More
M
So you’ve visited Meow Wolf and now you need more immersive art experiences in your life. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites.
"Pulse" inside Meow Wolf Las Vegas
contributing author: Kathleen Crampton
Across the country, we're seeing what's called an “immersive renaissance,” where art, theatre, and games are getting folks to step away from their mediated lives and enter into strange, new worlds.
Using this guide to interactive experiences and immersive art in the US, you'll be able to curate your own unexpected adventures from coast to coast, full of possibilities, curiosities, and wonder. Whether you live in one of these cities or are planning a visit, be sure to add these suggestions to your bucket list. Your journey to the immersive, mesmerizing, and hypnotic starts here.
From the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, the West has some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States and hosts one of the planet’s most exciting immersive art and performance scenes. Los Angeles and Denver are rapidly becoming hubs for the renaissance, and more cities touched by the adventurous spirit of the West are finding their voices with each new season.
.jpg)
You almost certainly know about Meow Wolf Denver and Kaleidoscape at Elitch Gardens, but there are even more experiential events in Denver that you might not yet know about.
For starters, there’s Audacious Immersive, an interactive theatre experience that aims to stimulate the senses and spark imagination. The team of painters, dancers, singers, musicians, and other artists converge to put on incredibly inventive works of art that invite audience collaboration and push the boundaries of storytelling. Their live performances, taking place at various locations across Denver, are perfect for the curious-minded and whimsical among us.
Once you’re in Denver, you’d be wise to check out Casa Bonita, a fabulous beast of absurdity that crams Disney-fied versions of various regions across Mexico into the footprint of a mall anchor store. It’s all capped off by a signature indoor waterfall that has regular cliff divers performing while you scarf down some sopapillas.
Looking for more? The Museum of Outdoor Arts in Southeast Denver is where green space, art installations, and immersive delights await. Marjorie Park houses "Wonderland Walk," a magical meandering of Alice in Wonderland characters in sculpture form, from a Mad Tea Party to the Queen of Hearts to Alice and the Cheshire Cat. It also played host in 2019 to Natura Obscura, which billed itself as “part art museum and part virtual reality experience,” bringing local artists together to create a “surrealist forest.” You can catch live performances, immersive installations, and seasonal events throughout the year.
Southern California is home to the world’s most famous theme parks, but those in the loop know that there’s a whole other world of haunts, escape rooms, and one of the most vibrant immersive theatre scenes on the planet.
At any given time of year the creators in LA are working on something special — be it an intimate, one-on-one piece, a Halloween spectacle, or something completely unexpected. It’s also worth it to stay updated on the work of Capital W, Delusion, E3W Productions, Just Fix It, The Speakeasy Society, and to keep an eye out for emerging companies. Shows run anywhere from a weekend to a few months, so you’ll want to check ahead to see if something has been announced or to learn about the latest surprise listings.
While you’re in SoCal, seek out some of the innovative and genre-busting escape rooms — The Basement, Cross Roads Escape Games, Hatch Escapes, and Stash House are just a few of the world-class rooms for which the region is known.
Artist Bruce Munro had a dream of a field of “subtle blooms of morphing color,” and that dream has been brought to life thanks to “an array of over 58,800 stemmed spheres lit by fiber-optics,” all of it solar powered.Field of Light, the first installation of Sensorio in Paso Robles, aims to offer “a wide range of amusing, mystical and kinetic experiences." Walk through the luminescent bulbs or get tickets to the Terrace Experience, where you can view the incredible display from above with a bevvy in hand. Don't miss Fireflies, Gone Fishing, Light Towers, Dimensions, and FOSO — all immersive works of fluorescent wonder at Sensorio.
Sensorio is just about 30 minutes north of the legendary Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. This iconic hotel showcases110 unique rooms and is a roadside attraction in and of itself — even if you're not an overnight guest.
For the classically inclined, the Central Coast Shakespeare Festival in San Luis Obispo is the best spot to view works from the bard while picnicking, sipping on your favorite spritz, and partaking in the merriment of outdoor theater. Be enchanted by the stars above and the stars on the stage — from summer through fall.
.jpg)
Salt Lake City is more than just the stomping grounds for snow bunnies — it hosts some of the best interactive entertainment in the country. First, there's Immersive Gamebox, where gamers, friends, and even families go to experience collaborative, hands-on play. Get ready for virtual and augmented reality, touch-sensitive surfaces, motion sensors, project mapping, and more.
Looking for more high-tech happenings? Labyrinth Reality Games in Pleasant Grove, about 40 minutes from downtown Salt Lake, immerses players in different challenges (think escape-room style) that highlight tech-forward fun, such as lasers, LED buttons and floor tiles. In one room, you can even challenge yourself to climb a prototype of a Moab arch formation.
While you're in the area, head to Dreamwalk Park in Orem. This dazzling dreamland features sci-fi art, animatronics, and other interactive landscapes that delight the senses. Opened in late 2024, Dreamwalk Park is a micro theme park reminiscent of Disneyland, which makes sense considering that the creators are Hollywood veterans. On any given visit, you may find yourself strolling through a dimly lit grotto, decoding alien symbols with special wands, or interacting with robots — all in impeccably designed spaces that look like movie sets.
When it comes to the arts, the Bay Area is best known for being the epicenter of Burning Man’s culture and home to a vibrant underground performance art scene that turns Silicon Valley money into eye-popping parties and even stranger détournements.
Yet, you usually have to know a guy who knows a gal who knows the person who really knows if you want to be tapped into those happenings. If you want something above the radar that mixes the Bay’s tech with an elaborate sense of playfulness and – most critically – a serious challenge, then Palace Games fits the bill. Escape room fans make pilgrimages to experience the legendary games. Palace Games is at the top of multiple “Best in Country” lists, and you won’t find their work replicated anywhere else.
For an intimate yet festive night out, you have several options – but one stands out as a top pick. Among the best art experiences for adults in SF is a show at 200 Channels, where burlesque meets reality-bending theatrical performances that involve the audience (ready or not). Whatever the latest show is, you'll be sure to be talking about it long after it's over.
And where can you find a dose of equal parts whimsy and horror? At the Gregangelo Museum, of course, where you'll find yourself connecting with your inner child as you gaze upon opulently decorated sets, brightly colored outdoor gardens, and even an Alice in Wonderland Rabbit Hole. Stay for the Haunted Dollhouse show, a two-hour immersive experience not for the faint of heart.
What started out as an underground pop-up restaurant/theatre hybrid turned into a Seattle institution. For years, Cafe Nordo was a steady beacon for out-of-the-box theatrical experiences with a culinary twist. Although Cafe Nordo has closed its doors, the team has its sights set on a new venue for some of the most immersive art in the US — right here in Seattle. Nebula is set to open at the end of 2026, featuring 20,000 square feet of experiential art installations, an interactive food program (likely inspired by Cafe Nordo's success), and other interstellar immersions you'll get lost in.
Continue your immersive art exploration with tickets to one of the interactive performances at 12th Avenue Arts in Capitol Hill. This theater rental space hosts shows put on by various local production companies that push the boundaries of dramatic art. Past performances have asked audiences to help shape the narrative, pretend to be a wedding guest, or witness an engaging circus-like performance complete with acrobats, trapezes, and clowns.
.jpg)
It's no secret that the Entertainment Capital of the World contains near-endless options for immersive art, theater, and experiences. So how do you choose? Here are some of our favorite activities that awaken the senses.
At Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, discover hidden portals, immerse yourself in dreamlike landscapes, and be wowed by all the levels of exploration at your fingertips. Sneak through secret doorways, explore surreal spaces (Is it real? Is it not?), question reality at all corners — this is your space to seek out the unexpected.
On the other side of The Strip lies the Infinity Museum, a visually stimulating series of art-infused rooms that beg you to stay just a little longer. Step into mirror illusions, kaleidoscope tunnels, and sensory installations that respond to your movements. It's an experience like no other.
For more art in Vegas, head to the Arts District downtown, which is chock-full of galleries, theatre companies, funky murals, and weekly cultural events.
Whether it’s St. Louis’s City Museum — the grandfather of the interactive museum — or the growing immersive theatre scene in Chicago, there are rewards for the curious all over the Midwest
The Windy City has such a strong tradition of traditional theatre that it’s actually taken some time for the immersive renaissance to take root. But that has changed with the success of interactive productions put on by companies such as Nothing Without a Company and Strawdog Theater Company. Strawdog, for example, creates "dynamic, intimate theatre experiences crafted through compassion, inclusivity and ingenuity." Get rowdy at its raucous late-night shows or take in one of its Mainstage productions that reinterpret the classics.
While in town, you might want to get your selfie on at the WNDR Museum, whose crown jewel is a mirror infinity room by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. There are a total of 11 rooms blending science and tech, including a "zero-gravity" ball pit and a room with a reactive floor alongside a variety of supporting art installations.
At Verse Immersive Chicago, try on a pair of augmented-reality glasses and step foot into magical worlds. Choose from three different experiences: Everworld, Trick 'r Treat, and Starwalk, each offering challenges that require you to use your surroundings and your senses to complete the engaging adventures.
In the capitol city of Indiana, you'll find several outlets for your artistic penchants. One of them is Candlelight Theatre, a boutique art space at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, featuring intimate performances that make audiences feel up close and personal with the actors. The parlor-style shows harken back to the types of interactive performances hosted by the Harrison family many years ago.
For less drama, more laughs, check out the Mind Tripping Show, one of the longest-running live theatre shows in Indy. Be delightfully entertained by hosts Christian and Katalina, who combine an interesting mix of mind reading, illusions, and comedy, all while inviting audience participation to help shape the show. Every show is unscripted — the unexpected awaits.
According to legend, Alex Jordan Jr. built the House on the Rock to show up Frank Lloyd Wright after the elder, more famous architect allegedly insulted his father's plans for a Madison building. (This is a disputed story as timelines fail to match up: Jordan Jr. would have been a child when the incident was said to have taken place, while Wright would have been in Japan.)
Still, Jordan Jr.'s house, about one hour from Madison, remains both a strange and magnificent attraction, with curiosities including an elaborate carousel with over 250 animals, a narrow "Infinity Room" offering a vertigo-inducing view of the forest below, a replica of an old cobblestone street replete with storefronts, massive sculptures of sea creatures, coin-operated automatons, and sprawling collections of "antiques" (much of it less than authentic).
In this way, it is perhaps one of America's greatest tourist traps, and it's no wonder why author Neil Gaiman chose it to serve as "a place of power" in his novel American Gods — in America, Mr. Wednesday explains, roadside attractions are sacred.
Back in Madison, take a well-deserved rest from the House on the Rock road trip with a visit to Mesmerica 360, a truly mesmerizing visual and musical journey featuring music from Grammy-winning artist James Hood. Sit back and relax as you view breathtaking visual displays and listen to captivating sounds that invite reflection and respite. As the Mesmerica 360 website encourages, "Come and leave your troubles at the door."
City Museum is an old shoe factory, painstakingly converted into a wondrous world waiting to be explored.
Artist Bob Cassilly opened City Museum with his then-wife Gail in 1997, and it is an incredible beast, totaling 600,000 square feet of concrete, sprawling mosaics and sculpture. Within, find networks of tunnels and caves made from salvaged materials, massive slides up to 10 stories high, 19th-century shoelace machines that will make custom laces, daily circus performances, and collections of antiques that include a model train, vintage arcade consoles, and dozens of old doorknobs. If that's not enough, the museum also boasts what is purportedly the world's largest pair of underpants. There's even more on the roof, including an operational ferris wheel.
Outside is MonstroCity, which consists of more tunnels — these ones made of giant Slinkies — two ball pits, sculptures, and a bar built in a cabin that once belonged to Daniel Boone's son. If this sounds overwhelming, it in no way does justice to the actual attraction, which beckons some hundreds of thousands of people of all ages each year. If you're an adult who'd prefer your playtime with other adults, the museum usually stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Other no-less-impressive interactive art experiences include the Neon Museum of St. Louis, a collection of illuminations that spark imagination, and the Museum Under the Gateway Arch, featuring six impressive galleries that invite you to participate in the city's history.
Imagination knows no bounds, as the immersive attractions of the southern United States show. Whether it’s a Victorian seance in Houston or a pirates’ cove in Baton Rouge, there’s wildly creative work being made that stands alongside any top-rated immersive art in the US.
Escape rooms promise adventure, but few make good on it like the 13th Gate Escape.
The creators of one the top-ranked haunted houses turned their dark imaginations towards escape games. The result includes what is considered by many to be the best escape game in the United States: Cutthroat Cavern. The gang at Room Escape Artist says it “was about as close to living in The Goonies” as they could get.
This is escape games on a grand scale, with a story-driven room that doesn’t skimp on the details. Frankly, this game is spoken of with such awe and reverence that we’re jealous of every one of you who gets to play it before we do.
For interactive performances and immersive art, head to the Shaw Center for the Arts, where the Gallery at Manship frequently hosts exhibits that invite visitors to absorb music, visuals, and other sensory elements in artistic form. Below, the Manship Theatre puts on dance and theater productions, hosts musical guests, and even shows classic films for the Baton Rouge auteurs.
The fourth-largest city in the U.S., Houston has an immersive scene with some uniquely creative voices.
Strange Bird Immersive’s The Man From Beyond: Houdini Séance Escape Room is regarded by those in the know as the quintessential hybrid of immersive theatre and escape rooms. Creators Cameron and Haley Cooper have made something special with this one, and Haley blogs about their process at Immersology.
Houston is also home to some of the best interactive art museums, namely Meow Wolf's Radio Tave, a radio station-themed immersive art experience that sparks curiosity and wonder; Seismique, a mind-bending experience with interactive rooms full of colorful art and sneaky surprises; and Artechouse, a digital art installation that changes its theme throughout the year.
But some of the best interactive entertainment can be experienced from the comforts of your own home. Just book an evening with Appetite for Murder, a murder mystery company in Houston that brings the suspense right to your dining room (or any local venue). It's interactive, intriguing, and just plain fun.
There’s a lot to love about New Orleans, and the immersive art offerings are a big part of that.
For starters, there’s the Music Box Village, a sculpture garden featuring interactive “musical houses” in the Bywater. The Village is a creation of New Orleans Airlift, a non-profit that creates all kinds of music and theatre work both in New Orleans and beyond.
Whenever you’re in NOLA, you will also want to check out Escape My Room, the escape game site from DeLaporte Ventures. The lobby alone is worth writing home about, set at a bar that few escape room companies even try to match. If you ever rode the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland and wished you could walk around, the interiors of Escape My Room help scratch that itch.
Jamnola is another can't-miss art experience that bills itself as a cultural funhouse, where art, history, and positivity collide. Interact with each exhibit, take a selfie in the bathtub with the octopus playing an instrument, and simply delight in the creativity of each space. This spot reflects the vibrancy of New Orleans and is just steps from the French Quarter (post-funhouse beignets, anyone?).
Mix-Tape is Factory Obscura’s first permanent installation. Get ready for some of the most awe-inspiring immersive art in the US, complete with tangible objects, multimedia experiences, and obscure, avante-garde themes. Keep an eye out for The Feels, "six friends who found a place to belong" at Mix-Tape; chances are that you'll share a range of feelings, too, as you wander through each intricately designed, whimsical space.
Continue your immersive art experience just up the street at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, which frequently hosts indoor and outdoor exhibits that explore different mediums, such as cinema, sculpture, drawing, and multimedia, and more.
To delight your artful eye and your tastebuds, book tickets to Whodunnit Dinner Theater, an OKC staple since 1991. The award-winning murder mystery show performs at local venues, primarily Cattlemen's Steakhouse near the stockyards, where you'll be served a two-course meal and plenty of laughs. Audience participation is invited but optional.
The immersive theatre renaissance got its start on the East Coast, so it’s no surprise that theatre dominates our picks here. You can head to the center of it all in New York City, or see how artists are giving the form their own twist from Boston to D.C.
Submersive Productions have been creating standalone and serialized collaborative shows for years now. The company creates immersive works with titles like The Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now and H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum Presents: The Treasures of New Galapagos, Astonishing Acquisitions from the Perisphere, rocking the alternate reality vibe.
Seek out more magical experiences at Poe's Magic Theatre at The Lord Baltimore Hotel. Since 2019, Poe's Magic Theatre has been dazzling audiences with its incredible array of shows, most of which force you to question what's real and what's an illusion. Blurred lines, immersive storytelling, and really rad tricks await.
.jpg)
With the MIT Mystery Hunt being an annual tradition, it’s no surprise that Boston’s immersive scene has a gaming bent.
Incantrix Productions mixes it all together, borrowing elements of immersive theatre, live action role-playing, and escape rooms in order to create their work. Incantrix events are in high demand and pop up typically on a quarterly basis, so don’t expect to just drop into town and find something happening.
Green Door Labs – led by designer Kellian Adams Pletcher – keeps a seasonal schedule with the annual Club Drosselmeyer, presenting a game-filled, swing dance-centered version of the Nutcracker story every holiday season.
Boston's also full of unique art experiences for adults that combine drinks and hands-on crafts. For instance, Long Live Roxbury hosts classes throughout the year, where you can order a brew and create floral arrangements, pottery, jewelry, and other take-home treats. Come back on Thursdays for its weekly jazz night featuring talented local musicians.
Immersive theatre-heads make pilgrimage to New York City for its suite of shows and under-the-radar performances that pop up all over town. You might find a silent disco ballet in the heart of Brooklyn, an interactive supper club in Times Square, or a limited-run show on or off Broadway. For immersive theater, do a quick internet search when you're planning to visit to find the most up-to-date options.
In addition to the city's rich theater scene, you'll find interactive entertainment like The Accomplice Show — part scavenger hunt, part walking tour, part immersive theater. Adventure through Greenwich Village with your guide, who will reveal the secret starting point the day before, then help you solve clues, introduce improv actors, and provide a dose of comedy for your day in the Big Apple.
For a night of debauchery and lots and lots of laughs, see Drunk Shakespeare in Midtown. Some of the best interactive entertainment in NYC, this is the show where one cast member gulps down five shots of whiskey, then attempts to act in a leading role of a Shakespeare classic. It's chaotic, it's hilarious, it's a night you likely won't forget.
While New York City and Los Angeles get a lot of buzz for their immersive theatre scenes, Pittsburgh’s Bricolage Production Company is quietly out here making some of the most inventive, daring, and moving work in the field.
Their OjO: The Next Generation of Travel turned heads at the 2015 Without Walls festival in San Diego, and they’ve been steadily making groundbreaking work for years. Visit their website to find out what interactive performances are scheduled next. Enter The Imaginarium is their ongoing collaboration with ScareHouse, the famed haunted attraction that mixes immersive theatre with escape room play. Featuring three rooms in a cohesive storyline, the Imaginarium gets high marks from escape room enthusiasts and NoPro’s staff.
Keep an eye on Quantum Theatre's productions, too, many of which incorporate immersive, interactive theatre through strategic blocking, the incorporation of tech, and audience participation.
Ready to hit the mattresses? The Mattress Factory Contemporary Art Museum is your one-stop shop for all things immersive art, featuring room after room of creative art installations that use all sorts of mediums: photography, film, sculpture, theater, and much more. The strange, the quirky, the awe-inspiring all meet here.
It seems like a no-brainer, but mixing immersive theatre and cabaret turns out to be hard. Maybe it’s because cabaret already plays so much with the fourth wall from a staging standpoint that going the extra mile doesn’t seem necessary.
Yet, this is exactly what TBD Immersive aims to do with every show. The company has created an ongoing mythology centered around a slightly more dystopian Washington D.C., and has spread that evolving storyline out amongst shows disguised as house parties and — of course — cabaret. Circus acts, puzzles, and explorable spaces have all featured in their work.
Unleash your inner child at Bubble Planet, a pastel dreamscape of balloons, ballpits, sparkling tunnels, LED art installations, and surreal environments that make you giddy with delight.
Then, continue to be inspired with a performance by the Rorschach Theatre. This edgy D.C. production company pushes the boundaries of the typical theatre experience by putting on shows at unconventional locations throughout the city — past shows have taken place in vacant retail buildings, well-loved community spaces, and even on the streets themselves. It turns the seemingly impossible into something attainable and thrilling for actors and audiences.
Our tour of the Southeast focuses on three of America’s cultural capitals: Atlanta, Miami, and Nashville. Each features work that puts their own spin on the immersive renaissance.
.jpg)
Atlanta's arts scene is more than just Hollywood sets – it's a vibrant community of cutting-edge theatre and interactive performances that place the city on the national stage for immersive art in the US.
Goat Farm is a contemporary art space housed in a 19th-century factory building that hosts innovative and experimental art installations, festivals, and exploratory experiences. It recently opened Loop, another venue serving as a cultural hub for art, technology, research, and community strategically located in Georgia Tech's Creative Quarter.
Travel to the dark side with Atlanta Interactive Theatre, a vampire live-action role-playing experience that has been running in ATL for over 30 years. Embody your character and join in on the eerie shadow world where reality and game play share blurred lines. (Don't bring the kiddos – this is an art experience for adults only.)
While in town, keep your eyes peeled for installation pieces like the Tiny Doors ATL project.
Miami's rich culture and history serve as inspiration for its dynamic arts scene. While a trip to the Magic City likely involves exploring the famous Wynwood Walls, you can uncover so many more artistic experiences that suit the senses.
Founded in 1998, Juggerknot Theatre Company didn’t start out as an immersive theatre company — but it's evolved to use immersive and site-specific techniques, telling tales straight out of local history. Its shows make use of the vibrant community, transforming spaces throughout Miami into living stages. Instead of witnessing the story, the audience is the story.
Staying on theme, why not create art yourself rather than watching the experts? At Unarthodox, you'll do just that, whether sculpting clay while blindfolded, creating a Matisse-inspired collage, or painting based on the sights and sounds you're surrounded by. Each event is an opportunity for self-discovery, creativity, and connection.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the annual Miami Beach Art Basel, which attracts tens of thousands of art fans to Miami Beach annually. Galleries and beachside installations abound.
With only four locations in the US, 7 Paintings is a can't-be-missed culinary art experience in Nashville. For over 2 hours, be transported to a world where "colors, shapes, and flavors blend into a journey through seven fascinating masterpieces — staged live on your table." Your dinner is inspired by one of the great artists (like Jackson Pollock or Banksy) and involves 3D mapping, visual narrative, and themed music to bring your meal to life.
Immersive theater is on display at Darkhorse Theatre, which produces a variety of shows, many of which include audience interactions, live music, and imaginative settings.
Leave behind (if you must) the live music of downtown Nashville and head southeast to Glasshaüs, a gallery, store, and workshop that hosts glass-blowing classes for amateurs and pros alike. Try your hand at creating glass objects, like a cup, candy dish, or paperweight, with the assistance of a guide, of course. Perfect for a one-of-a-kind date night or an artsy group outing with your pals.
.avif)