The best trip within about five hours of Madison 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
2 cities
Closest: 1h 15mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Madison. 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.
1h 15m
about 1 hr 15 min from Madison
Boo at the Zoo runs all day Saturday this year, 9:30 to 9, so little ones can trick-or-treat in daylight.
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 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Madison
Last weekend for the Minnesota Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, 5,000 carved pumpkins on a wooded trail. Go Friday or Sunday, since Halloween night is adults only, and catch Howl-O-Ween there Saturday morning.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
A new one-hour musical about a girl and her dad building an ice rink, with ice that freezes right on stage. Best for ages 7 and up.
Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Fridays at 7 p.m.; weekend shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (2 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 25)Children's Theatre Company, Cargill Stage, MinneapolisSee CTC for ticketsA wooded trail of more than 5,000 carved, glowing pumpkins with a trivia game built into the carvings. Oct. 31 is an adults-only night, and tickets are online only and usually sell out.
Fri Oct 30, Sun Nov 1 · Fri–Sat 5:30 p.m.–midnight; Sun 5:30–11 p.m.; timed entryMinnesota Zoo, Apple Valley$23–$30 adults, $19–$26 kids; 2 and under free; parking $10 for non-membersDaytime Halloween with a costume dance party and animals getting pumpkin treats.
Sat Oct 31 · 10 a.m.–1 p.m.Central Plaza, Minnesota Zoo, Apple ValleySee the zoo for daytime admission1h 15m
about 1 hr 15 min from Madison
Family Free Day: everyone gets into the Milwaukee County Zoo free on Saturday, Nov. 7. Parking and ride fees still apply.
Everyone gets in free on the first Saturday in November.
Sat Nov 7 · Zoo hoursMilwaukee County Zoo
Free admission; parking and attraction fees still apply1h 15mabout 1 hr 15 min from Madison
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.
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
1h 15m
about 1 hr 15 min from Madison
Wild Lights opens, plus the Holiday Folk Fair.
Closed Nov. 23–26 and Nov. 29–30. Sunday, Nov. 22 is a drive-thru night.
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 includedFood, music and dance from dozens of cultures under one roof.
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 upDisney On Ice is at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul Thursday through Sunday, and the Children's Theatre Company's Grinch is playing in Minneapolis.
1h 15m
about 1 hr 15 min from Madison
Wild Lights is open Friday and Saturday, with parking included. It's closed Sunday.
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 Madison are Milwaukee, Minneapolis–St. Paul. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Milwaukee (about 1 hr 15 min), Minneapolis–St. Paul (about 4 hr 30 min), Des Moines (about 4 hr 45 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.