Alright, we’ve been open for over a year now and it’s already been a WILD ride (and we’re not just talking about going down those slides).
The comments and reviews have been pouring in, and while you’ve all been loving this crazy thing we created in Las Vegas, it’s become clear y’all are also pretty damn confused.
So, we put our Calamari heads together and decided on the 5 most important things to know about Omega Mart before you arrive!
1. Meow Wolf & AREA15 are NOT the Same Thing
It’s been interesting watching you all try to figure out exactly what AREA15 is, and we don’t want to ruin any of the magic for you, but we should clear one thing up: Meow Wolf and AREA15 are two different things. AREA15 is an experiential and entertainment district that has several, separately-owned experiences. One of those experiences is us! Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart is the anchor tenant inside of AREA15, but Meow Wolf doesn’t own AREA15 or vice versa.
Admission to AREA15 is included when you buy a ticket to Omega Mart, but if you don’t have a ticket to Omega Mart prior to arriving, you will need to grab a FREE general admission ticket to AREA15.
Still with us? Good.
If you’re wondering what else there is to do around here once you’re done at Omega Mart, check out everything else AREA15 has to offer.
2. Meow Wolf is the Company. Omega Mart is the Art.
One FAQ that keeps making it into our DMs is, “I have a ticket for Omega Mart, but how do I buy a ticket for Meow Wolf?”
…
We get it. We’re a household name in Santa Fe, but as we expand, the whole world is asking, “Who is a Meow Wolf? What is a Meow Wolf?”
It is we! Meow Wolf is a company and we make art. In Santa Fe, our art installation is called House of Eternal Return. In Vegas, our art installation is called Omega Mart. And in Denver, it’s---ahhh, you almost had us!
The point is that Meow Wolf makes the art, and the art is different in each city, but once you’ve secured your Meow Wolf Las Vegas ticket, you’re ready to experience Omega Mart!
3. There’s More Than What Meats the Eye at Omega Mart
We get a lot of comments like “trippy” and “psychedelic” and that’s awesome, but one thing we love to do is tell a story and Omega Mart takes immersive storytelling to the next level. Through RFID cards, performers posed as Omega Mart and Dramcorp employees, and hundreds of hours of video content, we invite you to dive into the mystery behind Omega Mart’s products.
There’s still fun to be had by simply exploring the store and taking in the larger-than-life art, but if you’re looking for what Mark G. describes as “the coolest experience I’ve had in my life,” then allow yourself plenty of time to take in everything Omega Mart has to offer. Pick up every product. Watch every video. Read every email. Ask all the questions and seek all the answers! And if the clues aren’t adding up, then perhaps your next best option is to ask someone who works directly for Dramcorp...
if you’re like us and YOU want to dive into the history of Omega Mart before you arrive, then read up on The Spirtual Shepherds of Omega Mart.
4. It’s All Art
#1 question, hands down: “Can I buy that?”
Yes, nearly everything in Omega Mart is for sale!
#2 question: “How will I know what’s real and what’s not?”
First of all, nothing is real and it’s all real. That being said, you’ll know it can be purchased because it’ll have a real price tag on it. Items with glitched out price tags or things that just say $.99999999 are definitely not for sale. They’re also bolted down...not that that’s stopped anyone from trying.
Sigh.
Never thought we’d have to say this, but please leave the bolted down items where they are.
If you can pick it up and you’re met with absolutely no resistance, you’re in luck! It CAN be purchased!
Now, Omega Mart has always promised to keep their prices shocking, and based on some of your comments, that seems to hold up.
When you walk into America’s Most Exceptional Grocery Store, you expect to find prices similar to that of other stores, but when you’re holding a bottle of Plausible Deniability or being gently caressed by a pack of Sweet Whispers, you’re not just holding laundry detergent or toilet paper.
You’re holding someone’s art.
Before it landed on the shelves, it was conceptualized, sourced and created specifically for Omega Mart, and the artists behind these products deserve fair compensation for their work.
So as much as we love to joke that Omega Mart is a subsidiary of the mega corporation Dramcorp, buying the stuff on our shelves actually helps to support crazy, weird artists, which is what we’ve always been about.
So, thank you for shopping with us.
5. All Are Welcome!
One thing that’s been true since the beginning is that we’ve never wanted our art to be boring.
We wanted to create disruptive art, the kind of art that takes you out of your element...and even out of yourself!
We’re not an art museum. We don’t want you to just walk around and look at what’s hanging on our walls. We want you to experience it. If you’ve been to our original location in Santa Fe, you know that we’re all about participants crawling, climbing, and stumbling upon hidden spaces. Secret passages and narrow corridors are kind of our thing.
That said, we understand that tight spaces, steep steps, or narrow walkways may not be your thing, and that’s why we always provide an alternative route, as well as elevators for convenience. Wheelchairs, scooters, and service animals are all welcome, in accordance with ADA regulations. Our restrooms are easily accessible, and gender neutral restrooms are available on the second floor.
For those with sensitivity to light and sound, doors and pathways leading to strobing/excessive flashing lights are clearly marked. Alternatively, we have several rooms for a more minimal sensory experience, as well as complimentary sensory bags available at guest services.
Our art is for everyone, and we want you to enjoy your visit, so if you have any questions before arriving, email us at vegashelp@meowwolf.com at least a week ahead of your ticket date. If you arrive and need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask an Omega team member for help!
Most importantly, don’t be deterred if one path is inaccessible. This may lead you to the discovery of a new route! Keep exploring!
For more info on accessibility, check out the full page here, and if you have suggestions or feedback, we’d love to hear that, too!
If you’ve gotten this far and still have more questions about what you can expect from your visit, peep the pre-arrival blog that will help you prepare for your shopping trip! And of course, if you have any other questions, you can always find us on the socials!
Have an Omega Day!
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