Spend a real-life 'Night at the Museum' in NYC

In the 2006 movie “Night at the Museum,” Ben Stiller played a security guard who discovers that everything in the American Museum of Natural History — from the T-Rex to Attila the Hun — comes alive at night.

For the film’s premiere, children were invited to actually spend the night when, it is assumed, the dinosaurs and everything else remained safely frozen in time. But museum officials recognized a good idea, and initiated monthly overnights, inviting children (along with their parental chaperones) to explore the museum after hours.

The program was a huge success, said Aaron Anleu, senior director of visitor services, running strong until the pandemic prompted a halt in 2020. Late last year, the museum decided it was time to resume the events, with sleepovers now scheduled once a month — and selling out almost as soon as reservations open (for the April-June nights, reservations open for member presale on Feb. 24 and the general public March 3).

“It’s a unique experience,” Anleu said. “Having the museum to yourself outside of the normal hours really broadens your imagination.”

The evening, geared to children ages 6 to 12, starts at 6 p.m. when the 400 guests arrive, stash their belongings on their cots and get flashlights so they can start exploring. Activities happen throughout the museum, dimly lit to enhance the experience. Visitors might come across a live animal demonstration or play games like trivia and bingo. Craft projects (think dinosaur hats and crowns) take place all over the museum, and a scavenger hunt is a highlight, as guests roam the building in search of things like a certain tiger.

At the end of the evening, everyone gathers under the iconic blue whale, where someone reads the original book on which the film was based.

Does anyone actually sleep? “Absolutely,” said Anleu. “There’s nothing spooky” about the evening, he said. “Surprisingly, after lights out at midnight, it only takes a few minutes.”

The kids love it, Anleu added, but perhaps not as much as their parents. “There’s minimal screentime throughout the night,” he noted.