A new year is a great time for new experiences and several local museums offer you a chance for new experiences and perspectives by staying open overnight for sleepovers. Grab a sleeping bag, toothbrush, and jammies and reserve your tickets now. Many of these overnights will sell out quickly, so it’s best to reserve your spots early.
Dozin’ with Dinos at the Field Museum
While it’s unlikely you’ll spot SUE wandering the Field Museum after hours, there are plenty of fun events you can enjoy if you spend the night with her at the Field Museum during Dozin’ with Dinos. A 3D movie, late night activities, and a breakfast are just some of the experiences on the agenda.
Overnights are for families with children ages 6 to 12 years old only. Tickets are $70 per person, $83 for Premium tickets that include an opportunity to sleep in the Genus Hall of Dinosaurs, or $95 for the Tour Package that includes a behind-the-scenes tour with a Field Museum scientist. Discounts are available for Field Museum members and for groups of 15 or more people. Tickets for the 3D movie are an additional $5 per person.
- Friday, March 1, 2019
- Friday, March 8, 2019
- Friday, March 22, 2019
- Friday, March 29, 2019
- Sunday, April 6, 2019
Overnight events run from Friday at 5:30 pm to Saturday at 9:00 am unless otherwise indicated.
Don’t forget to bring your flashlight!
Asleep with the Fishes at the Shedd Aquarium
Aquatic crafts, activities, a Caribbean Reef feeding dive presentation, a scavenger hunt, and exhibit exploration are on the itinerary when you sleep with the fishes at the Shedd Aquarium.
Overnights are for children ages 5 and older and activities are geared toward children 5-12 years old. Tickets are $85 per person, $100 per person for VIP (Caribbean Reef), $110 per person for VIP (Wild Reef), or $125 for VIP (Oceanarium). VIPs can bring an air mattress and can sleep in the designated exhibit. Caribbean Reef VIPs sleep with sea turtles and bonnethead sharks, Wild Reef VIPs sleep with corals, rays, and sharks, and Oceanarium VIPs sleep with penguins, whales, and dolphins. Not ready for a full night? Enjoy evening only activities for $50.
- Friday, February 15, 2019
- Friday, March 1, 2019
- Friday, March 15, 2019
- Friday, April 5, 2019
- Friday, April 19, 2019
- Friday, May 10, 2019
- Friday, May 24, 2019
Members of the museum receive discounts on tickets for Asleep with the Fishes.
Science Snoozeum at the Museum of Science and Industry
Live science experiments, an Omnimax movie, make-and-take activities, and a scavenger hunt will keep sleepover guests busy at Science Snoozeum, and a snack and continental breakfast are included. Dinner is available for purchase during the event. When you’re all tuckered out you’ll sleep next to a giant heart, by a 727 plane, or by the toy making factory.
Science Snoozeum is for families with children 6 to 12 years old.
- Friday, February 22, 2019
- Friday, March 15, 2019
- Friday, April 5, 2019
Currently, all dates have wait lists. Visit the website to sign up for notifications when additional dates are added.
Bunking with Butterflies at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum gives scouts a chance to spend a night with butterflies and up close to other live animals, participate in nature-inspired crafts and activities, and provides an evening snack and a continental breakfast in the morning. Events are facilitated by museum educators.
The Peggy Notebaert Overnight Program is for children 6 to 12 years old. Tickets are $55 per scout, and $40 per adult chaperone. One adult chaperone is required for every 5 children; additional adult tickets are $55 each.
- Friday, February 22, 2019 – Scout Overnight Program
Peggy Notebaert doesn’t have any other public overnight events scheduled, but they do offer overnights for private groups of at least 40 people at $65-70 per person.
Note: The Adler Planetarium is no longer offering Astro-Overnights.
What museum overnight looks best to you? Or what museum do you wish offered overnights?
