mu·se·um | \ myu̇-ˈzē-əm \
Definition of museum: an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest also : a place where objects are exhibited.
When I plan a trip for my clients, I usually include a list of interesting museums in the destination they are visiting. Art museums, science museums, and even kids’ museums if they’re traveling as a family.
I recently came across a list of really strange and different museums from around the world. Some of them might make you a museum enthusiast (if you’re not one already)!
Instagram posts from these museums will definitely make your friends sit up and take notice!
Museum of the Weird, Austin Texas Named "America’s Strangest Attraction,” this museum is located in a gift shop in Austin and features all kinds of crazy things like shrunken heads & fiji mermaids. They even have a Chamber of Horrors. The museum bills itself as one of the last “dime museums” as introduced by P.T. Barnum in the 1800s.
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Ikeda-shi Japan Just like it sounds – this is a museum for ramen lovers! Featuring 800 ramen noodle packages from around the world, a tasting station, and an arts & crafts station where you can decorate your own ramen package. Relive your college memories here!
Torture Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands It’s a bit ghoulish but you can see about 40 different torture devices in this museum. The devices have been used during interrogations and now the museum participates in the UN Convention Against Torture and runs educational programs for students.
Cancun Underwater Museum, Cancun, Mexico This one looks really cool created for scuba divers. It features 500 pieces of art, submerged in the waters between Cancun & Isla Mujeres. If you’re not a scuba diver, there are snorkeling tours, and glass-bottom boat tours, too.
Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb, Croatia Dedicated to the stories of broken hearts, this museum was started by a couple who amicably broke up and wanted to retain some memories of their relationship. Most of the items on the exhibit have been donated and include an information card with the story that goes along with the object.
Iceland Phallological Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland Northern lights, waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, and penises! Yes – you can see it all in Iceland. It’s actually a serious museum, not at all pornographic and I’ve heard tell that it’s quite fascinating.
Bayernhof Music Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I can tell you from personal experience that this museum is worth visiting if you’re in Pittsburgh. This museum is the original home (mansion) built by millionaire, Charles (Charlie) Brown.
Not to be confused with the Peanuts character, this Charlie Brown was a bit of an eccentric and collected self-playing musical instruments from around the world including this one hidden in a bedside lamp!
We loved the stories told by the docent who gave us a tour and let us into the strange world of this incredible home.
Museum of Bad Art, Somerville, Massachusetts I guess you have to have a sense of humor for this museum that’s located in the basement of a theatre in Massachusetts. This non-profit museum celebrates “art too bad to be ignored”. Free tickets are available on their website. I admit, I’m a bit curious about it and might even visit the next time I’m in the neighborhood.
Computerspielemuseum, Berlin, Germany No artwork here – this one is for the gamers. It’s a museum dedicated to computer & video games. Here you will learn about the history of video games, dating back 50 years, and see some artifacts that the younger generation will not recognize like the Commodore C-64. Remember that one?
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, New Delhi, India Yes – there’s even this one! Learn all about the history of the toilet, how it came to be and what was used before. There’s a mission behind this museum, to make sure that every home in India has a toilet and that sanitary conditions be improved there.
Note: due to Covid-19 restrictions, some of these museums are currently closed. Always check the museums’ websites prior to planning a visit.
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