Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions
4
Speciality Museums • Educational sites • Children's Museums
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8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About
Welcome to our fascinating world of illusions. Thrilled yet bewildered you will enter a world that will blow your mind but also give you an opportunity to learn all sorts of things... come and visit us! It is sure to be an amazing and unimaginable experience because whatever you see, especially here in the Museum of Illusions, is not what it appears to be. Are you ready for an adventure?
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: West Village
Stretching from Sixth Avenue to the Hudson River, the West Village is one of the city’s most coveted addresses. Full of trendy shops, historic taverns, and cozy restaurants set amid 19th century architecture, this neighborhood has a unique old-world feel. You won’t find a more picturesque location in Manhattan. Without the traditional city grid layout, it’s easy to get lost here, but that’s part of the fun as you stroll down elegant narrow streets with beautiful brownstones. When you need a break, you can always stop in at one of the many quaint eateries or cafes to soak in the atmosphere, or head to the western edge of the neighborhood to enjoy magnificent waterfront views while taking a leisurely walk in Hudson River Park.
How to get there
- 8th Ave • 1 min walk
- 14th St / 8th Ave • 1 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,154 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,584 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
266 reviews
Excellent
148
Very good
49
Average
28
Poor
17
Terrible
24
Tania M
Newark, NJ51 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
i was about to do another think but was raining a lot so i get on this place no knowing what was but it was pretty funny and nice
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Grace
Avon, CT4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
This place costs a hefty price for a very small "museum". Although we had timed tickets the place was crowded so much that people were actually grazing past you...which actually caused an argument with myself and another. With covid still around the corner, this would definitely be a breeding grounds. The layout is really bad with no clear direction....unlike real museums. Upstairs was very stuffy with uncirculated air and very small...again...with people bumper to bumper. I went around 1pm. Not worth the money in my opinion. I decided to leave after 15 minutes...too claustrophobic. It's bad enough I paid $36 for parking on a week day and lost out on $106 from not enjoying my "museum" experience.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wen
16 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Way too expensive ($97 for my small family) to be loaded, pressed, cattled through very small rooms. You need to have time to read 20 lines of text to understand the illusions before you can enjoy them thoroughly; with so many people passing, you have not the time to “do the work” required to experience. For the most part, we relied on the good nature of other people to allow us but a docent is necessary here to keep the flow safe. There’s a second floor with a smaller exhibit but no elevator access. I saw a visitor in a wheelchair who could not enjoy the whole place. There were 3 workers visible at the front desk who were pleasant. The place could use some dusting and vacuuming.
As others have said, the exhibits themselves are ALL common illusions with the benefit of having them in one place.
As others have said, the exhibits themselves are ALL common illusions with the benefit of having them in one place.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ramseyrp20
Fort Wayne, IN1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Couples
Cool concept horribly executed. Most of the illusions are ones everyone has already seen in books or online. There are 40 exhibits of varying quality and you can visit them in any order. There are only a handful of neat exhibits and since there is absolutely no structure, everyone will crowd around those exhibits making you feel rushed. There were way too many people let in at once. It would operate way more efficiently and be more fun for everyone if they let in small groups at a time and had a guide go through the exhibits with each group in order to explain the illusions instead of having a wall of text next to each one giving confusing directions on how to see the illusion. Do not pay for this. For the same price you can get into the Met for 3 days.
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gursartaj
New Delhi, India69 contributions
Aug 2022
So much fun to get photos and build fun memories. the illusions are all fun and allow you to get really funky, unique pictures. For some of them, you will need help from the staff and they gladly do help out.
gift shop was a bit expensive for the kind of stuff on sale there.
a must do place in NY
gift shop was a bit expensive for the kind of stuff on sale there.
a must do place in NY
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LouP
Sherbrooke, Canada106 contributions
Aug 2022
You can find almost all their cheap illusions by searching online "most common visual illusions". Not worth the money for such a basic place with easy tricks. Extremely noisy place, loud music and screaming kids of all ages.
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SNO
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Family
A mind-boggling, fantastic place which was out of the ordinary and interesting. It was an enjoyable experience with various activities that involved brain power and illusions to tickle your mind. On top of that the staff over there were hospitable and made sure we had an amazing time.
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RonboNJ
Tinton Falls, New Jersey, Usa140 contributions
Jul 2022
If this wasn't so expensive and overcrowded it may have been a better experience.
Admission is $24 per person which is very pricey for what is actually here, 40 different illusions -- some of which you have seen in books or online.
The highlights are rooms that challenge your equilibrium or with the help of mirrors, give you a sense of unlimited depth. However, the rest of it is basically standing in front of a photo, staring at it, and seeing how it affects your perception. The kind of stuff I have seen in books all my life.
Worse yet, the place is just overcrowded. They try to fit in as many people as they can and often, you are standing in a small line waiting on other people who spend more time than they should with a particular exhibit.
Noisy, crowded, expensive, and underwhelming are the best words I can use to describe this museum. It seems like a poor excuse to put up mostly familiar eye tricks we have seen many times before, call it a museum and overcharge people to view it.
The real illusion about this museum is that there's something worthwhile here to see for the pricey $24 admission.
Admission is $24 per person which is very pricey for what is actually here, 40 different illusions -- some of which you have seen in books or online.
The highlights are rooms that challenge your equilibrium or with the help of mirrors, give you a sense of unlimited depth. However, the rest of it is basically standing in front of a photo, staring at it, and seeing how it affects your perception. The kind of stuff I have seen in books all my life.
Worse yet, the place is just overcrowded. They try to fit in as many people as they can and often, you are standing in a small line waiting on other people who spend more time than they should with a particular exhibit.
Noisy, crowded, expensive, and underwhelming are the best words I can use to describe this museum. It seems like a poor excuse to put up mostly familiar eye tricks we have seen many times before, call it a museum and overcharge people to view it.
The real illusion about this museum is that there's something worthwhile here to see for the pricey $24 admission.
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jimmyjazz
North Wales, UK47 contributions
Jun 2022
Myself & the kids were left very disappointed by this place after looking forward to our visit. 3 or 4 interesting illusions but that your lot I would save your money
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Josh D
Mamaroneck, NY407 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
I always hear that people take dates to museums!! I thought about taking a lady here and only realize afterwards that she didn’t actually exist like what happened to Joaquin Phoenix in Joker!! I am very anti dating and anti PDA!! Anyway I came here with my grandma a few days ago because I enjoy illusions and I like interesting museums!! I enjoyed all the illusions and they had numbers on them to follow!! It is crazy you can trick your mind so much without doing anything they advise you against in high school health class!! I am trying to hide some dark jokes in here but this is a fun place so it’s a fun review!! Y’all must come here!!
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Do they allow backpacks?
Giveahoot
Syracuse, New York504 contributions
They did when I was there in July.
Eric W
New York City, NY
I am watching my sister's dog for a time and am planning an outing here with an acquaintance. Are pets allowed inside or is that not allowed....
Team McLemore
Philadelphia, PA200 contributions
No they do not allow pets
Alexa Betancourth
Huntington Station, NY
I’m planning a full day in the city and the museum of illusions is one of my planned events, if I have food in my bag (that I do not plan to eat while inside the museum) will they confiscate it?
Team McLemore
Philadelphia, PA200 contributions
No, they aren't your traditional museum, it's basically a walk thru of numbered exhibits that you follow from 1 - to about 32. Cool stuff though!!!
AJ Plousadis
1 contribution
How is the security three? Any metal detectors or bag searches?
sheila s
Puerto Rico8 contributions
No there's not
lah1232017
Montville, NJ2 contributions
What is the nearest parking garage
nancy h
105 contributions
Try google for that. We took subway.
What are the best times to come in, when their is not as much ppl.
Ela B
1 contribution
Hello! :) Thank you so much for the interest! Weekdays are usually not a problem unless it's during the holiday season - weekends and holidays are our busiest times. We always suggest visitors to come as early as possible. As we peak in the middle of the day from Noon to as late as 6 PM to 8 PM. See you soon!
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest an editMuseum of Illusions (New York City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Illusions
- Museum of Illusions is open:
- Mon - Thu 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Fri - Sun 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Hotels near Museum of Illusions:
- (0.02 mi) Incentra Surrey Room at Incentra Village Hotel
- (0.03 mi) Hotel 309
- (0.06 mi) Chelsea Pines Inn
- (0.21 mi) The Maritime Hotel
- (0.16 mi) Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
- Restaurants near Museum of Illusions:
- (0.03 mi) Istanbul Grill
- (0.03 mi) Insomnia Cookies
- (0.03 mi) McKenna's Pub
- (0.07 mi) La Nacional Restaurant
- (0.12 mi) Aux Merveilleux de Fred
- Attractions near Museum of Illusions:
- (0.01 mi) Marc's Village Walk
- (0.03 mi) Soapology
- (0.04 mi) Ipanema Sports Bar
- (0.19 mi) Enjoy Central Park
- (0.07 mi) Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe