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Las Vegas is known for its glitz and glamour, but there’s a whole lot more than just The Strip. If you’re ever to visit Las Vegas, add Area15 (also spelled Area 15 and AREA15) to your Vegas attractions must-see list!
There’s something incredible not far from the Las Vegas Strip. It’s called Area15, an immersive entertainment district that redefines what an urban experience can be.
This place, often referred to as an urban Burning Man mall, seamlessly combines retro vibes with futuristic visions. You have the luxury of exploring this district for free, stepping into an array of worlds where the only limit is your imagination!
What is Area15 Las Vegas?
Area15 is an immersive entertainment and dining destination that opened in early 2021 in Las Vegas. It combines restaurants, bars, and nightlife into one colossal warehouse with an outside campus.
When you arrive at Area15, large banners reveal:
“This experience does not exist.”
Something like the following quote by Vegas’ own UNLV professor and prolific author, Hal Rothman:
“No one thinks Las Vegas is real; it is an illusion, but visitors willingly suspend disbelief and pretend.”
—Hal Rothman
What is inside Area15 in Las Vegas?
Like Sphere Las Vegas, Area15 in Las Vegas is a new-age venue that promises to change how people experience entertainment. From the outside, it looks like a simple warehouse. But once you enter this massive “futuristic shopping center,” your eyes are treated to all kinds of artistic masterpieces! It’s an immersive, high-tech experience that blurs the line between reality and virtuality.
Inside Area15, you’ll find art installations, an indoor golf experience, an Area15 Zipline, dueling axes, the featured attraction Meow Wolf, and so much more!
Outside are local artist pop-ups, shopping, horse and carriage rides, and stand-alone venues like Las Vegas’ Illuminarium and LIFT-OFF Bar & Ride for a panoramic 360-degree view of the city of Las Vegas and The Strip!
Area15 has a futuristic, urban-chic vibe with neon lights, giant metal art, and unique design elements. With a massive space for games, rides, attractions, restaurants, and bars, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Is Area15 for kids?
Yes, Area15 has adult, kid, and family-friendly attractions.
Where is Area15 in Las Vegas?
Is Area15 on The Strip?
Although not on The Strip, you’ll quickly find Area15, just a little over a mile from the Las Vegas Strip and right off the interstate parallel to The Strip, US-95.
Area15 Las Vegas – 3215 S. Rancho Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89102
What hotels are near Area15?
You probably already know Las Vegas is the worldwide hub for entertainment and unique experiences. Known affectionately as “The Entertainment Capital of the World.” So, for hosting and tourist accommodations, there are plenty of hotels in Las Vegas, with most of the popular ones on The Strip near Area15.
- Treasure Island (TI) is one of The Strip’s closest hotels to Area15 from the interstate.
- Followed by The Mirage/Hard Rock
- The Venetian
- Palazzo at The Venetian
- Wynn Las Vegas
- And Encore at Wynn
How much does it cost to go to Area15?
By now, you’re probably wondering how much it costs to get into Area15.
Is Area15 free? Here’s the good news…
- General admission is mostly free! Doors open daily, inviting explorers of all ages.
- Only on Friday and Saturday, an entry fee kicks in after 9 PM, setting you back a mere $15 if you’re 18 or older.
- Every day, an Entry Pass is required for all guests visiting Area15.
- Entry Passes are NOT required for pre-booked tickets or reservations for an Area15 event or experience.
- Get Entry Passes before you arrive HERE.
Once you’re inside, you can buy tickets for the different exhibits and attractions as per your choices and preferences.
I’m a fan of buying tickets online and ahead of your entry to guarantee your spot for the wonderfully weird and diverse experiences inside Area15. Most attractions offer discounts for Nevada residents and the military, too!
Does Area15 take cash?
Area15 is cashless, like new-age arenas Allegiant Stadium and Sphere Las Vegas. Cash-to-card machines convert money to Area15 debit cards that can be used throughout the facility. Some establishments inside Area15 may accept cash payments, but it’s not guaranteed.
Does Area15 sell bundle tickets?
You can discover, ride, and explore with a pre-bundled AREA15 Experience Pass.
How long do people spend at Area15 Las Vegas?
Allocate at least 90 minutes to 2 hours for a complete attraction experience. However, I do caution you to lower your expectations of being able to experience everything in just one visit!
Area15 things to do
The entertainment is going to be endless when you visit Area15. Here are the adventures to explore:
Area15 attractions:
Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart – The largest and most popular of the Area15 immersive experiences is hands down Meow Wolf Las Vegas! Astonishing, unpredictable, and mind-bending. It’s an interdimensional and interactive adventure featuring jaw-dropping work from international and local artists through a real-fake Supermarket called Omega Mart.
Are Area15 and Meow Wolf the same thing?
Area15 is the campus, the entertainment shopping center, and the venue. Meow Wolf is one of the featured attractions in the shopping center.
Army of the Dead – A VR experience rescuing civilians from zombie-infested Las Vegas! The Las Vengeance crew is recruiting a brave team today!
Asylum Bar & Arcade – Classic arcade nostalgia meets craft beer and bespoke cocktail bar.
Birdly – A VR experience that mimics the wind beneath your wings to a bird’s-eye view of some of the richest landscapes in the digital world.
Block Party at Area15 – A local fave, Block Party returns to weekends at Area15! Join the outdoorsy action beside LIFT-OFF Bar & Ride on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to midnight. Enjoy the city’s top food trucks with nightly drink specials while shopping local vendors and artisans, plus play classic outdoor games. At the same time, you dance to the beats of resident DJs and live music, “Bringing the community together one weekend at a time!”
Brainstorm – How does Brainstorm know what you’re thinking? Only its creators know for sure. And they’re not telling!
Dueling Axes – Move over, bowling! Meet your new favorite bar sport that lets you satisfy your primal desires: axe throwing!
Five Iron Golf – An urban indoor golf experience that combines a unique mixture of golf, entertainment, and making the game more inclusive and accessible.
Grand Prix Racing Sim – Experience high-octane excitement racing on the Las Vegas Strip on an immersive simulator.
Haley’s Comet – Zip line through Area15! Dip, soar, and glide down The Spine, the nerve center of Area15.
Illuminarium – Illuminarium is the next generation in immersive entertainment that transports you through a sensory experience like no other!
Museum Fiasco – Home to “Cluster,” and immersive light and sound spectacle. Museum Fiasco is an audiovisual installation that explores relationships between space, time, and perception.
Oz Ride – Strap yourself in and get ready for takeoff. Choose between two thrilling adventures set in space or in the land of animation.
Particle Quest – A free-roaming experience to unlock the secret backstory lurking just beneath the surface of Area15.
Virtualis VR – Powered by the latest technology in virtual reality, immerse into new worlds in ways you’ve never experienced before!
Wild Muse – This is your festival clothing outfitter! Wild Muse is a one-of-kind boutique inside Area15 featuring handcrafted, sustainable apparel, accessories, art, and eco-friendly health and wellness products from local and global creators. It’s THE place to bring out your “inner weird” to the fullest and a must-stop-shop for trying things on, playing dress up, and dancing to the rhythm of your own drum!
Wink World – What the &%$# is Wink World? The place where a psychedelic art house meets a carnival funhouse.
What restaurants are at Area15?
There are plenty of restaurants and bars at Area15, so arrive hungry, stay to play, and prepare to leave full!
Las Vegas Area15 restaurants
Kaia Handroll – Picture this: you settle into stylish countertop seating, holding a front-row ticket to a familiar flavor journey in a vibrant and unique setting. That’s because, at Kaia Handroll, East meets West in the most mouthwatering way possible!
Lumin – Inside Illuminarium on the campus of Area15, Creative American cuisine is served all day, complemented by craft cocktails, sweet treats, and delicious coffee. Enjoy the natural light and earthy décor of this indoor café, or dine in the outdoor covered patio lounge. Lumin is in partnership with celebrated James Beard award-nominated and husband-wife Chef Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau.
The Beast – Ready to dine in the belly of The Beast? Renowned chef, restaurateur, and four-time James Beard Award winner Todd English presents this curated map of flavors to guests at the whimsical world of AREA15.
Bars at Area15 Las Vegas
Asylum Bar & Arcade – Classic arcade nostalgia meets craft beer and bespoke cocktail bar. Camaraderie and competition come together for crazy fun with friends and family.
Datamosh Bar – This hidden bar and secret speakeasy is tucked away inside Area15’s Meow Wolf Las Vegas!
Dueling Axes – Bring in food from any AREA15 food venue and enjoy it at your table while you throw! Here, axe-throwing meets ultra-modern cocktail lounge. Sip on expertly crafted libations, vibe to the tunes, and let off some steam.
LIFT-OFF Bar & Ride – Enjoy a lounge, full bar, and catered options with customizable lights and sound. Then, treat yourself to a panoramic skyline experience of Las Vegas as an added bonus! At LIFT-OFF, the bar ascends 130 feet high for an extraordinary 360-degree view of the city and the Las Vegas Strip!
Lost Spirits Distillery – A modern Cirque show, rum distillery, and cocktail party. Called the “Willy Wonka of Booze” by Playboy Magazine.
Oddwood – Amidst Area15’s collision of metal, sculpture, and worn wood, a 23-foot-tall glistening digital maple tree sits in the center. With over 5,000 glistening leaves, the Oddwood tree pulses with every beat of the music as you sip on your consummately crafted cocktail – expertly prepared by mixologists.
Sanctuary Lounge – Find your zen inside this lush ultra lounge canopied by bamboo from the islands of Bali and Java. Enjoy specialty cocktails and sink into the comfort of this playful volcano.
Area15 cafes and sweet treats
Conduit Cafe – The baristas here harness the power of their coffee machines like expert programmers, crafting cold brews that are a symphony of circuitry. Conduit Cafe also offers byte-sized grab-and-go food items that perfectly accompany your fast-paced day while exploring Area15.
Dream Weaver Milk & Boba Bar – A delightful soft serve and boba tea oasis within Area15 that transports you to a whimsical world of fun and fantasy!
Rocket Fizz – This is not your old-fashioned soda pop and candy shop! Rocket Fizz is pretty much the antithesis, like a crew of punks with dyed hair took over, spray-painted graffiti everywhere, and created the most hilariously outrageous soda flavors they could think of. And the candy! Rocket Fizz’s line of salt water taffy comes in more familiar flavors, like Banana Split, Chocolate Malt, and Strawberry Cheesecake. Swing by this sweet spot that will rock your world.
Can you host a party at Area15 Las Vegas?
Yep, set your conference, party, or performance in a down-the-rabbit-hole wonderland unique to Las Vegas’ Area15!
I explain how to host a party at Area15 in my post HERE.
Your journey through Area15 awaits
Area15 revolutionizes the Las Vegas entertainment scene, offering a combination of free wandering and ticketed immersive experiences. It distinguishes itself with a blend of retro and futuristic elements, inviting comparisons to an urban Burning Man. Visitors can look forward to diverse activities, from Vegas nightlife to interactive alternate realities.
Check out my post HERE for what’s free to do at Area15!
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