Picture yourselves bundled in sleeping bags, waiting for the dinosaur skeletons to walk and the mummies to exit their sarcophagi -- it's a night at the museum.

What's better than spending a day with the family gazing upon exotic fish, sharks, dolphins, and other sea life at an aquarium? Could it be a day with elephants, bats, snakes and gorillas at an animal reserve? How about spending a night with educators at a world-class museum packed with mummies and dinosaurs, rare art work and ancient sculpture? Several of America's premier learning centers offer educational overnight programs, ideal for families, that provide a fun and unique way to get a relaxed and up-close look at the workings of these establishments.

Sleepover at 5 Favorite Museums

American Museum of Natural History
79th Street and Central Park West
New York, NY 10023
212/769-5200
Remember Ben Stiller's adventure in Night at the Museum? Although the movie wasn't filmed there, the famous House of Dinosaurs in New York City does host kids ages 8-12, with their adults, several times per year. It's not cheap, but factor in a light dinner and breakfast, a flashlight tour of spooky fossils after you've caught the latest IMAX film, and eight hours of snoozing on comfy cots. Each adult may bring up to three kids for an unforgettable experience.

Saratoga Automobile Museum
110 Avenue of the Pines
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518/587-1935
This museum came up with some innovative solutions to keep children and girls interested in their automobile exhibits. Among their special all-nighter programs, they started hosting Girl Scout sleepovers where girls can camp out with the museum's car collection worth $10 million. They also get to learn all about changing oil and discuss the role of women in the auto industry. Call the museum to inquire about special events and upcoming all-nighters.

Museum of Science and Industry Snoozeum
7th and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637-1414
773/684-9844
This place is a thorough look at how things work, with over 25 exhibits designed for hands-on interaction. It also houses the city's major Omnimax theater which is of great interest to younger kids. When it comes to museum sleepovers, MSI asks, "What could be more fun than spending the night under a real 727, nestled near a fairy castle, or camped out just steps away from a toy-making factory in ToyMaker 3000? And they are on top of the planning, with several special interest groups able to book the same evenings. Once your evening schedule is set, they ask your party to wear special T-shirts and wander only is designated areas after your tour, as they don't want to scare participants in other areas of the museum. Be sure to book a tour of the new Smart House, a full size house built on the grounds with the most current green building techniques.

Museum of Nature and Science
3535 Grand Avenue and 1318 South 2nd Avenue in Fair Park
Dallas, TX 75210
214/428-5555
This hands-on museum features sleepovers for 7-12 with a tour of their current and temporary exhibit, fun educational programs, take-home crafts, hands-on activities with museum staff, late night pizza snack and breakfast. Children also receive a special event patch to commemorate the event and show off their VIP status. Recent exhibits have included Ice Age Dallas, Dental Gallery, and touchable displays. Parents should take note that space fills up fast and full payment is required four weeks prior to the event.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20560
202/633-3030
Thanks to the popularity of "Night at the Smithsonian," the country's national museum has insituted a few summer sleepovers for groups and families with kids ages 8-12. They encourage families to visit the Hall of Dinosaurs, Mammal Hall, and new Sant Ocean Hall after dark, and using a guide known as Indiana Jane, provide kids with a lot of mystery, learning and fun. Activities include a tour of the exhibits, a scavenger hunt, arts n'crafts, and a viewing of the current IMAX film. For 2010, the rate is $125 per person; dinner is sold in the restaurant but breakfast is included.

Details, Details

Besides setting standards and covering the work of American and Canadian aquariums, zoos, and science centers, The Association of Science-Technology Centers (202/783-7200) maintains a list of museums throughout the U.S. and Canada that also offer overnight stays, or "camp-in" programs. They're usually booked by museum members and locals, but imagine how tourists could potentially save a bundle on hotel rooms. Fees for sleeping in classroom facilities (typically in your sleeping bag), a supper and a morning meal, may sound steep, but trust us, this experience will be priceless!

[FTF Tip: Once you've decided on the destination, make sure to sign up way in advance. These special events, which only host a limited number of people, sell out months ahead of time].