The Mile High City offers a variety of unique and creative experiences—activities that many people don’t know about. One example is the rise of immersive experiences in Denver. An immersive experience is one in which an individual has the sensory perception of, or is surrounded by an environment that is different from day-to-day reality. These creations are a collection of ideas, artistry and a desire to push the envelope on the human sensory experience.
My name is Kay Altshuler and as a college student, I find myself dealing with the crushing stresses of finances and academics and the novelty of increasing independence. My situation is not singular at all, and escapism is a popular way to temporarily stave off the impending nature of real life. Immersive experiences do just that. By immersing people in vivid colors, art and fantastical environments, one can be whisked away to other worlds.
My introduction to immersive experiences was through “Space Explorers: The Infinite,” which was an exhibit produced by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) Off-Center. The experience was a state-of-the-art virtual reality tour of the International Space Station. Though it was a VR immersion, the experience reminded me of both my minuteness in the vacuum of space and my capability to do great things.
So with the stress of life and the increasing economic stresses of outings in Denver, here are five fun immersive experiences for under $30 that I want to share with you.
Shiki Dreams/The Night Owls Bar
The first experience on this list is Shiki Dreams by Prismajic. Located in Lakewood, this immersive experience tells the story of a Japanese Yeti named ‘Shiki’. Visitors are encouraged to “wash off the outside world and get lost” in the immersive environment.
When I entered the doors of Prismajic, I was thrust into the forest where Shiki lives. Before me, sat artful handmade wood and paper trees that twisted and framed the dimly lit setting. In addition to the forest, you could find the hut where Shiki dwells. The hut was made of wood and strings of interactive notes dangled from the high support beams. An animatronic owl peered down and blinked, giving the space a further naturalistic depth.
The culmination of artistic faux nature, lighting and animatronic animals is meant to throw visitors into an escapist experience that is both imaginative and whimsically convincing. The journey flows through a dark hallway to a waterfall room, a place known to be so relaxing that visitors are commonly seen meditating in the space. On Sundays, tickets are discounted for Colorado residents, and on days over 90 degrees, tickets are generally discounted.
In addition to Shiki’s forest, The Night Owls Bar is an immersive take on a bar setting. Often there is live music and events, which can be found on their website. Nestled in the handmade, whimsical forest night, the bar proves to be a unique and romantic experience. No tickets or ID are required upon entry to the bar.
Shiki Dreams by Prismajic, 14500 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 359, Lakewood. HOURS: Shiki Dreams: Wednesday to Thursday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to Saturday: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Night Owls: Thursday: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Saturday: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. COST: $15 to $23. Learn more at https://prismajic.com/
Denver Art Museum
Although maybe not the most obvious choice for this list, the Denver Art Museum is not only a staple for the Denver area but also an immersive experience in its own right. Taking a break from the humdrum of everyday life, visitors of the Denver Art Museum can walk through rooms packed to the gills with culture and history. Special exhibits have time and time again, proven to be unique and visually immersive.
Beginning on October 13 is an exhibit of the art of Maurice Sendak, known for Where the Wild Things Are. This is sure to be an experience wrought with nostalgia and escapism. If you’re a fellow college student on a budget, you can hit general exhibit tickets for around $15. I went and saw Biophilia, which was a fusion of nature and biologically-based art. I particularly liked various pieces that were reminiscent of human physiology. Some current general admission exhibits include Arts of Africa, Architecture and Design and many others.
For art lovers and history buffs, the Denver Art Museum can quickly become a favorite stop in the pursuit of escapism. I’ll be the first to admit that nothing is quite as nice as sketching in an art museum and grabbing a hot coffee at the cafe just next door. In the Civic Center of Denver and touting discounts for students, veterans and children, this venue is an accessible immersion for a wide range of people and a wider range of artistic interests.
Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver. HOURS: Daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. COST: $15 to $22. Learn more at https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en
Spectra Art Space
Spectra Art Space in Denver is located in an unassuming building space, but don’t let looks fool you. Once beyond the front doors, the space comes to life with vivid colors and artistic flow. Utilizing the natural, artificial and technological, there’s a reason Spectra Art Space tops immersive lists on publications such as Westword and Yelp.
I visited Novo Ita, an exhibit that closed on September 21, which was an impressive experience that showed off rooms of neon lights and a courtyard full of expressive statues, plants and painted rooms. I walked through the space with an open mouth, as if in a fairytale. There was a room full of plants, one full of butterflies and another with ornate masks. I was fascinated as I tried to figure out what each pocket of art represented.
After September, the exhibit changes to an October/Halloween theme and will be just as worthy of experiencing. In the past, exhibits like Spookadelia and The Festival of Spirit have garnered attention, and the upcoming exhibit is expected to be noteworthy. I will be heading back down to Spectra Art Space for some good festive immersion once the weather gets colder.
With tickets around $15 to $36 depending on what type of ticket you purchase, this is a great excursion for the artistic yearning. Not only that, but the staff helped navigate challenges for each guest. Though I went alone, I anticipate this experience would be deeply entertaining with a friend or two.
Spectra Art Space, 1836 S Broadway, Denver. HOURS: Monday: 11 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. COST: $15 to $36. Learn more at https://spectraartspace.com/
Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions in Denver is an excellent destination for families and groups interested in perception. The pricing is on the higher end for this list, but the mind-altering illusions make it all worth it.
I had a great time wandering from illusion to illusion and watching people enjoy the various photo opportunities. While this is not one single exhibit, the Museum of Illusions provides an escape from the world of visual laws and immerses you in a series of fun distortions. The illusions range from mirror-based to upside-down environments. My favorite spots were an upside-down train and a classic rotating tunnel.
Overall, the Museum of Illusions is a fantastic setting for creative photography, discussions, and interactive puzzle-solving. It is located near Union Station and is a nice break from the bustle of visual reality. This immersive experience is group-friendly and provides discounts for teachers and students. The only caveat—I do not recommend going alone to this one. You will likely have fun either way, but it caters more to groups.
Museum of Illusions, 951 16th St. Mall, Denver. HOURS: Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. COST: $23 to $27. Learn more at https://moidenver.com/
Off-Center
As my first most memorable adult immersive experience was done through DCPA Off-Center, I had to include it in this list. I’ve attended a number of immersive experiences through the DCPA, some of my favorites being “Darkfield,” which ran through September 1, and “Space Explorers: The Infinite,” which was here through May 5
Darkfield was an experience that took away sight and had guests rely on their other senses to fill in the gaps of immersive storytelling. The Infinite was an absolute must-visit for space enthusiasts. I visited this experience three times while it was here in Denver, and each time I discovered something I’d missed.
Beginning in October and continuing through January is an immersive experience called “Monopoly Lifesized: Travel Edition” and is highly anticipated by fans of the game. Coming from London, the experience is composed of escape rooms set on a Monopoly board. I am terrible at Monopoly, but this experience is intriguing, and I will definitely be checking it out with friends and family come October.
Denver Off-Center was founded in 2010, and executive director Charlie Miller has huge plans for it moving forward. As he told Westword, one of the biggest goals for Off-Center is a permanent space in Denver. With such big successes like Darkfield, The Infinite, and the Immersive Immersive Conference in 2023, Off-Center is setting up for big waves in the Denver Immersive community. Keep an eye on them!
Learn more about Off-Center at https://www.denvercenter.org/about-us/off-center/
Denver is a special place and a hub for immersive creatives. I have found a lot of joy and inspiration in the immersive artistic opportunities in this city. In addition to the experiences themselves, like the ever-popular Meow Wolf, there is a strong community of immersive experience enjoyers, so the social scene is always fresh. It is possible to experience abstract realities and fully artistic spaces on a budget, and hopefully, this list of five options will help push you in the right direction.
