Salt Lake City has an amazing new museum! This one is located right down town, and is the perfect place to visit. We’ve already moved it to the top of our list to take friends who come to Utah to visit. This museum is full of illusions that are interactive and mind-blowing. The Museum of Illusions in Salt Lake is perfect for all ages and has something for everyone.
We love puzzles, mind tricks, and optical illusions, so we’ve had our eye on this museum for a while. As you enter the lobby, you will see the very first illusion. While we waited in line to buy tickets, we stowed our jackets and purses in the free lockers and checked out the spinning disk that makes the center of your hand appear to rotate. We were already hooked!
What Kind of Illusions Will You See
This museum has some optical tricks that you can look at in books. These are simple pictures drawn that trick the eye, but there was so much more in the Museum of Illusions! Along with the simple illusions, there were really complex ones that you can only see if you visit the museum. These illusions use mirrors, depth perception, and other patterns to trick your eye into believing different things. There is a definite element of magic and mystery that really excited our teenagers and tweens.
There are several places to stop and take photos, including a house that looks like you are climbing, rooms that make you larger or smaller, and mirrors that make your reflection do hilarious or outrageous things. We were laughing and rushing from exhibit to exhibit. Be prepared to take lots of photos and videos. We also really enjoyed the signs that explained where to stand and how to view each illusion, but also helped us understand how our brains are being tricked.
Rotating Tunnel
By far our boys favorite display was the rotating tunnel that doesn’t actual rotate. It just tricks your mind into thinking it is rotating, which leaves you clutching the rail as you totter across. We went through the tunnel several times and would have stayed longer if we hadn’t felt like we were hogging it.
Our other favorite spot was the puzzle room. This room is filled with small games that you can work through. You could easily spend an hour in this room alone, if you attempt to solve every puzzle. We spent around 15 minutes working through a few of our favorites.
Other Information
Though we love the museums geared toward kids in Utah, this one was perfect for older kids and adults, too. This museum is awesome for first timers, but we can’t wait to go back ! The Museum of Illusions in Salt Lake is located right downtown near the Clark Planetarium. You’ll spend a little more than an hour in this museum, so these two would be great to pair together. There are also Museums of Illusion all over the World. Check out their website for all the locations, as well as current pricing and hours.
