Roses are red, violets are blue – candlelit dinners are boring so here’s something new.
If you’re looking to shake things up this Valentine’s Day, why not swap the annual meal reservation for a mind-bending trip to the Museum of Illusions in Market Street, Manchester?
Suitable for every age – just in case you need to take your kids along – there are more than 65 interactive exhibits and plenty to occupy your mind and imagination.
There’s no time limit to wandering through the fascinating attractions so you can stay as long as you like, although you do need to book a time slot. We took a trip around on a Sunday afternoon when it was busy so booking is advised.
From the moment we arrived the experience felt welcoming. Friendly hosts greeted us at the entrance and showed us to free lockers for our coats – a small but thoughtful touch.
Inside, the museum is laid out like a maze, with staff on hand throughout to explain the exhibits and happily take photos for you. No awkward long-arm selfies required!
As well as being great fun the exhibits are genuinely fascinating. Each illusion is clearly explained, blending science and play in a way that’s easy to understand and surprisingly educational, something many visitors mention as a highlight.
There are plenty of stand-out rooms, including the Tilted Room, with its sloping floors, walls and ceiling, where we felt our bodies were leaning, not the walls…
Then there was Following Eyes featuring computer genius, Alan Turing. Our favourite was the Building Illusion where you can appear to hang from one of the city’s iconic landmarks. There’s even a chance to look like you’re dangling upside down on the Metrolink.
The Infinity Room was a real favourite, visually stunning and perfect for photos, while the Colour Room was a science lesson in itself, all about retinas and wavelengths!
The Vortex Tunnel, on the other hand, was… an experience. Walking across a metal bridge while the tunnel appears to spin around you is seriously disorientating. The handrails did not help me at all! This one left my head spinning and my legs wobbling – definitely not one for anyone prone to travel sickness!
If you do have some smaller companions in your party, practical puzzles and plenty of hands-on riddles will keep both brains and fingers occupied for a decent stretch of time.
And the vibes inside are great. No pressure to have fun – just lots of people going ‘wow’ and scratching their heads.
While ticket prices are on the higher side, we easily spent around 90 minutes inside and came away feeling it was worth it for the laughs, the photos and the sheer novelty.
We’d happily go back again and would absolutely recommend it if you’re after something fun and memorable to do in the city this February 14.
As a special treat, on 13 and 14 February, all adult visitors entering after 4.40pm will receive a complimentary glass of prosecco!
For more information and to book tickets, visit: https://moimanchester.com/
