The mind, not using it to its full extent seems somewhat sinful. After all, with all there is in this world to challenge our mental senses, why stop short?
Apparently, the folks at Meow Wolf share the same, er, if you’ll pardon the pun, mindset.
To call a visit to Meow Wolf a trip to a museum is like calling an evening at Sardi’s in New York just another meal.
Don’t misunderstand, there are many great museums in the Metroplex and it would make one’s life better to take in as many as possible. I suggest, however, that no list is complete without a trip to Meow Wolf.
Just don’t expect the same things you’ll find in other museums. Whereas most are quiet and nothing is to be touched, at Meow Wolf, there is lots of sound, especially ooohs and aahs as you enjoy artwork from some of the most original artists the area has to offer.
And we have a LOT of artistic talent in North Texas. At Meow Wolf their creativity is free to explore all boundaries, inviting visitors to do the same.
Oh, and while touching is forbidden in pretty much every other museum, it’s welcomed and even encouraged at Meow Wolf. Even the arcade games are works of art.
“We don’t really give our guests a map. We want them to discover all the art has to offer on their own,” said Connor Gray, Regional Public Relations Manager, based out of the Grapevine location.
From ages 3 to 103, there is a something for visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in as their imagination comes to life in front of their eyes.
There are five Meow Wolfs in the United States. My wife, lovely Mrs. Junell, and I are fortunate enough to live in an area that has one and frequently visit another city that has one, Denver – along with our beautiful granddaughter Wren, who is, by the way, 3 years old.
Texas is also the only state with two as there is another in Houston. The original location is in Santa Fe, New Mexico, while Las Vegas has one as well.
Los Angeles is getting one next year and New York is on the horizon with an official date yet to be announced.
Each location has a heavy focus on the local artists in the area. Each also has, as Connor puts it, a “fake reality that pulls you into these different worlds.”
In Grapevine, that world starts in a home in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Upon entering, we immediately found ourselves in a peaceful backyard on a night filled with stars above.
As visitors wander through the house, we see many of the things we’d see in our own homes. But the story is more than getting a glimpse of a simple country home.
There is a darker side to the story. A young boy named Jared is missing. Suddenly, each bit of art finds a connection to how the family must feel, what things excited Jared the most, what brought out his curiosity?
Meow Wolf officials say the theme of the Grapevine museum is “Real Unreal.” That’s a great description as the journey throughout perfectly combines the two.
The interactive art can be explored however you want. You can walk through a refrigerator door, journey through a corridor that entrances you at several turns, enter a world of forestry and majesty, and simply absorb each of a plethora of elements that give you hours of discussion long after you’ve left.
The homage to local artists isn’t limited to the exhibits. Even the music we listened to as we weaved our way throughout is created by DFW musicians.
And if you like something enough to take it home with you, some of the artists also sell their creations.
In fact, the music is part of the story’s theme. As we visited grandpa’s room, the patriarch of the family, we learn he was perhaps a jazz artist.
In the middle of the exhibit is an open space that also serves as an exhibit itself. However, it can be rented for such events as weddings, corporate activities and even concerts. On the day we visited they hosted a special event that evening, in fact, to which we were invited.
Not surprising, Meow Wolf was a big winner at the recent International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA), one of the most prestigious awards programs in the global attractions industry. The Grapevine location was named 2025’s Top Location-Based Experience (LBE) in the world, while Meow Wolf Houston received global recognition for Best Food and Beverage Building Renovation or New Build for its signature dining experience, Cowboix Hevvven.
The Top LBE of the Year award — one of the evening’s most coveted honors — spotlights Meow Wolf Grapevine’s achievement in redefining what an immersive art experience can be. The Real Unreal exhibition has quickly become a cultural anchor in the region, blending interactive storytelling, bold visual design, and community collaboration in ways rarely seen in traditional attractions.
“To see a Texan experience like Meow Wolf Grapevine celebrated on an international stage is incredibly meaningful,” Meow Wolf Grapevine General Manager Jamie Weaver-Garia said. “This award is a tribute to the artists, staff, and guests who have shaped our Meow Wolf locations into something truly extraordinary. We’re honored to represent the innovation coming out of North Texas.”
And just in case you think a single trip to Meow Wolf is satisfactory, ask yourself a question. Does your imagination ever stop?
The answer is, of course, no. Even people such as Connor, who work there and see it daily, never get enough of the mental challenges Meow Wolf offers.
“I never get tired of exploring our exhibition,” he said.
In fact, perhaps a good bucket list item would be to visit them all. One can only imagine.
