Toronto, Ontario’s Museum of Illusions may seem mind-bending, however, it’s really more like reality-bending.
Walking through the exhibits is bound to make every member of the family ask, “How’d they do that?” And there’s always a scientific explanation. So, you’ll go away feeling informed, even if you’re a little bit dizzy!
Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
My pick of exhibits in Toronto’s Museum of Illusions was the Colors exhibit. There, the job is to name all of the colors of the letters on each word. So, you don’t read the word. You say the color. Try it yourself with the photo from the Museum of Illusions below!
Fast Fact: Your brain is getting two pieces of information -- a color word with letters written in a different color. So, it's hard to look at the word yellow and instead say the color of the letters: "Green."
I found I could do the game as long as I focused on the color, not the word, as I moved across the board. So, I tried not to read at all!
And if you’re wondering why this was my favorite, it’s all about aging and retaining cognitive skills.
What’s in the Museum of Illusions Toronto?
Toronto’s Museum of Illusions has 80+ exhibits in a variety of illusion interactive rooms. You’ll find names like the symmetry illusion room, tilted room, and reversed room, all of which provide a different experience for visitors.
And this is one museum where it’s really important to read the signage!
Fast Fact: Your goal in the Tilted Room is to try to walk slowly through it - if you can! Some may find it hard to walk. Some may be dizzy. Some may not even be able to stand. Why? Visual signals guide our movements and this room messes with them, so we get the wrong visual signals due to the room's design.
As you progress through the illusions, each one is introduced by a sign (with both English and French language information) that tells you what to do, then explains what’s going on.
Many signs also provide science lessons from how our eyes work to how images can be gravity defying.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
Toronto is the number one place to visit for travelers to Canada according to data from Hotels.com (published in the WorldAtlas). Indeed, there’s lots to see and do for visitors. I have family there, so visit often.
If dining is high on your list of priorities, Toronto has a restaurant for every possible taste! For truly Canadian tastes, I recommend the Antler Kitchen & Bar or the Maple Leaf Tavern.
My favorite museums include the Hockey Hall of Fame, Casa Loma, and Toronto’s First Post Office.
Who Should Visit Toronto Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is a fun visit no matter your age. While you’ll be entertained by the 80+ interactive displays, the illusions are really about the science. So, parents can use them as a teaching tool with their children and teens.
And since we’re never too old to learn, the Museum of Illusions is also a great experience for adult visitors. I spent half an hour exploring the exhibits, but families would likely take longer.
The museum is fully accessible for those with mobility issues. However, you’ll need to go inside and have staff bring out a portable ramp for the one step up at the main entrance.
How Do You Visit the Toronto Museum of Illusions?
The Toronto Museum of Illusions is located at 132 Front St E, Toronto, in the city’s historic St. Lawrence Market neighborhood. It’s near Union Station, so I took the train to the downtown.
Check the Toronto Museum of Illusions on the Web for days and hours open, and buy advance tickets.
Take a virtual tour of the museum with Museum of Illusions on YouTube.
Keep up-to-date with the Toronto Museum of Illusions Facebook Page.
Plan your visit to Toronto Museum of Illusions on Google Maps.
Read More Ontario Museum Reviews
Check out all these museum reviews for the Canadian province of Ontario!
Explore More Science Museums
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- McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum: Chicago, Illinois
- Moody Gardens: Resort & Fun Attractions with Pyramids in Galveston, Texas
- Museum Of Illusions Toronto: Mind-Bending Exhibits
- Field Museum: Natural History Museum in Chicago, Illinois
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Reference(s)
World Atlas. (n.d.). 10 of the most-visited Canadian cities and why. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/10-of-the-most-visited-canadian-cities-and-why.html
guide2museums.com 