The World's Largest Space Experience Is An Immersive Out Of This World Treat For The Senses

The Infinite is the world's largest immersive space-themed attraction, inviting you on a journey through the cosmos that combines cutting-edge virtual reality with physical installations. Inspired by NASA missions, The Infinite takes visitors aboard the International Space Station (ISS), offering everything from stargazing to deep-space exploration and insights from astronauts. Now open in various cities across North America as well as in Shanghai and Singapore, this experience promises a level of unearthly fun for the family to rival, if not surpass, what you'd find at America's best science museums.

With stellar reviews from thousands of visitors, The Infinite has already welcomed over 400,000 people since it opened in 2021. The experience is designed to be accessible to everyone (children aged 8 to 12 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult) and lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets currently start at $38 per person and should be booked through the official website well in advance.

Organized by INFINITY Experiences in association with TIME Studios, the exhibit is constantly being updated with new installations and content, making it a dynamic and ever-evolving journey through space. While it isn't a sunny beach holiday, The Infinite guarantees an incredible and unique experience for all its visitors.

After donning a virtual reality headset, you're immersed in a meticulously detailed digital recreation of the ISS, where you're free to explore the station's interior and exterior with unprecedented freedom. As you navigate through the virtual space station, you'll encounter a series of glowing spheres, each one featuring a video that provides a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of astronauts. These scenes, captured over a series of years through the use of specialized 360-degree cameras, offer an authentic and personal look at the challenges and triumphs of life in orbit.

The experience is enhanced by multi-sensory elements, like soundscapes and light design, which work in tandem with the visual content to create a truly immersive environment for all the senses. You interact with the videos, move around freely, and learn in an entirely personal way; two people visiting at the same time can have very different experiences. The pinnacle, though, is the spacewalk; filmed in "cinematic VR," you truly feel as if you are working with astronauts outside the ISS.

"I think one important element is the human aspect of space exploration," Éric Albert, co-CEO of Infinity Experiences, explained to the Houston Press. "When you look at Earth from a distance, there's this thing called the 'overview effect,' which the astronauts describe as a tremendous feeling of sentiment." This unique feeling is something many of the reviews for The Infinite mention, and can lead to a deeper connection with Earth. This is only further emphasized by the gentle return to reality, where you pass through a space filled with trees, reinforcing the sense of coming back to our planet.

The result of an ambitious collaboration, this groundbreaking project began with the Emmy Award-winning "Space Explorers: The ISS Experience" series, which forms the core of the immersive exhibition. For three years, the production team shot footage aboard the ISS, resulting in around 200 hours of VR video to use in the exhibition. To achieve this unprecedented feat, the team designed two specialized camera systems capable of operating in the unique environment of space. One model was developed for use within the tight, zero-gravity interior of the ISS, while a more robust camera was created to withstand the extreme conditions of outer space, including dramatic temperature fluctuations caused by moving in and out of the sunlight.

Careful consideration was also given to the design of the space where the exhibition takes place. The result is the 12,500-square-foot "theatre" that combines architecture, art installations, and virtual reality. This includes an area that features a life-sized model of the ISS that visitors can explore, enhancing the sense of presence and scale. As you explore this space, other participants are represented as ethereal avatars, a design element that prevents visitor collisions in the physical world and reinforces the cosmic atmosphere of the experience. This system allows you to maintain an awareness of your surroundings while fully immersing yourself in the environment, creating a mix of shared and personal exploration.

This immersive experience is one of a number of similar exhibitions around the world, encouraging a sense of connection to and wonder about our environment, like this digital art museum in Tokyo that's requires you to experience it barefoot. The Infinite's communal aspect transforms what could be an isolating virtual reality experience into a collective journey, mirroring the collaborative nature of space exploration itself. The avatars serve as a constant reminder that, like the astronauts on the ISS, you are part of a larger group united in your fascination with space, which fosters a sense of connection and shared wonder.

Looking for something the entire family can enjoy regardless of their age? Check out our list of the best family vacations for all ages.