We're back with another Events x Tourist Tings post, and this time, we're talking about the Museum of Illusions, Toronto!
Are you looking for more exciting, or unique activities to add to your list of tourist things you want to try out in the city of Toronto? Do you love optical illusions? Well here's a museum full of them, at the Museum of Illusions, Toronto.
Located at 132 Front Street East, the Museum of Illusions, Toronto, is exactly what it says it is - a number of optical and photo illusions, exhibits and interactive rooms full of visual installations.
From their infinity and anti-gravity rooms, to the 'head on a platter' and kaleidoscope illusions, holograms, and so much more, it's an entirely interactive experience that bends your brain in the process!
It's unlike any other museum you've probably been to, and lots of fun, with endless photo opportunities.
There are 50+ holograms, illusions and installations, large and small at the location, each one equally as exciting and mind melting as the last.
The Museum of Illusions is an exciting activity to try out with family, friends or both, and is great fun for all ages!
Location & hours of operation
Located in the Old Toronto area (downtown), the easiest way to get to the Museum of Illusions ideally is to take the Line 1 train down to King station, and then walk just about two blocks to the exact location, which is no more than 10 minutes tops. (It's located right next to a Bulk Barn at the corner of Front Street East and Frederick Street).
In order to get in, the location does note that tickets are mandatory, and can either be bought online, or in person, upon entry.
To increase your chances of going on a day and at a time you want to, and avoid any long line ups or disappointment, it's recommended to buy the tickets online in advance to secure your spot, since ticket availability at the door is not always guaranteed.
Their hours of operation are:
↠ From Monday - Thursday, 11AM - 7PM,
↠ On Fridays, 11AM - 8PM,
↠ On Saturdays, 10AM - 8PM
↠ On Sundays 10AM - 7PM.
The tickets are all for one hour slots; from the hour they open, to the hour just before they close. You'll have slots from 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and more up to 6pm on Monday - Thursday and Sundays, and up to 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
According to the website you'd spend around 45 minutes total at the location, but when I went, we spent a little over an hour (mainly taking pictures of everything)
If you go with a group of 15 or more, you can plan a group visit, and the website also states that discounts are applied for groups of 15+ people. If you want to explore this option, tap here to be taken to the group visit/event planning request form.
Tickets
Reminder: Tickets are mandatory for entry into the Museum of Illusions, Toronto.
↠ Tickets cost $24.50 + tax for every adult (everyone over the age of 16)
↠ For children/people under 16, tickets are $19.50 + tax
↠ For seniors (adults over the age of 65), tickets are $21.50 + tax.
↠ There's also a special for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) for a total of $82.50 + tax.
Tap here to be taken to the website to view date and times slots availability, and purchase tickets!
We went on a Saturday for the 3pm slot, and though the staff said it wasn't very packed, I thought there were lots of people inside when we got there, so we had to wait our turn to check out some of the installations, but it wasn't too long a wait.
Note that the slot you select will not only be you and your team, rather there will also be a number of people who selected that slot as well who would be browsing the museum at the same time as you are.
There is a coat check free of charge, but there is no one monitoring the coat check area so use at your own risk. We used it and had no problem.
Masks are still required for entry, however when you need to take a picture or two, it's understood the mask would come off, so just be mindful of your surroundings.
Overall the location is one floor, but it's spread out with all the installations and exhibits, and you're going to want to take time to stop and read the information blurbs and the name of the exhibits and installations usually found to the side.
It's a self-led experience, meaning there isn't anyone to guide you and show you where the exhibits are, unless you ask, but it's pretty manageable on your own.
There are even blue stickers with cameras on the ground to show you where would be the best spot to take a picture for some of the more interactive exhibits and installations.
There are some special puzzles, brain teasers and dilemma games down to the end of the museum that we personally struggled to complete (except for my mom who completed the heart puzzle), and you also have the option of buying some of the puzzles in the lobby of the museum to take the fun home with you!
My phone is flooded with pictures from the day spent at the Museum of Illusions, and I made a TikTok to go along with it that you can check out here.
It was truly one of the coolest experiences I've had since being in Toronto.
If you love optical illusions, or you're looking for a cool and unique activity to try in the city, or just looking to spice up that Instagram page with another one of the super instagrammable locations Toronto has to offer, the Museum of Illusions, Toronto, is definitely a place you should visit!
Check out this mini slideshow below of some pictures we took!
For more content, check out my 60 second Tik Tok: Museum of Illusions, Toronto 'mini vlog' here!
Have you been to the Museum of Illusions, Toronto before? What was your favourite exhibit/installation? Mine was the infinity room! Take a quick look at the room in the video below!
THINGS TO NOTE :
🧠 Price/Entry fee: Tickets required, and prices vary;
↠ Adult ticket (ages 16+) = $24.50 + tax
↠ Child ticket (ages 3-16) = $19.50 + tax
↠ Senior ticket (ages 65+) = $21.50 + tax
↠ Family of four (2 adults, 2 children) = $82.50 + tax
🧠 Time of year: Anytime! All year round.
Note that there is a free, but unmonitored coat check for those colder winter months that you can use at your own risk, but I'd recommend going in the warmer months so you don't have to worry about dropping off your coat.
🧠 Average amount of time expected to spend here: 1 – 1 ½ hours.
🧠 Location: 132 Front Street East, Old Toronto (Downtown)
Thanks for reading!