A trip through Mirazozo in downtown Raleigh

Mirazozo opened Thursday in downtown Raleigh. Find out what it's like inside. And click on the headline for more details.

Posted 8:18 p.m. May 13, 2010 — Updated 8:24 p.m. May 13, 2010

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

I went to Mirazozo in Raleigh's City Plaza this afternoon with my kids and mom.

It's hard to describe exactly what it is other than to say it's a 6,000-square-foot inflatable structure where you walk around listening to new-agey kind of music and marvel at the colors and shapes. You travel through tunnels and end up in larger spaces. There are big illuminated strips on the ceiling in spots. You could say it's kind of womb-like (which might explain why my eight-month-old absolutely loved it).

And really none of that captures the experience.

So I thought I'd show you a little video with some scenes from inside.

Mirazozo is part of this weekend's Artplosure, downtown Raleigh's major arts and crafts festival. It's open 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 (kids 3 and under are free). Artsplosure runs Saturday and Sunday.

Check my earlier posts to learn more about Mirazozo and to get some tips on seeing Mirazozo and Artplosure. Please note an update on the tips: Strollers are *not* allowed in Mirazozo. Terri Dollar of Artsplosure had told me they were since wheelchairs are allowed. But it turns out strollers are not allowed, she told me today.

Also note that kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

I'd say kids of all ages would enjoy this. The baby had a blast. My five-year-old ran from room to room, her favorite colors changing with each section. And the teenagers who were waiting to enter as we left looked just as excited as she was.

Check out the video here:

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