Magic feels physical here in Oberhausen, where the Ehrlich Brothers have turned puzzles and illusions into something you actually do. I like that you get over 110 interactive exhibits instead of just watching a dark room show. I also like the mix of hands-on stages, mirror-and-shadow tricks, and flashy photo moments designed for real participation. One consideration: the experience has lights, motion, and a VR ride, so people with epilepsy (and anyone sensitive to strong effects) should think twice.

For me, the best part is the flow. You enter for a set time slot (about 2 hours), and everything is arranged so you can keep moving at a family-friendly pace inside Westfield Centro. The venue is right on the Centro Promenade, which makes it easy to plan a half-day here without turning it into a full-day production.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• 110+ hands-on exhibits where you’re part of the trick, including a shrink-to-mouse-size moment
• Magic workshop objects like a unicycle that turns into a no-wheel and a book that flips on its own
• Illusions in shadows and mirrors including a look where mirrors can make you invisible
• Big prop photo spots such as a giant monster truck and a golden Lamborghini
• Virtual reality flights and teleport-style fun for a sci-fi twist on classic illusion
• Learn a trick via the 360° cinema, with Ehrlich Brothers explanations on screen

Oberhausen at Westfield Centro: the easiest magic stop in town

The House of Magic is located directly at Westfield Centro’s Promenade. From the Promenade side, take the escalator and you’ll be right in front of the attraction. That matters more than you’d think, because magic places can be tucked away. Here, the layout is straightforward, so you can arrive, get situated, and focus on the fun.

Parking is also practical. If you’re driving, you can park in Centro’s multi-storey car parks 1 and 2, with level 2 access from multi-storey car park 1. And yes, there’s free parking at Centro in those garages. It’s the kind of detail that makes a family outing feel manageable.

Plan your mindset before you go. This is not a slow museum. It’s an activity you move through, with photo opportunities along the way. If you want quiet, candlelit wonder, you might be disappointed. If you want clever tricks and hands-on play, you’ll feel right at home.

2 hours of puzzle-and-illusion time: how the experience is paced

Your ticket gives you a 2-hour window for puzzles, games, and illusions for the whole family. Even though the activity is listed as a 1-day plan, the “how long” question is really about that time slot.

That timing works well because the attraction is packed. You’ll want enough time to try multiple exhibits, catch the key illusion rooms, and still fit in the extra experiences like VR and the 360° cinema. If you arrive late, they may try to slot you later only if there are enough places available, so building in buffer time is smart.

Also: the House of Magic is designed for movement. You’ll be standing, watching for cues, and jumping into activities when a station invites you. If your group has anyone who needs lots of sitting breaks, you’ll still be okay, but you’ll want to pace yourselves rather than racing through.

110+ exhibits where you become part of the trick

The core idea is simple: you’re not a spectator. You’re the participant. The House of Magic uses more than 110 different exhibits, so you won’t feel stuck doing the same type of illusion over and over.

Here’s what makes these exhibits feel different from “press button, get a result” attractions:

• Many stations are built around cause and effect. You try something, the magic happens, and you immediately want to test it again.
• The attraction uses scale as a trick. There’s a moment where you shrink to the size of a mouse and land in the Ehrlich Brothers suitcase. Suddenly, ordinary objects become huge, and you’re surrounded by visuals that make you feel inside a show set.

You’ll also notice that the exhibit design supports different comfort levels. Some people enjoy figuring out puzzles. Others just want to trigger illusions and see what happens. Either approach fits here.

The magic workshop: bizarre objects with rules you can figure out

One of the most fun segments is the magic workshop, where mysterious objects sit there like they shouldn’t behave that way. The attraction calls out examples such as:

• a unicycle that turns into a no-wheel
• a book that turns its pages by itself
• a box that contains an infinite store

You’re meant to ask how. And more importantly, you’re meant to participate. A good workshop isn’t only about watching a performer. It’s about giving you a structure to experiment with.

This workshop style is great for families because it creates a shared mission. Kids love the impossible feel. Adults tend to love the pattern-spotting. Even if you can’t fully explain the mechanics, you can still enjoy the logic of the setup.

If you’re planning a day, treat the workshop like your anchor. It’s one of the experiences you’ll remember later because it’s not just visual. It’s hands-on wonder.

Illusion rooms with shadows and mirrors that play games with your eyes

After the workshop, the attraction leans harder into classic illusion language: shadows and mirrors. This is where the House of Magic becomes a kind of visual puzzle arcade.

Some of the highlights include:

• illusions hidden in shadows and mirrors
• whimsical sculptures that cast surprising images on the wall
• shadows that seem to take on a life of their own
• mirrors that can make visitors invisible

This section is especially valuable because it rewards attention. The more you watch how light moves, the more you start to notice the tricks in real time. It’s not just spooky or flashy. It’s interactive perception training, in a way that still feels playful.

Drawback to keep in mind: mirror-based illusions mean people naturally gather, take photos, and test positions. If your group doesn’t like crowding or waiting, you’ll want to keep your group moving with intention. Don’t camp at the first mirror station. Try it, snap the photo, and move on.

Photo moments built around real Ehrlich Brothers stage energy

If you like taking pictures on trips, this attraction is set up for it. You can marvel at selected stage outfits of the Ehrlich Brothers, then take photos with original exhibits that feel like they belong to a tour show.

Two specific photo spots are called out:

• a selfie moment in front of a giant monster truck
• a selfie moment in front of a golden Lamborghini

That’s smart design. It gives you a quick hit of spectacle that doesn’t require you to be in the middle of a crowd for long.

One more useful tip: the House of Magic explicitly supports photos and videos throughout. So don’t feel weird about stopping to capture your favorite illusions. Just try to stay aware of other visitors while you frame shots, especially in mirror and shadow rooms.

If your group is into social media, there’s even an extra room with particularly unusual motifs. It’s basically a shortcut to images that look different from your normal travel feed.

Virtual reality flight and teleportation-style fun

The House of Magic adds two big technology-flavored experiences: a daring virtual flight and a teleport-style ride.

First, there’s a virtual reality ride where you can test your flying skills. The attraction describes this as a daring flight using a broom-style concept, plus a hinted sense of going through walls as part of the VR fun.

Second, it promises teleportation that feels like science fiction, with live effects that simulate moving from one place to another. The point is not realism; it’s the feeling. You get a moment that feels like the world flips under your feet.

These are high-energy moments. They can be a lot of fun, but they also mean you’ll likely want a calm, not-too-tired group. If you show up near bedtime energy, VR can feel like one more step instead of a wow moment.

And yes, if you or anyone in your group has concerns about epilepsy or sensitivity to effects, this is where you should pay extra attention.

360° cinema magic tricks: learning from the screen like a backstage moment

Not every magic attraction gives you instructions. Here, the Ehrlich Brothers explain cool magic tricks using a 360° cinema format.

You’ll learn magic tricks, and the attraction notes that one trick from their live show is explained to you on screen in that 360° experience. Even if you don’t walk out performing like a pro magician, you’ll still get the satisfaction of learning the concept and watching it unfold from multiple angles.

This is a good value layer because it turns the experience from only visual into a skill-based takeaway. You also get something that feels closer to a performance studio than a theme-park corridor.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is where you can quietly coach them. Pick one trick you want to master later. Then pay attention to the steps in the cinema. It makes your memory sticky.

What the experience includes (and what you can add)

Included with your ticket:

• tickets for two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions for the whole family
• a chance to learn cool magic tricks with the Ehrlich Brothers explained in the 360° cinema
• a free online workshop with the Ehrlich Brothers

That online workshop is a nice bonus because it extends the experience beyond the venue. If you like continuing activities at your accommodation, it’s a way to keep the magic alive after the visit.

Not included:

• you can book a guide for an extra cost if you want someone to take you through the exhibition

A guide can make sense if your group wants a structured route or if you’re worried about missing key rooms. But if you’re the type who likes wandering and trying stations on your own, you can absolutely enjoy it without extra help.

Who this is best for (and who should reconsider)

This House of Magic is made for families and broad age ranges. The vibe is playful, interactive, and designed so both kids and adults can participate.

It’s a good fit if you:

• like hands-on activities and visual puzzles
• want photo-friendly spectacle
• enjoy magic tricks but don’t want a lecture-style show

It may not be a good fit if you:

• have epilepsy (the attraction is explicitly not suitable for people with epilepsy)
• have children under 3 years old (not suitable for children under 3)
• prefer quiet, minimal stimulation environments

There are also important behavior rules:

• unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed
• no alcohol and drugs
• no smoking
• no weapons or sharp objects
• no food and drinks inside
• no pets

Those rules are pretty typical for attractions, but they matter because the experience is hands-on. If you’re traveling with a lot of gear, pack light and plan for the no-food/no-drinks rule inside.

Price and value: is $29 per person worth it?

At about $29 per person, the value comes from density. You’re paying for a packed, multi-zone experience with interactive exhibits, a magic workshop, a VR component, a 360° magic learning segment, and plenty of built-in photo moments.

What makes it feel worth it is that it’s not just one show. It’s a sequence of different types of entertainment:

• puzzles and exhibits
• workshop objects
• illusion rooms
• show-like photo spots
• VR and teleport-style effects
• a learning component through the 360° cinema

If your family wants an experience that keeps several age groups engaged without needing separate activities, this is the kind of place that often wins. If you want a slow cultural museum day, it won’t match that expectation. But for a compact, high-activity magic outing, $29 for a full 2 hours of variety can feel like a fair deal.

One small practical note: there’s a mention of free admission for birthday children of all ages with identity card presentation. If you’re there for a birthday, it can turn into a very smart value moment.

Quick practical tips before you go

These are the kinds of small decisions that make the visit smoother:

• Arrive a bit early so you don’t lose time. If you’re late, they may try to join you later only if enough places are available.
• If your group is photo-heavy, plan for the fact that some stations will slow down. Do quick photos, then move to keep your flow.
• If you have kids, set one simple goal: try the workshop, do the VR, then finish with the 360° magic trick segment.
• Bring patience for VR and cinema timing. Those are the moments where groups cluster and the pace shifts from roaming to waiting.

Also, because food and drinks aren’t allowed inside, plan how you’ll handle snacks and water outside the attraction. Westfield Centro is built for that kind of normal mall planning.

Should you book the House of Magic in Oberhausen?

I think this is a solid yes for most families looking for one memorable, hands-on day in Oberhausen. The combination of 110+ interactive exhibits, a true magic workshop, illusion rooms with shadows and mirrors, and technology-based moments like VR and teleport-style fun gives you variety that usually keeps energy high.

Book it if:

• you want hands-on magic instead of passive sightseeing
• you’re traveling with kids who enjoy trying things
• you care about photo-worthy moments tied to the Ehrlich Brothers world

Skip it if:

• you’re sensitive to strong effects or motion (especially with epilepsy)
• your group prefers quiet, low-stimulation activities
• you’re expecting a traditional museum-style attraction

If your goal is an activity where everyone participates and nobody is stuck doing the same thing for 2 hours, the House of Magic hits that target.

FAQ

How long is the House of Magic visit?

Your ticket includes two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions.

Where is the House of Magic located?

It’s located directly at the Westfield Centro Promenade in Oberhausen. The entrance is in front of the House of Magic after you take the escalator on the Promenade.

What can I do inside the House of Magic?

You can try over 110 magical exhibits, participate in a magic workshop, explore illusion rooms with shadows and mirrors, take photos, and try a virtual reality ride and a 360° cinema magic experience.

Is there a magic workshop?

Yes. The magic workshop includes mysterious objects and hands-on style activities.

Are photos and videos allowed?

Yes, you can take photos and videos throughout the House of Magic to share your experiences.

Does the ticket include learning magic tricks?

Yes. Ehrlich Brothers explain magic tricks in the 360° cinema, including a trick from their live show.

Is virtual reality included?

Yes. There is a virtual reality ride mentioned where you can test your flying skills.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed at $29 per person.

What age limits should I know about?

Children under 3 years are not suitable, and children may only participate if accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Are there restrictions on health or effects?

Yes. The experience is not suitable for people with epilepsy.

What languages are available?

The provided details do not list specific languages for the attraction.