THE STRANGE AND THE UNUSUAL
10 Quirky Museums to Visit in America
If your idea of a museum involves dusty paintings and ancient artifacts behind glass, it is time to broaden your horizons.
America, with its boundless creativity and penchant for the peculiar, is home to some of the most bizarre and fascinating museums you can imagine . From the absurdly specific to the downright strange, these offbeat institutions offer a refreshing and often hilarious take on the concept of a museum.
Buckle up and join us as we go through 10 of the weirdest museums across the United States , from the Neon Museum to the Museum of Bad Art. Prepare to be amused, amazed, and utterly bewildered!
Image: Liza Rusalskaya
Neon Museum - Las Vegas, Nevada
Let’s kick off this list with the Neon Museum in Las Vegas. The location seems just about right since Las Vegas is always bright and shining with luminous signs.
This museum, founded in 1996, holds a collection of over 250 historic signs from the city. It is located a few blocks away from the iconic Las Vegas Strip and exhibitions and projections display signs that once adorned the venue. Moreover, you will be able to see some paradigmatic signs restored like the Silver Slipper and Benny Binion’s Horseshoe.
Image: 李林Alwen
International Spy Museum - Washington, D.C.
Haven’t we all dreamed of becoming an international secret spy? Well, you can make your dream come true, at least for a few hours, at the International Spy Museum in Washington.
This museum was established in 2002 and it features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever displayed. From spy gadgets and concealed weapons to covert operations and famous espionage cases, you’ll get inside the life of a true spy.
Furthermore, it is an interactive museum so visitors can test their own skills with the experiences offered within the establishment.
Image: Marten Newhall
National Mustard Museum - Middleton, Wisconsin
Mustard is so much more than just a condiment, and if you think it is not, the National Mustard Museum is here to challenge that notion.
Founded in 1992 by Barry Levenson, this quirky museum celebrates all things mustard with the world’s largest collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia. It showcases over 6000 mustards from over 70 countries and visitors can learn about the mustard history and take a look at antique elements like tins, mustard pots, vintage signs, and advertisements.
If you are a foodie or a culinary curious, you can’t miss this museum!
Image: Simona Sergi
Idaho Potato Museum - Blackfoot, Idaho
Idaho’s love and pride for potatoes is so big, that they had to build a museum to display it and they are waiting for you!
The Idaho Potato Museum is a spud-tacular tribute to the beloved potato, fittingly located in the "potato capital of the world." Housed in the former Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot, this space of over 5,500 square feet offers exhibits on the history, cultivation, and nutritional value of the humble tuber.
Highlights include one of the world’s largest collections of potato mashers and the biggest potato crips ever made. Visitors can even perform experiments in the Potato Lab and savor a freshly baked potato in the museum’s cafe.
Image: Lars Blankers
International UFO Museum and Research Center - Roswell, New Mexico
UFOs have always raised curiosity and the theories behind sightings and paranormal activities are one too many, right? Or at least enough to create a museum devoted to exhibiting all things UFOs.
The International UFO Museum and Research Center offers an intriguing exploration into the world of UFOs, and it is housed in a former movie theater. The creation of the museum was inspired by the Rosewell incident in 1947, a crash of a flying saucer, and it presents a variety of written, audio, and visual materials.
This museum is pet friendly and visitors can enjoy exhibits like a spinning UFO with aliens and an outdoor "Rosewell Belevies" mural. When are you paying a visit?
Image: Danie Franco
National Museum of Funeral History - Houston, Texas
There’s no denying it, we are going to die eventually. However, is death enough of an intriguing topic to open a museum devoted to it? Apparently, it is, and you can find one in Houston.
The National Museum of Funeral History houses the country’s largest collection of funeral service items, including caskets, coffins, and hearses.
The museum is over 30,000 feet and it features 19 permanent exhibits covering topics that range from embalming to the history of cremation and mourning photography. To make it even more interesting, the museum offers a unique look at funeral traditions and culture from ancient Egypt to modern times around the world.
Image: panyawat auitpol
Museum of Bad Art - Somerville, Massachusetts
Even if art is not for everyone, we can all agree there are standards for what is considered good or bad, right? Well, The Museum of Bad Art is here to prove us wrong!
Located in Somerville, the Museum of Bad Art is a delightful celebration of artistic mishaps and quirky creativity. What began in 1993 in a Boston basement has now expanded to the Somerville Theater’s basement in Davis Square.
This unique museum boasts over 700 pieces from artists, amateurs, and anonymous creators, featuring donations, thrift store finds, and gifts from the artists themselves. Despite its impressive collection, only about 25 works are displayed at a time , ensuring a fresh experience with each visit. Best of all, it’s free! For a fun and offbeat adventure, this is the place you need to visit!
Image: Rainer Bleek
National Bottle Museum - Ballston Spa, New York
Here’s a museum you never thought would exist! But considering bottles are part of our everyday life, have you ever stopped and thought about how bottles are made? Wonder no more, better visit the museum!
The National Bottle Museum is a charming three-story brick building and it showcases over 3,000 bottles on its first floor alone! With seven permanent exhibits, you can marvel at pre-machine-made bottles from every state and even see glowing uranium glass!
Don’t miss the quirky temporary exhibits that go from Coca-Cola bottles to shot glasses, and spa bottles! And, if you are a bottle collector yourself, you’ll love the extensive library available!
Image: James Cousins
Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Teeth are the subject of contrarian opinions! Some love it, some find it disgusting. But that wasn’t enough of a reason to prevent Michigan from having a museum devoted to dentistry.
The Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry in Ann Arbor is a hidden gem tucked away in the atrium of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. It’s one of the few museums in the world dedicated entirely to dentistry!
With over 25,000 objects on display, you will find everything from antique dental tools to quirky historical products dating back to the 18th century. The museum also features fascinating temporary exhibits and engaging programs. Plus, admission is free, so you can enjoy this unique journey through dental history without spending a dime.
Image: Jonathan Borba
Museum of Jurassic Technology - Los Angeles, California
You read that right, the words "Jurassic" and "technology" are part of the same name and they have nothing to do with Spielberg’s millionaire production.
The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. Despite its name, there’s nothing particularly Jurassic about it. Instead, this delightfully bizarre museum leads you through dimly lit halls filled with curiosities, from mini models of Napoleon and Daffy Duck to oil portraits of Soviet space dogs.
It’s a wonderfully chaotic mix that keeps visitors scratching their heads and smiling. Perfect for those who love a good mystery, the museum’s quirky collection is as baffling as it is fascinating. Come ready to be amused and bewildered!
Image: Mauro Sbicego
