The best trip within about five hours of Minneapolis–St. Paul for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. Some weekends only have something farther out, and those are marked as a long drive.
6 weekends
3 cities
Closest: 4hLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Minneapolis–St. Paul. 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.
5h 30m
about 5 hr 30 min from Minneapolis–St. Paul · long drive
Boo at the Zoo runs all day Saturday this year, 9:30 to 9, so little ones can trick-or-treat in daylight.
This is a long drive, so plan on an overnight.
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 page
0 min
Minneapolis–St. Paul is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Last weekend for the Minnesota Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, 5,000 carved pumpkins on a wooded trail. Go Friday or Sunday, since Halloween night is adults only, and catch Howl-O-Ween there Saturday morning.
A new one-hour musical about a girl and her dad building an ice rink, with ice that freezes right on stage. Best for ages 7 and up.
Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Fridays at 7 p.m.; weekend shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (2 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 25)Children's Theatre Company, Cargill Stage, MinneapolisSee CTC for ticketsA wooded trail of more than 5,000 carved, glowing pumpkins with a trivia game built into the carvings. Oct. 31 is an adults-only night, and tickets are online only and usually sell out.
Fri Oct 30, Sun Nov 1 · Fri–Sat 5:30 p.m.–midnight; Sun 5:30–11 p.m.; timed entryMinnesota Zoo, Apple Valley$23–$30 adults, $19–$26 kids; 2 and under free; parking $10 for non-membersDaytime Halloween with a costume dance party and animals getting pumpkin treats.
Sat Oct 31 · 10 a.m.–1 p.m.Central Plaza, Minnesota Zoo, Apple ValleySee the zoo for daytime admission5h 30m
about 5 hr 30 min from Minneapolis–St. Paul · long drive
Family Free Day: everyone gets into the Milwaukee County Zoo free on Saturday, Nov. 7. Parking and ride fees still apply.
This is a long drive, so plan on an overnight.
Everyone gets in free on the first Saturday in November.
Sat Nov 7 · Zoo hoursMilwaukee County Zoo
Free admission; parking and attraction fees still apply5h 30m
about 5 hr 30 min from Minneapolis–St. Paul · long drive
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.
This is a long drive, so plan on an overnight.
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
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Minneapolis–St. Paul is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Disney On Ice is at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul Thursday through Sunday, and the Children's Theatre Company's Grinch is playing in Minneapolis.
In St. Paul Nov. 19–22.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · See the tour page for show timesGrand Casino Arena, St. PaulSee the tour pageCTC's own Grinch musical, back for the holidays with Reed Sigmund in the green fur for a ninth year. About 1 hour 50 minutes with an intermission.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · Fridays at 7 p.m. (2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 27); weekend matinees between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.Children's Theatre Company, UnitedHealth Group Stage, MinneapolisSee CTC for tickets; lap passes $5 for kids 3 and underA new one-hour musical about a girl and her dad building an ice rink, with ice that freezes right on stage. Best for ages 7 and up.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · Fridays at 7 p.m.; weekend shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (2 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 25)Children's Theatre Company, Cargill Stage, MinneapolisSee CTC for tickets4h
about 4 hr from Minneapolis–St. Paul
Disney On Ice is at Casey's Center over the holiday weekend.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
In Des Moines Nov. 26–29.
Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · See the tour page for show timesCasey's CenterSee the tour page
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 Minneapolis–St. Paul are Milwaukee, Des Moines. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Des Moines (about 4 hr), Madison (about 4 hr 30 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.