A WORLD OF WONDER

A World of

Wonder AREA15 is a destination unlike any other

By Heather Turk

“WILD: A Safari Experience”

Since opening in September 2020, AREA15 has become one of Las Vegas’ top entertainment attractions. The off-Strip art, events and entertainment district welcomed nearly 2 million visitors during its first year of operation and continues to be a worthy addition to the Entertainment Capital of the World with its ever-growing list of exciting experiences.

Anchored by Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, a mysterious art installation with four themed areas and 60 unique environments for guests to explore, AREA15 recently welcomed several new experiences visitors won’t want to miss — including one that takes the fun at AREA15 to exhilarating new heights. Located outside the main entrance of AREA15, LIFTOFF invites riders to grab a drink from its lounge before taking a seat onboard the 7-minute open-air balloon ride. Guests will slowly rise 130 feet into the air, where they’ll enjoy an intoxicating, 360-degree view of the Strip and surrounding area while sipping their beverage. Although riders will have to secure any loose items in a locker before boarding the panoramic skyline experience, camera phones are welcome, as safety lanyards will be provided so guests can take plenty of jaw-dropping photographs without worrying about dropping their phones.

For those who want to experience even more skyhigh fun, guests can head inside AREA15 to enjoy the first indoor, electric dual-track suspension ride in the

Haley’s Comet is one ofjust a handful of rollgliders located across the planet – and the only one that lets the riders race a friend

United States: Haley’s Comet. One of AREA15’s original attractions, Haley’s Comet gives riders a vantage point of AREA15 unlike any other as they soar around the building. Riders can choose to enjoy a more leisurely ride or race each other on one of two unique tracks, reaching speeds up to 7 miles an hour. While that may not sound fast, it definitely feels fast when your feet are dangling high above everyone else’s heads!

Although AREA15 has no shortage of thrills, it’s probably best known for its extraordinary immersive attractions. AREA15’s latest addition, Illuminarium Las Vegas, continues to build on that with three state-of-the-art shows that use the world’s most advanced laser projection, LIDAR-based interactivity,

Photos of “WILD: A Safari Experience” and “SAPCE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond” courtesy of Illuminarium Experiences; Haley’s Comet courtesy of AREA15; Riders onboard LIFTOFF by Peter Ruprecht; LIFTOFF courtesy of Bright Light Digital Art

Riders onboard LIFTOFF will want to toast to the spectacular 360-degree view

3D beamformed audio, in-floor vibrations and scent systems to create one-of-a-kind experiences. The 36,000-square-foot entertainment complex transports adventure seekers to Africa with “WILD: A Safari Experience,” takes guests on a journey across the universe with “SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond,” and welcomes art lovers on an unforgettable exploration of color, texture, scent and interactivity through Georgia O’Keeffe’s iconic floral paintings with “O’KEEFFE: One Hundred Flowers” without anyone having to wear any type of VR equipment.

Art aficionados can also currently experience two dazzling 360-degree digital art exhibitions inside The Portal at AREA15 that celebrate Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt and Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. “Klimt: The Immersive Experience” and “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” both bring some of the painters’ most famous works to life, including Klimt’s “The Tree of Life” and Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.”

With so much to experience, it’s easy to see why no trip to Las Vegas is complete these days without visiting AREA15. area15.com

“SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond”

LIFTOFF

Located minutes from the Strip, AREA15 is the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district