20 Unbelievably Interesting Museums You Need to See Before You Die

There are some pretty strange places in the United States if you just take the time to stop and look. There’s the World’s Largest Brick in Montgomery, the completely painted (100,000 gallons worth) Salvation Mountain in Calipatria, California, and a creepy 13-foot statue of a peanut with teeth in Plains, Georgia that makes you feel incredibly uncomfortable.

There are just too many weird things to write about so we decided to narrow it down to the 18 weirdest museums our great country has to offer. Check them out and let us know what you think. We guarantee you’ll have something interesting to tell us.

1. (The New and Improved) SPAM Museum, Austin, MN

Austin, Minnesota, commonly referred to as SPAM Town USA^[1], is home to The SPAM Museum^[2] which honors the more than 7 billion SPAM products produced in the U.S. Inside, guests discover historic exhibits, artifacts and tokens from the company’s 78-year history. The museum was remodeled in 2015 and several brand new exhibits are now available featuring more of the “Stuff, Pork and Ham,” “Something Posing as Meat,” or whatever you want to call it.

2. International Cryptozoology Museum, Portland, ME

A “reborn” sasquatch baby doll isn’t the strangest thing you’ll see at the International Cryptozoology Museum^[3]. Cryptozoology means “the study of hidden animals” and this museum is home to a bunch of them. Browse the hair samples of the Yeti, Abominable Snowmen and Bigfoot, make your way through the Lake Monster exhibition, or learn about the Dover Demon, the Jersey Devil and the Montauk Monster.

3. Beer Can Museum & Beer Can Hall of Fame, East Taunton, MA

This collection of medical oddities at the Mütter Museum^[4] features some things you’re likely to never see again in life. Like sections of Albert Einstein’s brain. Equally disturbing yet interesting, are the museum’s exhibits of historic medical photos, medical instruments from as far back as the 17th century, and wet specimens of just about every piece of the human body.

4. Mütter Museum, Philadelphia, PA

This collection of medical oddities at the Mütter Museum^[5] features some things you’re likely to never see again in life. Like sections of Albert Einstein’s brain. Equally disturbing yet interesting, are the museum’s exhibits of historic medical photos, medical instruments from as far back as the 17th century, and wet specimens of just about every piece of the human body.

5. The Hobo Museum, Britt, IA

If you like books and poems written by hobos, hobo music, and hobo crafts, the Hobo Museum^[6] is the place for you. A strange yet informative place, this museum delves into the everyday life of a hobo and even hosts a Hobo Convention where the Hobo King and Queen are awarded their titles.

6. Leila’s Hair Museum, Independence, MO

I don’t know what could be weirder than a museum filled with artifacts completely made of human hair, but Leila’s Hair Museum is just that. The museum was featured in the book The Cockroach Hall of Fame: And 101 Other Off-The-Wall Museums and treats visitors to a fascinating experience. The wreaths and jewelry, made completely from human hair, cover the building’s walls and fill glass cases. Some of the hairpieces were worn by people of the early 1800s-1900s and several of the artifacts are even made from the hair of prominent people like Michael Jackson, Queen Victoria and Marilyn Monroe.

7. The International Banana Museum, Mecca, CA

For everything and anything banana, head to the International Banana Museum^[7]. This place has earned the Guinness Book of World Records title of the “largest collection of items devoted to any one fruit,” and rightful so, with more than 19,000 banana-related items. But before you make like a banana and split, grab your favorite banana-flavored shake or soda for the road. They’re even open on Sundaes, so what’s not to love?

8. Vent Haven Museum, Fort Mitchell, KY

As long as you haven’t seen the movie Annabelle, the Vent Haven Museum^[8] might pique your interest. Billing itself as the only museum in the world dedicated to ventriloquism, this venue is packed full of the late William Shakespeare Berger’s collection of more than 800 ventriloquist dolls, ventriloquist playbills, vintage books and more.

9. Antique Popcorn Museum, Holland, OH

The J.H. Fentress Antique Popcorn Museum is home to more than 35 original Butter-Kist Popcorn machines, nearly 100 vintage advertisements and hundreds of other novelty popcorn collectibles. If this place doesn't't’t leave you wanting those puffy, buttered and salted kernels, I don’t know what will.

10. Vacuum Cleaner Museum, St. James, MO

Who knew vacuum cleaner museums even existed? Well, there definitely is one, in St. James, Missouri. The Vacuum Cleaner Museum^[9] provides insight into the different ways people kept floors clean before electricity, the creation of vacuum cleaners and their evolution over time. Even if you’re not really interested in learning about vacuum cleaners, why not replace that awful vacuum you’ve got at home with a new one from the connected Factory Outlet.

11. Mothman Museum, Point Pleasant, WV

The Mothman made his first appearance in Point Pleasant, West Virginia nearly 50 years ago, and he still shows up inside the Mothman Museum^[10]. This small town venue is dedicated to the legend that many believe to be truth and is chock full of Mothman memorabilia. See cutouts of real newspaper stories documenting the Mothman sightings in town, a letter signed by Robert F. Kennedy, and watch clips of documentaries about Mothman and the strange occurrences phenomena that surround his appearances in West Virginia.

12. National Mustard Museum, Middleton, WI

This museum is weird, but not as weird as the way it began. The curator attests to the fact that the mustard spoke to him late one night at the grocery store, saying “If you collect us, they will come.” No, seriously. I’m not joking. So he started collecting them and lo and behold, the National Mustard Museum^[11] became one of the most popular tourist attractions in Wisconsin and the prophetic mustard was right. Before you enter, just mentally prepare yourself to browse more than 5,624 different kinds of mustard.

13. Willow Creek China-Flat Bigfoot Museum, Willow Creek, CA

The collection of Bigfoot artifacts at the Willow Creek China-Flat Bigfoot Museum^[12] is extensive, ranging from Bigfoot pictures, maps, footprint casts, books and souvenirs. Those interested in catching Bigfoot one day will learn a lot from this museum and maybe even gain some tips for future Bigfoot hunting trips. Not to mention, the 25-foot Bigfoot sculpture in the parking lot is pretty great too.

14. The Neon Museum, Las Vegas, NV

The Neon Museum^[13] in Las Vegas is an outdoor art gallery of Sin City’s retired neon signs. The museum itself features nine restored signs and the outdoor exhibition area, known as the 2,500-square foot Neon Boneyard, is home to more than 150 more. The space is available for tours, awesome photo shoots and events like weddings, family reunions and corporate functions.

15. Roswell UFO Museum, Roswell, NM

Explore the mystery of the events that took place in Roswell, New Mexico more than 60 years ago with the Roswell UFO Museum^[14]. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to educating visitors on the debate over the possibility of a flying saucer crashing to the earth with exhibits detailing crop circles, abductions, alien sightings and more. Who knows, maybe you’ll emerge a believer.

16. OZ Museum, Wamego, KS

More than 100 years worth of Wizard of OZ memorabilia fills the OZ Museum^[15], including the 1st edition of L. Frank Baum novels, props from the musical Wicked, original production notes from the 1939 film and more. OZtoberFest in September is a huge event for the museum, featuring special guests, costume contests and the Wizard of OZ characters.

17. The Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, ID

The first thing you’ll see when you pull up to the front of the Idaho Potato Museum^[16] is, of course, a gigantic potato. But why? Well Idaho is the “Potato Capital of the World” after all, and the museum is a reminder of that. The informative exhibits detail the rise of the potato in Idaho as well as providing guests with interesting potato recipes that they can try at home.

18. Museum of the Weird, Austin, TX

This one made the list for obvious reasons, but the Museum of the Weird^[17] is true to its name, with some extremely strange artifacts and exhibits. You’ll see everything from two-headed animals and shrunken heads to real live mermaids. Don’t believe in any of that? Go look for yourself.

Tinkertown Museum

Sandia Park, NM

The Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park, NM is dedicated to displaying the 40-year-old legendary collection of Ross Ward. Ward created miniature figures carved out of wood which traveled around the country in a unique exhibition. The display visited countless carnivals and festivals across the country in from the 60s until the 70s. Today, guests from all ages visit the Tinkertown Museum to see the tiny villages, trains, and figurines in all of their glory.

Little Loomhouse

Louisville, KY

The Little Loomhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places, and as such it is heralded as one of the most unique and educational museums in the South. The Little Loomhouse is located in Louisville, KY and was established to display historic weaving projects that give insight into art and culture in the area. There are three cabins, all of which were built in the late 1800s as well as the biggest collection of original textile patterns in the country. 

Have you come across any other weird museums during your travels? We want to hear about them! Please comment and share your experiences below!

1. ^ SPAM Town USA 2. ^ The SPAM Museum 3. ^ International Cryptozoology Museum 4. ^ Mütter Museum 5. ^ Mütter Museum 6. ^ Hobo Museum 7. ^ International Banana Museum 8. ^ Vent Haven Museum

9. ^ Vacuum Cleaner Museum 10. ^ Mothman Museum 11. ^ National Mustard Museum 12. ^ Willow Creek China-Flat Bigfoot Museum 13. ^ The Neon Museum 14. ^ Roswell UFO Museum 15. ^ OZ Museum 16. ^ Idaho Potato Museum 17. ^ Museum of the Weird