It might have been a while since you’ve seen the Smurfs on TV, but now you can do even better than watch the Smurfs — you can feel what it’s like to live like one. In celebration of the Smurfs’ 60th birthday, the Brussels Expo is featuring The Smurf Experience, which will transport you into the world of the popular Belgian cartoon characters. This immersive experience will include holograms, magnifying sets, special effects, and even virtual reality.
Photo: Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock
You Can Visit a Real-Life, Immersive Smurf Village in Belgium
The Smurfs, created by Belgian artist Peyo, initially debuted in 1958 as an animation of human-like elves. There are over a thousand Smurfs characters — including Poppa Smurf, Baker Smurf, Lazy Smurf, etc. — who have been popular with children for decades now, as well as a cult favorite among adults.
Between the Smurf Village replication and the virtual-reality ride, the exhibition occupies over 1,500 square meters of space. It will bring visitors through mystical forests and mushroom-shaped houses and allow them to speak with Smurfs, dance the Smurf dance, and even fly on a stork’s back. The Smurf Experience also aims to spread Smurf values of tolerance, solidarity, and friendship and show visitors the importance of protecting the environment.
The entire experience lasts about two hours, with tickets running $20 for adults, $16 for teens, $12 for kids, and full-family tickets at $60. 
H/T: Lonely Planet