Night at the Museum
August 8, 2014 1:40 PM Subscribe
Photographer Vivienne Gucwa attended the first ever adult sleepover at New York's American Museum of Natural History. (Photo set)
This looks amazing. The 3-digit ticket price let them keep the a very low attendance cap. I can image a museum doing the same for a much more affordable price and being full of loud party bros who think they found an excuse to drink all night outside of the 'burbs.
I would gladly pay hundreds of dollars for the opportunity to spend some time in a (nearly) empty major museum like this.
posted by thecjm at 1:53 PM on August 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
I would gladly pay hundreds of dollars for the opportunity to spend some time in a (nearly) empty major museum like this.
posted by thecjm at 1:53 PM on August 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
It’s a great event to attend with someone special, that’s for sure.
Oh hell, yes. Argh.
posted by Melismata at 1:59 PM on August 8, 2014
Oh hell, yes. Argh.
posted by Melismata at 1:59 PM on August 8, 2014
$375/night would be a bargain for a NYC hotel room, especially if it includes dinner and unlimited dinosaur viewing.
posted by schmod at 2:09 PM on August 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by schmod at 2:09 PM on August 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Here's a few [NYT] more reviews.
I am so incredibly jealous of this and if they ever do it on a non-Friday night I will sell whatever I need to to get to it (I am not ashamed to admit that I will even send my kid to the child version if that what it takes so I can chaperone, even if that turns him into the sort of spoiled New York kid I deplore to the core of my being). Meet me at midnight at the baby rhino!
posted by Mchelly at 2:15 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
I am so incredibly jealous of this and if they ever do it on a non-Friday night I will sell whatever I need to to get to it (I am not ashamed to admit that I will even send my kid to the child version if that what it takes so I can chaperone, even if that turns him into the sort of spoiled New York kid I deplore to the core of my being). Meet me at midnight at the baby rhino!
posted by Mchelly at 2:15 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
(I am not ashamed to admit that I will even send my kid to the child version if that what it takes so I can chaperone, even if that turns him into the sort of spoiled New York kid I deplore to the core of my being).
As someone who has worked on museum sleepovers (and slept in many, many museums as a kid) I would just like say that they're awesome and I encourage everyone with kids and the opportunity to participate to do so. I was always sad when parents had questions but wouldn't ask them because "it was for the kids" when really, education is for everyone. I haven't been a part of any NYC ones, but I would be shocked if the overall makeup is anything other than scout troops and birthday parties and school groups. They're expensive in part because of the staffing expense (in my experience, extra staff, extra educational support, catering, extra security) but not because they're an overly posh experience (adult version with wine excluded.) Please go if you can because this sounds like a great program!
posted by jetlagaddict at 2:23 PM on August 8, 2014 [3 favorites]
As someone who has worked on museum sleepovers (and slept in many, many museums as a kid) I would just like say that they're awesome and I encourage everyone with kids and the opportunity to participate to do so. I was always sad when parents had questions but wouldn't ask them because "it was for the kids" when really, education is for everyone. I haven't been a part of any NYC ones, but I would be shocked if the overall makeup is anything other than scout troops and birthday parties and school groups. They're expensive in part because of the staffing expense (in my experience, extra staff, extra educational support, catering, extra security) but not because they're an overly posh experience (adult version with wine excluded.) Please go if you can because this sounds like a great program!
posted by jetlagaddict at 2:23 PM on August 8, 2014 [3 favorites]
My kid is still (just) too young for the kids sleepovers. I am counting the days until she is old enough and we will there. I am way more excited than she is (and she is excited.)
posted by gaspode at 2:46 PM on August 8, 2014
posted by gaspode at 2:46 PM on August 8, 2014
I recall the one time when I won a contest in my school district that allowed me and a select number of students to sleep overnight at the central library in our city. It was a book-nerd's dream come true. I've never forgotten it. We all found corners to read for a few hours and then we had pizza and a movie. It was mostly just knowing that we were the only ones allowed and how special we were. Such a good feeling to know we were given that freedom.
posted by Fizz at 2:57 PM on August 8, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by Fizz at 2:57 PM on August 8, 2014 [5 favorites]
Fizz: you are living the dream - it's been a longtime fantasy of mine to spend the night at a bookstore or library.
posted by divabat at 3:04 PM on August 8, 2014
posted by divabat at 3:04 PM on August 8, 2014
Claudia and Jamie Kincaid pioneered this at the Met back in the 70s... and they had it all to themselves.
posted by jammy at 3:04 PM on August 8, 2014 [8 favorites]
posted by jammy at 3:04 PM on August 8, 2014 [8 favorites]
divabat,
I do realize how lucky I was. Related: I also had a similar experience with Cub Scouts. At the local museum there was "Soviets in Space" exhibit. It would have been a better memory had we not all become sick because of food poisoning the next morning on the way back home, but still, a once in a life-time childhood memory. Sleeping in a museum beside actual space equipment was pretty legit.
posted by Fizz at 3:11 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
I do realize how lucky I was. Related: I also had a similar experience with Cub Scouts. At the local museum there was "Soviets in Space" exhibit. It would have been a better memory had we not all become sick because of food poisoning the next morning on the way back home, but still, a once in a life-time childhood memory. Sleeping in a museum beside actual space equipment was pretty legit.
posted by Fizz at 3:11 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
I have some mixed feelings about this. Mostly because while I can objectively recognize this as a good, fun educational thing, the looming specter of this possibly happening will add dimension and depth to my already vivid work nightmares (er, daymares) and my sleep is already disrupted as it is.
posted by louche mustachio at 3:36 PM on August 8, 2014
posted by louche mustachio at 3:36 PM on August 8, 2014
When they say Adult, they ain't kidding: Night at the Boozeum: Handjobs and Spiders at NYC's Best Sleepover. Yoinks!
posted by scalefree at 3:49 PM on August 8, 2014
posted by scalefree at 3:49 PM on August 8, 2014
Claudia and Jamie Kincaid pioneered this at the Met back in the 70s... and they had it all to themselves.
Only now, there's no fountain for them to bathe in.
Plus, I'm guessing, better security and all that...
posted by Melismata at 4:29 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
Only now, there's no fountain for them to bathe in.
Plus, I'm guessing, better security and all that...
posted by Melismata at 4:29 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
When I was a kid I slept over at the science and technology museum and the aviation museum as part of a girl guide thing and they were both amazing. If I lived in NYC I would sign up for that in a hot minute, despite the price tag.
posted by quaking fajita at 5:30 PM on August 8, 2014
posted by quaking fajita at 5:30 PM on August 8, 2014
I attended a small university that was blessed with exceptional and priceless glass and ceramic collections, which at the time were displayed in simple lighted cases in the hallways of an academic building.
As I worked on both the newspaper and radio station, I frequently traversed the campus very late at night, and would often cut through that building so I could spend time alone with the exhibits, turning the lights on at one end of the hallway and off at the other. It was one of the best things about going to school there. Those exhibits are now all packed away, undisplayed.
I can't imagine being set loose in the MofNH. I'd feel right at home. Too bad they make it so expensive.
posted by kinnakeet at 5:49 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
As I worked on both the newspaper and radio station, I frequently traversed the campus very late at night, and would often cut through that building so I could spend time alone with the exhibits, turning the lights on at one end of the hallway and off at the other. It was one of the best things about going to school there. Those exhibits are now all packed away, undisplayed.
I can't imagine being set loose in the MofNH. I'd feel right at home. Too bad they make it so expensive.
posted by kinnakeet at 5:49 PM on August 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by Fizz at 1:47 PM on August 8, 2014