Meow Wolf Denver: Overhyped or Worth It? My Experience

Meow Wolf Denver is described as an interactive art experience, and honestly, one look at the pictures is usually enough to tell whether you’re the type who’ll love it or want to turn around immediately (guess which one I am?). Meow Wolf was at the top of my Denver to-do list. Going in, I wasn’t sure if it would feel gimmicky, but I had a feeling I’d enjoy it, and I was right.

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What Is Meow Wolf?

It’s an immersive art museum, and I use “museum” in the loosest possible sense of the word here. You will see, hear, touch, and interact with it. You will ask yourself what it all “means,” and if you’re anything like me, you’ll come up empty on that one but enjoy it anyway.

There’s a vague storyline tying everything together, which you can follow if you choose to purchase a Q Pass, Honestly, though, I’m not sure how much that would add to the experience, especially on a first visit. Each room stands on its own, with its own theme, and wandering without a set agenda felt like the right way to experience it.

What to Know Before Visiting Meow Wolf Denver

Cost: tickets start at $36, but prices fluctuate and will be more expensive during popular dates/times and can be closer to $50.

Q Pass: Optional add-on for only 3 bucks. You get more of the story behind the art exhibit, but honestly I’d skip it, especially for a first-timer. I recommend just going in and seeing what you make of it on your own,

Time: Give yourself at least 2-3 hours, and even then you won’t see the whole thing.

My Experience

Meow Wolf isn’t something you move through in any set order. It’s more like a series of sensory hits that you experience however and whenever you like. Whatever pulls your attention is worth following.

From the moment I walked in, it was full-on sensory overload. Bright lights, bold colors, constant movement, noises, and different textures were all competing for my attention. It can be hard to figure out where to go next because of the sheer amount of things that are happening at once. Don’t overthink it though, just move wherever you feel compelled.

What is going on here?

I never did really wrap my head around what I was looking at, and maybe that’s kind of the point. Meow Wolf didn’t feel like a place you’re really supposed to figure out–it’s more about seeing and experiencing than anything.

What surprised me most

How massive it all was. You likely will not see everything the first time you go. Even with a few hours, entire rooms will blur together, and that’s before you realize how many you missed.

How little I cared about the story. I expected to be more curious about the narrative, but I wasn’t. For me, Meow Wolf was more about wandering with an open mind than following any set structure.

How disorienting it could feel. In some sections, the space intentionally messes with your head. Trippy, indeed.

I could stay here all day…

What about uh…substances?

I personally wouldn’t recommend it. Meow Wolf can get very crowded with lots of kids running around. I would have been miserable if I were anything other than Sober Sally.

The artists who created this definitely used psychedelics, though, and Meow Wolf isn’t shy about that. For example, they had shirts in the gift shop that said “Have a nice trip.”

Who Would Enjoy Meow Wolf?

People who like immersive experiences, people who enjoy unique art, anyone who’s ever taken psychedelics, or those who would describe themselves as “different.”

Who wouldn’t enjoy Meow Wolf?

Buttoned-up, stuffy types, those who would prefer a traditional art museum, or those who are sensitive to sensory overload.

Final Thoughts: Visiting Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf Denver is worth visiting at least once. I’d love to go back someday and see what perspective a second look would give me. It’s weird, overwhelming, fascinating, and unforgettable, and I’d bet it’s the kind of experience that changes depending on your mindset that day.

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