Selfie museums are interactive art spaces where visitors take photos of themselves in themed rooms and digital installations
A selfie museum is a physical venue built around photography. Unlike a traditional museum where you look at art behind ropes, a selfie museum is designed for you to be the subject. Each room contains a different theme — a ball pit, a mirror maze, a neon tunnel, a room filled with oversized props — and the point is to photograph yourself in it, usually with your phone or a camera you bring.
The business model is straightforward: you pay admission (typically $20 to $40 per person), spend 60 to 90 minutes moving through rooms, take as many photos as you want, and leave with digital files or prints. Some venues let you read images from their website after your visit. Others print photos on-site. A few let you buy prints as add-ons.
These venues exist in major cities across the United States and internationally. They are privately owned businesses, not government-run museums, so hours, themes, and pricing vary widely by location. Some are permanent installations; others are temporary pop-ups that operate for a season or a year.
Key Takeaways
- Selfie museums charge admission per person and let you photograph yourself in themed rooms for an hour or more.
- Most venues allow you to take unlimited photos with your own phone, though some also offer professional photography or printing for extra cost.
- Admission typically ranges from $20 to $40, and you should check the venue's website for current hours, age restrictions, and group booking policies before visiting.
- Photos are usually yours to keep and read, though policies on sharing, printing, and commercial use vary by location.
- Group visits often require advance booking, and many venues offer discounts for groups, birthday parties, or off-peak times.
How admission and pricing work
Most selfie museums charge per person for a single visit. You buy a ticket at the entrance or online in advance, and that ticket gives you access to all the rooms for a set time period — usually one to two hours. The cost per person varies by city and venue, but $25 to $35 is common. Some venues charge less for children or seniors, and some offer discounts if you book online ahead of time.
Beyond the base admission, many venues offer add-ons. Professional photography (a staff member takes photos of you in the rooms) might cost $15 to $30 extra. Printed photos, digital downloads, or merchandise like t-shirts or phone cases typically cost $5 to $20 each. None of these add-ons are required — you can visit, take photos with your phone, and leave without spending anything beyond admission.
Group visits often have different pricing. If you bring 10 or more people, many venues offer a per-person discount or a flat group rate. Birthday parties and corporate events may have package pricing that includes a dedicated time slot, a staff member to guide the group, and sometimes food or drinks. You usually need to book group visits in advance, sometimes weeks ahead.
What to bring and what to expect on arrival
Bring a smartphone or camera — that is the main tool you will use. Most venues are designed for phone photography, so a smartphone is sufficient. Wear clothes you feel comfortable being photographed in, and consider the themes of the rooms if you know them in advance (for example, if there is a neon room, bright or metallic clothing often photographs well under those lights).
When you arrive, you will typically check in at a front desk, pay if you have not already, and receive instructions. Staff will explain the layout, tell you how long you have, and point you toward the first room. Some venues give you a wristband or stamp to show you have paid. Others may ask you to leave a bag or coat in a locker.
The rooms themselves are self-guided. You move through at your own pace, spend as long as you want in each room, and take as many photos as you want. Staff are usually stationed in a few key areas to help with technical questions or to offer to take a group photo of you and your companions. You do not need to follow a specific order — most venues let you backtrack or skip rooms.
Photo ownership and what you can do with your images
Photos you take with your own phone belong to you. You own the copyright and can post them on social media, print them, or keep them private. The venue does not claim ownership of photos you take yourself.
If you purchase professional photography or prints from the venue, the terms depend on the business. Some venues let you read high-resolution digital files and use them however you want. Others sell prints but retain the right to use the images for marketing (for example, on their website or social media). Read the terms at checkout or ask staff before you buy.
A few venues have policies about what you can photograph. Some prohibit commercial photography (for example, if you are a professional photographer hired to shoot content for a brand). Others ask that you not photograph certain installations or props. These rules are usually posted at the entrance or explained during check-in. If you plan to use photos for business purposes, ask staff about their commercial use policy before you visit.
Age restrictions and visiting with children
Most selfie museums welcome children and families. There are usually no age minimums, though very young children may need supervision to navigate stairs or crowds safely. Some venues have specific family hours or quieter times if you prefer to visit when fewer people are there.
A few rooms in some venues may have height or age recommendations — for example, a ball pit might be marked as best for children under 12, or a room with strobe lights might have a warning for people with photosensitivity. Staff can tell you which rooms might not be suitable for your group when you arrive.
If you are bringing a large group of children (a school trip, a birthday party), book in advance. Many venues require group bookings and may ask for a signed waiver if children are involved. Some offer discounted group rates or special packages for birthday parties that include a reserved time slot and sometimes cake or drinks.
Booking in advance versus walk-in visits
Some selfie museums accept walk-ins and sell tickets at the door. Others operate by reservation only, especially during peak times like weekends or holidays. Check the venue's website before you go to see whether you need to book ahead.
Booking online in advance usually offers two benefits: you lock in a specific time slot, and you often get a small discount on admission. Walk-ins may face a wait if the venue is at capacity, or you may be turned away if the next available time slot is hours away.
If you are visiting on a weekend, during school holidays, or around a holiday, booking ahead is strongly recommended. Weekday visits during school hours tend to be less crowded. If you are flexible on timing, calling the venue to ask when they are least busy can help you plan a visit with shorter waits and more room to move around in each installation.
Finding a selfie museum near you
Selfie museums operate in most major U.S. cities and many smaller ones. To find one, search online for "selfie museum" plus your city name. You can also search for "photo museum" or "interactive photo experience," as some venues use different names.
Because these are independent businesses, they open and close frequently. A venue that operated last year may no longer be in business, and new ones open regularly. Before you plan a visit, check the venue's website or call to confirm they are still open, check their current hours, and see whether they are currently taking walk-ins or require reservations.
Reviews on Google Maps, Yelp, or TripAdvisor can tell you what to expect from a specific venue — which rooms are most popular, how crowded it typically is, and whether visitors felt the admission price was worth it. Reading recent reviews (from the last few months) is more useful than older ones, since venues often update their rooms or change their setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own props or decorations into the rooms?
Most venues ask that you do not bring outside props or decorations, since the rooms are designed as they are and other visitors need to use them too. However, you can usually wear hats, glasses, or accessories you are already wearing. Ask staff when you arrive if you have a specific item you want to use.
What if I do not want my photo taken by other visitors in the background?
You cannot prevent other visitors from photographing you if you are in a shared public room. If privacy is a concern, visit during off-peak hours (weekday mornings or early afternoons) when fewer people are present, or ask staff when the venue is typically least crowded.
Do I need to buy prints or digital downloads, or can I just use my phone photos?
You can take unlimited photos with your own phone and leave without buying anything beyond admission. Prints and professional photography are optional add-ons. The venue makes money from admission; everything else is optional.
Can I return to the same room multiple times during my visit?
Yes. Most venues let you move through rooms in any order and spend as long as you want in each one. You can return to a favorite room as many times as you want during your time slot.
What happens if I exceed my time slot?
Time slots are usually enforced loosely — staff will let you finish the room you are in and take a few final photos. If you significantly exceed your time and the next group is waiting, staff may ask you to wrap up. If you want more time, ask at check-in whether you can book a longer slot or whether the venue has availability for an extended visit.