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Find out what happens at the Museum after the sun goes down! Enjoy a fun-filled evening of hands-on activities and scavenger hunts before settling down to sleep among the exhibits
Interested in Booking an After Hours Program?

Unveiling the Secrets of the Night

An Unforgettable After-Hours Museum Experience
Experience the mystery of the night at HMNS After Dark! Discover what unfolds after the sun sets and the museum doors close. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with engaging hands-on activities, exciting scavenger hunts, and the rare opportunity to sleep among the captivating exhibits.

Immerse yourself in the enchantment of the after-hours museum experience, where curiosity knows no bounds. Uncover the secrets that come to life after dark and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this unique adventure at HMNS After Dark!

Overnights

Have you ever wondered what really happens during a night at the museum?

Find out for yourself at an HMNS overnight! Our overnights are perfect for science clubs, student councils, field trips and more. Visit prehistoric beasts, dazzling gems, and fascinating cultures from around the world!

HMNS Overnights are available for children ages 6-12 and their adult (21+) chaperones. We require that groups maintain a ratio of 1 chaperone for every 10 children with a minimum of 2 adults per group. Our Overnights are not available for groups of adults or teenagers.

An Overnight includes:

  • Pizza Dinner
  • Hands-on activity with museum educators
  • Photo scavenger hunt in one of our exhibit halls
  • Evening snack
  • Private showing in the Burke Baker Planetarium
  • Sleeping in one of our world-renowned exhibit halls
  • Continental breakfast
  • Commemorative overnight patch
  • Parking in the HMNS garage
  • Admission to the museum’s permanent exhibit halls the day after your overnight adventure

Overnights typically last from 6:30 p.m. – 9 a.m. Availability is limited and many programs book 6 months in advance.


Sleuths & Secrets

A most curious, mind-tingling late night adventure at HMNS.

Are you good at solving mysteries? Can you untangle a web of clues, evidence, history and mystery? Are you looking for an out-of-the-ordinary adventure for you and your family, friends, co-workers or group? Then HMNS Sleuths & Secrets is for you!It all starts when you unlock a series of clues, riddles and objects found in a one of our HMNS Hermann Park exhibit halls for an escape room style experience. We currently have two options listed below to choose from!

In the Morian Cabinet Of Curiosities , you can explore the hall belonging to Ferrante Imperato, a 16th Century resident of Naples, Italy. While many believe he was merely an apothecary who liked to display his collections of unusual specimens, others speculate that in reality he was a dedicated alchemist. Did he solve the mysteries of transformation? Did he, in fact, turn a lowly base metal into pure gold? Will his specimens lead you to a hidden treasure?

In the Hall of Ancient Egypt, can you save the paranoid archeologist from the famed curse of the Mummy. After the discovery of King Tut’s Tomb in 1922 the media popularized the idea of ancient Egyptian curses. Egyptomania swept the globe! Can you escape the curse of the mummy and save the world while working together through puzzles and clues left behind by the archeologist who triggered the curse?Perfect for Young Professionals, family reunions, birthday parties, scout groups, teams, science clubs, student councils, sorority and fraternity councils and friends. Great for corporate team-building!


Late Nights

A most curious, mind-tingling late night adventure at HMNS.

Experience the thrill of exploring the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) after dark with HMNS Late Nights. Whether you’re part of a science club, student council, scouts, or planning a unique birthday party, these after-hours events offer a memorable adventure. Discover the wonders of the museum with exclusive access and engaging activities designed to make your visit truly special.

Late-Nights are for children ages 6-16 with activities customizable to any group.

Private Late Nights
Late Night programs typically run from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and include dinner, a hands-on activity, scavenger hunt in one of our exhibit halls, and a private showing in the Burke Baker Planetarium.

Birthday Late Nights
Looking for a one-of-a-kind birthday party? Hang out with the Dinos after dark! Birthday Late Night programs include dinner, a hands-on activity, special interactive scavenger hunt in one of our exhibit halls, and a private showing in the Burke Baker Planetarium.