One of the best things about the Stranger Things TV series is that is based in the 1980’s making the show not only popular with young teens but also those who lived through that era as teens. Now, with the “Stranger Things: The Experience”, you can continue the adventure in person that is half scary attraction and half time warp.
Having already been presented (and now gone) in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, London and Atlanta, “Stranger Things: The Experience” has recently opened the portal to the “Upside Down” to the residents of Seattle, Washington making it the only current U.S. location to see this show. (The spectacle is currently also playing in Toronto, Canada and Paris.) Being co-produced by Netflix and Fever, this presentation is a crazy ride and a “not miss” attraction for true fans.
With a little bit of movie magic, this guided tour will take you back to Hawkins Lab to join Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Max, and Will for a new adventure that is the caliber of a Disney theme park attraction. Well, maybe not a “Disney” attraction – those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult and kids under the age of five are not allowed in due to the scary images, special effects and “mature language” or as I like to say, the “swears.” (The TV series had plenty of mature language as well, but this adventure goes a little overboard with it.)
You need to purchase your tickets ahead of time and you can’t be late. You’ll be joining a group of other ticket holders who will all be experiencing the adventure at the same time. The setting for this story is that you have arrived at Hawkins Lab to participate in a new study, but is there something more sinister going on here? Soon, you’ll find yourself trying out puzzles in the infamous Rainbow Room and other locations in the lab. With some pretty amazing special effects and a few jump scares, you’ll find yourself in the Stranger Things universe. Perhaps you’ll tap into some special powers that you never knew that you had! This experience is not a haunted house and you’ll never have to navigate through any black hallways. To heighten the fun, you might need to stop by a local thrift store on the way there. Dress up in your best 80’s attire to make the most of your experience which will take about 45 minutes to complete. One other note – to get the most out of this experience, be sure to engage with others. There is an element of role playing here too. The more you play it up, the more fun you’ll have.
If you survive your ordeal in the lab and the “Upside Down”, you’ll enter the “Mix-Tape” which is filled with places and references to the TV series including Will Byer’s home and the living room marked up with letters and Christmas lights. Enjoy 80’s music as you explore the Rink-O-Mania gift shop, take selfies with Vecna or playing games in the arcade. Pick up a pizza from the Surfer Boy Pizza truck, enjoy a themed drink at The Upside bar or enjoy an “ocean of flavors” at the Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop. The latter was a particular favorite of mine. The shop has six ice cream flavors and two sorbets which can be enjoyed in a cone or made into a sundae or float. Scoops Ahoy also serves chicken-and-waffles, jumbo pretzels, popcorn, candy and Olipop Soda. You can hang out at the Mix-Tape for as long as you like – or at least until it closes for the night.
Located at 1750 Occidental Ave, Seattle WA 98134 (the SODO district), “Stranger Things: The Experience” will be up and running now through August 6, 2023 unless it gets held over. Tickets are available every day (except for Mondays and Tuesdays) beginning as early as 10:30 a.m. and as late at 9:00 p.m. There is also VIP admission which comes with an exclusive VIP Collectible and tote bag and a complementary signature cocktail or regular-sized drink of your choice.
Don’t live in Seattle? You can nominate a city near you including Washington D.C., Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston and Miami. Go to the “Stranger Things: The Experience” website to let your voice be heard!
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