As the clock approaches 10:00 PM on a Friday evening, a group of excited children illuminate the towering skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex with their flashlights. This enchanting scene isn't from a Hollywood movie, but rather part of a whimsical sleepover experience at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. After a five-year suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, the museum has successfully relaunched its beloved "Night at the Museum" program, allowing families to spend an unforgettable night among some of the world's most fascinating exhibits.
The museum offers these special overnight experiences once a month for a substantial fee, giving parents and children the unique opportunity to explore the venerable institution after dark. Eight-year-old Jake Nelson, who was participating in the program, expressed his amazement at the unusual sleeping arrangement. "We live really close to this place. So we can come here anytime we want," Jake said. "It's crazy to sleep here -- like, I don't know who would come up with this crazy idea." Despite his bewilderment, Jake, who was nestled in his sleeping bag on a cot beneath the museum's massive suspended blue whale model, admitted he was "so happy to be here."
The museum originally launched its "Night at the Museum" programs in 2006, capitalizing on the popularity of the movie of the same name that was released that year. The film starred Ben Stiller as a security guard who discovers that the museum's animals and fossils magically come to life during the nighttime hours. Aaron Anleu, the museum's senior director of visitor service, emphasized the significance of bringing back these overnight experiences. "They were an iconic part of our itinerary here, and very sought after by all of our visitors," Anleu explained. "Unfortunately, during the pandemic, we had to pause the experience for a few years, but we really wanted to take a pause and understand how we can make this experience exciting and memorable for our visitors, and now we're here."
The program's return has proven incredibly popular, with Friday's overnight visit completely sold out, along with all November and December events. However, despite the sold-out status, a few cots remained empty when lights were dimmed for the night. Several hundred children between the ages of six and twelve arrived at the museum at 6:00 PM, accompanied by their parents or caregivers and carrying sleeping bags and pillows. Some young participants had already changed into their pajamas, ready for the night's adventures.
For a starting fee of $225 per person, attendees receive a comprehensive package that includes flashlight tours of various exhibits, particularly the fossil halls, along with scavenger hunts, trivia games, and bedtime snacks. The experience concludes with breakfast served before the 8:30 AM departure time. The admission price also includes a commemorative souvenir and a voucher for free admission during the museum's regular operating hours, adding extra value to the overnight experience.
Among the various activities offered throughout the night, including games, crafts, live presentations, and self-guided visits to the live insect displays, one of the most unexpectedly popular events is karaoke. Children enthusiastically perform a diverse mix of songs, ranging from Broadway show tunes to viral internet hits like "The Duck Song" and tracks from the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." Shortly before midnight, the young visitors settle into their beds to listen to a live reading of Milan Trenc's 1993 children's book "The Night at the Museum," which served as the inspiration for the popular film series.
The structured schedule ensures an early wake-up call at 7:00 AM, giving participants time to prepare before the event officially ends at 8:30 AM. Jaclyn Rice Nelson, Jake's mother and a lifelong New York resident, was thoroughly impressed by the unique experience. "It's magical. I'm a lifelong New Yorker, and I've never done anything like this," she said, gesturing toward the massive whale suspended above them. Her son had taken breaks from some of the night's scheduled activities to read a Harry Potter book in the extraordinary museum setting, though he admitted the experience was exhausting. "This is tiring," Jake acknowledged. "I think I've done a lot of stuff."
Jaclyn Rice Nelson described some of the evening's most memorable moments, particularly their visit to the dinosaur exhibits. "We went up to the dinosaurs, and all the lights were off, and so it was like walking around with flashlights with these big, kind of scary dinosaurs. And that's just a very, very special experience," she explained. The darkened museum environment creates an atmosphere of mystery and wonder that simply cannot be replicated during regular daytime visits.
The timing of the program's return coincides with reports from Hollywood media outlets indicating that a new "Night at the Museum" film is currently in development. Ben Stiller, who starred in the first three installments of the franchise, helped establish the cultural phenomenon that inspired countless children and families to dream of spending a night surrounded by museum exhibits. With both the real-life sleepover program and potential new movie content on the horizon, the magic and wonder of spending a night at the museum appears destined to continue captivating audiences for years to come.
