Overnight at the Museum
Posted on March 23, 2026 by Ching under Things to Do.
Brian and I had our first Overnight at the Museum experience at Exploration Place last month. It was a lot of fun but in some ways not quite what I expected. Brian and I weren’t sure we would know anyone. Seeing Jake, Christina, and Melody there definitely made it more fun.
Here’s a snap of the schedule:
The night started with a pep rally before we were fed boxed meals from Firehouse Subs for dinner. After dinner, there were three activities to choose from — capture the flag, skeeball tournament, and scavenger hunt. You could participate in some or all or none of these activities. Brian and I skipped the capture the flag (he didn’t want to do any running) and scavenger hunt but we did play some skeeball before roaming around the the museum — partly to check out the exhibits but mostly to scope out a good spot to pitch our tent. However, we now understand why they give you earplugs and sleep masks in your welcome bag.
Prior to the event, Exploration Place sent us an email of what to bring and what to expect and they told us it would be pitch dark so we should bring a flashlight (false – we didn’t need a flashlight at all) and that it would be cold in the museum overnight (also false but probably not the museum’s fault because we had an extraordinarily warm day).
After considering several areas, Brian and I decided we would camp in Explore Kansas area because (a) it was part of the areas marked “quietest sleeping area” and (b) we felt it would have the better view because of the glass wall next to the river. Anyway, this map was also false. None of the exhibits were turned off and many of the lights remained on all night. It was still very bright. Thus, no need for the flashlights they told us to bring. I’m not sure if someone forgot a step or what. LOL.
At one point in the middle of the night, I asked Brian if “those people” outside our tent were ever going to quit talking and go to bed. He explained to me it was the freaking TV that was part of one of the exhibits. I also kept thinking surely they’ll turn the lights and exhibits off at some point. Nope. Even the simulated tornado thing, which doesn’t seem loud when people are buzzing about the museum but is quite loud in the backdrop of silence, remained on all night long.
The next morning, we were served muffins for breakfast and coffee out of a super slow Keurig coffee machine which Brian wanted none of so we actually stopped by the Mokas next door on the way home. Anyway, the experience was fun overall but I’m not likely to get Brian to do it again. What are some other events or activities that you all think we should try?
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