Otherworld opened in Columbus, Ohio on May 24, 2019. It is an interactive art museum that features over 40 rooms in its 32,000 square foot space. Each room is different but all serve as part of the larger story. Otherworld’s story is that each person who enters is a beta tester at Otherworld Industries, a pioneering tech company specializing in alternate realm tourism, according to the museum’s website. There is also no mention of the exhibit being temporary, so expect it to be around!
Each of the rooms was designed by different artists, with over 40 artists featured. Rooms change and are added to all the time and guests can plan to spend two or three hours inside in order to see everything Otherworld has to offer. From the moment guests enter, they are transported to a new world. No two rooms are the same and there’s no shortage of puzzles, mazes, and interactivity to keep guests of all ages happy.
The low lighting, soft music, and touchable textures mean that those with sensory issues should have no problem with this museum. However, there is a funhouse tunnel and LED lightbar room that may cause issues for some, so be sure and ask a guide where they are to avoid them. Otherworld can be explored in any pattern or manner, with no right or wrong path through the rooms, however, if guests want the best experience, ask the guides how to navigate. Guides are Otherworld employees that patrol the floor of the museum to help guests and can be identified by their shirts and badges.
Otherworld is a perfect mix of whimsical, sci-fi, and creative that guests of all ages will find something to love. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike and is a great family outing, a perfect hangout for teens or college students, and an excellent date night spot for couples. After touring the museum, guests can head to the gift shop to pick up a variety of merchandise to remember the experience. Merchandise ranges from shirts and hoodies to magnets, pins, and stickers, as well as plushies. Currently, there are four characters with one having three styles. There’s Snort, the largest of the group who is pink and purple with a long tail that ends in a triangle. There’s Schmolder, who comes in large, medium, and baby, and Miss Schmuffly, who is a narwhal-esque character. The last is Schmuffin, a teal green catlike keychain. These characters, as well as others, can also be found on other merchandise in the store as well.
Jeri Hensley
Managing Editor