Operation Slumber on the Intrepid Experience

Recently I had the opportunity to stay overnight on the Intrepid for Operation Slumber.

This was an awesome experience for my 7 yr old son and I.

 

First off the Intrepid is cool. Where else can you go on a retired aircraft carrier with an assortment of fighter planes, the Concorde, a submarine, and the Enterprise space shuttle?Second, to see all of these on a clear night with NYC as the backdrop is pretty sweet.

 

After checkin everyone heads to the Space Shuttle pavilion. This exhibit was recently updated with images, replicas and the history of the Hubble telescope. All of the kids liked reading about how Hubble us powerful enough to take pictures of galaxies, far, far away.

After the Space Shuttle there is a quick orientation followed by your groups itinerary. We were part of the Blackbirds and headed off to start the tour. On the tour we found out our group was named after the super fast spy plane, the SR 71 Blackbird.

 

Our tour guide was great taking us all throughout the ship and filling us in on boating terminology. My son and couldn’t decide if the anchor room or antiaircraft guns were cooler. In the end he opted for the intrepid replica made out of 250,000 Legos.

After the tour we were able to explore other exhibits and parts of the ship. The Exploreum was a cool interactive area. There was a good size group there that night but with so much to do kids didn’t have to wait in line long or at all.

As part of Operation Slumber there was a Scavenger Hunt and even more fun. The Alien Goggles were really different and awesome.

Where are his eyes?

After a late night snack of cookies fruit and chips , we settled into our sleeping bags on the cots provided.

Everyone slept on their assigned cots in the hanger of the ship.

 

This was an amazing experience for my son and I. I would highly recommend it for all kids aged 6 through 12. When my 3yr old gets a little older I’m sure we will go again.

The next Operation Slumber dates are

September 26

October 17, October 24

November 7, November 21

December 5, December 12

Families will get to experience life aboard an aircraft carrier, complete with special activities and tours at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, located at Pier 86 (46^th Street and 12^th Avenue) in Manhattan.

 

Family Operation Slumber includes a visit inside the Space Shuttle Pavilion, a flashlight tour of the flight deck, a ride in a flight simulator and meals (dinner, snacks and breakfast), in addition to engaging family education programs from Intrepid Museum staff, including a pop-up planetarium and interactive activities where guests can create their own planet and space aliens. Kids will also receive a “goodie bag” with a T-shirt and complimentary passes to the Museum.

 

Operation Slumber is $120 per person.  Museum members at the Family/Dual level and above are eligible for a special rate of $80 per person during the families-only dates.  Space is limited. Call 646-381-5010 or emailgroupsales@intrepidmuseum.org to reserve a spot or purchase an Operation Slumber gift certificate.

Connect with the Intrepid on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

Museum Hours:

April 1 – October 31:

Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday-Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

November 1 – March 31:

Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

 

Museum Cost of Admission:

Adult: $24.00

Seniors and College Students: $20.00

Youth 7-17: $19.00

Veterans: $17.00

Child 3-6: $12.00

Active Military, Retired Military and Children Under 3: Free

 

Tickets are available for purchase on the Intrepid’s website, www.intrepidmuseum.org.