Looking for a playful new spot in DC for Insta-worthy snaps? Look no further than The Museum of Illusions, which recently opened at City Center DC.
The Museum of Illusions is dedicated to showcasing mesmerizing illusions that capture the spirit of world landmarks and blur the lines of reality. The optical showroom marks its 40th location with the opening of this new spot, conveniently located steps from the White House.
The DC location opened in December 2022 with 50 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions and immersive rooms designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. The unique hands-on experience is designed with illusionistic rooms and a playroom with didactic games and puzzles.
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Adventure-seeking guests can learn about vision, perception, and the human brain through attractive and fun exhibits covering science, mathematics and psychology.
This education and entertainment wonderland incorporates Washingtonian culture into the space. Visitors are welcomed by the wandering eyes of George Washington and can seemingly hang from the ceiling of the Metro’s blue line.
The original concept of the Museum of Illusions was launched in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2015 and quickly became an iconic attraction, expanding to locations across the world. The DC museum joins locations in New York, Chicago, Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Athens, Cairo, Dubai, Toronto, and Shanghai.
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The concept has grown rapidly, with some visitors traveling across the world to visit each unique location to experience the illusions and snap a one-of-a-kind photo for their social media feeds.
The mesmerizing exhibits and illusionistic rooms lend themselves to mind-blowing photo opportunities, sure to shock and confuse your followers. We’ve broken down some of the museum’s most mesmerizing spots so you can plan your visit accordingly.
From the outside, this exhibit looks like an ordinary room. But in fact, it is masterly distorted, creating an incredible illusion that plays on our understanding of depth. Trick your friends as you appear to grow and shrink as you walk from one corner of the room to the other.
Strike an anti-gravity pose in this brain-basher room. This room is designed to challenge your perception as your brain and eyes make unconscious inferences about whether you are standing on a flat or slanted surface. You and your followers will question the laws of physics as you experience the impossible.
Photo credit: @hugsamme
This room aims to radically change your view of the world by rotating it 180 degrees. The Insta-worthy exhibit allows you to create poses that are literally, off the wall.
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Want to showcase a 360-degree view of your perfect ‘fit? Check out the Infinity Room. The multisensory experience creates an optical illusion of infinite space. Take advantage of the endless mirrors the room has to offer.
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Prepare to be deceived by this illusion that will confuse your brain and vestibular system. As soon as you step into the tunnel, your mind will tell you that the ground is moving while in fact, you are walking on a completely flat and stable surface. The rotating cylinder of colors and light creates the perfect backdrop for a stunning shot.
Visitors can create their own unique, psychedelic pattern in the kaleidoscope exhibit. Dazzle your followers as you emerge among the colors in the ceiling.
For Valentine’s Day, the Museum of Illusions is offering a “Sips and Sweets” special on the 14th. Tickets are available on their website.
The Museum of Illusions is located at 927 H Street NW, Second Level, Washington, DC 20001
Looking for more luxe stops in the city? Check out Nick Stefanelli's New Northeast Eatery, and More to Explore in DC.
Photography by: Ben Droz Photography
