Meow Wolf likes to say that its upcoming Los Angeles exhibition is focused on the art of storytelling — why it matters, what it means and how stories transform.
“This exhibition is about the inevitability of change,” says creative director Elizabeth Jarrett, “and how the stories that we tell ourselves and others have the ability to affect the way we perceive change and the way we experience it.”
That also means that Meow Wolf, known for its large-scale, explorable installations in Las Vegas, Denver, Houston, the Dallas suburbs and its home base of Santa Fe, N.M., will double down on its experiments with other media. Throughout the Los Angeles show, guests will encounter mixes of live action and animation, shadow boxes, games and even a mini escape room, only here guests have to break into rather than out of a secret room.
The Times spent two days in Santa Fe late last year to preview Meow Wolf’s Los Angeles exhibition, set to take over part of the Cinemark complex at Howard Hughes L.A. near the end of this year. Here are five fast things to know about the experience.
West Ham‘s interest in Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen has cooled after discovering Wolves want £40m for the 25-year-old.
The Hammers are committed to bolstering Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad with striking reinforcements.
Larsen was at the top of their list of potential signings and Wolves boss Rob Edwards did not close the door on the Norway forward leaving Molineux next month following the 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
However, West Ham think the price Wolves are wanting for Strand Larsen, who only signed a new contract to 2030 in September, is too high. They are looking at alternatives, although it cannot be ruled out that their interest might be revived.
Newcastle had bids of £50m and £55m turned down in the summer, although since then Wolves have embarked on a calamitous season that looks certain to end in relegation back to the Championship.
“We will make the right call on every individual,” said Edwards.
“Only time will tell. It will be a club decision and I am sure there will be movement in and out because we want to make an impact in the month.”
West Ham, who drew 2-2 with Brighton at the London Stadium to close the gap on fourth-from-bottom Nottingham Forest to four points, are now looking elsewhere, with Crystal Palace front-man Eddie Nketiah believed to be of interest.
Nketiah has scored four goals in 19 appearances for Palace so far this season.
However, the 26-year-old former Arsenal player has only started twice in the Premier League, most recently in the 4-1 defeat at Leeds on 20 December.
Brussels has been named a top place to go in 2026Credit: AlamyIt has some amazing street artCredit: Alamy
However, spring and summer are just as good, if not better, thanks to its amazing restaurant and bar scene, as well as as art scene.
CN Traveller named it as one of their Best Places to Go in 2026, alongside places such as Hong Kong and Australia.
They explained: “This often-overlooked European capital is having a cultural moment, signalling a shift from a bureaucratic hub to a creative powerhouse.”
This includes a number of new openings in the city, including the new The Standard hotel this year, as well as the Kanal-Centre Pompudiu next year, a factory turned exhibition space.
I visited earlier this year, for a quick weekend trip to Europe.
It’s one of the easiest places to get to thanks to the Eurostar – taking under two hours, it is the second stop after Lille.
And it drops you right in the train station just south of the city, making it an easy walk or tram ride into town.
The first thing to do is grab a cup of coffee, and there are some fantastic spots in town.
My favourite was Wide Awake, a trendy stop with their own roasted beans and delicious snacks including kimchi croissants and walnut cookies.
Of course, tourist stops you need to make include Fritland – a chip shop serving up the best in town with a variety of dipping sauces – and Maison Dandoy, famous for their light and fluffy waffles.
A beautiful spot for photos is Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, one of the Europe‘s oldest shopping galleries.
Dating back to 1847, it was inspired by Italian palaces and Parisian gardens, and is now full of luxury shops and chocolatiers.
They said it was a street that “captures the spirit of Brussels” adding: “It’s got all the charm – cobbled streets, crooked façades and centuries-old houses – but without the clichés.”
There’s photobooths tucked into shops – I grabbed a vintage one from Photomatique for a few euros.
Urban Therapie is where you can get some great shopping done, all selling independent brands.
And for food, I recommend Knees to Chin, a small Brussels chain restaurant selling Asian fusion food.
You can even go on street art tours of the cityCredit: AlamyFritland is touristy but a mustCredit: Alamy
Or nearby is Nona Pizza and Nona Pasta, right next to each other and serving up Italian classics.
Make sure to have your cameras ready when wandering around town too, as the city is full of street art and murals.
There is even an official Street Art Trail, which you can find here to help you spot all 150.
Want to take some souvenirs home? One that is unique is the Jeanneke-pis boutique.
The ‘sister’ of the famous Mannekin Pis (the peeing boy), the boutique sells some unusual gifts including statues of the peeing girl herself.
But you can’t go wrong with some classic Belgium chocolates, and can barely walk without being tempted into a chocolatier by its smell.
My favourites include Neuhaus – also in the UK – as well as Mary and Elizabeth.
Some of my other recommendation include Wolf Food Market, an indoor food market with 17 restaurants and bars.
And for a glam stay, the Doubletree by Hilton Brussels City is beautiful (and don’t forget the free cookie at check in).
The Eurostar from London to Brussels takes just 1hr53, with tickets from £39 each way.
Trains from London take less than two hoursCredit: Alamy
