Fans of Stranger Things will undoubtedly gravitate toward the quirky Meow Wolf experience. A former bowling alley—a 20,000-square-foot space—becomes the House of Eternal Return, an immersive art-installation-storytelling experience influenced, no kidding, by the mind of George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and operated by an art collective of almost 200 “creators.” Guests are encouraged to find clues of what happened to a missing family by sifting through various diaries and opening a series of doors—including those of appliances like a refrigerator and a washing machine. Don’t like audience participation? Worry not. Simply go along for the journey through an all-encompassing dream world complete with high-tech visuals: kaleidoscopic laser beams, jungle gyms, and musical treats, like a synthesizer made from dinosaur bones.

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The Mysteries of Meow Wolf

America’s oldest capital city always has a new artistic surprise up its sleeve – like the eclectic, eccentric, and batshit crazy Meow Wolf Art Collective. This sprawling interactive art center features space ships, laser harps, retro TV viewing galleries, secret tunnels, art for art’s sake, and a kitchen that would make Steamboat Willie blush. I love this place – and I love that our Go Ahead tour built in enough free time to wander so that we could make discoveries like this on our own.

Flash Parker traveled on Go Ahead’s U.S. National Parks tour as part of AFAR’s partnership with the United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA), whose members provide travelers with unparalleled access, insider knowledge, and peace-of-mind to destinations across the globe. For more on Flash’s journey, visit the USTOA Blog.

Explore the Electric Forest

More Meow Wolf is always a good thing. I’m convinced this is Santa Fe’s most unique artistic attraction – if not the most unique in the entire American Southwest. Maze of fluorescent trees? Creepy timber garden? Yes, please. ‘nuff said.

Flash Parker traveled on Go Ahead’s U.S. National Parks tour as part of AFAR’s partnership with the United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA), whose members provide travelers with unparalleled access, insider knowledge, and peace-of-mind to destinations across the globe. For more on Flash’s journey, visit the USTOA Blog.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at notification@afar.com.

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