For San Diegans on a 9-to-5 work schedule, visiting a museum during their usual operating hours can make it seem like weekend trips are the only option. Most museums closed their doors at 5 p.m. and some as early as 3 or 4 p.m. Even the weekend operating hours at local museums can make it difficult to plan an evening date or other late-night outings. But this isn’t true for every place.
Here’s the latest in late-night hours from local museums.
Fleet Science Center
Hours: Fleet After Dark takes place every fourth Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., except April when the museum will be preparing for a new exhibit.
What to expect: Visitors ages 18 and older can explore the museum, which is filled with interactive exhibits and learning experiences, with a drink in hand. One such exhibit is “Pause/Play,” which reminds adults of the importance of play through activities based on childhood pastimes. Fleet Science Center also boasts an IMAX theater and various seasonal updates.
1875 El Prado, San Diego. fleetscience.org/events/fleet-after-dark
Visitors enjoy a sunset on the deck outside Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. (Stacy Keck)
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays
What to expect: MCASD, with its seaside location, offers prime viewing spots for sunsets, including its sculpture garden and The Kitchen restaurant. The museum is home to art created after 1950 in various mediums and galleries organized by concepts and movements such as pop art, minimalism and abstraction.
700 Prospect St., La Jolla. mcasd.org
Mingei International Museum
Hours: Open later until 8 p.m. on Fridays
What to expect: This museum highlights folk art, craft, textiles and design. Mingei’s exhibition level will be closed due to new installations in late March and early April, but visitors can still see some displays and shop from the gift shop until it reopens. The ARTIFACT restaurant at the museum serves dinner during these later Friday night hours.
1439 El Prado, San Diego. mingei.org
San Diego Natural History Museum
Hours: Nat at Night takes place every third Friday of the month, then every Friday from May 23 to Aug. 22
What to expect: All ages are welcome to Nat at Night, which opens the San Diego Natural History museum from 5 to 10 p.m. with half-price admission. Tonight, visitors can see the debut of the museum’s new cafe partner, Craft Taco. There will also be a Nat Talk on the importance of fire in indigenous communities, along with a screening of “Maathaaw: The Fire Within us” for an additional fee. In addition to exploring regular exhibits, Nat at Night visitors can also enjoy the museum’s rooftop with cocktails and food from Wolf in the Woods.
1788 El Prado, San Diego. sdnhm.org/calendar/nat-at-night/
WNDR San Diego
Hours: Open until 8 p.m. on Sundays and weeknights (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays until summer), 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. WNDR After Dark events take place once per month (except in April).
What to expect: With its many interactive and light-themed exhibits, it’s obvious why WNDR would stay open late. Also found in Chicago and Boston, WNDR is an Instagrammer’s playhouse, with vibrant activations such as the “Light Floor,” “INSIDEOUT” and “Color & Light.” WNDR After Dark takes on various themes, with May’s event expected to focus on mental health.
422 Market St., San Diego. wndrmuseum.com/location/san-diego/
Whaley House
Hours: Guided tours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sundays and weeknights, 5 to 9 p.m. on weekends; paranormal tours at 10:30 p.m. each night
What to expect: Evening and late-night guests visiting the self described “America’s Most Haunted House” may want to prepare for something spooky to occur. In addition to being a famously scary location, it’s also a museum depicting life in the 1800s in San Diego, particularly for the Whaley family. Braver souls can take a special paranormal investigation tour with ghost-hunting equipment.
2476 San Diego Ave., San Diego. whaleyhousesandiego.com
From The San Diego Union-Tribune and by Abby Hamblin – updated: March 24, 2025
