The best trip within about five hours of Milwaukee 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: 1h 15mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Milwaukee. 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.
0 min
Milwaukee is our pick for the whole region this weekend. 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 45m
about 4 hr 45 min from Milwaukee
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 page0 min
Milwaukee is our pick for the whole region this weekend. 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 apply0 minMilwaukee is our pick for the whole region this weekend. 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 Milwaukee
Zoo Lights opens Friday at Henry Vilas Zoo.
Runs Fridays through Sundays from Nov 20 through late December (check the zoo for the final date). No timed tickets this year. Every ticket includes unlimited carousel rides, and Santa is there for photos every night.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · Fridays, Saturdays and SundaysHenry Vilas Zoo$12; four-pack $40; 3 and under free, no ticket needed0 min
Milwaukee is our pick for the whole region this weekend. 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 Milwaukee are Indianapolis, Madison. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Madison (about 1 hr 15 min), Grand Rapids (about 4 hr 30 min), Indianapolis (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.