# Weekend getaways from Columbus with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/weekend-getaways/ > The best trip within about five hours of Columbus for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. Last checked: 2026-10-18. ## Weekend of Oct 23–25: Cincinnati (about 1 hr 45 min) HallZOOween is daytime trick-or-treating, noon to 5 on Saturday and Sunday, included with a regular zoo ticket. Kings Island's no-scares Tricks and Treats runs 11 to 5 the same days. - **HallZOOween**, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 12–5 p.m., Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Included with zoo admission. Trick-or-treat stations from noon to 5, with a short costume parade at noon. Bring your own treat bag. Official page: https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/hallzooween/ - **Tricks and Treats at Kings Island**, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Kings Island, Mason. Included with park admission. The daytime, no-scares side of Halloween at the park, with a costume contest, treats and family rides. Planet Snoopy closes at 6 p.m. on these days. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/tricks-and-treats Also within reach: Pittsburgh (about 3 hr): Daytime ZooBoo on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 3, the Alice in Wonderland flower show at Phipps, and costume activities at Phipps on Friday evening. Most of it fits between breakfast and nap. Detroit (about 3 hr 15 min): The last Zoo Boo weekend, 3 to 8:30 p.m. ## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Indianapolis (about 3 hr) 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/ Also within reach: Pittsburgh (about 3 hr): The last weekend for both the Alice flower show at Phipps, which is warm and indoors, and the zoo's Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza, which starts at 6 if you want one late night. Cincinnati (about 1 hr 45 min): HallZOOween's last weekend, noon to 5. ## Weekend of Nov 6–8: Dayton (about 1 hr 15 min) The 50th Original Dayton Train Show fills the fairgrounds with more than 20 running layouts, LEGO trains included, and kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult. Kings Island's Bonus Weekend of rides is in Mason if you want to add a second stop. - **Original Dayton Train Show**, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Montgomery County Fairgrounds. $10 per adult; kids 12 and under free with a paying adult. The 50th year of this show, with more than 20 operating layouts in HO, N and LEGO plus trains of every scale for sale. Official page: https://www.nmra.org/events/50th-original-dayton-train-show Also within reach: Detroit (about 3 hr 15 min): Sesame Street Live at the Fox Theatre on Sunday. Cincinnati (about 1 hr 45 min): Bonus Weekend at Kings Island, 11 to 7. ## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Cincinnati (about 1 hr 45 min) Holiday Junction opens Friday at Union Terminal: the Duke Energy holiday trains, included with museum admission and entirely indoors. - **Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains**, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, Museum hours, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Included with museum admission. Santa arrives Friday, Nov. 27. Official page: https://www.cincymuseum.org/holiday-junction/ Also within reach: Cleveland (about 2 hr 30 min): The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's North Pole Adventure starts Friday. Book the 5 p.m. train and you're back by 6:30. Louisville (about 3 hr 30 min): Lights Under Louisville opens Friday in the Mega Cavern. ## Weekend of Nov 20–22 Staycation is your best option: Columbus is the regional pick this weekend. Wildlights opens Friday, and your daytime zoo ticket covers the lights. Arrive at noon, nap in the car and stay until dark. If you'd rather go somewhere: Detroit (about 3 hr 15 min): Wild Lights' opening weekend: more than 500 animal and nature displays, and Santa every night. Cincinnati (about 1 hr 45 min): The zoo's Festival of Lights and Holiday Junction. ## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Cincinnati (about 1 hr 45 min) Thanksgiving weekend has the most going on here: the zoo's Festival of Lights, Holiday Junction (Santa arrives Friday) and WinterFest opening at Kings Island. - **Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Museum hours, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Included with museum admission. Santa arrives Friday, Nov. 27. Official page: https://www.cincymuseum.org/holiday-junction/ - **PNC Festival of Lights**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Lights activities from 4 p.m.; zoo open until 10 p.m. Fri–Sat, 9 p.m. Sun, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Included with zoo admission. Closed Thanksgiving Day. Train and carousel rides start at 2:30 p.m. Official page: https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights/ - **WinterFest at Kings Island**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Fri 5–10 p.m.; Sat 4–10 p.m.; Sun 5–10 p.m., Kings Island, Mason. See the park's ticket page. Opening weekend. WinterFest then runs select nights through Dec. 31; check the park calendar before you go. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/winterfest Also within reach: Pittsburgh (about 3 hr): The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors. Indianapolis (about 3 hr): Christmas at the Zoo, from 5 p.m. ## FAQ **Where can we go for a weekend from Columbus with little kids?** Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Columbus are Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Dayton. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages. **Which cities are within an easy drive of Columbus?** Dayton (about 1 hr 15 min), Cincinnati (about 1 hr 45 min), Cleveland (about 2 hr 30 min), Toledo (about 3 hr), Indianapolis (about 3 hr), Pittsburgh (about 3 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic. **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 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.