Museum of Illusion: Austin, Texas

Visual wonders will captivate the attention of all who visit the Museum of Illusion with it’s fascinating and puzzling displays. It’s the perfect place to visit and take photos with friends and family looking for mindboggling entertainment to discover together. Located inside the vibrant city of Austin, Texas this is definitely not your typical museum. Plan a date, invite some friends or take your kids to discover one of the most entertaining museums in Austin.

Where to Find the Museum of Illusion

Address: 11010 Domain Dr, 100, Austin, TX 78758	Phone: (512) 265-8899	Hours: Sun to Thurs: 10AM-9PM Fri to Sat: 10AM-10PM

The Museum of Illusion is located in an area of Austin, Texas called the Domain. It is there that you can find shopping, restaurants and countless amounts of entertainment.

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What To Expect at Museum of Illusion

Located inside the Domain in Austin, the Museum of Illusion has over 70 fascinating exhibits to observe and interact with that play tricks on your eyes. Optical illusions and 3-D holograms are seen throughout the museum and used in many different ways.

Certain exhibits can actually create a physical response for their guests to experience. Other displays invite guests to enter into the space and pose to have their photograph taken with mystifying results. With intriguing angles and mirrors, some exhibits create an illusion only seen on camera that make the most unique photoshoot ideas.

Each object you come across, or room you enter, has a little bit of mysteriousness and fascination as you try to understand what it is you’re looking at. I thoroughly enjoyed gazing at the different installations wondering what type of tricks it would play on my eyes. It’s important to read the plaques on the wall that will describe the type of illusion it will create.

When you visit, you’re going to take a lot of photos. For the best camera effects, there are many helpful staff members throughout the building that will take the picture for you, or help you get the best angle. Anyone looking for fun family photos, anniversary picture ideas, Christmas photo ideas for siblings and more should spend an afternoon creating fun photos with their installations.

If you’re looking to go on a double date, there are so many opportunities for couple’s photoshoot ideas. Being goofy while exploring the different rooms inside this illusion’s museum is an easy icebreaker.

Don’t Miss These Installations

With over 40 locations spread across the world, each time you visit a new Museum of Illusion you will find something new and unique compared to the others. There are so many interesting exhibits to find inside the Austin illusion’s museum, however these rooms and displays were my absolute favorite.

The Vortex

The biggest Austin attraction in the Museum of Illusion is certainly “The Vortex.” As you approach an open doorway, blacklight orange, purple and more colors fill the room and a leveled, metal platform appears in its center. The long and narrow room surrounding the platform is cylinder shaped with walls that swirl in one direction.

As you walk slowly into the room, the platform stays still but suddenly you feel your equilibrium and balance dramatically shift. Standing upright takes effort, and you can’t walk as easily anymore. You’ll make your way to the other side of the platform to exit the room. Due to the lighting, colors, patterns, movement and mirrors at each end of the room it creates an effect that misleads your senses and is completely baffling.

It’s an intense experience to have and should not be missed during your visit. You may feel temporary vertigo, but it will soon disappear after leaving the room. If you want to challenge yourself, try turning to walk the other direction when you get in the middle of the platform.

Tribute to local art

With the Museum of Illusion having locations found throughout the world, it’s fun to visit multiple locations to see how each location is different. Inside this museum in Austin, there is a tribute to a local mural known near the downtown area that actually uses one of the largest mirrors in the country to create its illusion.

Room of Mirrors

The Room of Mirrors is one of the most appealing and captivating installations in the museum in Austin that demonstrates a classic illusion. Playing with mirrors is one of the easiest and most effective ways to create a pure illusion, and always reminds me of something you’d see in a funhouse or at the fair. Located in a small room tucked away, it’s perfect for selfies and group shots.

Create interesting angles and poses with the mirrors that seem to go on for infinity. With the gorgeous lighting, I thought it would make for adorable couple’s photoshoot ideas.

Dodecahedron

Located towards the back of the museum, the Dodecahedron is a striking sculpture constructed with 12 sides of mirrors and lights. It illuminates a dark room which makes all visitors naturally gravitate towards it. Look around and gaze inside it to what appears to be countless number of mirrors.

You may even recognize a replica of a dodecahedron from the Netflix movie, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.”

Tips To Know Before You Go

While traditional museums invite quiet observation, this illusions museum welcomes active and lively engagement.

The museum is a 1-story building and has a labyrinth layout with hidden rooms that will challenge your mind in different ways. Their unique installations and immersive exhibits are great for all ages. Here are some great and helpful tips before your visit.

• Make sure your phone is fully charged. While in the museum, you’re going to want to experiment with taking lots of photos and videos.
• Read each plaque. If you’re not sure the significance or illusion a display can create, reading the plaque on the wall that describes the installation will tell you what to look for and how to engage with it.
• Ask the staff. Members of staff are very helpful and friendly and know how to get the best angles for photos and are great at explaining any displays.
• Take your time exploring. Some things may not be obvious the first time you see it. There was a display that I couldn’t understand the first time I approached it. It wasn’t until I came back and stared at it from far away that I finally saw the illusion it was creating.
• Avoid the crowds. The weekends and evenings are when the museum can see the highest amount of traffic. For the best experience, go in the morning or during the week. There is no limit on how long you can stay.
• Alcohol is not allowed in the museum. My advice would be to visit the museum early before the evening crowd, and then go for dinner and drinks nearby.
• The closest parking lot is Orange Lot. Parking is free and only a 5-minute walk away.
• Bring a friend or a group with you. The more people you bring with you, the more imaginative the pictures can get.

Host a Party at the Museum of Illusion

Needing a space for a party that will also entertain your guests? The Museum of Illusion has a small private room that is perfect for hosting. Whether it’s a kids birthday party, Bachelorette party or employee appreciation it’s a great space for a gathering. When you’re not using the room, your group can venture into the different exhibits through the illusions museum and take fun group photos.

There is even opportunity to rent out the entire museum and have catering. No matter what the occasion, you’ll have plenty of entertainment and photoshoot ideas.

Prices and Info on the Museum of Illusion

Adults 13+ years: $26	Child 5-12 years: $21	Military & 60+ years: $24
	Children 4 and younger are free

The Museum of Illusions is the largest privately owned museum in the world. It first began in 2015 in Croatia and now has over 40 locations in over 25 countries around the world.

Not only does the museum provide amusing photos and videos to share on your social media, but it creates a space for thought-provoking and a special experience for their guests. If you love museums that have fun and unusual displays or you want to open the eyes of a friend or family member, treat them to an experience unlike anything else you’ll find in other museums in Austin.

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