7 Tips For Visiting The Immersive Van Gogh Experience

I’m sure you’ve been seeing the ads for the Immersive Van Gogh experience all over your city and Facebook feed lately. I sure have!

As a huge fan of Vincent Van Gogh (and extremely bored looking at our walls all pandemic long) my husband and I booked tickets to go see the Van Gogh art show here in San Francisco.

It was magical and so fun – but I also walked away with a few tips I wish I had known before I went, that I want to share with you for your first visit!

What Is The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Exactly?

The Van Gogh Immersive Experience is a traveling art exhibit. It’s been all over the United States ( New York, Chicago, etc) and will probably be coming to your city soon this year. It’s also been in Europe, like Paris and Berlin.

There’s a pre-made movie of Van Gogh’s art that gets projected up on the walls to make a seamless immersive visual experience. It’s timed to music, about 35 minutes long, and basically is like a fever dream meets a museum.

I felt like I was living inside a painting.

French-Canadian Creative Director Mathieu St. Arnaud and the team at Normal Studio brought Van Gogh’s art to life in the best way possible. Think: the light reflecting on the water in Starry Night moved like real light would if you were viewing it at night.

The sun moved across the horizon in the Haystacks to make you feel like you were outside in the fields, too. It took me to a whole other world.

Did you watch Emily in Paris? Remember the Van Gogh Atelier de Lumieres scene where Emily and Gabriel sit on the floor with ~sexual tension~? It’s the same team that puts on the US experience! 

Immersive Van Gogh Experience Visitor  Tips (Know Before You Go!) 

You’re going to love your visit! But before you go (or even book Van Gogh tickets) there are a few things you should probably know.

1. Get a Flex Pass

It’s more expensive and I’ll be honest – I only got us some because the regular general admission wasn’t available anymore at our location for the week we wanted to go. But come the day of our visit to the exhibition hub, I was totally into our Flex Pass options.

It allows you to arrive up to 2 hours ahead of your time slot / timed ticket, instead of 15 minutes before, which takes the pressure of arriving on the exact time. They have timed entry to make sure it’s not too crowded. 

You can also rebook for a different date with the Flex Pass which you may need if you get -let’s say, COVID or even the vaccine and feel like shit the day you had booked to see the show. So, purchase tickets that allow some flexibility to be safe. 

2. Ask for earplugs (or bring your own)

The show gets LOUD. I’ve always had sensitive hearing (fire trucks at parades as a kid were murder!) so I knew based on how loud the sound was outside the room that I would get a headache and be really comfortable without earplugs. Thankfully, they provide them for free.

I recommend you grab a pair, even if you think you may not need them. Hearing is something you can’t grow back so it’s always smart to protect your ears.

3. Wear comfy clothes to sit on the ground

As you probably have seen on all the ads, there’s tons of social distancing circles on the ground for guests to sit in away from each other. Some. of the circles have benches, but most are floor seating.

Make sure you wear outfits that are comfy to sit on the ground in (aka no tight mini skirts or jeans!)

4. Wear flats (no heels)

There is standing room and a whole platform viewing area (with stairs involved) that you may want to go up on. The room is really dark for the art to be projected and viewed, so for that reason, I suggest you wear flats.

Just so you have an easier time walking around in the dark, or standing for the one hour you’ll be in there. 

5. Come High

This is a virtual reality show after all. If you partake in cannabis (it’s legal here in California) I highly recommend you eat an edible or something prior to coming to the show.

The projections of his work were beautiful sober but would have been taken to a whole different level high. Just saying.

6. Stay for at least an hour

The show is about 35 minutes long and runs in a loop. I suggest you find a nice circle to sit in to view it completely once. And then get up and walk around, maybe go on the viewing platform, for another 20-30 minutes to take in the art a slightly different way.

Pro tip: this would make a great stop before a dinner date! Or with children!

7. Make sure flash is turned off on your phone

Most phones (at least iPhones) these days will automatically turn the flash on in dark spaces. I didn’t notice this happening when I tried to take a video and a guard immediately ran over to yell at me for using a flash.

SO, learn from my mistake and double-check your flash is off before you start recording.

Love Doctor Who?
If you love Doctor Who (we’re big fans!) go home and watch the Van Gogh episode. It’s Season 5, Episode 10. TRUST ME.

via GIPHY

Immersive Van Gogh Review

If you can’t tell, I loved the immersive exhibition show in San Francisco.

We went on a weekday so it wasn’t very busy and overall was just a super cool and original art experience I’ve never had before. We also are both big fans of Van Gogh’s work to being with, so that helped.

Normally I would have to go to the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands or other art museums around the world to see his art, but this digital exhibit came to me.

I totally recommend this show for art lovers or anyone looking for a unique date idea. I’m not sure if kids would like it – that’s something you’d have to chat to your own kids about. I bet some younger folks would love to imagine they are in the paintings with you. 

Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Locations 2023

They’re going all over the world! I’m trying to keep this list updated, but here are some of the places you can find the show:

Toronto, CA
Location: Lighthouse ArtSpace Toronto

Chicago, IL
When: February 11, 2021–February 14, 2022
Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Club

San Francisco, CA
When: March 18, 2021–March 6, 2022
Where: SVN West San Francisco (formerly the Fillmore West)

Los Angeles, CA
When: May 27, 2021– 2023 (TBD end date)
Where: Lighthouse Los Angeles (the former Amoeba Music Building)

Minneapolis, MN
When: August 2, 2021–February 27, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Minneapolis

Dallas, TX
When: August 9, 2021–February 28, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Dallas in the East Quarter

Phoenix, AZ
When: August 26, 2021–March 13, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Artspace, 4301 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

Cleveland, Ohio
When: September 9, 2021–March 6, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Artspace, 850 E. 72nd Street, Cleveland

Las Vegas
When: September 13, 2021–March 13, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Las Vegas at the Shops at Crystals (adjacent to Aria Resort & Casino)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
When: September 23, 2021–March 20, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Artspace, 720 E. Lacock Street, Pittsburgh

Denver, CO
When: September 30, 2021–February 21, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Denver (in the former Regency Hotel)

Houston, TX
When: October 14, 2021–February 6, 2022
Where: 1314 Brittmoore Road, Houston

Columbus, Ohio
When: October 28, 2021–February 27, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Artspace, 940 Polaris Parkway, Columbus

Detroit, MI
When: February 3–April 10, 2022

Nashville, TN
When: February 17–April 17, 2022
Where: Lighthouse Artspace, 4416 Ridgefield Way, Nashville

San Antonio, TX
When: February 24–May 8, 2022

Kansas City, Missouri
When: February 28–2023

Orlando, Florida
When: October 7, 2021–January 9, 2022
Where: Orange County Convention Center

New York City, NY
When: June 14, 2021–January 2, 2022
Where: Pier 36 NYC

Charlotte, North Carolina
When: June 17, 2021–January 2, 2022
Where: Ford building at Camp North End

Boston, MA
When: Spring 2023 (TBD)
Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace At The Castle Boston

Oh, and if you go make sure to check out the gift shop at the end… it’s wild. It’s almost like an additional experience in itself. Some of the gift shops are filled with sunflowers and some are a little calmer, but they’re all fun. I overall had a lot of fun at the Van Gough experience. 

Did you go? I would love to hear what you thought in the comments below. Got questions? Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram @thewhimsysoul and I’d be happy to help.

Kara

I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration!

112 comments

  1. Did you get a Van Gogh cushion with your VIP ticket? My sister (73) and I (70) are going to the Charlotte Immersive Van Gogh. Is the cushion big enough to sit on? I am concerned about having to stand for a long time with back issues. I don’t think Chlt has benches, just some folding chairs, and I am afraid they may all be taken.
    Thanks for your tips.

    1. We didn’t get cushions. When we went in, the usher person did tell us to let him know if we couldn’t find chairs and they would help us out if we wanted some, so I would suggest asking when you get there!

    1. No, unfortunately it says lawn chairs are not allowed but there is a ticket option which comes w a rental cushion:)

      1. DITTO … Can we take our own chairs? Or maybe I should pull out my wheelchair? Can you take your wheelchair in?

  3. I think you’re a fucking idiot for recommending that ppl go to this exhibit “high.”
    What an irresponsible and unconscionable comment.

    1. I think you’re a fucking idiot for your rude ass comment. If its legal what’s the difference if she has suggested to buy drinks? She didn’t say light up in the fucking museum. Its walking around a museum, not operating heavy machinery, there’s nothing irresponsible about relaxing and admiring artwork.

      4. Totally with you, Amanda. We’ll be going to see the show in Houston, TX the first week of December, and I THANK YOU for your comment and will be sure to safely practice your suggestion 🙂

      5. Driving there high is ILLEGAL

        and Children dont need to be around your high antics.

      6. Nicely done Amanda !! I wish that I would have thought of that. The people that that REALLY need an audible, are the ones freaking out over your comment. Too many Karen’s out there.

      7. Lighten up Lisa. We are all adults here. It was just a suggestion for the responsible adults who get high and stay home and enjoy the peacefulness. I don’t partake but I’m not going to stop someone else from doing it. As a matter of fact, if any of my “partaker” friends do go, I will advise of the recommendation.

      8. Amanda WORD I agree with you, I, in fact, will use Psilocybin (cough, cough), so the hell with Lisa party pooper 45 yo virgin.

    3. I totally agree with you, you shouldn’t recommend people to go high and to the other comment below, you shouldn’t go drunk either 🙄

    4. I totally agree with you, you shouldn’t recommend people to go high and to the other comment below, you shouldn’t go drunk either 🙄

    5. Agreed – I have a teenage daughter who wants to go and the last thing I want is her to be around that dynamic

      2. Getting a little to dramatic and reading into things a bit too much don’t you think? Also she said gummy not a big fat joint smoking up in the bathroom. I don’t do either but would not have an issue as you typically would have NO clue if someone took one or not – it’s NOT ACID.

    6. Lisa will have less fun at this event than the rest of us. She’s just gonna go swear and complain.

      1. I’m going tomorrow in Pittsburgh! I really appreciate these tips everyone of them👍Especially #5! Thank you ❤️ Ps ignore the haters and their closed minds✌🏻

    8. It is legal where the exhibit is happening and while you don’t have to get high before the exhibit, if you are someone who enjoys getting high, you will appreciate this exhibit enjoying that experience. If you don’t, you shouldn’t be so uptight about those who do. Welcome to a new generation, where “getting high” is not an irresponsible thing. Get over yourself.

      1. Driving while under the influence is ILLEGAL.

        or are you crawling to the venue on your knees.

        What a waste of $ to be wasted at an even & not remember anything… except for the person you kill with your car driving through a city while on drugs

    10. Relax Lisa! It’s no different than having a glass of wine and maybe you should try it and chill out! It’s legal now.

      1. drving while intoxicated with drugs (booze, weed, pills, etc) is illegal and deadly. How much of an addict are you to not be away from drugd for 35 min show.

    12. I disagree. I found it very useful and I thank the poster for this recommendation. To each his own, right?

    16. I’m going to get high. IF I was still young enough I would trip too. Those days are decades long gone though lol

    19. I was appreciative of the advice, honestly. Looking to go in Boston, where it is legal as well. We’ll be taking Ubers, so why not? No need to be a turd.

    20. I agree, cannabis is not a good idea. Magic mushrooms is clearly a far superior option for an immersive art exhibit. 🍄 🍄 🍄

    22. Lighten up ..silly .. what’s wrong with enhancing your experience which cannabis will do? Silly

    23. Funniest part of her post.

      Heads-up internet protocol: don’t like something someone posts on THEIR PAGE? Click away. Don’t be a douchebag troll. You’ll be a happier/better person for It, and people won’t hate you.

    24. Lighten up Lisa. We are all adults here. It was just a suggestion for the responsible adults who get high and stay home and enjoy the peacefulness. I don’t partake but I’m not going to stop someone else from doing it. As a matter of fact, if any of my “partaker” friends do go, I will advise of the recommendation.

  4. I went to the one in Chicago yesterday and I was glad to have read your blog before I went. It was a wonderful experience. I don’t personally partake in marijuana but I can see what you mean. The experience would have been taken to a whole another level with a little harmless stimuli. Thank you for the useful tips and info!

      1. just high idiots walking around. same issue just your different choice of drug.
        People on drugs are not getting smart, just more stupid, and deadly in this town driving under influence

      1. In California, there are stores like Weed Walmarts.
        In Illinois, buy $70, pay $100 in Weed store bc 30% tax for politicians to “improve schools” (immediately spend with no conscience nor oversight.)

  5. So seating…if there are no seats available, and the usher cannot “provide” another, and the floor is not an option… it is okay to wander around the room to experience the event and not be an annoyance to the other observers who remain stationary? Thank you… just hard to imagine this venue.

  6. Still considering going with my 12 yr old kid. I would prefer to sit on a chair instead of the floor (cushion or not). Wonder how accomodating they would be?

  8. I’m wanting to go soon. It’s here in Atlanta. Can’t wait. Thanks for your help and what a rude person to take and read your info and then have the nerve to judge. I think you were right on .

  11. Honestly I am a conservative Christian and I appreciated your posts. Kindness is classy, lets focus on the good and this was a good review. You are an amazing individual to show up and share your experience with me and others. Thank you Kara!

    1. I have read every site regarding these fucking rental cushions and can’t find the rental price! Help Dammit

  12. I’m excited for the show in October! I saved a cushion during check out. This will be an outing with my mother.

  13. Going tomorrow with my 24 year old daughter. We’re both in love with Van Gogh and his beautiful art!

  14. Your review is greatly appreciated Kara! I am going in October in Cleveland, Ohio. I am a huge Van Gogh fan. Will definitely be seeing his art live and in person one day. Thank you again for the tips. Because I was about to order a dress for the occasion.

  15. I went yesterday to the exhibit in New York. The exhibit ends this Sunday. There are three ticket levels, Basic, Premium (also called Flex), and VIP. Premium and VIP both allow Flex – come up to 2 hours before or after. Otherwise, the Basic ticket allows 15 minutes before or after. Since I wanted to be there a 3pm and the 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4 pm were all sold out, I got a 5pm Premium ticket – more expensive – and got there at 3:05 pm. No problem. With the VIP ticket you get a Van Gogh cushion to take home. With the Premium ticket, you get the same cushion to use while you are there.
    The exhibit was very good and I enjoyed it.

  16. Has anyone been to this with a younger child or seen a toddler there while visiting? My kiddo does pretty good with things, but am unsure if this is something we could do together. He is two. With the music and it moving and all, I would love to try it. Definitely do not want to disturb others. Thank you.

    1. I took my 4 year old granddaughter for her 4th birthday, She absolutely loved it. I gave her a children’s book about Van Gogh in advance so she knew his story (no friends) and could recognize the paintings. The one we went to in St Petersburg, FL was not exactly the same as this, but same concept. The music was wonderful and she danced in front of the paintings. I think giving her the book was a very important part of her appreciation of the exhibit. ‘Van Gogh and the Sunflowers.’

  17. I will be going to the one in Toronto. I was going to buy the basic admission…but was just wondering, do we have to leave in 1 hour? Since it is timed admission I was just worried they would force me to leave within the hour….

  18. Can anybody share what the rental (or take home) cushion looks like? I’m interested in it but would like to see what it looks like first.

  19. I am attending in Minneapolis and they said I can bring my own cushion, just so it isn’t so big it interferes with others moving around the room. Darn, so I can’t move in my sofa. Thanks for the reviews!

  20. This was very helpful, thank you! I did get a chuckle though, at your recommendation *not* to wear jeans. As a girl who lives and breathes in jeans, I can’t imagine anything *more* comfortable to sit on the floor in. (Hmm… maybe sweats or yoga pants? but I’ve never owned either in my life.) Anyway, thanks for the great insights regarding what to expect! Going tonight in AZ!

  21. Curious…. Can those that have seen this amazing show, do you think it would be too much for someone who suffers from sensory overload by getting very dizzy. I can’t go to surround movies, one time I had to crawl out on my hands and knees. I would so love to see this but a little apprehensive at the same time. TIA

    1. Cindy, I too suffer from bad motion sickness. I was thinking of taking a Mecclazine (sp) that you can buy from any Pharmacy. It might help.

  24. Those asking about the floor pillow…. I was wondering the same thing, and after doing some super awesome detective work, I noticed in one of the photos (under explanation #2- bring earplugs) there is a lady towards the left holding her cushion. In the same photo on the right side, there is a cushion placed on the floor. Hopefully between the two views, more people can have a better idea of the size and thickness!

    1. Thank you for the information. I’ve been searching Google trying to get a glimpse of the cushion.

  25. Cushion is a little bigger then a record album. 2 inch of padding. Not super comfy, but it’s only 38 minutes

    1. Lol EXACTLY. People are freaking out that they have to “stand” and or sit for less than an hour.
      Wow………

  26. Let all the druggies, addicts, and drunks do what they want to do. It’s their life to destroy, so why not? Just no driving high or drunk and people should be okay with letting people mess their lives anyway they want to see fit. You go, you! Be the (person?) you were meant to be!

  27. No need for anyone to be rude. Best thing to do when someone makes a comment like that is to ignore them. You are giving them what they want….attention. We are going Friday to see the exhibit and I appreciate all the advice Kara. Very helpful. I’m so excited!

  28. i am going today in Orlando, i appreciate the tips. i am getting older so my back can’t take standing in one place to long. The edible will help with the experience and the pain!!!

  29. If you are thinking of going to this exhibit…… I highly advise against it. General admin tickets were $55 and a complete waste of the cash. This exhibit is set in one large room with tons of other people. It’s a 35aminutr long edit of Van Gogh’s artwork melting into each other. If you’re into acid, then maybe this would be worth the $55. But if not, you’ll sit on the ground on your butt for 35 minutes thinking about what better things you could have been doing with the money you spent on those tickets.

    1. which location was this at? some are better that others. the set ups are different based on the building they use.

  30. Fascinating cultural experience right here seeing how happiness and sharing of joy was completely subverted by one angry person. Yes, the best thing to do with these people is ignore them. Look how people bought into the anger and changed the whole nature of this discussion. Let’s learn from this, Especially in today’s world. When an angry nut job enters any situation, ignore that person! Don’t eat their anger and spit it out. Ignore it ignore it!
    BTW, going to the exhibit tonight. Thanks for the tips!

  31. Thank you for the suggestion. I was contemplating on taking a sativa edible but now I will taking one!
    (MMJ over toxic alcohol any day)

  32. We are going to the exhibition in Bristol England today. Apparently we should be able to follow a link from our tickets to access the online studio before seeing the exhibition but have been unable to do so. Kara did you manage to do this? Many thanks.

  33. Nicely done Amanda !! I wish that I would have thought of that. The people that that REALLY need an edible, are the ones freaking out over your comment. Too many Karen’s out there.

  34. Hahahaha first she didn’t participate merely suggested it would be enjoyable with. And as an artist and knowing plenty of artist both past and present sorry to say but some used it to create the works of art you so enjoy today. Relax a little bit like grandma always said you got nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all. Thanks for the tips they are very appreciated.

  35. Lighten up Lisa. We are all adults here. It was just a suggestion for the responsible adults who get high and stay home and enjoy the peacefulness. I don’t partake but I’m not going to stop someone else from doing it. As a matter of fact, if any of my “partaker” friends do go, I will advise of the recommendation.

  36. I am so looking forward to going, learning about the pillows was kind! I may have to go twice, once au naturel as I am, and I have not taken any Herbals in more that 20 years, because I am happy with my ease at feeling gleefully high in the environments of incredible art creations! But, I will see then if to go again I might want to take the herbs. But, my natural highs are quite spectacular; it just might be a different artistic experience. I will see how I feel, after the pure me experience.

  37. These comments are cracking me up. Why can’t we all just get along? If someone’s choices aren’t hurting or effecting you, why do you care? Seriously Karens, chill out!

    Thx for taking the time to share your experience with us. You sound like a super cool person. I’m on my way now to the exhibit. Super excited!!!!

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