As you walk down Euclid Avenue, a building full of mind-bending sights may catch your eye. Welcome to the Museum of Illusions Cleveland, where reality twists and your senses are put to the test.
Located in the historic May Co. building, this immersive museum invites you to question perception, explore illusions and experience the unexpected. From interactive exhibits to exclusive installations, every display blends science, education and entertainment in a way that captivates visitors of all ages.
Step into a place where you never quite know what to expect. The museum invites you to let your mind wander while immersing yourself in edutainment (no, folks, that’s not a typo). Are you ready to trick your brain? Or will your brain trick you first?
Intrigued by visual puzzles?
At the Museum of Illusions in Cleveland, get ready for a visual and mental workout as you explore a collection that challenges your perception at every turn. Watch as holograms leap from their frames, testing your sight with optical illusions that encourage you to interpret complex patterns in new ways.
From the moment you step inside, reality starts to blur. With over 60 mind-bending exhibits, you’ll quickly discover the difference between what you see and what you think you see. Every installation is designed to test your senses, trick your brain and make you question everything.
Venture into the Infinity Room, where mirrors create a tricky, never-ending void. Shrink and grow in real-time inside the Ames Room, where distorted architecture challenges your brain’s understanding of scale and distance. And, of course, look down at the ceiling in the Reversed Room, where gravity seems to shift before your eyes.
O Illustrious Cleveland
Step into exhibits that pay homage to Cleveland’s sports and entertainment culture. In the Reversed Room and Building Illusion, you’ll find yourself seemingly levitating upside down on a basketball court or dangling from a Cleveland-themed building. From the Cloning Table to the Beuchet Chair and Head on a Platter, each illusion invites you to defy gravity, multiply yourself, or lose your head — literally.
Housed in a transformed 9,200-square-foot space inside the historic May Co. building, the Museum of Illusions Cleveland has transformed a once-vacant retail space into an unforgettable spectacle. The building’s architectural legacy remains intact outside, while inside, the museum breathes new life into a landmark tied to Cleveland’s commercial past.
Strike a pose at the museum’s installation, replicating a Downtown Cleveland storefront, making it look like you’re scaling a building. This unique photo opportunity highlights the city's architectural landscape and invites you to imaginatively interact with Cleveland’s urban environment.
The Museum of Illusions Cleveland adds a new dimension to the local cultural scene as a modern, interactive attraction in the city's heart. Whether a resident or a visitor, you’ll discover unconventional, visually stunning ways to experience the city's vibrant energy.
Illusions Everywhere
At the Museum of Illusions Cleveland, you’ll find a playful escape filled with experiences that bring to life the imaginations of thinkers worldwide.
Founded in 2015, the Museum of Illusions has grown into a global chain of private museums with over 50 locations in 25 countries and more than 10 million visitors. Each Museum of Illusions offers a unique, location-specific experience, so visiting one doesn’t mean you’ve seen them all.