Oberhausen: HOUSE OF MAGIC – powered by Ehrlich Brothers

The best part of the House of Magic is that you do not simply watch a magic show. You operate the puzzles, step into strange visual effects, test a virtual reality flight, and become part of the illusion. It feels like a hands-on museum built for curious families, with plenty of room for playful nonsense.

I like the huge variety, especially the shadow and mirror rooms and the chance to see original Ehrlich Brothers props up close. I also like that the visit includes ways to learn magic tricks, not just photo opportunities. The main drawback is that some exhibits may show wear, and a two-hour visit can feel short if you want to try everything carefully.

Key things to know before you go

• More than 110 hands-on exhibits: Expect puzzles, games, illusions, light effects, and physical challenges rather than a quiet display-only museum.
• Original Ehrlich Brothers props: See selected costumes and tour-show pieces, including the giant monster truck and golden Lamborghini.
• A magic workshop for all ages: Try objects such as a self-turning book, an impossible box, and a unicycle that seems to lose its wheel.
• Strong photo opportunities: Use the special photo room, float with the Ehrlich Brothers, or create unusual images with mirrors and perspective tricks.
• Virtual reality and teleportation: Test a flying experience and see how the exhibition presents the sensation of moving from one place to another.
• Useful family planning: Children under three are not admitted, children need an accompanying adult, and the attraction is not suitable for people with epilepsy.

Entering the House of Magic at Centro

The House of Magic sits directly on the Westfield Centro Promenade in Oberhausen. From the Promenade, take the escalator and you will arrive in front of the entrance. If you drive, multi-storey car parks 1 and 2 offer free parking, with direct access from car park 1 via level 2.

That location makes this an easy add-on to a shopping day or a family outing in northern Germany. You do not need to build a full day around transport, but you should allow time to arrive before your booked entry slot. The ticket is tied to a selected date and time, and late arrival can cause trouble if there is no room in a later session.

The standard ticket costs about $29 per person. That is not bargain pricing for a roughly two-hour attraction, but the value improves if you use the interactive stations instead of rushing through for photos. A family that enjoys puzzles, visual tricks, and trying things together can get a solid visit from the price.

Birthday children of any age receive free admission when they show an identity card. A person with the relevant B entitlement pays full admission, while the accompanying person enters free with the required proof.

The magic workshop and impossible objects

The opening rooms focus on participation. You may handle odd objects and test your sense of cause and effect. A book turns its own pages, a box appears to hold an endless supply, and a unicycle changes in a way that challenges what you think you just saw.

These are simple ideas with good family value because they invite discussion. Younger children can react to the surprise, while older children and adults may spend more time trying to work out the mechanism. The House of Magic works best when you resist the urge to hurry and let each person have a turn.

The attraction also includes physical play. You can teeter on a toothbrush, bounce on a giant tablet while trying to catch sweets, and make changing light effects. These stations give the visit a playful, slightly silly tone. If your group prefers traditional museum displays, this may feel too active. If you want everyone involved, it is a strong fit.

The magic workshop includes mysterious objects and hands-on challenges, but it is not presented as a long formal class. Guides have magic tricks available, and you can learn some of them during the visit. A screen in the 360-degree cinema explains a trick from an Ehrlich Brothers live show, giving you something to practise after you leave.

A free online workshop with the Ehrlich Brothers is also included. This adds value to the ticket because the magic does not have to end when you walk out of the building.

Shrinking into the Ehrlich Brothers’ suitcase

One of the more imaginative sections places you in the Ehrlich Brothers’ suitcase. The idea is that you shrink to the size of a mouse, making ordinary objects appear oversized around you.

This is a good example of how the exhibition turns the performers’ stage world into a physical setting. You are not only looking at a prop behind glass. You are placed inside a playful story, surrounded by objects that seem too large for the room.

The suitcase area also works well for family photos. It gives children a clear pretend-play setting, while adults can enjoy the visual joke. Expect the attraction to encourage photographs and short videos throughout the building, so have your phone ready if you want to record the best moments.

Shadows, mirrors, and surprising walls

The shadow and mirror rooms are among the most interesting stops for adults as well as children. Sculptures cast unexpected images onto walls, shadows appear to act independently, and mirrors can make you seem to disappear.

These exhibits explain why illusion museums remain fun even when you know there is a trick involved. The pleasure comes from testing the effect yourself and seeing how your eyes and brain respond. You may find yourself moving around, changing your angle, or asking another person to try the same station.

The rooms also slow the visit down. After the noisy energy of bouncing, balancing, and virtual reality, the mirror effects give you a different kind of puzzle. They are especially useful if your group has mixed ages because nobody needs advanced magic knowledge to understand the basic challenge.

Some installations may not be in perfect condition. That matters more here than it would in a standard museum because these displays depend on clean surfaces, working parts, and good visual presentation. Keep your expectations practical, and focus on the range of experiences rather than expecting every station to look brand new.

Ehrlich Brothers costumes, cars, and stage props

The House of Magic includes selected stage outfits worn by the Ehrlich Brothers, along with original objects from their major touring shows. This provides context for the pair’s public image and gives fans a closer look at the equipment behind their performances.

The giant monster truck and golden Lamborghini are especially useful photo stops. You can take pictures with the vehicles rather than merely viewing small props in cases. These displays give the exhibition a show-business edge and help explain the scale of the Ehrlich Brothers’ stage productions.

If you already follow the Ehrlich Brothers, the original props may be the main reason to visit. If you do not know their work, the cars and costumes still function as bold, unusual objects. You should not expect a full biography or a traditional theatre museum, since the emphasis remains on interaction and visual fun.

Flying, teleportation, and the unusual photo room

The virtual reality ride offers a daring flight experience. The supplied information does not give a precise ride length or describe the exact flight route, so think of it as an added interactive station rather than a full theme-park attraction.

The House of Magic also presents the sensation of teleportation. Until now, that idea has mostly belonged to science fiction, but here you can experience a staged version of moving from one place to another. The appeal is the physical impression and the surprise, not a scientific demonstration.

A separate room contains some of the strangest photo motifs. You can create an image that makes it look as if your head is being grilled, or appear to float with the Ehrlich Brothers. These effects are built for sharing on social media, but they also give families a reason to cooperate and pose together.

The exhibition allows photos and videos throughout the House of Magic. Food and drinks are not allowed, so plan to finish snacks before entering. Pets, smoking, alcohol, drugs, weapons, and sharp objects are also prohibited.

How much time you need

The admission includes two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions for the whole family. The ticket is valid for one day, but that does not mean you receive unlimited entry throughout the day. You need to attend on the selected date and time.

Two hours is enough to see the main areas, but your pace will depend on the crowd and how long you spend at each station. A group with several children may need extra time for everyone to try the same puzzle. If you want photos, magic practice, and repeat attempts at the more popular exhibits, avoid treating the visit like a quick walk-through.

A guide can be booked for an extra charge to take you through the exhibition. The standard experience still includes guides with magic tricks, but a paid guided visit may suit you if you want more structure or help understanding the exhibits. No guide names are provided, so do not expect to book a particular individual.

Who will enjoy it most

I would choose the House of Magic for families with children aged three and up, fans of the Ehrlich Brothers, and adults who enjoy optical illusions. It also suits a mixed-age group because the activities range from simple physical play to visual puzzles and stage memorabilia.

The attraction is less suitable if you want a quiet, traditional museum or a long live performance. It is also not suitable for children under three or people with epilepsy. Children may participate only with an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

The strongest reason to book is the mix of activities. One person can focus on mirror tricks, another can try the virtual reality flight, and someone else can take photos beside the monster truck. That variety reduces the chance that the whole visit depends on one impressive display.

Practical value and final advice

At $29, the House of Magic is best judged as a two-hour interactive attraction, not as a full-day sightseeing stop. The free parking, convenient Centro location, included magic instruction, online workshop, original props, and large number of exhibits help justify the cost for the right audience.

I would book it if you are already visiting Oberhausen Centro, have children who like to touch and test things, or want an activity that produces both memories and photos. I would think twice if your group dislikes staged effects, has mobility or sensory concerns not addressed in the available information, or expects every exhibit to be in perfect condition.

Book your time carefully and arrive early enough to avoid missing it. Go in ready to participate, not just observe. If you do that, the House of Magic offers a playful break from ordinary sightseeing and a chance to look at the world through a magician’s curious eyes.

FAQ

Where is the House of Magic located?

The House of Magic is directly on the Westfield Centro Promenade in Oberhausen, Germany. 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 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 included experience provides about two hours of puzzles, games, and illusions. The ticket itself is valid for one day, but it applies to the selected date and time.

How much does admission cost?

The listed price is about $29 per person. Birthday children of all ages enter free when they present an identity card.

Are children allowed to visit alone?

No. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and children may participate only when accompanied by an adult.

Is the attraction suitable for children under three?

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

Is the House of Magic suitable for people with epilepsy?

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

Can I book a guide?

Yes. A guide can be booked for an additional charge. The standard admission includes access to magic tricks with the guides, but a guided tour is not included.

Can I take photos and videos inside?

Yes. Photos and videos are allowed throughout the House of Magic, including in a special room with unusual photo effects. Food and drinks are not allowed inside.