The Real Unreal [Immersive Art]

My 2nd Meow Wolf after Convergence Station in Denver. I love the large, immersive sets and it's fun going from room to room, opening doors and finding secret passageways and strange new environments. That's part of what I enjoy about escape rooms. The artwork is fascinating with many small (and large) details all over, no two areas are alike. The reproduction of a Midwestern house is also very well done. However, Meow Wolf lacks the same interactivity you get from escape rooms, you mostly just walk around and explore. There are some games, pianos, computer screens that you can use here and there but they are not that common. There is some backstory and narrative available on the app but I don't like having to stare at a screen when I'm trying to be immersed. Overall I prefer this over Convergence Station because I had more fun exploring the intimate spaces and I feel like there was slightly more interactivity and storyline available here. Convergence Station felt less cohesive, though it had much bigger and more impressive sets. We visited on a Friday 10am and it was not busy at all which is ideal. Took us a bit under 2 hours to explore the entire experience.

Meow wolf is the best. A beautiful psychedelic experience that is richly rewarding. I recommend going on an off time (Monday or Tuesday night? I’m not sure, call and ask?) so there are fewer other guests.

The various Meow Wolf locations around the U.S. are not escape rooms, but they are immersive and interactive art exhibits. The Real Unreal in particular has a deep lore mystery that intrigued us, with similarities both setting wise and art-wise to Stranger Things. There is also an optional scavenger hunt and other activities that you can do with a special phone app. This was my 2nd Meow Wolf (1st one being Radio Tave in Houston, Texas), and both were amazing! I love the local art on display, the funky music, and immersing myself in the house of odder things. There is food and drink that you can purchase too. We took about 2 hours vibing to the art, and it felt so real unreal to me!

Some fun art and interesting rooms, but the app was useless and the story more or less absent. The intro speech stated there were clues and interactive elements for the story and these were basically non-existent. The app did nothing to guide these, and finding the clues felt more like a scavenger hunt for cheap art than anything story related. I was excited for the dichotomy between the whimsical art and the darker story elements we were able to come across... but ultimately left disappointed with the experience, especially for the price.

Lots of fun transitions but still lacking of real story, mystery, fun

Visiting Meow Wolf’s “The Real Unreal” was an extraordinary experience that left us in awe from start to finish. The immersive art installations were unworldly, blending surreal visuals with interactive elements that fully engaged our senses. Every turn revealed something new and unexpected, making the entire journey through the exhibit feel like a fever dream. One of the standout features we appreciated was the visible signage throughout the exhibit, specifically for individuals with epilepsy. It was reassuring to see that Meow Wolf took the time to include clear warnings about areas with flashing lights and intense visual effects. This thoughtful consideration made the experience accessible and enjoyable for everyone in our group. The attention to detail, the creativity of the installations, and the overall atmosphere of “The Real Unreal” make it a must-visit for anyone looking for a truly unique and immersive art experience. We can’t wait to see what Meow Wolf comes up with next!

I had not been to the House of Eternal Return prior to The Real Unreal. I had been to OmegaMart before. I will say this exhibit was still great to explore, but didn't capture me in the same way. The lack of a boop card or equivalent progression aside from the optional 'brain beans' (which did not progress any sort of narrative) reduced the dopamine hits for exploring. I liked the app but it took me 'out of the experience.'

This is a solid Meow Wolf introduction, but will disappoint anyone who has been to House of Eternal Return, as it bares too many similarities to that exhibit. I’m baffled why they did a near-replica of the Santa Fe House and not some crazy mall department store instead. Go when it won’t be busy, that’s the only way to have a good time. The floor plan is wild and wonderful, the art excellent or very flat, it varies, the story shallow.