How much does Museum of Illusions NYC cost?

Adults typically pay $24-28, children slightly less. Check newyork.museumofillusions.us for current pricing. Online purchase saves a small amount over door prices. Children under 3 are typically free.

Is Museum of Illusions NYC good for kids?

Yes, for kids 6 and up. The optical illusions and trick rooms are immediately engaging without requiring any background knowledge. Younger kids may not understand why things look wrong, but older kids (6+) find it genuinely funny and fascinating.

Is Museum of Illusions NYC open on Sundays?

No — currently listed as closed on Sundays. Open Monday-Saturday. Verify current hours at newyork.museumofillusions.us before visiting.

How long does Museum of Illusions NYC take?

Most families complete the full tour in 1-1.5 hours. You can move through quickly or linger at favorite exhibits taking photos. The experience is self-paced.

Where is Museum of Illusions NYC?

At 77 8th Ave in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Take the A/C/E subway to 14th St or the 1/2/3 to 14th St. The neighborhood has excellent dining on all sides.

Museum of Illusions - New York

1 / 5

Rating

4.4(13,222)

Family of 4

$100-130 for family of 4 (adults ~$24-28, children slightly less)

Duration

1-1.5 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 6-16

About

The Museum of Illusions in the West Village is part of a global chain, and NYC's location has earned 13,000+ Google reviews at 4.4 stars — meaning the formula of optical illusions and mind-bending rooms consistently delivers for a very wide audience.

The experience is built on the 'wait, HOW?' reaction. Rooms like the Ames Room use clever perspective geometry to make people appear to shrink or grow as they walk across the space — siblings get genuinely startled when they watch each other transform.

The Rotated Room makes it look like gravity is sideways. The Infinity Room uses mirrors to create a visual sense of endless depth. None of these require scientific knowledge to enjoy — the effect is immediate and the instinct to photograph everything is irresistible.

For kids ages 6-16, this hits a sweet spot that's hard to find: it's not babyish, it's visually compelling, it provokes real curiosity about how perception works, and it generates natural conversation about science and brain function without feeling like homework.

Practical notes: closed Sundays, open late on weekdays and Fridays/Saturdays (until 10-11PM), which makes it a viable evening activity in the West Village after dinner. The neighborhood is one of NYC's most walkable and has excellent dining options for a full evening out.

Weekend crowds can make the popular exhibits feel congested. Book tickets online (small discount vs. door price) and aim for weekday mornings if possible.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Limited

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

N/A

Setting

Indoor

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings or late evenings (open until 10-11PM) to avoid peak tourist crowds

Wait Times

30-60 min at popular exhibits on weekends; timed entry recommended

Nearby Food

The West Village is one of NYC's best restaurant neighborhoods. Bleecker Street pizza (multiple famous slice spots), Magnolia Bakery (cupcakes), and hundreds of options within blocks.

Why Kids Love It

The Museum of Illusions uses optical illusions, holograms, and impossible rooms to create experiences that genuinely confuse the brain — and kids find this endlessly funny and fascinating. The Rotated Room (where gravity appears sideways), the Infinity Room, and the Ames Room (where siblings appear to shrink or grow just by walking across a room) generate real laughter and that 'wait, HOW?' reaction that good science exhibits produce.

Pro Tips from Parents

Closed Sundays — verify before visiting.
The late hours (10-11PM close) make it a unique evening activity option in the West Village.
The exhibits are self-guided — bring phone for photos, as the illusion exhibits are extremely photogenic.
Popular exhibits can get jammed on weekends. Weekday morning visits give you exhibits to yourself.
The West Village location has excellent dining — plan a meal in the neighborhood before or after.