Museum of Illusions Boston — Attraction in Boston

When I first saw the Museum of Illusions upstairs in Faneuil Hall, I was skeptical. Honestly, I expected it to be a gimmicky tourist trap, the kind of place you walk into once, snap a photo or two, and then regret spending the money. I was wrong. This museum turned out to be a surprisingly fun, creative, and worthwhile experience that exceeded my expectations.

The exhibits are well thought out and interactive, ranging from classic optical illusions that mess with your perspective to more modern, Instagram-worthy setups designed for taking really unique photos. It’s not just about standing in front of something and snapping a picture—many of the illusions actually make you stop, think, and laugh as you realize how your eyes and brain are being tricked. I found myself genuinely enjoying the process of moving from room to room, each offering something new and different to explore.

This is definitely a great place for families, groups of friends, or even couples looking for a fun outing. Kids will love it, but adults will have just as much fun. The museum offers plenty of opportunities for creativity with your photos, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll walk away with not just memories, but a gallery of fun, quirky shots to share later.

Now, the price point is a bit on the higher side. It’s not the cheapest attraction in Boston, but for what you get—a full hour or more of entertainment, laughter, and good memories—it’s worth it. That said, the biggest drawback here isn’t the cost, but the crowds. Because the exhibits are so photo-friendly, you’ll often have to wait in line to get your turn, and that can take away from the flow of the experience. If you go during peak hours, expect to wait, sometimes at multiple spots. My recommendation: go later in the evening, closer to closing time. The crowds thin out dramatically, and you can take your time with each illusion without feeling rushed.

The location is another big plus. Being in Faneuil Hall, it’s easy to get to and makes for a perfect addition to a day or evening out in downtown Boston. You can grab dinner or drinks nearby before or after, making it a nice part of a broader outing.

In short, the Museum of Illusions is much more than a gimmick—it’s clever, fun, and immersive. If you’re looking for something different to do in the city, whether you’re a local or a visitor, this is absolutely worth checking out. Just plan ahead, time your visit wisely, and bring a good sense of humor along with...

As a person who's been amazed by optical illusions since childhood, I was extremely disappointed by this experience. I went with a friend, for 2 tickets it cost $78 (there is a discount if you buy online, which is how we bought our tickets). This is overpriced considering what the museum is, and feels like a scam.

The entire experience was 45 minutes total, but if it wasn't crowded on the day we went, it could've easily been 15 minutes or less. It's extremely small, with the whole thing consisting of the equivalent of 8 tiny rooms. A large portion of the museum consists of pictures of optical illusions hung up on the walls. These are pretty much glorified screenshots--you can easily find the exact same illusions on google images or youtube for free. Seeing it in real life vs on your screen does not make the illusion more effective, it's the exact same experience. Another thing is that some of the illusions are things I personally wouldn't exactly consider 'illusions'. One instance of this is this section with mirrors that can only be done with 2 people--one person goes behind the mirror and one in front. The mirror is sized in a way where it only goes up to your torso, so for the person in front who's getting their torso reflected, it looks like your head is on their body. The entire section is just this but with different body parts. This isn't an illusion, it's literally just how mirrors work. I could do this with the mirror I have in my house if I invited my friend over, as it's a similar size. Once again, for FREE.

The only thing that's positive: The staff were amazing and very kind. Sending my love to them!

If you have young children and/or are looking for a quirky albeit costly $78 photo for your instagram page (as most of the museum involves taking photos of yourself and editing them for the illusion to work), then this is for you. If not, then this isn't worth your money. I feel like I got catfished by all the advertisements I saw for this on Instagram. Guess this is a lesson learned to never trust those things ever again.

My recommendation: go to the Museum of Science instead if you're interested in something like this museum. It's 100 times bigger, less crowded, cheaper, has more effort put into it than 'look at these trippy images we found on google and hung up on the wall!', and has much more fun activities for both kids AND adults. You...

The Museum of Illusions in Boston was a fun experience! It’s super interactive and has a ton of cool exhibits that really mess with your mind.

We went at 5 PM, and the entrance was $40 but we did book in advance, which I don’t think is necessary because I don’t anticipate that place gets super busy at one time.

We had to go up the stairs to get in, so I’m not sure how accessible it is for everyone that’s something to keep in mind. The front desk staff was super friendly and helpful. We were a little late for our reservation, and they didn’t mention it at all, which we were honestly worried about.

As soon as you walk in, there are a bunch of interactive things that instantly make you question your eyesight. The wildest one was this tunnel that makes you feel like you’re spinning but you’re actually not. That one made me dizzy, so I probably won’t be doing that again!

Some displays were out of order, but most of them worked fine. Each illusion had a sample photo to guide you, though a few were still confusing but luckily, the staff was really helpful and even offered to take pictures for us, which was nice.

You can get through the whole place pretty quickly — about half an hour so it’s a fun stop if you’re already in the area or looking to add something extra to your day. They also have a cute little shop at the end of the trail that was fun to browse.

That said, it’s not really something I’m dying to go back to. I think kids would probably find it more appealing overall.

Parking-wise, I’m sure if you looked for a while you could find street parking, but I always prefer the safe call and book a garage instead.

All in all, it was a cool experience and may be worth doing once if you’re looking for...