Explore the Museum of Illusions St. Louis

Enter the world of illusions and be amazed at the Museum of Illusions St. Louis, located at the City Foundry.

The museum allows you to experience unique rooms where you are not always sure what you see or where you are.

*Plastic pegs image of my son with a third leg*

3-D Fun

We entered the museum and came to the area where my son could make a 3-D image of himself with a third leg made of plastic rods.

Illusion Rooms

Then we came to the Titled Room, where nothing is quite as it seems with a trick of perspective.

The Vortex Tunnel is a dizzying illusion where you hold onto the railing to stay steady. This was my son’s favorite room, and we visited it more than once.

Reversed Room is an excellent place to snap a photo of yourself where everything is upside down.

Installations

We went to some Cloning Rooms where you could see many of you in one place.

Head on a Platter makes it seem your head is part of a meal.

The Beauchet Chair, in which kids seem small on a large chair. (Main Blog Photo)

Images

We discovered 3D images that played with your mind as we went through the museum.

Optical illusions in which images change your perspective.

The hexagonal pattern in this image creates the illusion of endless repetition.

Illusory images prompt you to contemplate what you are perceiving.

Leaving

After viewing the rooms, you will exit through the gift shop, where you can purchase your own illusions. The restrooms are located near the museum’s entrance.

Final Thoughts

There are just a few things you can expect to see here. It didn’t take us more than an hour to go through, but my son had a great time. Fortunately, we visited on a weekday to revisit the earlier rooms, spend more time with our favorite exhibits, or look for any illusions we might have missed. This is definitely something to keep the kids busy on a rainy day in St. Louis.

DETAILS

Drive: If coming from the St. Louis area, take Interstate 64 to Exit 36C for Vandeventer Avenue and then make a left onto Vandeventer. Then look for Foundry Way on the right after crossing under Interstate 64. Take this road to a parking area. The Museum of Illusion is near this parking lot on the west side of the main City Foundry building.

If coming from the Metro East, take Interstate 55 to St. Louis, follow signs for Interstate 64 on the Popular Street Bridge, and then take the exit for Forest Park Avenue.

After you pass under Grand Boulevard, look for a parking garage entrance road on the left and enter the garage. The City Foundry is down the stairs on the ground level to the south of the garage. The Museum of Illusion is on the west side of the main building.

Admission: Timed Ticket: $24, Adults; Free, Ages 4 and Under; $20, Ages 5-12; $22, Senior 60 and Older; $22, Military. Flex Ticket: (If you are unsure of your time) $28 per person

Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday- Thursday; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday

Address: 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 168, St. Louis, MO 63110

The Wheel at St. Louis Union Station

Nearby is the St. Louis Union Station, which has an aquarium and other attractions. We decided to ride the 200-foot Ferris Wheel.

The 42 fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas can seat up to eight riders.

It was comfortable for the ride.

My son liked going up and where we could see far in the distance.

Views include the St. Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch.

It was just a fun additional activity for the day. Also, look for it at night when it is lit up in different colors!

Details

Drive: Take Interstate 64 to Jefferson Avenue and go north, then make a right onto Market Street and another right onto 20th Street. I found street parking, a cheap option, along this street near the Ferris Wheel. You can also park in the Union Station lot at the end of 20th Street.

Admission: $17 for Adults and $12 for Children. (The website offers different packages, such as all-day or VIP, or options to combine with other Union Station attractions.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Daily

Address: 201 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO 63103

MORE EXPLORING: Adventures of Intrigue in St. Louis

Discover endless adventure and mystery at the new interactive attraction, Adventures of Intrigue, located in St. Louis. It is more than an Escape House experience with 15 different themed areas. Built from a life-long collection of holiday-themed displays and imagination.

Drive: Take either Interstate 64 or Interstate 44 to Jefferson Avenue go south and look for the Adventures of Intrigue on the right before you come to Gravois Avenue.

Hours: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: Go to the website to book your time, pay for admission, and more information.

Address: 2400 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104