I’m sure I’m not the only one to have fantasised about spending a night at the museum in the company of historical artefacts, dinosaur skeletons and technological marvels that would all but guarantee that I actually won’t get any sleep. Luckily for me, there are many museums around the world that make my childhood come true, regularly hosting sleepovers and after-dark experiences that include a tasty breakfast in the morning.
From the Melbourne Museum in Australia to the East Coast of the United States of America, here are five museums to sleepover in. Just remember to bring your pyjamas.
Located in Australia’s second-biggest city and cultural capital, the Melbourne Museum is hosting adult and family sleepovers until September 2025.
Visitors will be treated to a torchlight dinosaur tour; taken through an immersive journey of the world-first LEGO Star Wars exhibition; and plied with gin, jaffles and board games, after which they can enjoy an IMAX screening of “Pacific Rim” in 3D. If you actually want to get some shut-eye, you can settle down for a nap among the dinosaurs.
In the morning, wake up to a delicious breakfast and an early morning baby Triceratops meet-and-greet before heading off to spend the day exploring the museum. All you have to do is bring a sleeping bag and pillow, personal toiletries, pyjamas and warm clothes, comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, and most importantly, a love for dinosaurs.
Address: 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
This museum in New York City was founded in 1982 after it acquired a WWII aircraft carrier called the Intrepid. Its collections span science and history, and include technological marvels such as Enterprise, the world’s first space shuttle, and Growler, the only nuclear-weapons-carrying submarine open to the public. Visitors will encounter dozens of military aircraft, including fighter jets, a supersonic spy plane and the Concorde, the world’s fastest commercial airliner, here.
The Intrepid Museum hosts “Overnights” for children aged 5-17 years old, where they get exclusive night-time access to the ship and Space Shuttle Pavilion, and sleep among the aircraft just like enlisted sailors once did. There are flashlight tours of the Flight Deck, a scavenger hunt around the ship, unlimited simulator rides as well as dinner, snacks and breakfast.
Address: Pier 86, W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036, United States of America
A must-visit place in London, the Natural History Museum is a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre with over 80 million objects in its collection.
They host regular “Dino Snores for Grown Ups” events throughout the year for adults to indulge their inner child. While the highlight is undoutbedly sleeping beneath the life-size skeleton of a blue whale in Hintze Hall, there will be free access to selected galleries, a live animal workshop, a “dino bingo” event, a science show, a stand-up comedy special and a late-night movie marathon.
Guests won’t go hungry either, with a three-course dinner and bar serving drinks and nibbles until 12:45 AM to keep them satisfied. Complimentary tea and coffee will be served from 9 PM to 2:30 AM and from 7-9:30 AM. After breakfast in the morning, join a yoga session and continue your exploration of the museum before the daytime visitors arrive.
Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
While not strictly a sleepover, the “Kennedy Under the Stars” event is an after-hours experience that will indulge in Y2K nostalgia on August 30.
Starting at 6:30 PM, guests can dance the night away at NASA Central’s techno glow party, enjoy early 2000s hits at Gateway, or pop by the Rocket Garden for dance-offs and cosmic prizes. There will be a costume contest (space-themed attire is encouraged for adults and children), a Cosmic Glow Mini Golf event, an astronaut meet-and-greet with veteran NASA astronauts Ellen Ochoa and Mike Foreman, a night sky experience with Florida Tech’s Ortega Observatory team, street performances, and special space-themed food and drinks, including a specialty cocktail for adults.
Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, United States of America
This iconic museum hosts regular sleepovers in its Egyptian, Assyrian and Greek galleries for kids aged 8-15 (who must be accompanied by an adult). Called the “Young Friends Sleepovers,” the action-packed evening takes in crafts, workshops and storytelling activities, where children will uncover the secrets and traditions of incredible ancient cultures, from the Maya to the Mesopotamians. They will then bed down in the Egyptian and Assyrian galleries, surrounded by kings and gods from the ancient world. There will be breakfast in the morning and the chance to undertake an exclusive gallery trail before the museum opens to the public.
Address: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom