Operation Overnight: 57 Amazing Sleepover Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, and Centers

When “Night at the Museum” first premiered in 2006 I remember thinking “Cool Experience!” What a perfect way to learn history ! Talk about engaging and connecting to learning! Imagine being able to explore galleries with live exhibits of people and things you have studied or will study in the second of the trilogy, ” In 2009 when “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” made its debut, I became even more intrigued with the idea and that feeling grew in 2014 when “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” premiered, I couldn’t wait to get the books.

Night at the Museum is a fantasy-comedy feature film based on the 1993 children’s picture book, The Night at the Museum, written and illustrated by author/illustrator, Milan Trenc. In 2006, the movie was novelized by Leslie Goldman as a book for young adults.

Since the release and success of the movies and the publications of the books, overnight and sleepover museums have increased in number and participation.

If you watched any or all of the “Night at the Museum” trilogies and like me wondered what really happens in the museum after dark; wonder no more! Check out the book “Sleepover at the Museum” written by Karen Lefrak and illustrated by David Bucs and then check out one or more of the sleepover opportunities listed below and let the discovery begin!

In order to meet the diverse interest, needs and wants of you, your children or your organization, this compilation was devised with my intent to provide an eclectic mix of educational programs, late-night activities, unique after-parties, diverse overnight experiences, surreal sleepovers, and adventurous slumber arrangements.

What parents and teachers say

It is with this concept in mind I’ve compiled 57 sleepover destinations which include museums, centers, zoos, ships, aquariums, and stadiums. Most are for children and chaperones, but some have adult or couple sleepovers. Just think of the discoveries and explorations possibilities within these incredible and awesome opportunities.

What sleepover participants say

Check Out These 57 Amazing Sleepover Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, and Centers

  • Rubin Museum Adult Sleepover
  • National History Museum Sleepover
  • Chabot Space Center Sleepover
  • National ARchive Museum Sleepover
  • Carnegie Science Sleepovers (Engineering Challenge, Sleepover, Tropical Science Sleepover, Boys Only Gaming Sleepover, Polar Express Sleepover, Odd Squad Sleepover, Astronomy Sleepover, Camp-in Sleepover, Beauty and the Beast Sleepovers; Sci-Fi Sleepover, Matilda Sleepover for Girls, Forensic Science Sleepover)
    Carnegie Science Center
    One Allegheny Avenue
    Pittsburg, PA
    412-237-3400
    http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/science-sleepovers/
  • Cincinnati Museum Center Sleepover (Dinosaurs, Cave, Science, Monsters and Museums, Space, LEGO, Super Friends, Into the Wild)
    Cincinnati Museum Center
    1301 Western Avenue
    Cincinnati, OH 45203-1103
    https://www.cincymuseum.org/overnights/
  • Connecticut Science Center
    Columbus Boulevard,
    Hartford, CT 06103
  • Franklin Institute Camp-In
    Franklin Institute
    222 North 20th Street Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, PA  19103
    215-448-1200
    https://www.fi.edu/camp-in
  • Kidspy Overnight: Operation Secret Slumber
    International Spy Museum
    700 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
    Washington, DC 20024
    202-393-7798
    https://www.spymuseum.org/
  • Sleepovers at The National History Museum (Dino Detectives , Once Upon a Butterfly, Extreme Flyers, Ice Age Adventures, Museum-ologists, Eye Spy Adventures)
    National History Museum of Los Angeles County
    800 Exposition Boulevard
    Los Angeles, CA  90007
    213-763-DINO (3466)
    https://nhm.org/sleepovers-natural-history-museum
  • Virginia Museum of Natural History
    21 Starling Avenue
    Martinsville, VA 24112
    Ph: 276-634-4141, Fax: 276-634-4199
    information@vmnh.virginia.gov
    https://www.vmnh.net/sleepovers
Operation-Overnight-57-Sleepover-MuseumsDownload
  • Chicago Field Museum Sleepover
  • Perot Museum Sleepover
  • California Academy of Science Sleepover
  • American Museum of National History Sleepover

These are only some of the sleepover opportunities. To find others closer to you just do a search. Please feel free to send me an email or add additional opportunities in the comment section.

  • Overtime Overnight Experience
    College Football Hall of Fame

40 Replies to “Operation Overnight: 57 Amazing Sleepover Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, and Centers”

    1. Thank you for your comment. I was undecided on which post to post and finally decided that others might find this concept and opportunities as intriguing as I. I am glad I chose it. I have been getting lots of great comments and people like me are interested in potentially participating in one. If you plan a sleepover event, please share. Would love to hear about your experience. FYI: your comment has been entered into next week’s drawing for a free book.

      Reply

    1. Yes, I agree it is so cool! I am so glad that is a real opportunity. I can’t wait to participate in one with family, friends and/or a group. I want to experience it as an adult and also want to see kids respond to the adventure. OAN, your comment has been entered into next month’s drawing.

      Reply

    1. It does sound like lots of fun! Let me know if you do join in on the fun and attend one or more! Thank you for your comment; it has now been entered into next month’s book drawing.

      Reply

  4. My kids would love doing this! What a great list. We live near DC so we could definitely take advantage of the National History museum sleepover!

    Reply

    1. I am like you, can’t wait to participate. My biological children are in their twenties but I know they will be excited to go, especially my son. Regardless my husband and I will plan to attend one of the adult nights and I plan on proposing one with a class or group and will volunteer to chaperone. Please let me know if you attend one; would love to hear about your experience. OAN, good luck with next month’s book drawing; I have entered you.

      Reply

    1. I know. Thank goodness books help us to discover new worlds. Can’t wait to attend one or more. BTW, this comment secures you an entry into next month’s book give-a-way drawing.

      Reply

  6. What a phenomenal list! I had no idea there were so many opportunities to stay the night at this many museums. My kids would love this, and I already see a couple to consider in the next few months.

    Reply

    1. Thank you. It took me a while to post because I kept finding more and more overnight opportunities. I had to finally shut myself down and hit that publish button. I can’t wait to take advantage to engage and to connect. Please post if you participate in any. BTW, You are now entered in next month’s book give-a-way drawing.

      Reply

    1. Thanks! I know, right! I can’t wait to stay at one. There are 4 in my city. I’ve added it to my bucket list of things to do! If you attend one, please share. Again, thanks for your comment. I’ve added you to next month’s book drawing.

      Reply

  8. wow! That’s a long list! So much information to absorb and you have done a lot of research. My Kids are all Young adults, perhaps one day I’ll enjoy some of these with my grands.

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your comment. It is lengthy. My children are also young adults and I don’t yet have grandchildren. I have little cousins and work with children groups. I am thinking of either volunteering as a chaperone, taking family children when they visit and/or participating in one of the adult or couple sleepovers. Please feel free to share with school, scouts, sports, church groups or any other group with children which you affiliate, as well as friends with little children or grandchildren.

      Reply

    1. Thank you for your comment. I believe your kids will love it, especially since there are different kind for different interests. If you partake in any, please share.

      Reply

    1. I also love museums. Will be finishing up several blogs in future blogs, including the Dali museum, the Maira Kalman exhibit at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the Prado, the Frida Kahlo exhibit and others! Stay tune. Hope you will be able to take advantage of some of the overnight experiences.

      Reply

    1. Thank you for your comment and taking the time to check out the post. Any child or adult in your life will enjoy the experience. If you go, please share the experience. Have fun!

      Reply

  12. What?! I didn’t even know you could sleepover at museums and aquariums until I saw this post. This is so cool! It makes me jealous of the little kiddos that get to do it. Thanks for posting!

    Reply

    1. I am always amazed at all the resources that may be in our backyard but not in our awareness. I shared because it was intriguing and I am one who truly believe in hands-on activities as a learning enhancement; plus it is fun. I see this as an opportunity for parents, grandparents, sitters, nannies, scout leaders, church groups, school personnel, etc. I also love that some of the sleepovers are also either for adults or allow adult participation. Thank you for taking the time to check out the post and for your comments.

      Reply

    1. As a parent of a girl scout who is now an educator. I see so many opportunities for the Scouts. Some of the venues on the list actually host Scout nights. Think of the different patches out there that can be earned. What fun! Enjoy. Please share the experience if you participate in any.

      Reply

  14. I always hear about these types of events, but I really need to be more proactive and actually see what I need to do to participate. They sound like so much fun for any age!

    Reply

    1. I understand what you mean. Sometimes we don’t treat ourselves to all the opportunities that are out there, even when we know we will enjoy it. I have just started doing more. Life is so short. To help me I added some to a bucket list and others to a challenge list. So much more that I am checking into to see what I need to do to be a part of the exciting world out there. Thank you for taking the time to read the post and for going the extra mile an commenting. Keep me posted if you participate in one or more. Would love to hear about the experience.

      Reply

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and for distributing it to your friends. Thank you also for sharing how you got rid of sleep problems. I myself suffer from sleep problems so your shared article was informative.

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  18. First of all I would like to say great blog!
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    Reply

    1. Writing from the heart with a connection to a book, author or illustrator, brainstorming, graphic organizers, rewrites, and outlines. Sometimes too many thoughts result in multiple posts.

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  20. I had NO idea that some of these places like the Natural History Museum offered sleepovers! That is awesome! Now it makes me want to take a vacation just to do some of the sleepovers.

    Reply

    1. That is how I felt when I wrote this. This post was actually inspired by the movie and book. I began wondering if there were any real sleepovers! I, like you, want to do some of these sleepovers although I am not sure if they are back and running from the COVID shutdowns, but if not hopefully soon. They look like fun and there are so many! Please share if you end up participating in any.

      Reply

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