Did you know that there is a special experience that allows you to fall asleep in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most beloved museums? Welcome to A Night at the Museum, a special overnight experience available for families at the American Museum of Natural History.
As the doors close and the lights dim, you and your group will head out with flashlights in search of a variety of adventures in this A Night at the Museum Experience. Meet your relatives in the Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins, enjoy interactive educational activities, a late-night movie viewing, access to special exhibitions, or stand beneath a fearsome T. rex. while on a flashlight exploration into the famed fossil halls.
The evening comes to a magical close with a Storytime before guest settling down beneath the 94-foot-long blue whale, next to African elephants or at the base of a striking volcanic formation. Sounds amazing right? Read on to learn more about what to expect during this must-do, once-in-a lifetime experience.
Check-In and Orientation
Upon arriving at the museum we checked in with the counter with our printed confirmation and completed participant forms (needed for each guest). We were given an itinerary and a map, and were asked to attend the quick orientation. Our evening program included the following:
- Open Exploration time (including all 45 Halls, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, special exhibits T.rex, Unseen Oceans, and the Butterfly Conservatory)
- Live Animal Presentation
- Fossil Exploration by Flashlight
- 3D Backyard Wilderness movie
- Snack and breakfast
- Storytime
- Origami, crafts, and more
Sleeping under the Museum’s Ceiling
One of the biggest questions we were asked after our experience – where do you sleep? The museum brings out sleeping cots for all visitors, and places them within the major hall attractions. Guests are asked to bring along a sleeping bag and pillow, and then curl up for the evening in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life under the beloved blue whale, beneath famous dioramas in the Hall of African Mammals or North American Mammals, or among the geological formation in the Hall of Planet Earth. Note: sleeping locations can be requested, but are not guaranteed (based on availability).
Heeding warnings from museum staff that this was the loudest area – we chose the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, near to the whale. The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life is the largest room in the museum, holds the most guests, and as such is the loudest room within the sleepover experience. However, nothing could sway me from staying directly beneath one of NYC’s beloved icons, the blue whale. A truly magical experience that we wouldn’t miss.
Only the halls are reserved for guests, the cots are first come first serve within these halls. We suggest to arrive early so you have your choice in cot location. We chose a spot away from the heavy traffic areas/doorways, with a great view point of the whale.
A Museum Adventure
This is when the magic happens. Walking through an empty museum is an indescribable experience. The first, second, third and fourth floors, along with the lower level and the Rose for Earth and Space were open for sleepover guests to explore. And open – they were. They were completely, totally, empty. So empty, you could hear a needle drop on the floor.
The halls were inviting, and exciting. Small details that would typically be hidden by crowds were brought to light. Exhibits seemed to come to life. Illuminated only by dim lights reflecting softly off the concrete floors – the experience a bit eerie, magical, and surreal. It was a “pinch-me” moment that we will never forget.
Animal Adventures
Armed with our map and evening itinerary, we headed first to the Live Animal Show where we learned about owls, eagles, and alligators. From there we ventured to the Butterfly Exploratory. Loved how all these special exhibits which would typically cost additional to museum admission, were completely open for us to explore. Walking through these live animal experiences was amazing – and to have them to ourselves was such a special experience.
On a Fossil Hunt
One of the highlights of the evening was the Fossil Exploration by flashlight through the Dinosaur Hall, which was very similar to a scavenger hunt. The exploration started at the Hall of Orhithischian Dinosaurs, where guests were given the task to answer all the questions in the Night at the Museum Hunt Field guide. Questions ranged from dinosaur defenses, to locating animals with tusks, finding a type of dinosaur and more. Each of the halls were only dimly lit, making the fun use of flashlights mandatory to navigate the path, and to locate the answers.
The exploration continued through numerous halls – including the fossil Hall of Primitive Mammals, Vertebrae Origins, the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs, crescendoing to a giant ending with the famous Titanosaur fossil. We loved this fun fossil exploration – the perfect scavenger hunt for all ages.
Words can not express how great this experience was. Standing in these empty halls, peering up at these giant, dimly lit fossils was a magical, surreal experience that we will never forget.
Ending the Evening
The evening winds down with a 3-D viewing of the movie Backyard Wilderness, followed by story time under the blue whale in the Milstein Hall. Naturally, the book reading was of “Night at the Museum,” which is the book that inspired the hit movie of the same name. The experience has a “lights off” time of 12 midnight. Wake up call is 7am, followed by breakfast. All guests are asked to leave the museum by 9am. Want to explore more? Free museum admission tickets are given to sleepover guests if you would like to stay through the day.
Mealtime
The sleepover includes an evening snack as well as a light morning breakfast. During our experience the snack included cookies, potato chips, juice and coffee. Breakfast was muffins, fruit, yogurt, coffee, and juice. There are vending machines near the sleeping quarters that are open all evening, and they do take credit cards. Note: To reduce plastic waste – the AMNH no longer sells bottled water on site – best to plan ahead or bring refillable water bottles. Dinner can be purchased after check in at the cafeteria on the lower level, which stays open specially for overnight guests until 7:30pm. Food options include salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, pizza, and perfectly themed dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. NOTE: No alcohol is served anywhere on site during the family sleepover events.
Overnight Bag Essentials
What to pack? We are perpetual over packers and brought a slew of stuff that was not needed. Here’s your list of overnight essentials for your trip:
- Sleeping Bag and Pillow
- Flashlight for the Fossil Hunt
- Camera (note -all halls are dimly lit, plan photo settings accordingly)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Washcloth or cleansing wipes
- PJs or warm comfy clothes to sleep in
- Ear Plugs or noise canceling headphones (for the kids too)
- Portable phone Battery Charger (note there are limited outlets – best to bring a portable charger)
- Night mask
- Water Bottles
- Snacks
A Night at the Museum – The Details
Ready for a night of adventure? Know before-you-go details below!
- Open to children from age 6-13
- One adult supervisor is required for each 3 child participants. All chaperones must be 21 years old.
- The experience lasts from 6pm – 9am. Cots are first come, first serve in your assigned sleeping area – if you want to choose your location get there early.
- Cost: $150 per person, $140 for members
- Admission price for A Night at the Museum includes evening snack and light breakfast, cot usage for all participants, 3-D movie, fossil hunt by flashlight and any available special exhibitions
- Space is limited and dates sell out quickly! Upcoming Sleepover Dates: April 27; May 3, 10 and 17; June 7, 14, and 21. Purchase tickets by calling Central Reservations at 212-769-5200.
- Read more about the experience HERE
Why Should Kids have all the Fun? The museum also hosts wildly popular adults-only sleepover adventures for those age 21 and over. The adult sleepover includes a champagne reception, jazz trios, full dinner buffet with drinks, and more! More on this fun experience HERE.
Thank you to AMNH for hosting our experience. As always – all opinions are our own.
