Come here for cute, gimmicky Instagrammable shots! I've gone to several of these business types -…read moremostly popups - but this one is a permanent fixture. It was part of my Go City Explorer pass, which is a good deal if you want to hit up multiple random attractions and don't have a good idea of what to do. It's also slightly cheaper on Groupon if you're not from the area and want to buy individually. Parking is free in Icon Park's garage floors 4-7. It's an easy walk to the elevators to go down with a bunch of other tourists to walk through the park to near the center, where the Museum of Illusions is located. Along the way, you can get a nice photo op with the ferris wheel in the background. Once you walk in, you present your entry at the counter, and can begin walking through the exhibits on the left (the right side behind the counter is where you'll be exiting, beyond the few racks of merchandise). The walkthrough is pretty short - most of the wait is basically waiting on other people to clear out so you can take your own photos. We did everything in 45 minutes. There's not too much text to read, but sufficient enough for a basic understanding of how the illusions work. There are supposed to be a couple of guides waiting around to assist with photo-taking, but they were concentrated in one area, so for the most part it felt like we had to help ourselves. My favorite exhibits were the head on a platter, Ames room, and cloning table. Everything is still obviously a trick if you take another look at the photos. The reversed room could have been neat, but it doesn't account for gravity pull on fabric, so it only works if you have a shaved head and are wearing skin-tight clothes. The vortex tunnel is not too impressive - just more of an in-person dizzy balancing experience. The infinity room is pretty neat, though awkward when you're behind the camera. The entire experience would be a lot better if there were sensors that took photos for you, since taking the photo yourself negates some of the "magic" in the pictures. I also think they need better instructions for some rooms, since it sometimes took a few minutes to figure out what I should be looking at or doing. For a one-time experience, it's alright.

We spent about an hour at the Museum of Illusions and even though it's on the smaller side, it was…read morea ton of fun. The museum wasn't crowded, which made it easy to explore the exhibits, try out all the illusion games, and take plenty of photos. Teachers get complimentary entry plus one guest, which is such a thoughtful perk. Juan, the manager, was amazing, he allowed both of my guest complimentary entry and gave me the coolest flexible pencil as a fun keepsake. The staff were super friendly and helpful, explaining how each illusion worked and helping create them. They even took the pictures, which made the experience even more interactive and entertaining. I just wish the museum were a bit bigger so we could've spent even more time there, but overall it's a unique, fun, and memorable spot that's worth a visit!

This was my second visit to the Titanic Artifact Exhibition, with my first trip back in 2019. If…read moreyou're a Titanic enthusiast and have never been, I highly recommend it. Seeing real artifacts recovered from the ship is an incredible experience, and the exhibits are well put together. The staff was friendly, and the museum was clean and well maintained. Like most tourist attractions in the Orlando area, it can get expensive, especially for a larger family. Also, if you've been before, don't expect to see many changes. I didn't notice any new artifacts since my last visit, so it may be more of a one-and-done experience unless they announce new additions. That said, it's absolutely worth visiting at least once if you have any interest in the history of the Titanic.

It was a cool experience but the only 2 things I wish they did was put a sample of the water with…read morethe same temperature of that fateful night to feel what it was like and also to make the room colder as it was that night. Other then those two things. It was a nice experience. Also we did the virtual experience I expected to see some of the chaos during the sinking but nothing and also it should be standing up instead of sitting I had to turn my body just to see behind me. I hope this can be fixed for future visits. Also u cant take pic of the staircase only if u pay $20

We visited this cool little museum on Kids Day, so it was free! Normally, it's $15 per person,…read morewhich might be a bit steep unless you're a huge airplane enthusiast. The family annual pass is $100, but it's 50% off on Kids Day. The museum has lots of WWII planes and even a simulation of a plane flying from Lakeland airport. Super cool! The simulation is a $5 donation for a 5-minute experience. My little ones absolutely loved the cute playground, and the staff were super friendly too!

They are having a fun balloon event here with kid friendly activities. The planes are really cool…read moreand there are lots to see. The event is nice and there are lots of food drinks and stuff to do. Definitely worth a Saturday to relax have some fun and see sone cool

Let me tell you about the time my wife casually turned a normal "drop our daughter off at college"…read moretrip into what felt like a deleted scene from a survival movie... destination: Solomon's Castle in the absolute middle of nowhere. And when I say nowhere, I mean NOWHERE. I'm driving waiting for streetlights... nothing. Gas stations? Nope. People? Questionable. Cows? Plenty. Motorcycles flying by like we accidentally entered a post-apocalyptic biker convention? Oh yeah. At this point, I'm looking at my wife like, Babé are we visiting a castle or auditioning for The Walking Dead: Florida Edition?" Then suddenly... BOOM. Out of nowhere... like a mirage built by a very creative pirate appears this shiny, aluminum-covered CASTLE. Now I'm confused. Because one minute I'm dodging cows... and the next minute I'm like: Did we just teleport to medieval times sponsored by Home Depot? But here's the thing this place is AMAZING. Inside? Pure genius. Art everywhere. Sculptures made out of stuff you probably threw away last week. It's like if creativity, humor, and a junkyard had a baby and that baby became a castle. And then there's the restaurant. Yes. A restaurant. Inside a boat. Inside a castle. In the middle of nowhere. At this point, I've stopped asking questions and just accepted that I'm in someone else's dream. If you want the backstory, go ahead and Google it because it's wild. But honestly, just go. Don't overthink it. Would I have ever planned this stop? Absolutely not. Did my wife once again prove she's the CEO of random but incredible detours? 100%. Final verdict: Unexpected Slightly suspicious drive in Completely worth it If you're ever near Ona, Florida--or even if you're not take the detour. Just make sure your gas tank is full... and maybe say a quick prayer once the streetlights disappear

On our drive from St Augustine to Tampa, we made reservations to see Solomon's Castle in the middle…read moreof nowhere on beautiful land here in Florida. This castle was built by Howard Solomon, a high school dropout, with his bare hands and his own designs with whatever scraps of metal he could find or that were donated to him by others. He had friends and neighbors who helped him build. He built vertically because his land was more narrow than wide. So there are stairs to climb. Everything including his unusual artwork inside the Castle was donated or built by Solomon. He also had a 1930s collection of cars and trucks that are displayed at the Castle. His personal story is very interesting which will be told during the tour. Visitors are not allowed to photograph the auto collection nor anything inside the Castle. There is no cell service/wifi there on the property. They do not use computers so everything is paid by cash: the tickets (we paid about $40 in cash for the castle tour and the classic car tour), the food, and souvenirs. They are dog-on-leash friendly, which is nice. The staff is very welcoming and fun to interact with! The tour is very interesting with funny jokes thrown in. Food is served on the boat and reviewers have been favorable about the meals offered. Remember, it is cash only. Parking is free and at the entrance before you get to the Castle. Wear comfortable shoes. I was happy that we got to do the tour. I don't know that I would go back because it is so out of the way but it was worth the trip.

Went here as a kid and it was very nostalgic to go back but ohmygod the ticketing is so poorly run…read more Even if you get a ticket online, you need to wait in the absurdly long line to get a sticker. It was like 20 minutes and they only had one person at the booth. Waiting outside in heat with no shade is just wild, especially with the world's slowest ticket process ever and kids waiting as impatiently as I was in a line to an even longer wait. There is also a machine that kids love to press that I actually thought was construction. It was so loud we had to leave that whole area of the museum. Also the listed drone flying times were just a little late-- we waited for 11:45 and no one came out until 11:50. It was fine but I was worried it wasn't happening! All this aside, there is a lot to learn and look at, even for adults! They have exhibits about dinosaurs, the human body, moon geology, illusions, gravity, and more.

This Smithsonian Museum holds a special place in my heart. It brings out the inner child and…read moreeveryone and is not just entertaining from a visual aspect, but also offers ingenuity and an educational experience. As with all the other Smithsonian museums, this one has a timed entry system that is complementary but you must do before you enter. Scan your QR code and off you go. As with all Smithsonian museums leave at least 2 to 3 hours so that you're able to experience the museum in its entirety.

OMG. This was amazing. I was a little apprehensive when I showed up with a 3 year old after reading…read moresome of the reviews. My little one loved it more than the aquarium. There are some areas that are hot and stuffy but there are also designated air conditioned rooms. His favorite part was going up up and up! I won't lie, I was getting nauseous looking down but outside was nice with the winds. I def recommend checking it out.

The ship is still listed as active so it could be called into service. This is a very good museum…read more It has a guided tour or you could go of by yourself. Wear some shorts, comfortable shoes, and cool tee shirts. Watch your step if you never been on a ship that isn't a cruise ship these decks are sloped. They also are uneven. Be prepared for tight spaces and a million stairs. Don't forget to ring the bell on the forward deck. It's under the forward gun on the main deck. It's a really nice museum a gift shop is there. I went on a Tuesday and it wasn't crowded at all. Lots of seating everywhere. On the main deck there are several benches all down the deck.

A very cute a fun museum!…read more My group and I came here mostly to see the manatees but enjoyed the rest of the museum as well. We went through the exhibits on the two floors relatively quickly but they were interesting to look at. I liked the emphasis on Florida specific history. The planetarium was interesting and the seats were very comfortable. The manatees were obviously the highlight. We were able to see two babies, Sorbet and Juneau, right at feeding time. The top view of the water had a superior view. Overall, while I'm not from here so I'm not sure when I'd be back if I went, I really enjoyed my time here.

Sad to admit this was our first visit here, and literally on the last day of the Clyde Butcher…read morephotography exhibit. Jade who worked up front was friendly and helpful. Manageable sized museum where we spent about 90 minutes and had to leave before viewing everything. The Butcher exhibit was very good, I wish there was more. Truly incredible work. There is a manatee rehab area, although no manatees currently as the ones they had were thankfully released back into the wild. Emma who works in this area answered several of my husband's questions and was quite knowledgeable and informative. Some great historical artifacts, especially for local history. Excellent museum gift shop as well, with a large variety of items and another friendly and engaging employee, Anne. Looking forward to the upcoming baseball exhibit, and will allow more time.

We booked the Uncovering Ca' d'Zan Guided Tour ($40 per person) before flying to Florida. The tour…read morelasts about 60-70 minutes and includes the main rooms on the first floor, a peek into the Tap Room with stories about indulgence and Prohibition during the 1920s, as well as select spaces on the second, third, and fourth floors of the Ringlings' magnificent waterfront mansion. I'm so glad I booked this tour! it was the highlight of our Florida trip. Our tour guide, Susan, was professional, knowledgeable, and full of humor. She made the entire experience both informative and relaxing. Ca' d'Zan is simply breathtaking. This stunning Mediterranean Revival mansion sits on the shores of Sarasota Bay and was built in the mid-1920s as the winter retreat of American circus magnate, entrepreneur, and art collector John Ringling and his wife, Mable Burton Ringling. Although the mansion is over 100 years old, it still radiates the glamour, elegance, and artistic vision of the Ringlings. Every room is filled with exquisite craftsmanship and thoughtful details that reflect their passion for art and architecture. One of my favorite features was the magnificent ceiling paintings by the Hungarian artist Willy Pogany. Each one tells a story from another era, preserving its beauty for generations to admire. Standing on the terrace overlooking Sarasota Bay, I couldn't help but be reminded of the atmosphere from the movie Great Expectations. There was something incredibly romantic, mysterious, and timeless about the view. To me, Ca' d'Zan feels alive. If you slow down and listen carefully, the mansion tells its own story. There is glamour. There is longing. There is sadness. There is hope. And somehow, there is a place for you within it. I absolutely fell in love with this place. Without a doubt, this was the best attraction we visited during our trip to Sarasota. I would highly recommend the Uncovering Ca' d'Zan Guided Tour to anyone visiting the area, and I will definitely return to explore the Museum of Art next time.

This was an amazing and incredibly surprising visit. I am a native of Ohio but have lived in…read moreFlorida over 30 years and this was our 1st visit to The Ringling. It is a little pricy but worth if you love art, the circus and beautiful places. We went to the house first and this is an amazing home. Beautiful use of color, marble and impressive architecture. Loved the window shapes, the floors and the attention to detail throughout the home. The view from the patio was amazing. The circus museum was informative. It was quite incredible the number of people it took to bring the circus to life. So spectacular . ..the shows, the animals and the presentation. The grill restaurant had delicious food with very pleasant staff. The gift shop was also amazing with unique toys and a nice selections of books about the Ringlung family. Lastly the art museum was breath taking with such beautiful Italian art. The courtyard also amazing. Loved this visit! We spent the entire day there with more to see. We plan to return to enjoy the new items under construction. We recommend a visit.

As someone who has loved Salvador Dalí's work since I was a teenager, visiting this museum was…read moretruly a special experience. I had already visited the Dalí museums in Spain and had seen some of his works in France, but I had no idea that Florida had such an incredible museum dedicated to him. Before we even stepped inside, I was amazed by the architecture. The building is a work of art on its own, both inside and out. Everything was spotless, and the staff was welcoming and helpful. When we bought our tickets, they gave my daughters a free activity book with colored pencils and told us about the children's art room, which was such a thoughtful touch for families. One of my favorite architectural details was the beautiful spiral staircase inspired by the DNA helix. On the first floor there's also a lovely gift shop, a café, and the children's art room located near the restrooms. The collection itself is outstanding. I've always loved how Dalí filled his paintings with countless tiny details, and seeing the originals up close gave me an even greater appreciation for his work. I was also surprised to learn that he designed jewelry and explored so many other forms of art beyond painting. The museum does an amazing job blending classic art with modern technology. One of the highlights was the immersive VR experience, where you put on a headset and step inside one of Dalí's surreal worlds. It genuinely felt like walking through one of his paintings while the characters and landscapes came to life around you. I wasn't the only one who loved it--my daughters had a wonderful time too. One of our favorite moments was the immersive theater in the separate round building outside. After exploring the galleries and the beautiful garden, we happily sank into the giant bean bags on the floor. Then the lights dimmed, and an incredible multimedia presentation began. The paintings we had just admired seemed to come alive while Dalí's life story unfolded around us. It was such a magical experience. I especially loved hearing my daughter whisper, "Mom, we saw this painting today... and this one too!" Seeing her connect what she had learned made the visit even more meaningful. Of course, we couldn't leave without stopping by the gift shop. I already knew exactly what I wanted--a T-shirt, a bucket hat, and a coffee mug. The kids picked out colored pencils and a few art supplies to take home. I can't recommend this museum enough. Whether you're already a fan of Salvador Dalí or simply appreciate beautiful art, architecture, and immersive experiences, this museum is absolutely worth the trip.

The museum is really beautiful and exploring the work of Dali was very interesting, he truly was a…read moregenius and an extremely gifted artist. Take your earbuds so you can take advantage of the QR code listening and viewing of paintings. I would not spend the additional 15.00 cost of the dome. My entire group felt the same. It is a large circular viewing screen with some of his works, turned into moving works or parts. It was staged with folding chairs and it was hard on your neck to follow the 30 min movie.