# Weekend getaways from Toledo with kids

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

> The best trip within about five hours of Toledo 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: Detroit (about 1 hr 15 min)

The last Zoo Boo weekend, 3 to 8:30 p.m.

- **Zoo Boo**, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 3–8:30 p.m., Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak. From $21; separate Zoo Boo ticket. Last weekend of the season. Full zoo access before dusk. Official page: https://detroitzoo.org/events/zoo-boo/

Also within reach: Cincinnati (about 3 hr 45 min): HallZOOween is daytime trick-or-treating, noon to 5 on Saturday and Sunday, included with a regular zoo ticket. Kings Island's no-scares Tricks and Treats runs 11 to 5 the same days. Pittsburgh (about 4 hr 15 min): Daytime ZooBoo on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 3, the Alice in Wonderland flower show at Phipps, and costume activities at Phipps on Friday evening. Most of it fits between breakfast and nap.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Pittsburgh (about 4 hr 15 min)

The last weekend for both the Alice flower show at Phipps, which is warm and indoors, and the zoo's Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza, which starts at 6 if you want one late night.

- **Fall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, Conservatory hours, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Included with admission. Chrysanthemum displays inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ends Nov. 1. Official page: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar
- **Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, 6–11 p.m., Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. See the zoo's ticket page. Runs nightly through Nov. 1. Official page: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/experiences/events/

Also within reach: Indianapolis (about 4 hr 30 min): ZooBoo's final weekend, with Halloween fun at the zoo from 2 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1. Cincinnati (about 3 hr 45 min): HallZOOween's last weekend, noon to 5.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8: Dayton (about 2 hr 45 min)

The 50th Original Dayton Train Show fills the fairgrounds with more than 20 running layouts, LEGO trains included, and kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult. Kings Island's Bonus Weekend of rides is in Mason if you want to add a second stop.

- **Original Dayton Train Show**, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Montgomery County Fairgrounds. $10 per adult; kids 12 and under free with a paying adult. The 50th year of this show, with more than 20 operating layouts in HO, N and LEGO plus trains of every scale for sale. Official page: https://www.nmra.org/events/50th-original-dayton-train-show

Also within reach: Detroit (about 1 hr 15 min): Sesame Street Live at the Fox Theatre on Sunday.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Cleveland (about 2 hr 15 min)

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's North Pole Adventure starts Friday. Book the 5 p.m. train and you're back by 6:30.

- **North Pole Adventure**, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 5 p.m. (back 6:30) or 7:55 p.m. (back 9:25), Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Rockside Station, Independence. $60–$110 per person, depending on seat class and date. Runs Nov. 13 to Dec. 22. The 5 p.m. train is back by 6:30. Official page: https://www.cvsr.org/excursions/north-pole-adventure/north-pole-adventure

Also within reach: Cincinnati (about 3 hr 45 min): Holiday Junction opens Friday at Union Terminal: the Duke Energy holiday trains, included with museum admission and entirely indoors. Detroit (about 1 hr 15 min): Blippi at the Fisher Theatre on Saturday.

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

Wild Lights' opening weekend: more than 500 animal and nature displays, and Santa every night.

- **Wild Lights**, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Gates open 5 p.m., Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak. From $17. 500-plus animal and nature displays, and Santa every night until Dec. 23. Official page: https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights/

Also within reach: Columbus (about 3 hr): Wildlights opens Friday, and your daytime zoo ticket covers the lights. Arrive at noon, nap in the car and stay until dark. Cincinnati (about 3 hr 45 min): The zoo's Festival of Lights and Holiday Junction.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Detroit (about 1 hr 15 min)

Wild Lights, Friday through Sunday.

- **Wild Lights**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Gates open 5 p.m., Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak. From $17. 500-plus animal and nature displays, and Santa every night until Dec. 23. Official page: https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights/

Also within reach: Cincinnati (about 3 hr 45 min): Thanksgiving weekend has the most going on here: the zoo's Festival of Lights, Holiday Junction (Santa arrives Friday) and WinterFest opening at Kings Island. Pittsburgh (about 4 hr 15 min): The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors.

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Toledo with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Toledo are Detroit, Pittsburgh, Dayton, Cleveland. 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 Toledo?**
Detroit (about 1 hr 15 min), Fort Wayne (about 2 hr 15 min), Cleveland (about 2 hr 15 min), Dayton (about 2 hr 45 min), Columbus (about 3 hr), Grand Rapids (about 3 hr 30 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.