Excitement built more than a year in advance of Meow Wolf’s Denver location opening. Once it had opened, questions swirled, joining in that anticipation like a big, brightly-colored, kinda freaky soup. Although a lot of people have visited Meow Wolf Denver Convergence Station, many have yet to give it a go. And, frankly, many who have visited might not have seen it all, understood it all, or taken advantage of the depth of it all. We spoke to Erin Barnes, public relations manager of Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station, to get the inside scoop. 

Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station: Getting in the door

Q: Can we walk up and get tickets or do we have to get them in advance?
A: It’s best to purchase your tickets in advance to pick the date/time you want to visit. While you can purchase tickets on-site at the ticket window, you may have to wait to get in.

Q: What’s the deal with parking?
A: While it’s encouraged that you take RTD and get off at Empower Field at Mile High Station, you can also park in one of their two parking lots. Both cost $10, payable to machines.

Q: What days/times are the least crowded?
A: Weekdays or mornings are the least crowded times. Avoid holidays.

Q: Do you have to go through security before entering? If so, what should we expect?
A: Outside food or drink are not allowed (unless there are medical reasons in which case let a staff member know before getting in line). You can refill a water bottle inside at the Café. You’ll need to pass through a metal detector and have bags and jackets checked.

Q:  Is there wheelchair and stroller accessibility?
A: The exhibit meets accessibility standards set by the American’s with Disability Act and can be navigated with wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, crutches, and strollers. There are a few places where some assistance from a staff member may be required or an alternative path can be taken. If you have a child with a stroller who cannot be out of it, stop by the Box Office or consult with an employee before entering to receive a “wheelchair stroller” tag. Otherwise, strollers have to be parked outside in a “stroller parking zone.”

Q: What age(s) and personality types is Meow Wolf best for?
A: We like to say that it’s for all ages and personality types. It’s meant to be an experience that is unique to each person. We want each person to experience this immersive art installation in their own way. That’s kind of one of the reasons that we don’t have maps that we release publicly. We want it to be like a journey of discovery, and people are going to interact with it in different ways. Kid-wise, I’ve heard people who say, “My baby loved it because it’s shiny.” It could be a lot for kids. But that’s where we have all these little nooks and quiet corners to take them if they’re overstimulated.

Q: Although it’s timed entry, should we expect it to still be crowded once inside?
A: Once you get inside and once you get up the elevators, people pretty much scatter, and it just really depends on the time. If you really don’t want to go when it’s crowded, don’t go on a Friday or Saturday night, or a holiday. Tuesday morning at 10am however, you likely won’t have to wait for anything.

Q: How long does it take to go through Convergence Station?
A: It varies by person. Some whiz through in an hour. Others have taken several hours to go through it at a slower pace.

Q: Is there food?
A: HELLOFOOD Café & Bar serves grab-and-go food options plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Vendors include local food and drink purveyors include Copper Door Coffee, Miss Peabody’s Southern Tea Cakes, and Osage Café, which is a training ground for those interested in the culinary industry and a community space bringing healthy food to the Mariposa District.

Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station: Understanding it all

Q: Overall, what IS Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station?
A: All Meow Wolf locations provide immersive and interactive, multi-media experiences, created by local and national artists who have collaborated to create original, artistic spaces that transport visitors into fantastical realms to explore. Some spaces are truly beautiful, some are humorous, some are thought-provoking, and some are just whimsical. As the website puts it, “Our work is a combination of jungle gym, haunted house, children’s museum and immersive art exhibit.” A lot of other questions about the overall Meow Wolf-ness can be found on the FAQ page.

Q: What’s the QPASS?
A: If you’re the type of person who likes to have a guided experience, or if you really like to get into like clues and puzzles, or if you’ve already been and now you really want to dig into the narrative, a QPASS is really fun. You can get one at the front desk in the lobby for $3. We recommend one per group. You take it around to the kiosks and in certain places, if you “boop” your card, it might make some interesting sound and lights happen in your environment. For revealing all the stories, you need to have the QPASS. There is also a Convergence Station website, which is another lesser-known thing. Like, there’s the Meow Wolf website, but you can also go to convergencestation.com and use your QPASS there.

Q: Is there Denver symbolism there? Will we understand/recognize it even if we haven’t lived here a long time?
A: Yes, there is the installation called Old School Denver. The idea was to create something specifically for old-school Denverites who have roots. In terms of the other Colorado connections too, we have 110 local artists. For example, Melting of Mines looks like this surrealist landscape on the moon or something, but it’s actually photos of Colorado mines.

Q: Are there people to guide us along the way?
A: We call them Creative Operators, and they’re really good at gauging how much interactivity people want. The more that you can interact with the Creative Operators, the more you’re going to get out of the experience because they’re actually bringing Convergence Station and all the art inside to life. They might challenge you to find something in the exhibition. They know the most about the world, more than anybody, really. They know all these secrets and all the cool things you can do. And especially in certain worlds, there are things that the Creative Operators can do for you that are pretty breathtaking and amazing.

Q: What if we still don’t get it?
A: It’s okay! If, at any point you find yourself frustrated that you aren’t “getting it” the way you think you should, just let yourself be amused by something that strikes you as funny or clever; take joy in something that’s pretty to you; look at day-to-day things in a different way (IGTD’s pick is the room with the birds on the wallpaper); get your own creative juices flowing and think of ways you’d like to be more creative in your life, like painting, or singing, or learning how to knit, for example. Be okay with just wandering and experiencing without trying to understand.

Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station: Sensory issues and feeling overwhelmed

Q: What if you, or someone you’re with, has sensory issues?
A: Convergence Station can be “a lot,” with dark spaces, tight spaces, steep stairways, flashing/strobe lights, some loud noises, etc. And it can be crowded. There are several spaces and rooms throughout the exhibition specifically designed to minimize the sensory experience. Ask a staff member in the lobby where these spaces are. (IGTD’s favorite was the blue-tiled room below that felt like going into a spa for a few minutes.)

TIP: Meow Wolf has a whole section of their website devoted to Accessibility, including “Sensory Bags” for those who need them. They include sunglasses, noise reduction headsets, and fidget toys and spinners. Ask to check out these items at the Coat Check Desk on the first floor. They also have a two-hour Audio Description Tour, Highlights of the Convergence, the second Saturday of each month, detailing things that might not be observed by someone with limited vision.

Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station: Safety while inside

Q: How do you not lose kids in there since it’s crowded and maze-like in some areas?
A: Hold their hands, and if you’re in one of the large areas, you can let them run around and tell them, ‘”Don’t leave this world without me.” It would be a good idea to follow them around otherwise; it can be really fun following kids through and watching them explore.

Q: If you do lose a kid, what do you do?
A: If your kid does slip away from you, find one of the Creative Operators or any of the other 150 support staff throughout the exhibition – they’re usually wearing bright yellow uniforms. They all have walkie talkies and are trained to do these things – they’re like a well-oiled machine. You can also go to Guest Services Lounge on the first floor for any lost persons/kids. They recommend taking a photo of everyone in your group before going in to help the team know what the person looks like and what they’re wearing.

Q: Are emergency exits clearly identified and are they located throughout the building?
A: Yes, anytime you go through one of the doors that’s leaving the exhibition, there are stairwells on either side of the building. There are also the elevators. If you find the elevators, go down, and you can always find your way to the lobby.

TIP: Go once (at least) without kids because you’ll want to read/absorb/watch and kids might want to go through faster and not note those things. Then go back with kids at their speed but also to be able to point out particularly interesting things you learned when you went without them. There are age 21+ nights, too.

To learn more about Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station, and the other locations, visit the website, here.