A look inside Meow Wolf Houston
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The striking contrast between the ordinary office space and the surreal portal. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios
The Meow Wolf exhibit in Houston is opening on Halloween, transforming an industrial warehouse into an interdimensional radio station filled with artistic portals that spark wonder and reward curiosity.
Why it matters: The immersive choose-your-own-adventure is a mystery scavenger hunt, sensory playground and artistic marvel. And true to the company's promise: It's very Houston.
- Standing out from a typical photoshoot experience, the next big art destination in the city focuses on play and lets artist creativity take center stage.
Driving the news: The installation is the company's fifth permanent exhibition and the second in Texas. It's the most sound-driven Meow Wolf location, offering an immersive audio experience.
- More than 100 artists worked on the space, including 50 from Texas. The company also emphasizes collaboration with the community and giving back, aiming to foster a creative hub for the city.
The big picture: The Houston location is called Radio Tave, where the journey begins at a seemingly normal radio station. There's a narrative to uncover as you open doors to new dimensions.
- Its maze-like layout makes navigating through Ikea look like a piece of cake. For every embedded instinct to not touch art that you defy — whether you're opening a breaker box, dialing phone numbers or hitting a red button — a surprise awaits. You might stumble upon a tiny cockroach dive bar hidden in a trash can or get a call from a stranger at the Denver location.
Zoom in: The space is packed with custom soundtracks, video games and, of course, art. There's also an app to enhance the experience. Expect to get lost for hours. And even then, you may need to visit a few times to take it all in.
Fun fact: Easter eggs are everywhere — from pickles to toast. And there are Houston nods too, from a "Be Someone" reference to a Numbers Nightclub shirt.
- Mario Enrique Figueroa Jr., known as renowned graffiti artist Gonzo247, serves as Meow Wolf Houston's artist liaison. Even though he worked closely with the artists and has navigated the exhibit several times, he tells Axios he's still uncovering new things and seeking out hidden details.
Behind the scenes: Artists were given free rein to unleash their creativity, embedding personal touches throughout the exhibit — from a late family member's collection to their names hidden backward on a music poster in the dive bar, Cowboix Hevvven.
- Construction workers collaborated closely on the layout, building intentionally uneven walls. Stephanie Sanchez, associate show manager, said the crew got a sneak preview of their canvas coming to life.
- Some areas were designed to look intentionally gritty, with specific instructions to the cleaning crew during construction to not clean.
What they're saying: "We are the most diverse city in America, and visually, you're going to see that diversity," Figueroa said.
- "Get immersed in the art and find a way to surprise yourselves, to inspire yourself, and maybe you'll even find a way to change a little bit about each other," Meow Wolf CEO Jose Tolosa said at the media preview.
If you go: 2103 Lyons Ave. in Fifth Ward. Adult general admission tickets start at $40.
- The portal pass, with unlimited visits to Radio Tave, is $84.