Brianna HarrisonSure, Toronto is full of amazing museums, like the MOCA and the Canadian Automotive Museum, as well as gorgeous parks. But if you want to stray from the norm, immersive experiences are where it’s at.
These spots are less “look, but don’t touch” and more “step inside the story.” From walking through giant art installations to shooting aliens, these awesome places blur the line between reality and fantasy.
Sounds exciting, right? Wait no more—here are the best immersive experiences in Toronto you need to book right now.
Sandbox VR
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Website: https://sandboxvr.com/toronto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandboxvr
Address: 21 Wellesley St W #1
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 12:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Friday: 12:30 PM – 12 AM
Saturday: 10 AM – 12:30 AM
Sunday: 10 AM – 11 PM
Contact: (416) 964-6666
Sandbox VR is your ticket to another world—literally. It offers a full-body, immersive VR experience that combines cutting-edge tech with fine storytelling.
Each player gets suited up with a headset, haptic vest, motion sensors, and other high-end gear. Don’t worry if you’re a newbie—the staff will assist you and explain how the whole thing works.
What’s cool is that you have access to a rotating lineup of 7 games—think zombie hunts, fantasy quests, and space battles. My favorites are “Seekers of the Shard” and, of course, “Squid Game.”
These stories are top-tier, which is not surprising since they were crafted by EA, SONY, and Ubisoft. There’s also a high level of detail and wild visuals throughout—these immediately make you want to play again after a game ends.
Pro Tip:
Sandbox VR fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Make sure to book your game online in advance.
Paradise Theatre
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Website: https://paradiseonbloor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradiseonbloor/
Address: 1006c Bloor St W
Hours: Depends on the show (door may open 30 to 60 minutes before each show)
Contact: [email protected]
If you’re a music lover, Paradise Theatre’s Candelight Concerts are the perfect immersive experience. Imagine just the flickering glow of candles, plus swelling music in a gorgeous art deco theater.
Past performances include the incredible A.R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer, and Joanna Majoko, just to name a few.
Note that this venue partners with Fever for all Candlelight Concert events. Students and seniors get discounted tickets, while lucky mailing list members can score discount codes every month.
The doors open 45 minutes before showtime, and no late entry is allowed. And when the concert’s over, you’re just steps away from Cafe Paradise (their sister business next door), which serves rich coffee and flaky pastries.
Pro Tip:
After a Paradise Theatre Candlelight Concert, visit the Blue Door Wine Shop next door. You can have a nightcap at the bar or book a lovely wine tasting.
Bubble Planet Experience
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Website: https://bubble-planet.com/toronto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubbleplanetexperience/
Address: Downsview Airport, 30 Hanover Road, Lands
Hours: Thursday: 2 PM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 2 PM – 7:30 PM
Sat – Sun: 12 PM – 7:30 PM
Contact: https://support.feverup.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Ever dreamed of living inside a bubble (or at least swimming through a room full of them)? Then, book a visit to Bubble Planet, a surreal immersive experience in the TO.
This colorful activity is packed with themed rooms like the LED Room, Bubble Ocean, Giant Bubbles, and the fan-favorite Bubble Bath. It doesn’t matter if you’re two or 82—I guarantee that everyone will have a blast here.
It’s not just about looking—you get to touch, bounce, splash, and dive gently into all kinds of bubbly zones. Just note that popular rooms like the Bubble Bath can get crowded, so you should arrive early.
As for tickets, they’re reasonably priced, starting around $26 for kids and $34 for adults.
Pro Tip:
Coming with a large group of around 25? I recommend coordinating with Bubble Planet so that you can snag a nifty group discount.
Nova Exhibition
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Website: https://www.novaexhibition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novaexhibition/
Address: 1381 Castlefield Ave, York
Hours: Tue – Sun: 11 AM – 9 PM
Contact: [email protected]
The Nova Exhibition is one of the most powerful immersive experiences the city has seen. It invites visitors to bear witness to the tragic events of the Nova Music Festival massacre that happened on October 7, 2023.
You’ll walk through remnants from the festival grounds: burnt-out cars, shattered stalls, and scattered personal items. And you’ll also hear raw survivor testimonies that add a human layer to this tragedy.
After moving through the wreckage, you’ll reach the Healing Room, a sanctuary dedicated to peace. Here, you can reflect on the resilience of the Tribe of Nova.
This exhibition had powerful runs in New York, L.A., and Miami before arriving in Toronto. We recommend giving yourself at least two hours to take it all in.
Pro Tip:
After walking through the entire Nova Exhibition, take a moment to grab a quiet coffee or go for a walk nearby. This will give you the time and mental space to process everything you’ve seen.
Arcadia Earth
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Website: https://www.arcadiaearth.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiaearth/
Address: 486 Front St W, Building C
Hours: Thurs, Sun: 12 PM – 5 PM
Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM
Contact: +1 877-634-3490
Located downtown at the Well, Arcadia Earth offers jaw-dropping visuals with meaningful messages about sustainability and our role in shaping the future.
I just love walking through dreamy underwater scenes, glowing fantasy lands, and larger-than-life installations. Make sure your phone is at 100%, too, since it will be full of pics by the end of the session!
Each exhibit here is designed to teach you something real about the environment. From the way we consume plastic to how we treat marine life, they make each mini-lesson fun and memorable.
Amazingly, the place is powered by tech like augmented reality, projection mapping, and even VR. You’ll also get an iPad at the start to help bring the AR elements to life.
Pro Tip:
Arcadia Earth has a private event space you can book for a special occasion like a corporate outing, birthday, or product launch. Where else to throw a party than in a totally cool immersive setting?
The NEW Immersive Van Gogh
Media credit: immersivevangogh
Website: https://www.vangoghexhibit.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immersivevangogh
Address: 1 Yonge St
Hours: Wed – Fri: 12:45 PM – 7:15 PM
Saturday: 10:45 AM – 7:15 PM
Sunday: 11:45 AM – 6:15 PM
Contact: +1 844-307-4644
The NEW Immersive Van Gogh is set inside the Lighthouse ArtSpace building, the former location of the Toronto Star’s printing presses. This revamped version moves away from Provence’s sun-drenched countryside to Van Gogh’s final days.
I just love its immersive projections powered by next-gen visuals that turn every wall, ceiling, and corner into magic. All in all, it’s dreamy, thought-provoking, and intimate.
Group outing? Date night? Family day? It all works here—in fact, if you’re a group of 6 or more, you’ll get a nice discount. Just make sure to book from their group ticket page.
And don’t worry, phones are welcome here. However, don’t forget to put it down every once in a while to be fully in the moment.
Pro Tip:
Get there early so you can snag a comfy spot in the main projection hall. Some of the best moments happen when you’re lying back and letting the entire room move around you.
Illuminarium
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Website: https://www.illuminarium.com/toronto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illuminariumtor/
Address: 28 Distillery Lane
Hours: Mon, Wed – Sun: 11 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (289) 998-4441
Illuminarium offers giant projections that throw you into incredible worlds. One minute you’re on the moon, the next, you’re locking eyes with an African lion.
The technology is top-notch, with floor-to-ceiling visuals, incredible lighting, and immersive, crystal-clear sound. It’s one of those rare experiences that feels fun and fascinating.
Before you go, I recommend popping into the Illuminarium Shop for quirky souvenirs. You can even snap a few pics at the photo booth or in the venue—in fact, the staff are happy to help you get that perfect shot.
A little heads up—the spot also doubles as a top-tier event space, with stylish interiors and epic projection tech. Keep this venue in mind when planning a private bash or company do.
Pro Tip:
If you have plans after, time your visit to the Illuminarium properly. Give yourself at least an hour and a half to take it all in (don’t rush!).
Immersive Frida Kahlo
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Website: https://immersive-frida.com/toronto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fridaimmersive/
Address: 1 Yonge St
Hours: Depends on the show
Contact: +1 844-307-4644
Immersive Frida Kahlo is a larger-than-life exhibit that takes the work of Frida and transforms it into a stunning 360-degree experience.
While walking through the gallery, you’ll see Frida’s paintings projected across the space, with brushstrokes that feel like they’re dancing. It’s a journey through her life, including the pain and love she felt.
It’s not just about the sights. Paired with music, it creates a sensory experience that really sticks with you long after you get home.
You don’t have to be a Frida fan to enjoy the exhibit either. Her story is very accessible, and I think anyone would feel empowered by it.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out. There’s some seriously cool Frida-inspired merch that makes for perfect keepsakes or gifts.
Museum of Illusions
Media credit: museumofillusions_toronto
Website: https://www.museumofillusions.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museumofillusions_toronto/
Address: 132 Front St E
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 889-2285
Looking for something quirky, mind-bending, and Instaworthy? Go to the Museum of Illusions, like right now! This place is packed with optical tricks and brain-twisting exhibits that are as fun to photograph as they are to experience.
What’s cool is that the Toronto location is the second-largest Museum of Illusions in the world, right after Dubai. Plus, it’s the first one to open in Canada.
As for the exhibits, I love their Tilted Room, where your sense of balance gets thrown completely off. It looks like a normal space, but your body will swear otherwise!
Another cool gallery is the Vortex Tunnel, where the room spins around you (but not really). This makes even the most confident walkers feel like they’re wobbling through a funhouse.
Pro Tip:
Before going to the Museum of Illusions, skip the heavy breakfast or brunch. Some rooms, like the Vortex Tunnel, can really mess with your sense of balance (meaning, you might lose your lunch).
Disney Immersive Experience
Media credit: romtoronto
Website: https://www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/exhibitions/nature-brilliant-colour
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romtoronto/
Address: 100 Queens Park
Hours: (416) 586-8000
Contact: Tue – Sun: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Walking through Nature in Brilliant Color at the ROM is like walking through a living rainbow, where each room focuses on a different color in nature. From fiery reds to calming blues, you’ll have a new appreciation for the wild world.
Right off the bat, the exhibit kicks off with a lesson in vision—for instance, did you know that dogs only see shades of yellow and blue? There’s even an interactive activity where you can play with colored lenses and light.
You can explore over 200 specimens and immersive rooms with glowing projections and ambient soundscapes. When I was there, I loved seeing poison frogs, peacocks, baboons—even the sparkling scales of iridescent fish.
Beyond the wow factors, the exhibit also explains the how of color, breaking down pigments and light reflections.
Pro Tip:
If you want to see Nature in Brilliant Colour, book your tickets ahead of time. You’ll get better pricing and avoid the lines, especially during weekends and holidays.
