# Weekend getaways with kids

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

> For each of the next 6 weekends (Oct 23–25 to Nov 27–29), we pick the city in each region with the best verified things for kids under 6, and say so plainly when nothing stands out. Every event links to the official page we checked.

Last checked: 2026-10-18. Covers Oct 23–25 to Nov 27–29. Every event links to its official page.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25

- **Ohio Valley: Cincinnati.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/ohio-valley/#w-2026-10-23
- **Lake Erie and Michigan: Pittsburgh.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/lake-erie/#w-2026-10-23
- **Upper Midwest: Milwaukee.** Boo at the Zoo runs all day Saturday this year, 9:30 to 9, so little ones can trick-or-treat in daylight. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/upper-midwest/#w-2026-10-23
- **Plains: Kansas City.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/plains/#w-2026-10-23
- **Oklahoma: Oklahoma City.** It's the last weekend of daytime Haunt the Zoo. Treat bags are capped at 2,500 a day, so buy yours ahead. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/oklahoma/#w-2026-10-23
- **Tennessee Valley: Birmingham.** Hoots & Howls is Halloween in daylight, 10 to 4, and Dino Safari's robotic dinosaurs are in their last weeks. You'll be done before nap. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/tennessee-valley/#w-2026-10-23
- **Carolinas and Virginia: Greenville.** Boo in the Zoo with timed tickets, which keeps the paths from getting packed. Bring your own treat bag. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/carolinas-virginia/#w-2026-10-23
- **Mountain West: Boise.** Zoo Boise's Boo at the Zoo is Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 5, in Julia Davis Park. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/mountain-west/#w-2026-10-23
- **Lower Mississippi:** no standout verified yet.
- **Georgia coast and Florida:** no standout verified yet.
- **Central Texas:** no standout verified yet.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

- **Ohio Valley: Indianapolis.** ZooBoo's final weekend, with Halloween fun at the zoo from 2 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/ohio-valley/#w-2026-10-30
- **Lake Erie and Michigan: Pittsburgh.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/lake-erie/#w-2026-10-30
- **Upper Midwest: Minneapolis–St. Paul.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/upper-midwest/#w-2026-10-30
- **Plains: Kansas City.** Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/plains/#w-2026-10-30
- **Oklahoma: Tulsa.** HallowZOOeen has a Halloween afternoon session from 2 to 5, with Goblin Stops and carnival games. It aims for spooky but not too scary. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/oklahoma/#w-2026-10-30
- **Tennessee Valley: Nashville.** Boo at the Zoo's final three nights: 10 trick-or-treat stations for ages 2 to 12, free carousel spins, and Día de los Muertos activities on Sunday. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/tennessee-valley/#w-2026-10-30
- **Carolinas and Virginia: Greenville.** Boo in the Zoo has its last evening on Friday, and new this year is a Halloween afternoon session from 1 to 4, which works well for little kids. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/carolinas-virginia/#w-2026-10-30
- **Mountain West: Salt Lake City.** Hogle Zoo hands out treats on Halloween from 9 to 3, while supplies last. It's included with regular admission. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/mountain-west/#w-2026-10-30
- **Lower Mississippi:** no standout verified yet.
- **Georgia coast and Florida:** no standout verified yet.
- **Central Texas:** no standout verified yet.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

- **Ohio Valley: Dayton.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/ohio-valley/#w-2026-11-06
- **Lake Erie and Michigan: Buffalo.** DinoFEST takes over the Buffalo Museum of Science both days: fossil digs, an oobleck pit, a giant foam dig pit, T. Rex films and a dinosaur stage show on Sunday afternoon. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/lake-erie/#w-2026-11-06
- **Upper Midwest: Milwaukee.** Family Free Day: everyone gets into the Milwaukee County Zoo free on Saturday, Nov. 7. Parking and ride fees still apply. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/upper-midwest/#w-2026-11-06
- **Plains: Kansas City.** The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/plains/#w-2026-11-06
- **Oklahoma: Oklahoma City.** The OKC Renaissance and Scottish Festival at Fair Park has jousting, falconry and fire breathers. Kids are $5, and every advance adult ticket comes with a free kid ticket. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/oklahoma/#w-2026-11-06
- **Tennessee Valley: Nashville.** A Country Christmas opens Friday at Gaylord Opryland, with ice! featuring "Home Alone," ice tubing and more than 5 million lights. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/tennessee-valley/#w-2026-11-06
- **Carolinas and Virginia: Charlotte.** Pirates' Christmas Weekend at the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, plus the last day of Tricks and Treats at Carowinds on Saturday, 11 to 5:30. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/carolinas-virginia/#w-2026-11-06
- **Mountain West: Salt Lake City.** Disney On Ice is at the Delta Center Friday through Sunday. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/mountain-west/#w-2026-11-06
- **Lower Mississippi:** no standout verified yet.
- **Georgia coast and Florida:** no standout verified yet.
- **Central Texas:** no standout verified yet.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

- **Ohio Valley: Cincinnati.** Holiday Junction opens Friday at Union Terminal: the Duke Energy holiday trains, included with museum admission and entirely indoors. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/ohio-valley/#w-2026-11-13
- **Lake Erie and Michigan: Cleveland.** The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's North Pole Adventure starts Friday. Book the 5 p.m. train and you're back by 6:30. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/lake-erie/#w-2026-11-13
- **Upper Midwest: Milwaukee.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/upper-midwest/#w-2026-11-13
- **Plains: St. Louis.** Garden Glow opens Saturday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, with more than two million lights. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/plains/#w-2026-11-13
- **Oklahoma: Oklahoma City.** The Devon Ice Rink opens Friday, and Safari Lights opens at the zoo on Saturday. Little skaters can rent a penguin helper for $10 an hour. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/oklahoma/#w-2026-11-13
- **Tennessee Valley: Birmingham.** Disney On Ice is at the BJCC's Legacy Arena Thursday through Sunday, the first of three Disney On Ice stops in the region this month. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/tennessee-valley/#w-2026-11-13
- **Carolinas and Virginia: Charlotte.** Time Travelers' Weekend at the Carolina Renaissance Festival: kids 5 to 12 get in free with a school-supply donation, and 4 and under are always free. Parking is free too. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/carolinas-virginia/#w-2026-11-13
- **Mountain West: Salt Lake City.** Luminaria opened Thursday at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Book Friday or Saturday, because it's closed Sundays. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/mountain-west/#w-2026-11-13
- **Lower Mississippi:** no standout verified yet.
- **Georgia coast and Florida:** no standout verified yet.
- **Central Texas:** no standout verified yet.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

- **Ohio Valley: Columbus.** Wildlights opens Friday, and your daytime zoo ticket covers the lights. Arrive at noon, nap in the car and stay until dark. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/ohio-valley/#w-2026-11-20
- **Lake Erie and Michigan: Detroit.** Wild Lights' opening weekend: more than 500 animal and nature displays, and Santa every night. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/lake-erie/#w-2026-11-20
- **Upper Midwest: Minneapolis–St. Paul.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/upper-midwest/#w-2026-11-20
- **Plains: Kansas City.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/plains/#w-2026-11-20
- **Oklahoma: Oklahoma City.** Safari Lights at the zoo in the evening, and the downtown ice rink opens at 11 on Saturday, before nap. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/oklahoma/#w-2026-11-20
- **Tennessee Valley: Knoxville.** Disney On Ice is at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum Thursday through Sunday. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/tennessee-valley/#w-2026-11-20
- **Carolinas and Virginia: Raleigh.** The NC Chinese Lantern Festival opens Saturday in Cary. The paths are paved and stroller-friendly, and the 4:30 twilight session is less crowded. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/carolinas-virginia/#w-2026-11-20
- **Mountain West: Salt Lake City.** Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point on Friday or Saturday night. Time slots come every 15 minutes, so you can match one to bedtime. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/mountain-west/#w-2026-11-20
- **Lower Mississippi:** no standout verified yet.
- **Georgia coast and Florida:** no standout verified yet.
- **Central Texas:** no standout verified yet.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

- **Ohio Valley: Cincinnati.** 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. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/ohio-valley/#w-2026-11-27
- **Lake Erie and Michigan: Pittsburgh.** The zoo's drive-thru lights open Friday at $45 a car, and Phipps Holiday Magic is warm and indoors. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/lake-erie/#w-2026-11-27
- **Upper Midwest: Milwaukee.** Wild Lights is open Friday and Saturday, with parking included. It's closed Sunday. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/upper-midwest/#w-2026-11-27
- **Plains: Des Moines.** Disney On Ice is at Casey's Center over the holiday weekend. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/plains/#w-2026-11-27
- **Oklahoma: Tulsa.** Two kinds of lights: Rhema's are free to walk, with a $5 kids' train, and the Botanic Garden has s'mores and Santa every night. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/oklahoma/#w-2026-11-27
- **Tennessee Valley: Chattanooga.** Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights on Lookout Mountain, lit nightly from Nov. 13. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/tennessee-valley/#w-2026-11-27
- **Carolinas and Virginia: Greenville.** Disney On Ice is at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena over Thanksgiving weekend. Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/carolinas-virginia/#w-2026-11-27
- **Mountain West: Salt Lake City.** Luminaria on Friday or Saturday night (closed Sundays). Details: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/mountain-west/#w-2026-11-27
- **Lower Mississippi:** no standout verified yet.
- **Georgia coast and Florida:** no standout verified yet.
- **Central Texas:** no standout verified yet.

## From your city

- [Weekend getaways from Austin](https://littlesweekly.com/austin/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Baton Rouge](https://littlesweekly.com/baton-rouge/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Birmingham](https://littlesweekly.com/birmingham/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Boise](https://littlesweekly.com/boise/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Buffalo](https://littlesweekly.com/buffalo/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Charleston](https://littlesweekly.com/charleston-sc/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Charlotte](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Chattanooga](https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Cincinnati](https://littlesweekly.com/cincinnati/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Cleveland](https://littlesweekly.com/cleveland/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Columbia](https://littlesweekly.com/columbia-sc/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Columbus](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Dayton](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Des Moines](https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Detroit](https://littlesweekly.com/detroit/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Fort Wayne](https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Grand Rapids](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Greenville](https://littlesweekly.com/greenville-sc/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Huntsville](https://littlesweekly.com/huntsville/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Indianapolis](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Jacksonville](https://littlesweekly.com/jacksonville/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Kansas City](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Knoxville](https://littlesweekly.com/knoxville/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Lexington](https://littlesweekly.com/lexington/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Little Rock](https://littlesweekly.com/little-rock/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Louisville](https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Madison](https://littlesweekly.com/madison/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Memphis](https://littlesweekly.com/memphis/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Milwaukee](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Minneapolis–St. Paul](https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Nashville](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from New Orleans](https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Oklahoma City](https://littlesweekly.com/oklahoma-city/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Omaha](https://littlesweekly.com/omaha/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Orlando](https://littlesweekly.com/orlando/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Pittsburgh](https://littlesweekly.com/pittsburgh/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Raleigh](https://littlesweekly.com/raleigh/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Richmond](https://littlesweekly.com/richmond/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Rochester](https://littlesweekly.com/rochester-ny/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Salt Lake City](https://littlesweekly.com/salt-lake-city/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from San Antonio](https://littlesweekly.com/san-antonio/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Savannah](https://littlesweekly.com/savannah/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from St. Louis](https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Tampa](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Toledo](https://littlesweekly.com/toledo/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Tulsa](https://littlesweekly.com/tulsa/weekend-getaways/index.md)
- [Weekend getaways from Wichita](https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/weekend-getaways/index.md)

## FAQ

**How do you choose each weekend’s getaway?**
For every region we look at what's actually on in each city that Friday to Sunday: zoo events, holiday lights, shows and museum exhibits. We check each date, time and price on the official page. The pick is the city with the most worth doing for kids under 6. We'll pick the same city two weekends running if it really is the best.

**What does “No standout yet” mean?**
It means we couldn't verify anything for that region and weekend that's worth the drive. We don't fill the slot just to have something there. The list is rechecked every Thursday, and new events get added as venues post them.

**How far is a weekend getaway?**
Regions are built around drives of about four hours or less. The city pages only suggest places within about five hours, using normal driving times without traffic. Salt Lake City and Boise are about five and a half hours apart, so those pages flag the long drive.

**Are prices and hours current?**
They're what the official pages showed when we last checked, on Oct 18, 2026. Venues change things, so tap through to the official page before you buy tickets or set off.

**Where do we stay and eat?**
Each pick links to that city's guide and visiting pages, which list kid-friendly restaurants with real menu prices, places to stay, and nap-friendly plans for one or two days.