Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene

Ohio Valley · next 6 weekends

Ohio Valley weekend getaways with kids

Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Louisville, Lexington and Fort Wayne are all within about three and a half hours of each other, and most pairs are much closer. Fort Wayne is about two and a half hours from Indianapolis and Dayton. Here's the best weekend trip in the region for each of the next 6 weekends, and what to do once you get there.

6 weekends

7 cities

6 of 6 picked

Last checked Oct 18, 2026 against official pages. How we choose

Departures

Ohio Valley

Oct 23–25CincinnatiHallZOOweenTricks and Treats at Kings Island Oct 30–Nov 1IndianapolisZooBooIndianapolis Zoo Nov 6–8DaytonOriginal Dayton Train ShowMontgomery County FairgroundsIndoors Nov 13–15CincinnatiHoliday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday TrainsCincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal Nov 20–22ColumbusWildlightsColumbus Zoo and AquariumBest at dusk Nov 27–29CincinnatiHoliday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday TrainsPNC Festival of Lights · WinterFest at Kings IslandClosed Thu

WEEKEND 1

Oct 23–25

The pickWeekend of Oct 23–25: 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.

Drive: about 1 hr from Dayton · about 1 hr 30 min from Lexington · about 1 hr 45 min from Louisville · about 1 hr 45 min from Columbus · about 1 hr 45 min from Indianapolis · about 3 hr 30 min from Fort Wayne

HallZOOween

Trick-or-treat stations from noon to 5, with a short costume parade at noon. Bring your own treat bag.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 12–5 p.m.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Included with zoo admission

Official page

Tricks and Treats at Kings Island

The daytime, no-scares side of Halloween at the park, with a costume contest, treats and family rides. Planet Snoopy closes at 6 p.m. on these days.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Kings Island, Mason

Included with park admission

Official page

Cincinnati city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Cincinnati

Also this weekend in the region

Indianapolis~1h 45m

ZooBoo, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, Festivities from 2 p.m., Indianapolis Zoo. See the zoo's ticket page. Official page

Columbus~1h 45m

Boo at the Zoo, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Adventure Cove, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Included with zoo admission. Official page

Louisville~1h 45m

Boo at the Zoo, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 5–9 p.m., Louisville Zoo. $14.25; members $8.50; age 2 and under free. Official page

Fort Wayne~3h 30m

Zoolooween, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 10am–3pm, Fort Wayne Zoo. $24 adults; $22 children; 1 and under free. Official page

WEEKEND 2

Oct 30–Nov 1

The pickWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Indianapolis

ZooBoo's final weekend, with Halloween fun at the zoo from 2 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Drive: about 1 hr 45 min from Cincinnati · about 2 hr from Louisville · about 2 hr from Dayton · about 2 hr 30 min from Fort Wayne · about 3 hr from Columbus · about 3 hr 15 min from Lexington

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 guide Visiting with little kids This week in Indianapolis

Also this weekend in the region

Cincinnati~1h 45m

HallZOOween, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, 12–5 p.m., Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Included with zoo admission. Official page
Tricks and Treats at Kings Island, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Kings Island, Mason. Included with park admission. Official page

Louisville~2h

Boo at the Zoo, Fri Oct 30, 5–9 p.m., Louisville Zoo. $14.25; members $8.50; age 2 and under free. Official page

Fort Wayne~2h 30m

Zoolooween, Sat Oct 31, 10am–3pm, Fort Wayne Zoo. $24 adults; $22 children; 1 and under free. Official page

WEEKEND 3

Nov 6–8

The pickWeekend of Nov 6–8: 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.

Drive: about 1 hr from Cincinnati · about 1 hr 15 min from Columbus · about 2 hr from Indianapolis · about 2 hr 15 min from Lexington · about 2 hr 30 min from Fort Wayne · about 2 hr 30 min from Louisville

Original Dayton Train Show

The 50th year of this show, with more than 20 operating layouts in HO, N and LEGO plus trains of every scale for sale.

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

Official page

Dayton city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Dayton

Also this weekend in the region

Cincinnati~1h

Bonus Weekend at Kings Island, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Kings Island, Mason. See the park's ticket page. Official page

WEEKEND 4

Nov 13–15

The pickWeekend of Nov 13–15: Cincinnati

Holiday Junction opens Friday at Union Terminal: the Duke Energy holiday trains, included with museum admission and entirely indoors.

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains

Santa arrives Friday, Nov. 27.

Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Museum hours

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

Included with museum admission

Official page

Cincinnati city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Cincinnati

Also this weekend in the region

Louisville~1h 45m

Lights Under Louisville, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, See the calendar for hours, Louisville Mega Cavern. From $42.99 per vehicle; Christmas Express tram $22.99 per person; advance tickets only. Official page

Fort Wayne~3h 30m

Wild Lights, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 5:30–9pm, Fort Wayne Zoo. $12; 1 and under free. Official page

WEEKEND 5

Nov 20–22

The pickWeekend of Nov 20–22: Columbus

Wildlights opens Friday, and your daytime zoo ticket covers the lights. Arrive at noon, nap in the car and stay until dark.

Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Dayton · about 1 hr 45 min from Cincinnati · about 3 hr from Indianapolis · about 3 hr 15 min from Lexington · about 3 hr 15 min from Fort Wayne · about 3 hr 30 min from Louisville

Wildlights

Your daytime ticket covers the lights, so you can arrive at noon and stay for dark.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 12–10 p.m. Fri–Sat; 12–9 p.m. Sun

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Included with zoo admission

Official page

Columbus city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Columbus

Also this weekend in the region

Indianapolis~3h

Christmas at the Zoo, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Festivities from 5 p.m., Indianapolis Zoo. See the zoo's ticket page. Official page

Cincinnati~1h 45m

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Museum hours, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Included with museum admission. Official page
PNC Festival of Lights, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Lights activities from 4 p.m.; zoo open until 10 p.m. Fri–Sat, 9 p.m. Sun, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Included with zoo admission. Official page

Louisville~3h 30m

Lights Under Louisville, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, See the calendar for hours, Louisville Mega Cavern. From $42.99 per vehicle; Christmas Express tram $22.99 per person; advance tickets only. Official page

Fort Wayne~3h 15m

Wild Lights, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 5:30–9pm, Fort Wayne Zoo. $12; 1 and under free. Official page
Fantasy of Lights, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, From 5:30pm, Franke Park. $20 per car. Official page

WEEKEND 6

Nov 27–29

The pickWeekend of Nov 27–29: 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.

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains

Santa arrives Friday, Nov. 27.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Museum hours

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

Included with museum admission

Official page

PNC Festival of Lights

Closed Thanksgiving Day. Train and carousel rides start at 2:30 p.m.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Lights activities from 4 p.m.; zoo open until 10 p.m. Fri–Sat, 9 p.m. Sun

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Included with zoo admission

Official page

WinterFest at Kings Island

Opening weekend. WinterFest then runs select nights through Dec. 31; check the park calendar before you go.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Fri 5–10 p.m.; Sat 4–10 p.m.; Sun 5–10 p.m.

Kings Island, Mason

See the park's ticket page

Official page

Cincinnati city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Cincinnati

Also this weekend in the region

Indianapolis~1h 45m

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. Official page

Columbus~1h 45m

Wildlights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 12–10 p.m. Fri–Sat; 12–9 p.m. Sun, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Included with zoo admission. Official page

Dayton~1h

A Carillon Christmas, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 5–10 p.m. Fri–Sat; 5–9 p.m. Sun, Carillon Historical Park. $14 adults (18–59); see the park for kids' prices. Official page

Louisville~1h 45m

Lights Under Louisville, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, See the calendar for hours, Louisville Mega Cavern. From $42.99 per vehicle; Christmas Express tram $22.99 per person; advance tickets only. Official page

Lexington~1h 30m

Southern Lights Holiday Festival, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 5:30–10 p.m., Kentucky Horse Park. $35 per carload. Official page

Fort Wayne~3h 30m

Wild Lights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 5:30–9pm, Fort Wayne Zoo. $12; 1 and under free. Official page
Fantasy of Lights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, From 5:30pm, Franke Park. $20 per car. Official page

From your city

Picked for where you start

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.

Good questions

Ohio Valley getaways: the FAQ

Which Ohio Valley city is best for a weekend with little kids?

It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Dayton, Columbus, chosen for what's actually on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.

How long are the drives?

Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Louisville, Lexington and Fort Wayne are all within about three and a half hours of each other, and most pairs are much closer. Fort Wayne is about two and a half hours from Indianapolis and Dayton. Drive times on this page are normal driving times without traffic.

What if a weekend says “No standout yet”?

It means we couldn't confirm anything worth the drive. We'd rather leave the slot empty than fill it with filler. Check back after the Thursday refresh.

Are the prices right?

They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap the official link before you buy, since venues change hours and prices.