Experience a virtual safari, trip to the moon and a stroll through a radiant floral garden all in one venue
Not everyone gets the opportunity to travel to Africa and observe animals in their natural habitat, or walk through the artistic creations of an illustrious artist such as Georgia O’Keeffe. Even fewer, if any, individuals will ever travel through space and walk on the moon. But now, simply by venturing out to the new Illuminarium at Area 15, guests are invited to explore a semblance of a virtual version of all three experiences.
Details of the Experience
Illuminarium offers the latest in technology, presenting an immersive 360-degree cinematic entertainment experience. The attraction utilizes a larger-than-life projection, which integrates a sensory space of sight and sound. The video is shown in an expansive 10,000 square feet room engaging with guests through the use of 4K laser projection, 3D audio, in-floor vibration and even scent.
CEO Alan Greenberg describes Illuminarium as “a place that can take you any place. It’s a combination of technology, design, content and partners that all come together to do that, and it’s a combination of sight, sound and sense of scale. Those things come together with extraordinary content.”
The room is a massive canvas that spreads 220 feet from end to end. While limited seating is available, the best way to enjoy the presentation is to walk around the display to take in all the sights, sounds and scents; these sensory details fully immerse visitors to make them feel like they are actually there. Unlike other immersive experiences, no 3D glasses or VR headwear of any kind are required. Guests may take their time as they wander inside the attraction, which will last approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
Illuminarium Experiences
The attraction opened in late April and offers four unique experiences: WILD: A Safari Experience, O’KEEFFE: One Hundred Flowers, SPACE: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond and Illuminarium After Dark.
WILD: A Safari Experience
WILD: A Safari Experience allows guests to come face-to-face with the world’s most exotic animals in their natural habitats. Majestic landscapes featured in the experience comprise of a savanna sunrise and a Kenyan sky lit up by stars. But the true highlights of this attraction are the animals in their native environments across South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. The exhibit presents footage of elephants, giraffes, lions, rare silverback mountain gorillas, hippos and gazelles.
O’KEEFFE: One Hundred Flowers
O’KEEFFE: One Hundred Flowers breathes life into one of the best-selling art books of all time by the same name, which reveals a virtual garden of the modernist painter’s most celebrated pieces. A series of evolving visual landscapes celebrates and reimagines O’Keeffe’s treasured floral stills featured in the collection.
SPACE: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond
SPACE: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond is an otherworldly journey across the galaxy. Guests fly through a technicolor nebula, leave their footprints on the moon, see Saturn’s rings up close and weave through an asteroid belt.
Illuminarium After Dark
Illuminarium After Dark is a nightly nightlife experience for those over 21, and is situated in a room adjacent to the projection room, so visitors may spend time in both areas during the experience. In the After Dark space different locations are recreated, including the night markets of Tokyo, the floral gardens of France and atmospheric destinations such as crystal caverns. This allows guests to feel like they are reveling in an evening out at a dreamlike location. A full bar serves a selection of specialty cocktails and curated bites from Lumin Café and Kitchen.
A Taste of Adventure
Lumin Café and Kitchen
James Beard Award-nominated husband-wife business partners Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla of Blau + Associates created Lumin Café and Kitchen. It’s currently one of only a handful of dining venues inside of Area 15.
Commenting on the new entertainment experience and eatery Blau says, “We love the opportunity to collaborate on this innovative concept. Illuminarium is very exciting for the city! We have created a menu that’s eclectic and fun that represents Area 15 and the dynamic crowd that comes here.”
Lumin Café and Kitchen’s decor features wood accents, floating white oak trellis interspersed with lush plants, natural light and an outdoor covered patio with a full-service bar.
The menu offers breakfast items such as breakfast sandwich, Greek yogurt parfait and berry smoothie; small plates including pretzel bites and tater tot poutine; large plates such as fish and chips and Korean fried chicken; impossible, classic and Lumin burgers; sweet treats like dark chocolate chip cookies, s’mores nachos and milkshakes; and late-night items such as hot chicken sliders and crispy arancini.
Exclusive cocktail pairings for each show are also available. The following libations on the menu include:
Savanna Sunset with Bacardí Rum, ginger ale, orange juice and pineapple juice topped with grenadine inspired by WILD: A Safari Experience
COSMOpolitan with Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime and an iridescent shimmer inspired by SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond
Red Canna with St. Germaine liqueur and Fever-Tree elderflower tonic, Grey Goose Vodka and marigolds inspired by O’KEEFFE: One Hundred Flowers
Location, Hours and Prices
Illuminarium is situated in its own building with a parking lot and entrance just steps to the west of the main Area 15 complex. The attraction opens daily at 11 a.m. with the last entry at 7 p.m. for daytime admission. Evening programming begins nightly at 8 p.m. for adults 21 and over.
Lumin Café & Kitchen is open Thursday through Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the patio 11 a.m. to 11p.m. Tickets to Illuminarium are not required to visit Lumin.
General admission tickets for the shows are $40. After Dark tickets, which include a show and one cocktail, are $60. Plan a visit to the Illuminarium Las Vegas to experience an out-of-this-world trip.
Want to learn more about Area 15? Check out 10 Secrets of Area 15 and Its Hidden Hallmarks.
