Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Plains · next 6 weekends

Plains weekend getaways with kids

Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, St. Louis and Wichita. Kansas City is in the middle: about three hours from Omaha, Des Moines and Wichita, and four from St. Louis. 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 weekends5 cities6 of 6 picked

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

Plains
Oct 23–25Kansas CityBoo at the ZooGloWild · Monster BashOct 30–Nov 1Kansas CityGloWildPenguin MarchBest at duskNov 6–8Kansas CityGloWildCrown Center Ice Terrace opening dayBest at duskNov 13–15St. LouisGarden GlowMissouri Botanical GardenBest at duskNov 20–22Kansas CityGloWildThe Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!Best at duskNov 27–29Des MoinesDisney On IceCasey's CenterFriday fun
WEEKEND 1
Oct 23–25

The pickWeekend of Oct 23–25: 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.

Drive: about 3 hr from Omaha · about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines · about 3 hr 30 min from Wichita · about 4 hr 15 min from St. Louis

Boo at the Zoo

Not-so-scary trick-or-treating. Treat bags are handed out at the entrance for kids 12 and under.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Included with zoo admission
Official page

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Monster Bash

An after-hours costume party for kids 10 and under, with a Naturescape maze, a costume contest, a finale parade and trick-or-treating on the way out.

Sat Oct 24 · 6–8 p.m.
Wonderscope Children's Museum
$50 family pass (up to 6 guests, ages 2+) or $15 per person; not included with admission or membership
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City

Also this weekend in the region

St. Louis~4h 15m
  • Boo at the Zoo, Fri Oct 23, 5–8:30 p.m. (last entry 8), Saint Louis Zoo. $16; members $13; under 2 free. Official page
Wichita~3h 30m
  • BOOtanica, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Fri 5–10pm; Sat 2–10pm, Botanica Wichita. $17 adults; $10 ages 3–11; 2 and under free. Official page
  • Wild Lights, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 6–9pm, Sedgwick County Zoo. $19 online, $21 gate; 2 and under free. Official page
WEEKEND 2
Oct 30–Nov 1
Best at dusk: lights after dark

The pickWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Kansas City

Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

Drive: about 3 hr from Omaha · about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines · about 3 hr 30 min from Wichita · about 4 hr 15 min from St. Louis

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Penguin March

Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · See the zoo's schedule
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Included with zoo admission
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City

Also this weekend in the region

St. Louis~4h 15m
  • Boo at the Zoo, Fri Oct 30, 5–8:30 p.m. (last entry 8), Saint Louis Zoo. $16; members $13; under 2 free. Official page
Wichita~3h 30m
  • Wild Lights, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, 6–9pm, Sedgwick County Zoo. $19 online, $21 gate; 2 and under free. Official page
WEEKEND 3
Nov 6–8
Best at dusk: lights after dark

The pickWeekend of Nov 6–8: Kansas City

The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings.

Drive: about 3 hr from Omaha · about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines · about 3 hr 30 min from Wichita · about 4 hr 15 min from St. Louis

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 6, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Crown Center Ice Terrace opening day

The rink's season runs through March 14.

Fri Nov 6 · See Crown Center
Crown Center Square
Free skate on opening day
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 4
Nov 13–15
Best at dusk: lights after dark

The pickWeekend of Nov 13–15: St. Louis

Garden Glow opens Saturday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, with more than two million lights.

Drive: about 4 hr 15 min from Kansas City · about 5 hr 45 min from Des Moines

Garden Glow

More than two million lights, plus the Holiday Flower and Train Show, which is included. Closed Nov. 16–19 and 26; Nov. 20 is an adults-only night.

Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Evenings with timed entry; see the garden for times
Missouri Botanical Garden
Prices vary by date; $2 more for same-night tickets bought after 4:30 p.m.
Official page
St. Louis city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in St. Louis

Also this weekend in the region

Kansas City~4h 15m
  • GloWild, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. See the zoo's ticket page. Official page
  • The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, See Crown Center, Crown Center. See Crown Center for tickets. Official page
Wichita
  • Wild Lights, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, 6–9pm, Sedgwick County Zoo. $19 online, $21 gate; 2 and under free. Official page
WEEKEND 5
Nov 20–22
Best at dusk: lights after dark

The pickWeekend of Nov 20–22: 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.

Drive: about 3 hr from Omaha · about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines · about 3 hr 30 min from Wichita · about 4 hr 15 min from St. Louis

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · See Crown Center
Crown Center
See Crown Center for tickets
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City

Also this weekend in the region

St. Louis~4h 15m
  • Garden Glow, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Evenings with timed entry; see the garden for times, Missouri Botanical Garden. Prices vary by date; $2 more for same-night tickets bought after 4:30 p.m.. Official page
Wichita~3h 30m
  • Wild Lights, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, 6–9pm, Sedgwick County Zoo. $19 online, $21 gate; 2 and under free. Official page
WEEKEND 6
Nov 27–29
Friday fun: day-after pickTurkey week: school is out

The pickWeekend of Nov 27–29: Des Moines

Disney On Ice is at Casey's Center over the holiday weekend.

Drive: about 2 hr 15 min from Omaha · about 3 hr 15 min from Kansas City · about 5 hr 45 min from St. Louis · about 7 hr from Wichita

Disney On Ice

In Des Moines Nov. 26–29.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · See the tour page for show times
Casey's Center
See the tour page
Official page
Des Moines city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Des Moines

Also this weekend in the region

Kansas City~3h 15m
  • GloWild, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. See the zoo's ticket page. Official page
  • The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, See Crown Center, Crown Center. See Crown Center for tickets. Official page
  • Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa's arrival, Fri Nov 27, See Crown Center, Crown Center Square. Free. Official page
Omaha~2h 15m
  • Holiday Lights Festival: lights turn on, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Nightly, Downtown Omaha. Free to see. Official page
St. Louis~5h 45m
  • Garden Glow, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Evenings with timed entry; see the garden for times, Missouri Botanical Garden. Prices vary by date; $2 more for same-night tickets bought after 4:30 p.m.. Official page
  • Wild Lights, Fri Nov 27, 5–8:30 p.m. (last entry 8), Saint Louis Zoo. $19; members $16; under 2 free. Official page
Wichita~7h
  • Wild Lights, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, 6–9pm, Sedgwick County Zoo. $19 online, $21 gate; 2 and under free. Official page
From your city

Picked for where you start

From Kansas CityFrom OmahaFrom Des MoinesFrom St. LouisFrom WichitaAll regions
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

Plains getaways: the FAQ

Which Plains city is best for a weekend with little kids?

It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Kansas City, St. Louis, Des Moines, 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?

Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, St. Louis and Wichita. Kansas City is in the middle: about three hours from Omaha, Des Moines and Wichita, and four from St. Louis. 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.