# Weekend getaways from Grand Rapids with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/weekend-getaways/

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-18.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25: Milwaukee (about 4 hr 30 min)

Boo at the Zoo runs all day Saturday this year, 9:30 to 9, so little ones can trick-or-treat in daylight.

- **Boo at the Zoo**, 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 page. New this year: daytime hours on Saturday. Official page: https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/boo-at-the-zoo/

Also within reach: Detroit (about 2 hr 30 min): The last Zoo Boo weekend, 3 to 8:30 p.m.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Indianapolis (about 4 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 4 hr 30 min)

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/

Also within reach: Detroit (about 2 hr 30 min): Sesame Street Live at the Fox Theatre on Sunday.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Milwaukee (about 4 hr 30 min)

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: Detroit (about 2 hr 30 min)

Wild Lights' opening weekend: more than 500 animal and nature displays, and Santa every night.

- **Wild Lights**, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Gates open 5 p.m., Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak. From $17. 500-plus animal and nature displays, and Santa every night until Dec. 23. Official page: https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights/

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Milwaukee (about 4 hr 30 min)

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: Detroit (about 2 hr 30 min): Wild Lights, Friday through Sunday.

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Grand Rapids with little kids?**
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.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Grand Rapids?**
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.

**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.