Seeing double: Two perspectives on the Seattle Museum of Illusions

Located on bustling 5th Avenue, the Museum of Illusions made its debut in Seattle in summer 2023. It quickly captured the public’s attention due to its prime location, photogenic spaces, and mind-bending exhibits. The museum promises a minimum of 45 minutes of fun, confusion, and interactive entertainment to its guests, but the question remains: does it live up to the hype? 

We’ve enlisted two art enthusiasts with opposing perspectives of the experience to offer visitors an answer before they go find out for themselves: Vrindha, a drama major and performing artist from India, and Mari, a sociology major, a bit of a realist, and contemporary art fan from Russia.

Vrindha’s Take: A delightful experience with a focus on fun and pictures

Let’s start with the illusions. I honestly thoroughly enjoyed the illusions as this was the first time I visited an illusion museum and everything seemed new. The museum was filled with small knicks and tricks that involved the fun aspect of physics, so it seemed almost like magic to me.

I personally spent one hour and a half there, and took my time at each exhibit. The positive thing was that there was no one to rush me forward, so I got to do each exhibit at least two or three times without holding up the line in any way. I read the instructions placed next to each exhibit and followed them while trying to solve the puzzles and watching the illusions.

Answering the dire question: is it worth it?

I would say yes, for a non-student, and no, for a student. Although what I witnessed was a wonderful experience, with pleasant, friendly staff, fun illusions, great memories and, of course, a ton of pictures, at the same time it is expensive on a student budget. I really think they should consider having a discount day or a student discount of some sort. With that being said, educators and teachers have a discount available at the Museum of Illusions.

Also, I did not find some of the staff, especially the ones inside the exhibit area, very helpful. The entire experience to me was great as I feel I went about it with an accurate mindset: “This place is made for photographs,” as there were even signs on the floor that say “camera here” and “stand here.” I entered the museum of illusions with the thought that “this place is going to give me amazing photographs that I am going to post on social media, and while I’m at it, I’ll also enjoy the illusions they’ve created for us.” On the whole, I appreciated that I was not rushed and had the liberty to take my time with each illusion, whether it was just a photograph or enjoying the illusion itself, or both.

When I think about whether I want to go again, I think that would be a no, unless I want to take someone there.

I feel the only way to enjoy museums is to know what you’re getting into before you step in, which would only be possible if you knew what happens in there. So I’m giving this advice as heads-up: Go when you’re in the mood to update your feed, confuse your friends and family with pictures, or just when you feel like taking photographs. It is now up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons, or vice-versa.

If you do decide to go, here are a few tips to keep in mind. First, ensure your phone or camera is fully charged; secondly, do not go alone because not only will you need someone to photograph you, but also someone to enjoy and witness exhibits with you; and lastly, remember that this museum is “photograph focused,” so be prepared for that—any way you will.

Mari’s take: An overhyped experience with limited depth

On the flip side, not everyone seems to share the same sense of awe when it comes to this museum. For me, the novelty quickly wore off as my high expectations of grand, mind-bending illusions gave way to the reality of small exhibits that felt more like something I’d seen in the past at haunted houses. While the illusions are fun and designed to engage, their repetitive and somewhat predictable nature can make them feel underwhelming, especially for those already familiar with these types of optical tricks. But, if you walk in with a childlike sense of wonder—or just want some cool shots for the gram—you may still find the experience enjoyable and get your money’s worth.

I had been told the experience would take about 45 minutes, but I found myself speeding through the museum in less than 20. The staff encourages visitors to take their time, examine each illusion, and snap plenty of photos. However, as someone who wasn’t particularly interested in getting the perfect shot for social media, I left feeling underwhelmed. Most of the illusions looked far more impressive on camera than they did in person, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the museum lacked the artistic stimulation I had hoped for. What I expected to be an artistic, mind-bending challenge turned out to feel more like a photoshoot set instead.

Some illusions seemed to serve no other purpose than as photo backdrops. One that stands out is a room featuring a mural of the inside of the Seattle light rail—upside down. From an artistic standpoint, it was a 10 out of 10. Wallpaper or not, the room looked realistic. However, from the perspective of illusion, it was a bit dull. The room wasn’t designed to challenge or trick your brain, but it did provide for a good photo opportunity.

That said, the friendly and enthusiastic staff are a major highlight of the experience. They’re more than happy to assist with capturing the perfect photo and are eager to explain any illusions that might cause confusion. Their warmth and hospitality definitely help justify the entry fee. However, visitors that are experienced magicians, hypnotists, or art connoisseurs might feel that their money was wasted.

For couples, the Museum of Illusions makes for a fun date night. You can laugh, take photos, and explore the illusions at your own pace. Even if you’re visiting solo, the experience can still be lighthearted and enjoyable. Highly consider clearing some camera storage before heading in. 

Conclusion

Combined, our perspectives agree on this: Fun and fulfilling, but only if you know what to expect.

The Museum of Illusions offers an experience that caters to different interests and expectations. For those seeking interactive exhibits and a chance to take fun photos, the museum delivers on its promise of a visually engaging activity. It’s perfect for a lighthearted day out, especially for those looking to update their social media feeds with creative shots. However, for those hoping for a deeper, more intellectually stimulating experience, the museum may fall short, as many of the illusions can feel predictable and lacking in substance. Whether it’s worth your time and money, it ultimately depends on what you’re seeking—if you’re after a quick, visually enjoyable experience, it’s a great choice, but if you’re looking for a more profound engagement or artistic depth, you might find it underwhelming.