Discover the Surreal Wonders of Mercer Labs, NYC’s Most Mind-Bending New Experience

I love New York, and there's no place in this country where there are more things to do, see, and eat in a geographical area than in Manhattan. I could easily spend all day walking the streets and seeing what unique destinations I uncover—except, sometimes, in the summer. Then, the sun beats down, and New York feels like the Baked Apple! That's the perfect time to find an indoor activity to spend hours in during the heat of the day, and there's no better one to choose than Mercer Labs, a unique interactive art museum in New York that features some of the most surreal visuals and art installations you'll ever encounter.

A relatively new exhibit located in Lower Manhattan in the Museum of Arts and Technology, it's quickly become one of the hottest tickets in town. The current exhibit, designed by Israeli artist Roy Nachum, combines technology and bold colors into a truly one-of-a-kind destination that has to be seen to be believed.

Lower Manhattan is one of the most densely populated areas in the city, with a complex network of streets that can be easily confusing. You might have passed Mercer Labs once or twice, and either ignored it or assumed it was a routine museum or scientific building. It's anything but—it might be the biggest surprise in New York.

As you step inside, you'll be welcomed into the unique world of Maestros and the Machines, an interactive and large-scale art installation by Roy Nachum that takes inspiration from the iconic artistic works of legends like Da Vinci and Mozart, but reinvents them with modern and futuristic technology.

Past, present, and future join forces at this huge-scale art museum, which puts you at the center of some truly dazzling displays. The life-size human chess board is one of the most impressive set pieces at the museum—if you step onto it, you might feel like you're in Alice in Wonderland, at the mercy of the Queen of Hearts' moves!

In total, you'll find fifteen unique rooms in the Mercer Labs complex, each one taking you into a different surreal world. The museum utilizes color, sights, and sounds to transport you with each step you take. Every visit is a little different as you choose how to interact with the exhibits and discover hidden secrets. It's the kind of experience that's best experienced with someone else, as you each might notice something the other had no idea existed.

Have you explored the mystery and magic of Mercer Labs before? If not, this interactive art museum in New York is waiting. Tell a friend about this article and book your tickets on the Mercer Labs website. You can also see more pictures of the current exhibit on the Mercer Labs Facebook page. I think a destination this special deserves a meal equally special to end the day, so why not book a meal at Le Coucou, the best French restaurant in New York?