Museum of Illusions Montréal — Attraction in Montreal

Museum of Illusions Montréal — My Honest Review

What Works Very Well: • Fun & interactive: There are 70+ exhibits (optical illusions, holograms, stereograms, immersive rooms) that are designed to mess with your perception. It’s entertaining, especially for kids, teens, families, or anyone who likes photo-ops and visual trickery.  • Great photo moments: Many people mention the visuals are impressive and that you’ll get some cool shots. If you like snapping photos for social media, this museum delivers on Instagram-friendly moments.  • Location & accessibility: It’s pretty centrally located in Old Montréal (54 Rue Saint-Antoine O). Walking distance from Place-d’Armes metro, convenient if you’re already exploring downtown. 

What Could Be Better: • Crowding & timing: The space is not huge. When it’s busy (weekends, afternoons), exhibits get congested which reduces enjoyment. Lines for popular illusions, people blocking views, rush through exhibits.  • Price vs duration: Some visitors felt the admission fee is steep for what you get, especially since you can go through most of the exhibits relatively quickly (30-45 minutes if you move briskly).  • Comfort / facilities: There are few (or no) places to sit/rest along the way. Elderly people, people with mobility issues or simply those who want to linger might find it tiring.  • Explanations / clarity: Sometimes signage or instructions are unclear; some exhibits/holograms are placed too high for children. Also, some visitors wished there were more staff walking around to explain things.  • Overall novelty vs originality: A few people felt that some illusions are things you’ve already seen elsewhere, so the “wow” factor isn’t always consistent. It’s fun, but not always mind-blowing. 

Verdict / Rating:

I’d give this place 4/5. It’s very good for what it is: a fun visual & sensory experience, especially with friends or family, a good place for photos, and ideal for an hour or so out. But it’s not without flaws: pricing, crowding, comfort, and expectations need to be managed.

If you have limited time or budget, it’s nice, but maybe not essential. If you’re already in the area or want something different, it’s absolutely worth...

If you’re wandering around Old Montreal on a hot summer day and looking for something fun to do indoors for an hour or so, the Montreal Illusion Museum might be worth checking out. I’d personally rate it a 4 out of 5—not amazing, but not disappointing either. It’s a decent little detour if you’re already in the area and want to escape the heat, especially for families or tourists with kids or teens.

The museum features a mix of visual illusions, photo ops, and a few hands-on activities. Some of the exhibits are clever and well-done, and there are moments where you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised or amused. It’s also pretty Instagram-friendly—if you enjoy quirky photo opportunities, you’ll likely get some fun shots here.

However, I couldn’t help but feel that the experience was a bit underwhelming overall. The space isn’t very big, and you can get through the whole museum fairly quickly—probably in under an hour, even at a relaxed pace. The number of illusions and interactive exhibits felt limited, and after a while, some displays started to feel repetitive or basic.

Another small critique is the overall creativity of the installations. In an era where immersive art exhibits and next-level illusions are becoming increasingly popular around the world, the Montreal Illusion Museum feels like it’s playing it a little safe. There’s so much untapped potential here to add more impressive, high-tech, or thought-provoking illusions that truly make visitors say “wow.” With some additions or upgrades, it could easily become a much more memorable experience.

Staff were friendly, and the museum was clean and well-organized. Pricing felt a touch high for what you get, but not unreasonable. It’s definitely more of a light, entertaining stop rather than a must-see attraction.

In short: It’s okay. Not a must-visit, but not a waste of time either. If you’re in Old Montreal and want to do something indoors for 45–60 minutes, especially with kids or friends, it serves its purpose well. Just don’t expect to...

The illusion at the Museum of Illusion is that they want you to think it’s something it’s not. We bought our tickets online in advance, so we didn’t know what to expect once we got there. The photos on their website are taken from angles that make the place seem much larger and more spacious than it actually is. In reality, it’s just narrow hallways.

Upon entering, I felt like we were robbed. The place seemed designed for kids, with about 60% of the visitors being children under 12 and 35% being their parents. My boyfriend and I, along with one other couple, were the only adults there without kids, making up the remaining 5% of visitors who appeared confused and disappointed.

The museum is hypocritical in its marketing. They sell you an experience that’s supposedly impressive and engaging for all ages, but it’s really just a cheap attraction for kids. The exhibits include basic puzzles stuck on the walls, simple optical illusions you can find in elementary school books or on the internet, and nothing surprising or impressive.

The only unique feature was a room full of mirrors with LED lights, but this is something you can find at any local fair or circus.

The museum should be honest in its advertising and market itself as a museum of illusion for kids. It’s not a suitable place for a date or for adults looking to have fun. The environment is chaotic, with kids running around, blocking exhibits, and...