Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Next 6 weekends · Oct 23–25 to Nov 27–29

Weekend getaways from St. Louis with kids

The best trip within about five hours of St. Louis for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

6 weekends3 citiesClosest: 4h

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From STL
Oct 23–25Kansas CityBoo at the Zoo · 4h 15mGloWild · Monster BashOvernightOct 30–Nov 1IndianapolisZooBoo · 4hIndianapolis ZooOvernightNov 6–8Kansas CityGloWild · 4h 15mCrown Center Ice Terrace opening dayOvernightNov 13–15Stay in STLGarden GlowStaycation is your best optionStay homeNov 20–22Kansas CityGloWild · 4h 15mThe Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!OvernightNov 27–29IndianapolisChristmas at the Zoo · 4hIndianapolis ZooOvernight
How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from St. Louis. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

1h2h3h4h5hIndianapolisKansas CityLouisvilleSTL
Indianapolis4h
Kansas City · Louisville4h 15m

Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.

WEEKEND 1
Oct 23–25
4h 15m
Overnight: pack the PJs

Destination · 3 picksWeekend of Oct 23–25: Kansas City

about 4 hr 15 min from St. Louis

Boo at the Zoo both days from 9:30 to 5, included with admission, then GloWild's giant lanterns after dark if anyone's still awake.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Boo at the Zoo

Not-so-scary trick-or-treating. Treat bags are handed out at the entrance for kids 12 and under.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Included with zoo admission
Official page

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Monster Bash

An after-hours costume party for kids 10 and under, with a Naturescape maze, a costume contest, a finale parade and trick-or-treating on the way out.

Sat Oct 24 · 6–8 p.m.
Wonderscope Children's Museum
$50 family pass (up to 6 guests, ages 2+) or $15 per person; not included with admission or membership
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City

Also within reach

Louisville~4h 15m

Boo at the Zoo, nightly 5 to 9.

WEEKEND 2
Oct 30–Nov 1
4h
Overnight: pack the PJs

DestinationWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Indianapolis

about 4 hr from St. Louis

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.

ZooBoo

Runs Wednesdays to Sundays through Nov. 1.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Festivities from 2 p.m.
Indianapolis Zoo
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page
Indianapolis city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Indianapolis

Also within reach

Kansas City~4h 15m

Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

WEEKEND 3
Nov 6–8
4h 15m
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 6–8: Kansas City

about 4 hr 15 min from St. Louis

The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 6, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Crown Center Ice Terrace opening day

The rink's season runs through March 14.

Fri Nov 6 · See Crown Center
Crown Center Square
Free skate on opening day
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 4
Nov 13–15
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionBest at dusk: lights after dark

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Nov 13–15: St. Louis

St. Louis is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Garden Glow opens Saturday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, with more than two million lights.

Garden Glow

More than two million lights, plus the Holiday Flower and Train Show, which is included. Closed Nov. 16–19 and 26; Nov. 20 is an adults-only night.

Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Evenings with timed entry; see the garden for times
Missouri Botanical Garden
Prices vary by date; $2 more for same-night tickets bought after 4:30 p.m.
Official page
St. Louis city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in St. Louis

If you'd rather hit the road

Kansas City~4h 15m

GloWild lanterns, Wednesday to Sunday evenings.

Louisville~4h 15m

Lights Under Louisville opens Friday in the Mega Cavern.

WEEKEND 5
Nov 20–22
4h 15m
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 20–22: Kansas City

about 4 hr 15 min from St. Louis

GloWild at the zoo, the Pigeon's holiday show at Crown Center and the Ice Terrace next door. Do one before nap and one after.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · See Crown Center
Crown Center
See Crown Center for tickets
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City

Also within reach

Louisville~4h 15m

Lights Under Louisville in the Mega Cavern.

WEEKEND 6
Nov 27–29
4h
Overnight: pack the PJsFriday fun: day-after pick

DestinationWeekend of Nov 27–29: Indianapolis

about 4 hr from St. Louis

Christmas at the Zoo, from 5 p.m.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Christmas at the Zoo

Opens Saturday, Nov. 21.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Festivities from 5 p.m.
Indianapolis Zoo
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page
Indianapolis city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Indianapolis

Also within reach

Kansas City~4h 15m

The Crown Center tree lighting and Santa's arrival on Friday, plus GloWild.

Louisville~4h 15m

Lights Under Louisville in the Mega Cavern.

Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

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.
More trips

Every region, every weekend

Plains weekendsAll regionsThis week in St. Louis
Good questions

Weekend trips from St. Louis: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from St. Louis with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from St. Louis are Kansas City, Indianapolis. 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 St. Louis?

Indianapolis (about 4 hr), Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min), Louisville (about 4 hr 15 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.