When you think of museums, you may envision halls filled with priceless artworks or
ancient artifacts. However, tucked away in corners across the United States are
institutions that challenge our notion of what a museum can be.
Join us as we embark on a whimsical journey through 25 of the weirdest and most
wonderful museums you never knew existed in the U.S. You might just find your next
quirky weekend destination!
The Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) – Somerville, Massachusetts
Have you ever looked at a painting and thought, ‘My five-year-old could do better’?
MOBA celebrates exactly that kind of art.
This museum is dedicated to ‘art too bad to be ignored,’ showcasing paintings and sculptures that are so awfully wonderful. It’s like a masterclass in what not to do in art — and a reminder that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
International Banana Museum – Mecca, California
Going bananas over bananas? This museum houses the world’s largest collection dedicated to a single fruit. With over 25,000 banana-related items, it’s a yellow-tinted
paradise sure to make you smile.
From banana-shaped lamps to banana-flavored candy, it’s the ultimate homage to this versatile fruit.
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The Mütter Museum – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Not for the faint of heart, the Mütter Museum is a treasure trove of medical oddities and
anatomical specimens. From preserved organs to skeletal remains, it offers a fascinating (if slightly macabre) look into the human body.
It’s like stepping into a real-life version of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.
The National Museum of Funeral History – Houston, Texas
Death becomes educational at this unique museum. It houses everything from vintage
hearses to a recreation of Pope John Paul II’s crypt, allowing visitors to learn about
funerary practices’ history and cultural significance.
It’s a surprisingly lively look at how we deal with death.
The Kazoo Museum – Beaufort, South Carolina
Hum along to the history of America’s most accessible (and some might say annoying)
musical instrument. This tiny museum displays hundreds of kazoos from various eras,
as well as the machinery used to make them.
It’s a noisy tribute to an instrument that’s been the bane of parents and the joy of children for generations.
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Leila’s Hair Museum – Independence, Missouri
Hair today, gone tomorrow? Not at Leila’s Hair Museum. This unique institution houses
thousands of pieces of jewelry and art made from human hair, mostly dating back to the
Victorian era.
It’s a surprisingly touching (if slightly creepy) look at how people have memorialized loved ones throughout history.
The National Mustard Museum – Middleton, Wisconsin
Cutting the mustard since 1992, this condiment-centric museum houses more than
6,000 mustards from all 50 states and over 70 countries. It’s a tangy tribute to
everyone’s favorite yellow spread.
With mustard-themed games, videos, and even a tasting bar, it’s sure to spice up your day.
Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum – The Colony, Texas
One man’s trash is another man’s… art canvas? Barney Smith has turned over 1,400
toilet seats into works of art, covering topics from historical events to pop culture.
It’s a quirky testament to the idea that inspiration can come from anywhere — even the
bathroom!
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The Museum of Jurassic Technology – Los Angeles, California
Don’t let the name fool you — this isn’t about dinosaurs. Instead, it’s a mind-bending
journey through fact and fiction, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
With exhibits ranging from decaying dice to portraits of Soviet space dogs, it challenges
visitors to question what they know about museums — and reality itself.
Burger Beast Museum – Miami, Florida
This museum pays meaty homage to America’s favorite fast food by showcasing the
evolution of burgers and the restaurants that serve them. From vintage menus to retro signage, it’s a nostalgic trip through the greasier side of American cuisine.
Remember to come on an empty stomach — you might find yourself craving a juicy patty by the end!
The Museum of Clean – Pocatello, Idaho
This unique institution celebrates all that cleans, from ancient brooms to modern
vacuum cleaners. It’s a surprisingly fascinating look at the history of hygiene and the
tools we use to stay spick and span. Who knew dirt could be so interesting?
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SPAM Museum – Austin, Minnesota
Love it or hate it, SPAM has left an indelible mark on American cuisine. This museum
chronicles the history of the iconic canned meat, from its role in World War II to its
popularity in Hawaiian cuisine.
With interactive exhibits and plenty of puns, it’s a strangely fascinating look at a food that’s often the butt of jokes.
The New England Maple Museum – Pittsford, Vermont
Sticky, sweet, and full of history, this museum taps into the fascinating world of maple
syrup production. From Native American techniques to modern methods, it covers
everything you ever wanted to know about this beloved breakfast staple.
It’s a tree-t for anyone interested in the sweeter side of New England’s history!
Tinkertown Museum – Sandia Park, New Mexico
A 22-year labor of love, Tinkertown is a whimsical wonderland of miniatures, automated
machines, and folk art. Created by artist Ross Ward, it’s a testament to the power of
imagination and perseverance.
Walking through its bottle-glass walls feels like stepping into a fairy tale — one written by a particularly eccentric author.
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National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame – Hayward, Wisconsin
Home to a 143-foot long, 4-story tall fiberglass muskie (a type of fish), this museum is
the stuff of both dreams and nightmares for anglers. Exhibits about fishing history and
lore can be found inside the fish’s belly.
It’s the perfect place to cast your net for fishy facts — and maybe snap a photo inside a giant fish’s mouth!
Younkers-Liebig Two-Story Outhouse – Phelps, New York
While not strictly a museum, this architectural oddity is a monument to innovative
plumbing solutions of yesteryear. This two-story outhouse, built in the 1850s, allowed
the two floors of a house to have facilities without duplicating the pit.
The Museum of Broken Relationships – Los Angeles, California
Love hurts, but it also makes for a fascinating museum. This institution collects and
displays personal objects left over from breakups, each with a poignant (or humorous)
story.
It’s a touching, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes hilarious look at the universal experience of lost love.
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The Neon Museum – Las Vegas, Nevada
Where do neon signs go when they die? In Las Vegas, they go to the Neon Museum.
This ‘neon boneyard’ preserves the glitzy history of Sin City through its discarded
signage.
It’s a bright idea that sheds light on the ever-changing face of America’s playground.
The National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum – Joplin, Missouri
Cookie cutters aren’t just for Christmas anymore! This sweet little museum, located
inside the Joplin Museum Complex, showcases the evolution of cookie cutters from the
1800s to today.
It is a bite-sized look at an underappreciated aspect of culinary history that will leave you feeling anything but cut out.
Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum – Farmington Hills, Michigan
Step right up to a wonderland of coin-operated marvels. This eclectic museum houses
hundreds of vintage arcade games, automatons, and other mechanical curiosities.
It’s a noisy, flashy tribute to the art of amusement that’s sure to bring out your inner child.
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Velveteria – Los Angeles, California
Dedicated to the much-maligned art form of velvet painting, this museum showcases
over 3,000 works on velvet. From Elvis to Jesus, unicorns to dogs playing poker, it’s a
kitschy trip through a uniquely American art form.
You’ll never look at black velvet the same way again!
The Umbrella Cover Museum – Peaks Island, Maine
Yes, you read that right—a museum dedicated to those little sleeves with umbrellas.
Housing over 2,000 umbrella covers from over 70 countries, it’s a whimsical celebration
of the mundane.
It proves anything can become a museum piece if one is passionate enough!
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum – Gatlinburg, Tennessee
With over 20,000 sets of shakers, this museum adds spice to the notion of collecting.
From kitschy to classy, novelty to antique, it’s a surprisingly engaging look at how these
table staples reflect broader cultural trends.
It’s sure to shake up your idea of what makes a museum!
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John’s Phone Museum – West Jefferson, Ohio
From rotary dials to early mobile phones, this private museum showcases the rapid
evolution of telecommunication technology. It’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane that
might make you appreciate (or lament) how far we’ve come in just a few decades.
The Hobo Museum – Britt, Iowa
Celebrating the often-romanticized life of itinerant workers, this museum offers a
glimpse into hobo culture and history. From authentic hobo artifacts to art created by
hobos, it’s a fascinating look at a uniquely American subculture.
Remember to learn some hobo signs while you’re there!
From the Bizarre to the Beautiful: Redefining the Museum
Experience
As we’ve journeyed through these 25 weird and wonderful museums, it’s clear that the
concept of what constitutes a ‘museum’ is as diverse as America. These offbeat
museums remind us that history, culture, and art aren’t just found in marble halls or
behind velvet ropes.
They’re in the everyday objects we use, the foods we eat, the jokes we tell, and the stories we share. So pack your sense of wonder, leave your preconceptions at home, and explore the weird and wonderful world of America’s quirkiest museums.
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