I recently took Claire and Mason on an adventure to Meow Wolf’s latest immersive art exhibit, The Real Unreal, at Grapevine Mills, and wanted to tell y’all all about it. If you haven’t heard of Meow Wolf before, think of it as stepping into a trippy dream world where every corner you turn reveals something even more bizarre and fascinating. Imagine a fusion of an art installation, a treasure hunt and a theme park—all rolled into one mind-bending experience. You’ll be simultaneously smiling and saying WTF?! while climbing on hands and knees through a fireplace, sliding feet first through a washing machine and wandering through refrigerators to an alien disco. More on all that to come…
The Journey Begins
From the moment we walked in, we were transported to the seemingly ordinary Midwest home of the Delaney family. But nothing is ever just ordinary with Meow Wolf. The house was brimming with everyday items (all of which you can pick up, open and riffle through) that hinted at something more—a mysterious disappearance that begged to be solved. Claire immediately got sucked into the story, piecing together clues about the missing boy, while Mason was more intrigued by the weird and wonderful sights around every corner.
A Multisensory Wonderland
Our senses were on high alert the entire time. From the BRRRMUDA’s refrigerator portals that took us on unexpected adventures (seriously, one minute we were in a kitchen, the next we were at a lively party), to the mystical forest where musical fungus adorned a massive tree trunk—it was pure magic. Claire couldn’t get enough of Baba Yaga’s treehouse, nestled high in the branches, while Mason loved exploring Lamp Shop Alley with its bustling city antics and mysterious doors.
Unexpected Delights
One of our favorite spots was the Neon Kingdom, an architectural wonderland that glowed with whimsical structures. We all loved the dance floor where we joined an impromptu multiversal dance party. Who knew we’d end up busting moves in the middle of an art exhibit?
A Family Adventure to Remember
What made The Real Unreal so special was the way it engaged all of us differently. Claire, with her inquisitive nature, was all about uncovering the story behind the disappearance. Mason, on the other hand, was thrilled by the sheer spectacle and the interactive elements. And me? I loved the attention to detail and spotting little things that weren’t necessary but added so much when you noticed them (like a hot dog hot tub).
If you’re looking for a unique (air-conditioned!) way to spend 3-4 hours with your kids—or even just to tap into your own sense of wonder—I can’t recommend The Real Unreal enough. It’s a celebration of creativity, imagination and pure, unadulterated fun.
Tickets start at $40 for adults & $20 for kids. More details at meowwolf.com/visit/grapevine.