We all remember heading to a slumber party with friends as a little kid, that giddy feeling that came with staying up extra late. Why should that have to end now that we've grow up? After all, since we adults are the ones spending our days cooped up in cubicles, aren't we the ones who really deserve to party as much as possible after-hours?
When you need to kick that boring early-to-bed, early-to-rise grind and have a little fun, do it up with these amazing adult overnights featuring wild animals, nature excursions, giant movie screens and, obviously, lots of dinosaurs.
Natural History Museum Adults-Only All-Nighters
The Natural History Museum offers you the chance live your dreams of spending a night in the museum, rolling out your sleeping bag under the dinosaurs or elephants. Three events in the series each have a different theme—this month it’s "Living in a Material World" and "Sex and the Species: Snailed It!"—where curators present cheeky and informative lectures that they might not give to younger audiences. You’ll drink craft beer, munch late-night snacks, dance to live DJs, complete a scavenger hunt and much more. August 12, August 26 and October 29; general admission tickets are $135.
Camp No Counselors
When a single night of nostalgic fun just isn’t enough, Camp No Counselors gets grown-ups out of their normal routine for a long weekend of classic camp activities like archery and arts-and-crafts by day—and open-bar fueled partying by night—at a private 82-acre site in Angeles National Forest. September 22 to 25, individual tickets are $525 to $599.
Cinespia Movies All Night
Now in its sixth year, this annual tradition marks the peak of Cinespia’s summer outdoor movie screening series. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery becomes a giant binge-watching sleep-over under the stars for one night only. This year, the theme is a 90’s teen movie throwback, a Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder forever night featuring Heathers, Edward Scissorhands and Cry Baby. In addition to the films, there will be DJs, a photo booth, free coffee to keep you alert and Coolhaus ice cream for a late-night treat. August 13, general admission tickets are $18.
San Diego Safari Park Roar and Snore Safari for Adults
Go on safari without leaving SoCal at this San Diego overnight. You’ll get to watch the giraffes and tigers roam from your glamping-style canvas tent after enjoying a campfire-side program with educators, guided after-hours walks through the park and behind-the-scenes animal time. Remaining 2016 dates are August 13 and 27, September 10, October 7 and 29 and November 19, registration prices begin at $140 with additional upgraded lodging and activity options available.
CAMP Conference
CAMP, brought to you by the same folks who put on the Unique LA craft fair, takes busy Angelenos, piles them on a bus and caravans them out to Big Bear for four days of digital detox, creative workshops, horseback riding, yoga and secret ceremonies (because what’s a camp without secret ceremonies?). You can choose your own adventure while you’re out in the wild, and just one rule applies: No phones, computers or other tech allowed. May 18 to 21, 2017, early-bird registration is $1,350 until September 30.
Aquarium of the Pacific Family Overnight
If you’ve got kids (or can borrow some nieces, nephews or friends’ kids for the night), the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has a way for you to get in on the overnight party fun together. There will be pizza for dinner, open access to roam the aquarium and special behind-the-scenes tours. This annual event happens each winter, so keep an eye on the ticketing page for the exact date; tickets are $90 for adults and children over age 5.
Want a preview of an adult museum overnight? Watch a video of our friend over at Time Out New York at a lock-in at NYC's Museum of Natural History!