Oberhausen: HOUSE OF MAGIC – powered by Ehrlich Brothers

The best part of the House of Magic is that you do not just watch a trick from a seat. You step into the trick. You can shrink into the Ehrlich Brothers’ giant suitcase, make shadows behave badly, vanish in a mirror, and test your flying skills in virtual reality. The exhibition turns magic into a hands-on playground.

I like the mix of active puzzles and visual illusions, since younger children can touch and test things while adults enjoy the clever effects. I also like the original show props, including a monster truck, a golden Lamborghini, stage outfits, and objects from the Ehrlich Brothers’ touring productions.

The main drawback is the fixed time slot. Your ticket is valid only for the selected date and time, and late arrival can cause trouble. A few exhibits may also show wear, so do not expect every piece to look brand new.

Key points to know before you go

• More than 110 exhibits: Plan on puzzles, games, optical tricks, photo stations, and hands-on experiments rather than a passive museum visit.
• A two-hour family activity: The admission includes about two hours of exploration, with a magic workshop and a trick explained in the 360-degree cinema.
• Original Ehrlich Brothers props: See selected costumes and take photos with show pieces, including the giant monster truck and golden Lamborghini.
• Strong photo opportunities: A special photo room includes unusual effects such as a floating pose and a scene that makes your head appear to be grilled.
• Extra virtual reality fun: A flight experience lets you test your flying skills, though people with epilepsy should not take part.
• Easy Centro location: The House of Magic is at the Westfield Centro Promenade, with free parking in multi-storey car parks 1 and 2.

Entering the House of Magic at Westfield Centro

The House of Magic sits directly at the Westfield Centro Promenade in Oberhausen. From the promenade, take the escalator and you will arrive in front of the attraction. If you drive, multi-storey car parks 1 and 2 offer free parking, and car park 1 connects directly to the House of Magic via level 2.

That location makes this an easy add-on to a shopping or dining day at Centro. You do not need to build a separate sightseeing route around it. The practical catch is timing: your admission is tied to the date and time you choose, so allow enough time to find the entrance and get settled.

The experience is designed for families, but the exhibits are not limited to small children. The best moments ask you to test a theory, move your body, or pose for a photo. Adults who enjoy stage magic, optical tricks, or playful machines should find plenty to do.

Children under three are not admitted, and children of any age must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The attraction is also not suitable for people with epilepsy, due to the visual effects and virtual reality elements.

A magic workshop filled with curious machines

The magic workshop is one of the clearest reasons to choose this attraction over a standard magic show. Instead of sitting in the dark while someone else performs, you can handle or operate exhibits built around familiar objects behaving in impossible ways.

You may encounter a unicycle that changes into a wheel-less object, a book that turns its own pages, and a box that appears to hold an endless supply. The fun comes from trying to work out the method, then enjoying the moment when the result refuses to make ordinary sense.

The exhibition also includes playful physical challenges. You can teeter on a toothbrush, bounce on a giant tablet to catch sweets, and create changing light effects. These activities give children something to do with their hands, while adults can help explain what they see without giving away the trick too quickly.

I would allow time for repeated attempts. Some exhibits are quick to understand, but others reward a second try. If you are visiting with a family group, it is worth letting each person take a turn instead of hurrying from one station to the next.

Shrinking into the Ehrlich Brothers’ suitcase

One of the central ideas is that you become part of the Ehrlich Brothers’ world. In one section, you shrink to mouse size and enter their suitcase, where ordinary objects appear huge.

This is a clever setting for photographs, but it also gives the exhibition a playful story. A suitcase is normally a compact travel object. Here, it becomes a giant room filled with oversized details. The scale change is easy for children to understand and visually striking for adults.

The attraction does not require you to know the Ehrlich Brothers’ live shows in advance. Fans will recognize the connection to their stage work, while first-time visitors can treat the area as a fantasy playground. The exhibition uses the brothers’ show identity as a theme, but much of the fun comes from the physical effects rather than from background knowledge.

Shadows, mirrors, and disappearing visitors

The rooms devoted to shadows and mirrors show why magic often depends on simple visual ideas. Whimsical sculptures cast unexpected images onto walls, and shadows appear to take on a life of their own.

Mirrors can make you look invisible, or at least create that impression from the right position. These exhibits work best when you stand in the marked spot and follow the instructions. If you move too quickly, the effect may be less convincing.

I like this section because it explains magic without turning the visit into a lecture. You can enjoy the surprise first, then look for the angle, light, or reflection that creates it. It is a good place for adults and children to solve the same puzzle together.

The shadow and mirror rooms also add variety. After several hands-on games, you get a different kind of challenge. Instead of pressing a button or balancing on an object, you watch closely and notice how the image changes.

Original costumes, vehicles, and stage props

The House of Magic includes selected Ehrlich Brothers stage outfits and original exhibits from their spectacular tour shows. These displays give the attraction a stronger link to live performance than a generic science center or optical illusion museum.

You can take photos with the giant monster truck and the golden Lamborghini. These are among the most useful stops for a group photo because the objects are large, distinctive, and easy to recognize later.

The show props also help explain the scale of a touring magic production. On stage, a vehicle or unusual machine can appear for only a moment. Here, you can stop and look at it more closely. That extra time matters if you are interested in how a magic show presents its objects, even if the exact secrets remain hidden.

If you are visiting mainly for the Ehrlich Brothers connection, make sure you leave enough time for this section. The attraction is more than a display of their career, but the original props are an important part of its identity.

Photo rooms built for playful memories

Photography is encouraged throughout the House of Magic. You can take photos and videos to share on social media, and one room is dedicated to especially unusual poses.

The effects include a scene where your head appears to be grilled and another that makes the Ehrlich Brothers appear to make you float. These work as visual jokes, so the result depends on how you stand and how well the person taking the photo follows the setup.

The large vehicle displays and oversized suitcase also create strong photo backgrounds. If you are visiting with children, you may spend as much time arranging poses as you do solving puzzles. That is not a problem, but it does affect your pace.

I suggest treating the camera as part of the visit, not as an afterthought. The attraction is built around visual surprises, and many of the best memories will be easier to understand in a photo than in a written description.

Virtual reality and the feeling of teleportation

For a more modern effect, you can try a virtual reality ride that tests your flying skills. The description presents it as a daring flight, so this is likely to appeal most to visitors who enjoy simulated movement rather than quiet optical puzzles.

Another exhibit recreates the feeling of teleportation, something normally found only in science fiction. The attraction lets you experience the sensation of moving from one place to another without a normal journey between the two.

These activities add a change of pace, but they may not suit everyone. The House of Magic specifically says it is not suitable for people with epilepsy. Follow the attraction’s safety instructions and do not treat the virtual reality section as essential if you are uncomfortable with simulated motion or intense visual effects.

Learning tricks in the 360-degree cinema

Magic is not limited to the exhibits. Guides carry magic tricks, and you can learn some of them during your visit. The 360-degree cinema also shows an explanation of a trick from the Ehrlich Brothers’ live show.

This is a useful touch because it gives you something to take home. A photo lasts as a memory, but a simple trick can become part of a family evening after the Oberhausen visit. The included online workshop adds another chance to learn from the brothers after your visit.

The attraction does not name individual guides, so you should not expect a particular performer to lead your session. Instead, think of the staff as helpers who can point you toward tricks and activities while you explore at your own pace.

How long the visit takes

The admission covers two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions for the whole family. The activity is valid for one day, but your actual entry depends on the selected time slot.

Two hours is a sensible target for a first visit. It gives you enough time to sample the main areas without turning the experience into an all-day commitment. If your group takes many photos or repeats the interactive challenges, the time can pass quickly.

The exhibits are not described as a guided route, so your visit may feel flexible rather than tightly scheduled. That suits families with different interests. One person can focus on the mirrors while another tries a physical challenge or lines up for a photo.

Arrive on time. If you are late, the staff may try to place you in a later time, but only if enough spaces are available. Do not rely on that option during a busy day.

Is $29 a fair price?

At $29 per person, this is not a cheap quick stop, especially if every member of a family needs a ticket. The value improves if you plan to use the full two hours, take part in the interactive stations, and make time for the magic workshop and cinema.

The price also includes the online workshop, which adds value beyond the physical visit. Birthday children of all ages receive free admission when they show an identity card, which can make the outing more appealing for a birthday plan.

The attraction is a stronger buy for people who enjoy participation. If you only want to look at costumes and vehicles, the price may feel high for the amount of display material. If you like puzzles, physical effects, photo scenes, and virtual reality, the admission covers a much fuller activity.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 252 reviews, which fits the experience described here: broadly popular, especially as a family activity, with some room for improvement in the condition of individual exhibits. One recent comment praised the broom flight and the effect of walking through a wall, while also noting that some pieces could be in better shape.

Who should book the House of Magic?

I would recommend this for families with children over three, fans of the Ehrlich Brothers, and adults who enjoy optical illusions without needing a formal museum explanation. It also works well when you want a weather-proof activity near shopping, restaurants, and free parking.

It may be less suitable if you prefer a traditional stage performance with a seated audience. This is a hands-on exhibition, and some of the fun depends on trying the same effect yourself. People with epilepsy should not book it, and children cannot attend without an adult.

Bring patience for the popular photo stations and a willingness to repeat an exhibit. You will get more from the ticket if you treat the House of Magic as a playful puzzle space rather than a quick display of famous props.

Should you book it?

Book the House of Magic if you want two hours of family activity with puzzles, illusions, unusual photos, original Ehrlich Brothers props, and a few modern effects. The Westfield Centro location and free parking make it easy to add to an Oberhausen day.

Skip it if your group dislikes visual effects, virtual reality, or interactive exhibits. Also be realistic about the fixed entry time and the occasional worn exhibit. For most families and magic fans, the mix of participation, show memorabilia, and take-home tricks makes the $29 price reasonable.

FAQ

Where is the House of Magic located?

It is directly at the Westfield Centro Promenade in Oberhausen. From the promenade, take the escalator and you will be in front of the attraction.

Is parking available?

Yes. Free parking is available at Centro in multi-storey car parks 1 and 2. From car park 1, you can reach the House of Magic directly via level 2.

How long does the visit last?

The ticket includes two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions. The ticket itself is valid for one day, subject to the selected entry date and time.

Is the ticket valid at any time that day?

No. The ticket is valid only for the selected date and time.

What happens if I arrive late?

The staff will try to let you enter at a later time, but only if enough places are available. Arriving on time is important.

Can children visit alone?

No. Children may participate only when accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Are children under three admitted?

No. The House of Magic is not suitable for children under three.

Is the attraction suitable for people with epilepsy?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for people with epilepsy.

Is a guide included?

A standard guide is not included. You can book a guide separately for an additional charge.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.