Photo: Jose Varela
Photo: Cel B
Photo: Museum of Illusions - Salt Lake City
Museum of Illusions - Salt Lake City
★4.7(393 reviews)$$Museum
🕑 1-2 hours👶 Best for ages 5 and up. Elementary and middle school kids will love understanding how the illusions trick their brains, while teens enjoy the Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. Younger children (3-4) can still have fun but may not fully grasp the concepts behind the illusions.🧡 Saved by 11 families
About
The Museum of Illusions in Salt Lake City is a hands-on wonderland where kids can experience mind-bending optical illusions, walk through interactive exhibits, and snap incredible photos that will make them look like they're defying gravity. Unlike traditional museums, every exhibit is designed to be touched, explored, and photographed, making it perfect for active kids who learn through play.
Highlights
- ✓The Vortex Tunnel that makes you feel like you're spinning even while standing still
- ✓The Reverse Room where kids appear giant and parents look tiny
- ✓Hologram exhibits featuring 3D images that seem to float in mid-air
- ✓The Infinity Room with endless mirror reflections
- ✓The Head on a Platter illusion that creates hilarious photo opportunities
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit on weekday mornings right when they open to avoid crowds and have exhibits to yourselves for better photos
- 2.Bring a fully charged phone or camera,you'll want to capture every illusion, and the staff are happy to help take family photos
- 3.Wear solid-colored clothing for photos as patterns can interfere with some visual effects
- 4.Plan to spend time at each exhibit,rushing through means missing the full effect of the illusions
- 5.The gift shop has small puzzle toys and optical illusion books that make great educational souvenirs
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings between 10:00 AM and noon offer the smallest crowds. Avoid weekend afternoons and Friday/Saturday evenings when it's busiest. Any season works since it's entirely indoors, making it an excellent rainy day or hot summer afternoon activity.
What to Know
Admission typically runs around $20-25 per person with family packages available. The museum is located in the Rio Grande area with street parking and paid lots nearby. Plan 45-60 minutes minimum for your visit, though families often stay longer. The entire museum is stroller and wheelchair accessible.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with consistent hours, making it a reliable option regardless of season. This is especially popular during Utah's cold winter months and hot summer days as a climate-controlled activity. Check their website for any special holiday hours around Christmas and New Year's.
Nearby Eats
The Pie Pizzeria (multiple locations, with one downtown) serves huge slices and kid-friendly pizzas in a casual atmosphere. For something quick, head to The Gateway mall area just a few blocks away, which has a food court and various family-friendly restaurants including cafes and sandwich shops.
More Activities Near Salt Lake City
Museum
Natural History Museum of Utah
★4.8$$❤️542
The Natural History Museum of Utah is a world-class museum perched in the foothills overlooking Salt Lake City, offering spectacular dinosaur galleries that bring young paleontologists face-to-face with ancient giants. With five floors of interactive exhibits covering everything from Utah's prehistoric past to its diverse ecosystems, this museum expertly balances education and entertainment, making it one of the top family destinations in the state.
Museum
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
★4.4$$❤️51
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum offers 60,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on learning experiences right in downtown Salt Lake City. With exhibits designed to spark creativity and curiosity, kids can explore everything from a life-size helicopter cockpit to a pretend grocery store, making it one of Utah's premier destinations for family fun and educational play.
Museum
The Leonardo
★4.3$$❤️24
The Leonardo is a hands-on wonderland where science, technology, and art collide in the most kid-friendly way possible. Unlike traditional museums, this interactive space encourages kids to touch, build, create, and experiment with exhibits designed to spark curiosity and innovation. From digital art installations to engineering challenges, it's a place where learning feels like pure play.
Nature
Salt Lake City
Free
The Great Salt Lake offers an unforgettable natural science lesson for the whole family, where kids can experience the lake's unique buoyancy and explore sandy beaches. This natural wonder provides opportunities to float effortlessly in the saltwater, spot migratory birds at various state parks, and learn about one of North America's most distinctive ecosystems.