# Weekend getaways from St. Louis with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/weekend-getaways/

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-18.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25: Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min)

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.

- **Boo at the Zoo**, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Included with zoo admission. Not-so-scary trick-or-treating. Treat bags are handed out at the entrance for kids 12 and under. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/events
- **GloWild**, 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. Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **Monster Bash**, 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. 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. Official page: https://wonderscope.org/monster-bash/

Also within reach: Louisville (about 4 hr 15 min): Boo at the Zoo, nightly 5 to 9.

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

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/

Also within reach: Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min): Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8: Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min)

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

- **GloWild**, 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. Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **Crown Center Ice Terrace opening day**, Fri Nov 6, See Crown Center, Crown Center Square. Free skate on opening day. The rink's season runs through March 14. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/events

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

Staycation is your best option: St. Louis is the regional pick this weekend. Garden Glow opens Saturday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, with more than two million lights. If you'd rather go somewhere: Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min): GloWild lanterns, Wednesday to Sunday evenings. Louisville (about 4 hr 15 min): Lights Under Louisville opens Friday in the Mega Cavern.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22: Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min)

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.

- **GloWild**, 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. Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, See Crown Center, Crown Center. See Crown Center for tickets. A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/events

Also within reach: Louisville (about 4 hr 15 min): Lights Under Louisville in the Mega Cavern.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Indianapolis (about 4 hr)

Christmas at the Zoo, from 5 p.m.

- **Christmas at the Zoo**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Festivities from 5 p.m., Indianapolis Zoo. See the zoo's ticket page. Opens Saturday, Nov. 21. Official page: https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/zoo-events/christmas-at-the-zoo/

Also within reach: Kansas City (about 4 hr 15 min): The Crown Center tree lighting and Santa's arrival on Friday, plus GloWild. Louisville (about 4 hr 15 min): Lights Under Louisville in the Mega Cavern.

## 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.