The Museum of Illusions in uptown Charlotte opened last month and we’ve been anxious to visit ever since we saw the first mind-bending preview ads on my FaceBook feed. The museum is an international chain but this is only the 7th location in the United States. Located in a small ground floor space in the Ally Center, the building has its own parking garage, making for an easy, stress-free visit.
At $20 for kids tickets (ages 5-12) and $24 for adult tickets, this is not a cheap outing. It seems especially pricey given the small size of the museum and the fact that it only takes about an hour to thoroughly explore it. But it is such a unique and fun concept that I definitely felt like it was worth a visit.
Online ticket sales are for a specific time so we headed over on a Sunday night as part of my oldest son’s birthday weekend. Only a month into their opening, the museum has been selling out on weekends. The timed entry helps to keep the museum from getting too overcrowded, although there was occasionally a backup at some of the more photo-worthy exhibits.
After checking in at the front desk, you head down the hallway on the left. Throughout the museum, the walls are lined with holograms, optical illusions, and other fascinating images. Next to each image is a placard that includes instructions on how to view the image and an explanation of the illusion.
In the interior of the museum there are a few different installations and rooms that are setup for taking mind-bending photos. Swap noses with your friends, play cards with yourself, pose in the reverse room, or view infinite reflections of yourself. Each illusion has an explanation on the outside of the room and many include both instructions on how to photograph the illusion and an employee stationed there to help or even take the pictures for you.
The most popular attraction seemed to be the climbing building illusion. This had the biggest backup for pictures. There was even a little boy dressed as Spiderman for his photo shoot! It definitely made for some cool photos.
My boys loved the Vortex Tunnel when we went to the Tweetsie Ghost Train so they were thrilled that there was one here too. This one is really interesting to me because it tricks your body in addition to your mind. It really feels like you are leaning and have to hold on to stay upright.
Our other favorite pictures were from rooms that featured height/size illusions. Pictures from the Distorted Room and Beuchet Chair were a lot of fun to take. And the Head on a Platter pictures were definitely popular!
We had a great time at the Museum of Illusions. The illusions were really cool and the staff was friendly and helpful. Due to the high price and the fact that there is such a novelty to your first visit, I doubt we’ll visit again, but I think it is well worth going to once.
