The best trip within about five hours of Grand Rapids for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.
6 weekends
3 cities
Closest: 2h 30mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Grand Rapids. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
4h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Grand Rapids
Boo at the Zoo runs all day Saturday this year, 9:30 to 9, so little ones can trick-or-treat in daylight.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
New this year: daytime hours on Saturday.
Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24 · Fri 4:30–9 p.m.; Sat 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.Milwaukee County Zoo
See the zoo's ticket page4h 30mabout 4 hr 30 min from Grand Rapids
ZooBoo's final weekend, with Halloween fun at the zoo from 2 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Runs Wednesdays to Sundays through Nov. 1.
Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Festivities from 2 p.m.Indianapolis ZooSee the zoo's ticket page4h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Grand Rapids
Family Free Day: everyone gets into the Milwaukee County Zoo free on Saturday, Nov. 7. Parking and ride fees still apply.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Everyone gets in free on the first Saturday in November.
Sat Nov 7 · Zoo hoursMilwaukee County Zoo
Free admission; parking and attraction fees still apply4h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Grand Rapids
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.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Martin and Chris Kratt on stage with the rest of the team on screen, in an all-new creature-power adventure.
Sun Nov 15 · 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.Miller High Life TheatreSee the Pabst Theater Group for ticketsA free hands-on neuroscience festival built for all ages, with real brain specimens and food trucks 11 a.m.–3 p.m. both days.
Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.MCW Alumni CenterFree admission and parking; RSVP requested
2h 30m
about 2 hr 30 min from Grand Rapids
Wild Lights' opening weekend: more than 500 animal and nature displays, and Santa every night.
Leave after lunch, nap in the car, stay until dark.
500-plus animal and nature displays, and Santa every night until Dec. 23.
Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · Gates open 5 p.m.Detroit Zoo, Royal OakFrom $174h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Grand Rapids
Wild Lights is open Friday and Saturday, with parking included. It's closed Sunday.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Closed Nov. 23–26 and Nov. 29–30. Sunday, Nov. 22 is a drive-thru night.
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
Car snacksMore than you think. Then a few more.
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.Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Grand Rapids are Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Detroit. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Detroit (about 2 hr 30 min), Fort Wayne (about 3 hr 15 min), Toledo (about 3 hr 30 min), Indianapolis (about 4 hr 30 min), Milwaukee (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
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.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.