# Ohio Valley weekend getaways with kids

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

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-18. Every event links to its official page.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25

**Pick: 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.

- **HallZOOween**, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 12–5 p.m., Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Included with zoo admission. Trick-or-treat stations from noon to 5, with a short costume parade at noon. Bring your own treat bag. Official page: https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/hallzooween/
- **Tricks and Treats at Kings Island**, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Kings Island, Mason. Included with park admission. 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. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/tricks-and-treats

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

**Pick: Indianapolis.** 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/

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

**Pick: 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.

- **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

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

**Pick: 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**, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, Museum hours, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Included with museum admission. Santa arrives Friday, Nov. 27. Official page: https://www.cincymuseum.org/holiday-junction/

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

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

- **Wildlights**, 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. Your daytime ticket covers the lights, so you can arrive at noon and stay for dark. Official page: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

**Pick: 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**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Museum hours, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Included with museum admission. Santa arrives Friday, Nov. 27. Official page: https://www.cincymuseum.org/holiday-junction/
- **PNC Festival of Lights**, 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. Closed Thanksgiving Day. Train and carousel rides start at 2:30 p.m. Official page: https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights/
- **WinterFest at Kings Island**, 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. Opening weekend. WinterFest then runs select nights through Dec. 31; check the park calendar before you go. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/winterfest

## 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.