1. How many people can attend a Smithsonian Sleepover?
The sleepover can accommodate up to 135 people.
2. How many chaperones are required to participate with a group?
Each group must have one adult supervisor for every three child participants.
3. How old must a chaperone be?
A chaperone must be at least 21 years old.
4. Are the exhibits and programs handicapped-accessible?
Yes, all sleepover activities are handicapped-accessible. There are designated accessible parking spaces along the center walkway and a drop-off lane at the entrance of the Udvar-Hazy Center.
5. Are younger and older siblings allowed to participate?
No, younger and older siblings are not permitted to participate, unless they are between the ages of 8 and 14 years old and have also registered for the sleepover.
6. Can I bring a birthday cake or cupcakes to celebrate my child’s birthday at a sleepover?
No, we are not equipped to handle this activity.
7. When do I receive confirmation for the sleepover?
You will receive an email confirmation immediately after you register. Please print it out and bring it to check-in along with your completed participant release forms.
8. Can we increase the number of participants in our group?
Space is very limited. If you want to increase your group size or make
changes to your reservation, please call 202-633-3030 from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m, Monday-Friday. If spaces are available, payment is due immediately
and accepted over the phone.
9. What if someone in our group cancels?
There are no refunds.
10. What time is the sleepover?
Check-in for the sleepover begins at 7 p.m. and goes from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. the following day.
11. Where do we park? (View a map)
Overnight parking will be in the parking lot at the Udvar-Hazy Center. There is no charge for parking after 4 p.m.. Guests must remove their car from the parking lot by 9 a.m. the following morning or they will be subject to being towed or receiving a fine.
Directions to the parking lot entrance:
From Washington, DC, and points south: Take I-66 West to Route 28 North (Exit 53B): Travel on Route 28 North for 5.3 miles. Exit at Air and Space Museum Parkway and follow the signs to the Udvar-Hazy Center.
From Washington, DC, and points north: Take I-495 West (Capital Beltway) to the Dulles Toll Road West (Route 267). Exit the toll road at Route 28 South (Exit 9A) and travel south 3.5 miles. Exit at Air and Space Museum Parkway and follow the signs to the Udvar-Hazy Center.
From points west: Take I-66, Route 29, or Route 50 East to Route 28 North.
Please note, online mapping services may direct you to enter the Udvar-Hazy Center from Route 50. This is not a public entrance. You must enter from Route 28.
12. How do we check in?
Check-in is from 7 to 7:30 p.m. just inside the main entrance. Everyone who attends a sleepover needs to check in at “will call”
to submit their party’s release forms and receive a wristband to wear
throughout the event. Families who have pre-registered will be listed
on our roster and will need to give the name under which the reservation
was made.
YOU MUST BRING A SIGNED RELEASE FORM FOR EACH PERSON IN YOUR
PARTY WHEN YOU CHECK IN.
After receiving your wristbands, you will be shown to the Visitor Overlook in Space Hangar to store your overnight gear. All participants must attend orientation,
which will start at 7:30 p.m. in the McDonald’s McCafe.
If a participant needs to leave between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., please contact a staff person during the sleepover. Children must be in the company of an adult throughout the sleepover. If an adult must leave and no other adult from the group is present, the entire party may be asked to leave.
13. What types of food will be served?
Overnight guests are strongly encouraged to eat dinner before arriving for the program. An evening snack may include cookies, fruit, animal crackers, juice, coffee, and tea. Breakfast will be held at the McDonald’s Café in the museum. Participants will be able to select from a McDonald’s breakfast menu starting at 7am. Under no circumstances can the food provided be taken outside the designated eating areas.
14. Can we bring our own food and beverages?
No outside food or beverage will be allowed, except:
If a guest has severe food allergies or specific dietary needs, he/she may bring a nonperishable snack and breakfast in a heavy-duty plastic container (not a plastic baggie), labeled with the guest’s name. We can’t take responsibility if it is lost or stolen.
Any food not meeting these criteria or that is found in an exhibition hall will be confiscated. Any guests needing to bring in food should notify registration when ordering tickets and also the overnight staff upon arrival. Any special medical needs also should be noted then.
Bottled water is permitted in the museum.
15. What if someone gets sick during the sleepover?
Please notify a sleepover staff member. Appropriate action will be taken.
16. Can we leave early?
Yes, participants may leave early if needed. However, all participants from the group must leave unless another adult from the party remains with the children. No children may be left without an adult chaperone.
17. Where do we change into our sleeping clothes?
Restrooms are available on the same level as the sleeping area.
18. Where do we sleep?
Guests will sleep on the second floor overlooking the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar. Please note the sleeping area floor is a hard surface.
Please note this is a working museum, which means there’s a cleaning crew working 24-7 to ensure the museum is as clean as possible when it reopens to the public the following morning. It is possible the crew will be cleaning on the ground floor, which is where this sleeping area overlooks, so please bring ear plugs and eye masks, as noises may occur overnight and the museum will never go completely dark.
19. The next day
Participants are welcome to explore the museum after opening time at 10 a.m. If you want to stay, please put your gear in your cars before returning to the museum and please note parking will be $15.
20. Security and emergencies
The Smithsonian Office of Protection Services has staff members inside the building 24 hours a day. However, we highly recommend leaving your valuables at home or keeping them on your person at all times. The Smithsonian does not take responsibility for lost or stolen items.
21. Are there lockers available?
The Udavr-Hazy Center has lockers in two sizes. The smaller lockers accomodate small bags (such as backpacks) and coats; the larger lockers are 12" wide, 17" deep, and 29" tall, and can accomodate most carry-on size bags. If you have baggage that does not fit in the lockers provided, you will be asked to carry your bags with you.
