‘Paradox Museum’ and ‘Museum of Illusions’ encourage you to open your mind and bend your brain.
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but what would you make of this? Two nearly identical museums opened mere weeks apart on the Strip this summer. Both are located inside shopping complexes, each opened with a splashy gala, and they both featured live entertainment courtesy of a famous Vegas magician.
PARADOX MUSEUM
“Welcome to the Paradox Museum on the iconic Las Vegas Strip! Immerse yourself in a world of mind-bending exhibits that challenge reality and perception. Get ready to question the very fabric of existence. Come and experience the extraordinary!”
Of the two new attractions, Paradox Museum was the first out of the gate. Located on the second level of SHOWCASE MALL at 3767 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, Paradox Museum threw its premiere on Wednesday, August 2nd. Easily accessible by foot, it shares space with other family-friendly attractions like FlyOver Vegas and spots dedicated to all things Coca-Cola and M&M Candy.
Photo courtesy of Paradox Museum
Photo courtesy of Paradox Museum
The slogan for Paradox Museum is “Think Again”, and the attraction describes itself as “the most exciting entertainment venue with mind-twisting paradoxical exhibits!” To that end, the walk-through attraction is completely interactive, with more than ninety ways to challenge your view of reality. Photos and videos are encouraged, and the self-guided experience takes from sixty to ninety minutes.
During the opening gala, celebrities and members of the media were invited to enjoy cocktails and small bites as a deejay lent a party vibe to the evening. Publicity for the gathering, as well as for the attraction itself, was handled by Desiree Vontur and Erika Pope of The Vox Agency.
Psychological illusionist Kent Axell, who hosts GHOST STORIES at 1923 Prohibition Bar (read my review here) entertained Vegas magician David Goldrake (‘M’ Is For Magic, IMAGINARIUM) and other guests with card tricks.
A mentalist and a magician walk into the Paradox Museum
“Meaning ‘contrary to expectation’ or ‘incredible’ in ancient Greek, the word paradox is defined as the opposite of or contradictory to common sense,” said Marc Gregory Tipton, regional sales and marketing manager of Paradox Museum Las Vegas. “Real paradoxes are things that, if true, are false and, if false, are true. Our exhibits will make visitors think again and again about what is real as they question their own reality.”
Paradox Museum Retail Store
There are currently three Paradox Museum locations in the United States with five more in Europe. The goal is to have an additional two dozen in operation by the end of 2024. Clearly, there’s a market for mind tricks and magical brain teasers. Perhaps that’s why the Museum of Illusions opened a few weeks later just down the street.
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS
“Open your eyes to a whole world of wonder in the universe of illusions! Museum of Illusions is a fun experience that will bring a smile to your face for that feel-wow feeling. When you look around at over 80 mind-boggling exhibits, you’re sure to see wow at the brilliance in front of you. You’ll leave knowing so much more about perception and vision.”
Museum of Illusions is located inside the new ‘Project 63’ retail complex at the corner of Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. It’s sandwiched between Cosmopolitan Hotel Casino and Shops at Crystals, where the ill-fated Harmon Hotel once stood. As with its competitor, there are family attractions nearby like Disney Animation Immersive, Princess Diana: The Exhibition, and Rainforest Cafe.
Entering from the second level, you take an escalator down into a bright, airy, and colorful lobby that doubles as a retail space. For the premiere gala on August 30th, the area was also tricked out for a performance by Rio Las Vegas headliner Michael Carbonaro (more on that later). Event production was handled by account manager Keith Purser and business development manager Hollie Cardinal for AV Vegas. Publicity and promotions for the Museum of Illusions are by Kirvin Doak Communications.
My guest for the evening was Aron Elekes of Go Live Vegas, a multi-media radio station, podcast studio, and live-streaming service company. Elekes was game to pose for photos at some of the eighty-plus exhibits. Cleverly designed displays allow you to alter your perspective while taking amusing yet puzzling photographs.
There are about eighty mind-bending displays at the Museum of Illusions. You’re invited to enter, touch, laugh, and learn in a colorful, spacious playground. It’s something that guest entertainer Michael Carbonaro lives and breathes. At the end of his performance, he encouraged guests to bend their brains and open their minds. “There’s more to explore in this world than you’ve ever known before.”
Las Vegas is just the latest location for the Museum of Illusions. There are two in Africa, eight in Asia, and at least thirty-four already operating or slated to open in Europe. There are fourteen installations within the United States and Canada, with more coming to Boston, Denver, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Nashville, and San Diego.
WHICH SHOULD YOU VISIT?
When it comes to the quality and “fun quotient” of the competing attractions, I’d call this one a draw. A number of exhibits, such as a vortex tunnel, slanted rooms, infinity mirrors, cloning tables, and head-on-a-platter illusions are almost identical, making that deciding factor a wash.
Same thing for their location…when you’re arriving by foot, that is. If driving to Paradox Museum, do NOT park in the Showcase Mall garage unless you want to have your entire day ruined. The ticketless payment system here is such a convoluted, chaotic atrocity that I wrote about it in this article. Seek out nearby alternatives before facing this mess, or head to the Museum of Illusions.
Why? Because coming by automobile to the Museum of Illusions is an absolute breeze. There is free valet parking at Shops at Crystals. To access it, head to Aria Hotel Casino, then follow signs to the underground valet for Crystals (kindly remember to tip your driver).
You can also utilize the valet service at ‘ Project 63’ from Harmon Avenue, directly across from the entrance to Cosmopolitan‘s parking garage. There is a fee for this service, but it deposits you at the escalator directly below the attraction.
PRICES
Here is a list of current fees and available discounts for each destination. Remember that all prices are subject to change, and proper identification is required to receive the listed offers.
PARADOX MUSEUM TICKETS (order here)
Paradox Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Holiday hours may vary. Large groups and events can be hosted, but advance arrangements are required. The Museum is accessible for those with disabilities, although it is recommended that you call in advance for specific needs and questions. To visit the official Paradox Museum Las Vegas website, click here.
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS TICKETS (order here)
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS operates daily from 10 a.m. until midnight (holiday hours may vary). The venue is “open and accessible to the whole community, with the design promoting equality for the elderly, people with strollers, and people living with a disability.” Large groups can be accommodated by request, and the venue can host parties and events. To enter the official MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS Las Vegas website, head here.
Photos and videos by VEGAS 411 unless otherwise noted
