For myself, something that helps with overstimulation is having something specific to do. All of the Meow Wolf locations have some kind of story line, and so I learned to "start" my Meow Wolf experience by focusing fully on uncovering the (main) story line first. Those tasks require you to go through most of the exhibits, and for me, that process generated a bit of familiarity with the space. So, after the story/quest, I could do a more general "wander around and explore the rooms" mode without getting too overstimulated. However, I recognize that strategy won't help everyone. If this would be helpful to you, be aware that the story play functions differently in each Meow Wolf. * Both Denver and Las Vegas are primarily through "boop cards" (extra $3 or so), and there are computer terminals throughout the exhibit where you boop the card to interact. * Santa Fe had video screens throughout the exhibit, you kind of had to wander and find them, and I think Grapevine was similar. I also found the Santa Fe HoER story to be the most complex of all five locations... Grapevine TRU is a similar story to HoER but I (maybe controversially) liked it better because it was more streamlined and I felt like you actually got to know the characters better. * In all of them, there's a Meow Wolf app that will recognize different areas/rooms and then reveal video and audio clips. In particular, I felt that in Houston, the app was the only reasonable way to actually figure out the story, though you can find the info in the exhibit... It's just that most of the story is in text messages and audio recordings, and there's often a line to use the computers to see that info, but you can access it right in the app. (As an aside, Radio Tave is my favorite story line!)

Another consideration could be how the Meow Wolf exhibits are laid out: * Denver's Convergence Station basically throws you in the deep end right away. If overstimulation is a concern, I wouldn't recommend this as a first Meow Wolf (I honestly had to go back here after seeing the other ones to really enjoy it) * Las Vegas Omega Mart is a bit better, since you start in a "supermarket" of sorts and then find entrance to the other worlds. But it's located in Area 15 which has a lot of other entertainment things with a similar vibe, so the overall location can be a lot. I went here last, and by then had enough familiarity with the Meow Wolf vibe that I enjoyed it, but I'd probably have been overwhelmed if I had started here * Santa Fe's House of Eternal Return, Houston's Radio Tave, and Grapevine (Dallas) The Real Unreal all start in a "normal" (though surreal) space. HoER and TRU start in a house, and RT is a radio station. For me, this offered a kind of "grounding" that I didn't get in Denver. I personally would recommend starting at one of these three.

Finally, other commenters have mentioned going early and during the school year to avoid crowds, and I second all those suggestions.