# Weekend getaways from Milwaukee with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/weekend-getaways/

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-18.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25

Staycation is your best option: Milwaukee is the regional pick 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.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Indianapolis (about 4 hr 45 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

Staycation is your best option: Milwaukee is the regional pick this weekend. Family Free Day: everyone gets into the Milwaukee County Zoo free on Saturday, Nov. 7. Parking and ride fees still apply.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

Staycation is your best option: Milwaukee is the regional pick 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.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Madison (about 1 hr 15 min)

Zoo Lights opens Friday at Henry Vilas Zoo.

- **Zoo Lights**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Henry Vilas Zoo. $12; four-pack $40; 3 and under free, no ticket needed. 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. Official page: https://henryvilaszoo.doubleknot.com/facility/zoo-lights-2024/

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

Staycation is your best option: Milwaukee is the regional pick this weekend. Wild Lights is open Friday and Saturday, with parking included. It's closed Sunday. If you'd rather go somewhere: Madison (about 1 hr 15 min): Zoo Lights at Henry Vilas, Friday to Sunday.

## FAQ

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

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Milwaukee?**
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.

**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.