If you’ve ever dreamed of dozing off next to some dinosaurs or getting some shut-eye in an art museum, you’re in luck! Today, many museums offer overnight events that allow adventurous and inquisitive guests to sleep in the midst of their treasured collections. Here, we take a look at 11 awesome institutions that host amazing museum sleepovers.
Whether you love natural history and zoology or are more of an art and archaeology kind of person, this compilation of unique after-parties has something for everyone. With an eclectic mix of educational programs, late-night activities, and surreal sleeping accommodations, this list is sure to help you discover your ideal soiree.
Learn about some of the coolest museum sleepovers below!
The American Museum of Natural History
New York, New York
Photo credit: The American Museum of Natural History
For an authentic Night at the Museum experience, look no further than the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Here, adventurer-loving guests are invited to explore the building’s halls and exhibits with flashlights before eventually setting up camp under the museum’s iconic blue whale. You can plan your all-ages slumber party here.
The California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco, California
Photo credit: The California Academy of Sciences
Adorably called “Penguins + Pajamas,” the sleepovers at the California Academy of Sciences have something to offer for everyone, from animal lovers to aspiring astronauts. Guests sleep in the aquarium, where they may even come face-to-face with Claude, the albino alligator!
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego, California
Photo credit: The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo‘s beloved Roar and Snore Safari enables guests to sleep under the stars and close to the animals. The cute and cuddly camp-out is perfect for families and adults, and even offers an array of tents!
The Field Museum
Chicago, Illinois
Photo credit: The Chicago Field Museum
Dozin’ with the Dinos, the Field Museum‘s overnight event, is a fun way for little ones to get excited about the esteemed institutions’s science-based collections and “see the museum in a new way!” This event is open to families and groups with children ages 6-12.
The British Museum
London, England
Photo credit: The British Museum
The British Museum—one of the most visited museums in the world—allows overnight guests to “enjoy a monumental night’s sleep.” Geared toward youths, this event is open only to those with a Young Friends membership.
The National Archives
Washington D.C.
Photo credit: The National Archives Washington DC
If you prefer documents to dinosaurs, you’re sure to enjoy snoozing next to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights at the National Archives. After ample activities and a movie night, guests of all ages settle down in the building’s beautiful rotunda.
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Cooperstown, New York
Photo credit: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum‘s Extra Innings Overnights are a fun way for families to bond over baseball. In addition to hands-on activities and exhibition access, guests are treated to a baseball movie! This event is open to families with children ages 7-12.
The Natural History Museum
London, England
Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
London’s famed Natural History Museum offers 2 versions of its wildly popular Dino Snores nights: one for kids (ages 7-11) and one for grown-ups. While both are fun and exceptionally educational, the latter, of course, is a bit more boozy!
Rubin Museum of Art
New York, New York
Photo credit: Rubin Museum of Art
One of the more mellow museum sleepovers, Dream-Over at the Rubin Museum of Art invites guests to “dream under the compassionate and wakeful gaze of a hundred buddhas.” This calming overnight stay is the perfect zen retreat for art lovers!
The International Spy Museum
Washington, DC
Photo credit: The International Spy Museum
Targeted toward tiny secret agents, KidSpy Overnight: Operation Secret Slumber at the International Spy Museum entertains children (ages 9-13) and their families with “a night of top-secret KidSpy training.” Guests don disguises and crack codes before falling asleep in the hi-tech exhibition galleries.
Chabot Space & Science Center
Oakland, California
Photo credit: Natausha Greenblott
The Chabot Space Center‘s Adventure Evenings and Odyssey Overnights invite aspiring astronauts of all ages to embark on an exciting journey! Guests get to explore the exhibits, see a show in the planetarium, and even look through the museum’s telescope during a private viewing!