana's largest state park covers 16,000 acres of hills and ravines, and its tree-lined roads are a fall color hotspot. Official page: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/brown-county-state-park/

## Day trips any weekend

- **Indiana Dunes National Park**, Porter (about 1 hr from Chicago). Lake Michigan beaches and big sand dunes to climb about an hour from the Loop. The visitor center in Porter is free and a good first stop. Hours: Most areas open daily 6am–11pm; West and Porter beaches close at 9pm. Cost: $25 per car for a 7-day pass. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm
- **Curious Kids' Museum**, St. Joseph (about 2 hr from Chicago). Hands-on museum on the bluff above Lake Michigan, aimed at younger kids. Walk-up entry works on regular open days. Hours: Open days 10am–5pm; dates vary, check the calendar. Cost: $8 per person age 12 months and up. Official page: https://curiouskidsmuseum.org/visit/
- **Starved Rock State Park**, Oglesby (about 2 hr from Chicago). Canyons and bluff-top overlooks along the Illinois River, with short trails that start near the visitor center. Hours: Park 7am until sunset; visitor center 9am–4pm daily. Cost: No entry fee. Official page: https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.starvedrock.html

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Chicago with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Chicago are Indianapolis, Milwaukee. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

**What are good day trips from Chicago with kids?**
Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter (about 1 hr), Curious Kids' Museum in St. Joseph (about 2 hr), Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby (about 2 hr). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Chicago?**
Milwaukee (about 2 hr), Madison (about 3 hr), Grand Rapids (about 3 hr 30 min), Indianapolis (about 3 hr 30 min), Fort Wayne (about 3 hr 30 min), Toledo (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Chicago?**
Lake Geneva (about 1 hr 45 min), Galena (about 3 hr 30 min), Wisconsin Dells (about 3 hr 45 min), Amana Colonies (about 4 hr 45 min), Field of Dreams Movie Site (about 4 hr 45 min), Brown County State Park (about 4 hr 45 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.

**Why is the same city picked more than once?**
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.

**Are the times and prices current?**
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.