Keep reading to learn more about our list of museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC. If you’ve ever dreamed about bringing your entire family to an extremely unique staycation destination, look no further. From enjoying live jazz music alongside gigantic dinosaur fossils, to getting a morning wakeup call from some peacocks, a museum sleepover might be the most genius thing we’ve ever heard of happening in NYC today.
New York City is known for its museum culture. With such a rich history and so many diverse neighborhoods, there is a new exhibit to explore and learn wherever you look. Some of my absolute favorite museum experiences in our beautiful city are the Metropolitan Museum of Art (or The Met, as it is affectionately known) and The Cloisters (a lesser-explored annex of The Met). The day either of my favorite museums offers an adult sleepover experience will be the day that I will declare I can die happily!
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In looking for some amazing museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC, we consulted several sources: Class Curious and Red Tricycle. These sites were extraordinarily helpful, and offered a wealth of information on numerous great options. The items are listed in no particular order. Be sure to do your research, and make sue that the experience you are looking for is being offered on a date coming up. Some are offered very sporadically, and some will fill up within a matter of days. Keep your eyes peeled for these once-in-a-lifetime experiences!
If you’re looking for a museum experience outside of NYC that doesn’t come with the nighttime raucous, also check out our list of the most visited museums in the US.
Keep reading to learn more details about museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC.
9. American Museum of Natural History: “A Night at the Museum”
Ages: 6-13
Cost: $129 each
Location: Central Park West
Remember the movie “Night at the Museum”? This special night at the American Museum of Natural History is the closest you’ll come to reliving the adventures of the characters in the film! You’ll get to explore the museum exhibits after it is closed to the public, take part in a late night fossil search with flashlights, and sleep all together in an exhibition hall.
8. The Bronx Zoo: “Family Overnight Safari”
Ages: 5 and up
Cost: $175 each
Location: Bronx
Do your little ones love critters? Taking a trip to the Bronx Zoo might be your go-to daytime activity. But what about after the sun goes down? Now you can book a family overnight experience to get an up-close look at the amazing creatures inhabiting the exhibits after the rest of the guests have gone home for the day. You’ll even be woken up by some feathery friends, the zoo’s own peacocks!
7. Queens Zoo: Scout Overnight Program
Ages: Scouts of all ages
Cost: $65 each
Location: Queens
Another show-stopper for animal-lovers on our list of museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC, the sleepover for Scouts at the Queens Zoo gives little ones a chance to really enjoy a special animal excursion. A lesson on animal diets leads to an activity of preparing treats for some of the lucky critters, a stroll through the Aviary after dark, and even a snack to enjoy under the stars in your tents. Remember, no alarm clocks allowed. Some rather excited parrots will be sure to wake you up on time!
6. Intrepid Museum: “Operation Slumber”
Ages: 6-17
Cost: $120 each
Location: Hell’s Kitchen
This event that ranks 6th on our list of museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC happens about once every month, and is a real crowd-pleaser with fans of all things nautical and space. Aside from getting to sleep on the water aboard the Intrepid, guests will get to roam the flight decks and hangar, and there will even be a treasure hunt! This is one of the most unique items on the list of museum sleepovers in NYC.
5. Historic Richmond Town: “Mystery, Murder and Mischief Sleepover”
Ages: 8-12
Cost: $45 each child, $40 each chaperone
Location: Staten Island
If you have a private party in mind, this might be the perfect venue for you. For groups of up to 20 children, this murder mystery tour walks a bit on the dark side. From the candlelit tour of historic Richmond after-dark, to a murder trial reenactment, kids are sure to learn a lot. But perhaps they’ll be clinging extra closely to their chaperones when it’s time to go to sleep!
4. Rubin Museum of Art: “Peak Experience”
Ages: 9-12
Cost: $175 each
Location: Chelsea
Have you ever dreamed about climbing Mt. Everest? Well, now you can try a virtual version of the infamous trek from the safety of the Rubin Museum, the number 4 on our list of museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC! Learn all about safety, tips for camping, how to be a leader, and how to use teamwork to reach your goals from experts, while also getting lessons in Sherpa culture and Himalayan art.
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3. New York Hall of Science: “Science Sleepover”
Ages: Girl and Boy Scouts (any age)
Cost: $85 each
Location: Queens
Saved for Scout groups only, these special science sleepovers are sure to be a treat for anyone looking to experiment. In addition to sleepover fun with a group of Scout buddies, participants will also get to take part in hands-on exhibits and watch demonstrations of scientific phenomena. Put on your lab coats and get ready for some mad science! And now, let’s check out the top two entries on our list of museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC.
2. Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium: “Extreme Sleepover” in Times Square
Ages: 6-18
Cost: $115
Location: Hell’s Kitchen
Is your little one a bit freaky? Bring down your weirdos and oddballs for an experience like none other at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Flashlight scavenger hunts for oddities, a laser race, and a movie are in store. Certainly kids will be asking to go to bed after all of the festivities; but to their surprise, it will be a mummy, not their mommy, who will be getting them all tucked in. Those who make it to the morning will even get a Survivor Certificate!
1. St. John the Divine: “Knightwatch Medieval Sleepover”
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $135 each
Location: Morningside Heights
This medieval wonderland provides kids with an educational and fun experience fit for a king or queen. Taking place in the world’s biggest Gothic cathedral, the fanciful surroundings are played up with candle lighting and period-appropriate activities. Kids and chaperones alike will get to take a dance lesson, learn some cool moves with foam sabers, go on a scavenger hunt, and even make clay gargoyles!
Thanks for staying with us through our list of museum sleepovers for kids and adults in NYC. The next time you are looking for a really special family activity to plan, perhaps you can all sleep underneath a giant whale or beside some priceless work of art.
