In the collective imagination, Miami is undoubtedly synonymous with leisure and entertainment: from the vast sandy beaches to the nightlife of South Beach and Miami Beach, from the unique Venetian Pool to Villa Vizcaya and Key Biscayne, from shopping alongLincoln Road and in downtown malls to the many opportunities for excursions in the surrounding areas. To the already existing attractions in Miami, a recently added museum has surprised and left both young and old speechless: the Paradox Museum. Let’s discover what it’s all about…
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What is the Paradox Museum?
More than 70 interactive artworks are on display at the Paradox Museum in Miami, each playing with optical illusions and effects. The museum was inaugurated in December 2022, and if you’re eager to challenge your certainties and spend a couple of hours in pure fun and wonder, this is the place for you.
The activity is perfect for anyone: couples, groups of friends, families with children, and all those who love to be amazed and push the boundaries of physics, visual perception, science, and art.
Location and Directions
The Paradox Museum in Miami is located at 2301 North Miami Avenue in the vibrant Wynwood neighborhood, situated north of Downtown Miami and accessible by a 10-minute drive.
You can reach the museum by both bus and car. If you’re driving, it’s good to know that the museum doesn’t have private parking for visitors, but there are paid parking options available nearby. Additionally, the museum offers a valet parking service at the main entrance.
If you prefer to use public transportation, you can take:
- Bus 32 and disembark at the NE 20th Street/North Miami Ct stop.
- Buses 9 and 10 and disembark at the NE 2nd Avenue/23rd Street stop.
- Bus 2 and disembark at the NW 2nd Avenue/NW 22nd Street stop.
Regarding transportation in the city, I recommend checking out our in-depth articles for more information on getting around Miami, particularly:
Paradox Museum Tickets and Hours
The cost of tickets to enter the Paradox Museum in Miami is as follows:
- $26 for adults and children over 12 years old.
- $23 for children between 4 and 11 years old.
- $92 for the Family Pack, which allows entry for four people, regardless of whether they are adults or children.
Children under 3 years old enter for free. Tickets can be purchased directly online by clicking on the provided links. You will need to choose the date, time, and ticket type. Please note that with the ticket, you will be able to stay in the museum for 60 to 90 minutes from the chosen time.
The museum is open as follows:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
- Friday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Saturday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
The last entry is 1 hour and 20 minutes before closing time. Please note that the hours may vary, so I suggest checking online before visiting.
Things to Do
Not everything you think you see is reality, and by visiting the Paradox Museum, you will realize how fun it is to ‘play’ with our minds. And if you love taking selfies, you can indulge yourself here: each station has a designated space where you can capture the best perspective.
The journey inside the museum begins with a short video that introduces what will happen and provides a U-shaped path map to follow and enjoy all the installations. Although the entire visit lasts just over an hour, the Paradox Museum is one of the largest museums of its kind in the world.
In each room, there are guides ready to explain the visual phenomena presented or to assist you if you feel disoriented by the many mirrors or distorted angles.
Here are some of the things you can do in the museum:
- Take a selfie upside down from the typical wooden lifeguard house found on Miami beaches.
- Enter the room called the 180 Room and challenge gravity by performing gymnastics and lifting enormous weights.
- Walk through the moving corridor that disrupts your perception of depth and height.
- Visit the Paradox Tunnel, where you have to walk on a board while the room rotates around you.
During your journey through the unbelievable, you will also encounter a talking piano that plays what you desire and engages in a real conversation, a table full of mirrors that allows you to dine with dozens of reflections of yourself, and a sofa that ‘moves’ your legs and arms away from your body… Intrigued? Then all you have to do is buy your ticket.
Places to Stay
The Paradox Museum is located in the Wynwood neighborhood, an area that has transformed from a dull industrial zone to the heart of urban street art, with magnificent murals scattered along its streets.
While I recommend not missing out on the museum and taking a stroll in the neighborhood, staying in Wynwood may not be the best option if you have limited vacation days. The hotel offerings are not extensive, and getting to the main attractions of Miami is not always easy and quick from there. The city undeniably offers much more convenient areas to stay. I suggest taking a look at our article on where to stay in Miami to discover the best neighborhoods in the city.
