Oberhausen: HOUSE OF MAGIC – powered by Ehrlich Brothers

Magic works best when you get involved. Oberhausen’s House of Magic turns the Ehrlich Brothers’ stage world into a hands-on family attraction, with more than 110 puzzles, optical illusions, games, photo sets, and strange machines to test. I especially like the chance to enter a giant suitcase as a tiny visitor and the playful mix of old-school mirrors with modern virtual reality. The main caution is simple: some exhibits may show wear, so do not expect every prop to look brand new.

The regular admission is about $29 per person, with a two-hour visit included and a free online workshop. That is fair if you use the interactive stations, magic lesson, 360-degree cinema, and photo rooms rather than simply walking through. Young children under three cannot enter, and children of any age need an adult with them.

Five things to know before you go

• The Ehrlich Brothers’ giant suitcase lets you explore a playful magic workshop filled with unusual objects and comic scale changes.
• More than 110 hands-on exhibits mean you are not just watching tricks. You will push, balance, turn, bounce, and pose.
• The shadow and mirror rooms create some of the best illusions, including disappearing effects and surprising wall images.
• The virtual reality flight and teleportation exhibit add modern thrills, but people with epilepsy should not take part.
• Westfield Centro makes access easy, with free parking in multi-storey car parks 1 and 2 and a direct route from car park 1, level 2.

What the House of Magic is really like

This is not a traditional museum where you keep your hands behind your back. The House of Magic is built around participation. You test an object, step into a marked spot, look through a mirror, or follow instructions on a screen. The attraction is at its best when you treat each station as a small challenge rather than rushing from room to room.

The setting draws its ideas from the German illusion team, the Ehrlich Brothers. You see original stage props, selected outfits, and show-related vehicles, but the main point is not celebrity display. The brothers’ style is translated into activities that let you feel part of the trick.

You receive admission for a two-hour visit. The booking itself is valid for the selected date and time, so punctuality matters. The attraction is also valid for one day, but the included experience is described as two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions. I would plan around that period rather than assuming you can arrive at any time and stay all day.

A current rating of 4.3 from 252 ratings suggests a strong but not flawless experience. That feels right for an interactive attraction: families who like to touch, try, and take photos will get more from it than people seeking a quiet exhibition of polished artifacts.

Start inside the Ehrlich Brothers’ suitcase

One of the cleverest ideas comes early: you shrink to the size of a mouse and land inside the Ehrlich Brothers’ suitcase. Ordinary objects become oversized, turning the room into a theatrical playground.

The suitcase setting gives the attraction a storybook feel without requiring a long explanation. You might balance on a toothbrush, bounce across a giant tablet while trying to catch sweets, or trigger bright light effects. These activities are silly in the best way. They give children an obvious task, while adults can enjoy the engineering and the visual joke.

The magic workshop adds stranger objects. A unicycle changes into something with no wheel, a book turns its pages by itself, and a box appears to hold an endless supply. The attraction does not always ask you to understand the method. It asks you to test your assumptions and enjoy the moment when a familiar object stops behaving normally.

I like this section because it makes magic physical. You do not need to know anything about stage illusion. You simply try the station and see what happens. If you visit with a family, expect some exhibits to take longer than others because children will want repeated turns.

Find the best illusions in shadows and mirrors

The shadow and mirror rooms provide the most classic magic in the building. Here, the attraction shifts from large comic props to visual tricks that play with your sense of space and shape.

Whimsical sculptures cast unexpected images onto the wall. Shadows appear to move with a life of their own. Mirrors can make you look invisible. These effects are easy to understand once you see them, but that does not make them less fun. They also create some of the strongest photo opportunities because the illusion can be captured in a single frame.

Give yourself time to look from different angles. Interactive illusion rooms often work best when you stand in the intended position, and the effect may be lost if you rush through or block another person’s view. This is one reason the two-hour allowance matters. It gives you room to repeat a favorite trick and wait for a clear photo.

Some displays may not have the pristine finish of a new attraction. One recent visitor specifically noted that a few things could be in better condition. I would keep expectations sensible: the value comes from the number of things you can try, not from every prop looking untouched.

See costumes, cars, and original stage props

The House of Magic also gives you a peek behind the Ehrlich Brothers’ live shows. Selected stage outfits show the visual side of their performances, while original exhibits connect the indoor activities to the larger touring productions.

The big photo stops are hard to miss. You can pose with a giant monster truck or a golden Lamborghini. These are not small display models. They give the visit a show-business touch and make useful group photos, especially if you are visiting for a birthday or family outing.

This section is less active than the puzzle rooms, which is useful for pacing. You get a chance to look, take pictures, and let younger children catch their breath. I would not book the attraction only for the costumes or vehicles, since they form one part of a much larger experience. But they add variety and make the connection with the Ehrlich Brothers clear.

You can take photos and videos throughout the House of Magic. There is also an extra room designed around unusual images. The supplied examples include a setup where your head appears to be grilled and another where the Ehrlich Brothers make you look as if you are floating. These are made for playful social media pictures, though you will want to follow the staff instructions so the effects read properly.

Test the virtual reality flight and teleportation

For a change from mirrors and physical props, the attraction offers a virtual reality ride with a daring flight. The description presents it as a test of your flying skills, so this is the part most likely to appeal to older children and adults who want a stronger thrill.

Virtual reality can be more intense than a static optical illusion. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the activity at your own pace, although the supplied information does not give a specific health policy beyond the warning for epilepsy. People with epilepsy should not take part.

The teleportation exhibit offers a different kind of technology. The idea is familiar from science fiction, but here you can experience the sensation of moving from one place to another. It adds a modern note to an attraction that otherwise relies heavily on mirrors, shadows, props, and physical comedy.

These high-tech stations may become popular during busy periods. Since no exact crowd policy or waiting time is provided, I would not build your visit around one particular activity. Enjoy it if available, then move on to the many other exhibits.

Learn a trick in the 360-degree cinema

The magic lesson is one of the most useful inclusions. Guides carry out magic tricks in the House of Magic, and you can learn some of them yourself. A screen in the 360-degree cinema also explains a trick from an Ehrlich Brothers live show.

That matters because it gives the visit something to take home besides photographs. A child can practise the trick later, and an adult can become the person who suddenly produces a bit of magic at the dinner table. The experience is not just about being fooled. It shows you how presentation and timing help create the effect.

A free online workshop with the Ehrlich Brothers is included as well. The information provided does not specify its exact length, access method, or number of lessons, so check the instructions connected with your booking. Still, it adds value to the $29 admission because the learning continues after your visit.

You can also pay extra for a guide to take you through the exhibition. That may suit a group that wants more explanation or a structured route. Self-guided entry should work well for families who prefer to move at their own speed and spend longer at the most popular stations.

How long to stay and who will enjoy it most

The stated visit time is two hours. That is long enough to explore the main rooms without turning the experience into an all-day commitment. Since the attraction is valid for the selected date and time, arrive early enough to be ready at the booked slot.

I would recommend it most for:

• Families with children over three
• Fans of the Ehrlich Brothers’ stage shows
• People who enjoy taking unusual photos
• Anyone who prefers hands-on science and illusion exhibits
• Groups looking for an indoor activity at Westfield Centro

The experience also works for adults without children. The mirror effects, stage vehicles, original props, and VR flight are not limited to young visitors. Still, the mood is playful rather than formal. If you prefer a serious museum with long explanatory panels, this may feel too lightweight.

The attraction is not suitable for people with epilepsy or children under three. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and all children must be with an adult. Food and drinks, smoking, alcohol, drugs, weapons, sharp objects, and pets are prohibited.

Getting there through Westfield Centro

The House of Magic sits directly on the Westfield Centro Promenade in Oberhausen, northern Germany. From the Promenade, take the escalator and you will arrive in front of the attraction.

Drivers get a practical advantage. Free parking is available in multi-storey car parks 1 and 2. From car park 1, level 2, you can reach the attraction directly. That removes some of the usual guesswork involved with a large shopping and entertainment complex.

Because the experience is inside a busy commercial area, you can pair it with other plans at Centro. The supplied information does not state how long you may leave and re-enter, so do not assume that a ticket allows repeated entry. Treat your booked time as the important part of the day.

Birthday children of any age receive free admission when they show identification. That is a useful saving, especially for a family group, but bring the required identity card or other accepted proof. People with the corresponding B entitlement pay full admission, while the accompanying person enters free with the required identification.

Is $29 a fair price?

At about $29 per person, this is not a bargain basement attraction, but the price can make sense for the amount of participation. You get more than 110 exhibits, a two-hour session, magic demonstrations, a 360-degree cinema lesson, and access to photo setups and Ehrlich Brothers props.

The value is strongest when two or more people interact together. One person can operate a station while another takes a picture. You can compare what you saw in the mirror room, help a child solve a puzzle, and repeat the exhibits that create the best reactions.

The price feels less attractive if you plan to walk quickly through in under an hour or if your group dislikes photos and physical games. The additional guided tour costs extra, and no guide is included in the standard admission. That is not a problem for most families, but it matters if you want detailed explanations at every stop.

The free cancellation option up to 24 hours before the booked time and reserve-now-pay-later booking make it easier to fit into a changing schedule. Late arrival can be a problem. If you miss your time, staff may try to place you at a later date, but only if space is available.

My verdict on the House of Magic

I would book the House of Magic if you want a cheerful, interactive indoor activity and your group enjoys illusions more than formal museum displays. The giant suitcase, shadow rooms, unusual photo stations, and hands-on workshop give the two-hour visit plenty of variety.

I would skip it if you have a child under three, someone with epilepsy, or a group that wants a quiet attraction with little touching and posing. Also allow for some wear on individual exhibits.

For most families at Westfield Centro, the attraction is an easy choice. The parking is free, the route is simple, the activities suit different ages, and the magic workshop gives the experience more lasting value. Book a time that lets you arrive promptly, bring identification if a birthday or B entitlement applies, and leave room for the tricks, photos, and one more turn on the exhibits you like best.

FAQ

How long does the House of Magic visit last?

Admission includes two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions. The ticket is valid for one day on the selected date and time.

Where is the House of Magic in Oberhausen?

It is directly on the Westfield Centro Promenade. From the Promenade, take the escalator and you will arrive 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 attraction directly via level 2.

Is the ticket valid at any time during the day?

No. The ticket is valid only for the selected date and time. You should arrive on time.

Can children visit without an adult?

No. Children may participate only when accompanied by an adult, and 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 not suitable for people with epilepsy.

Is a guide included with admission?

No. A guide can be booked for an extra charge. Standard admission includes the self-guided exhibition, magic activities, and the included workshop content.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the booking conditions.