One's I'd like to visit.
Madame Tussauds located in London, Amsterdam, Bangkok Berlin, Dubai, Las Vegas, New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Washington, D.C. and Hollywood.
Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London with branches in a number of major cities. It was set up by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. It was formerly spelled "Madame Tussaud's", but the apostrophe is no longer used.
Madame Tussaud's wax museum has now grown to become a major tourist attraction in London, incorporating (until recently) the London Planetarium in its west wing. It has expanded and will expand with branches in Amsterdam, Bangkok Berlin, Dubai, Las Vegas, New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Washington, D.C. and Hollywood. Today's wax figures at Tussauds include historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars and famous murderers. Known as "Madame Tussauds" museums (no apostrophe), they are owned by a leisure company called Merlin Entertainments, following the acquisition of The Tussauds Group in May 2007. In 2010, Merlin Entertainments's partnership with Tatweer will make a Madame Tussauds in Dubai.
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Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame located in Seattle, Washington
Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, is one of the richest men in the world. He likes to spend money on his hobbies, and two of his hobbies are rock 'n' roll and science fiction. The result: Seattle's trippy Experience Music Project, and nestled within it on two floors -- an attraction in its own right -- the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. Think of an iconic, original prop from a sci-fi movie or TV show, and it's probably in the museum collection: a Bill Shatner captain's chair from Star Trek; the "Danger, Will Robinson!" robot from Lost in Space; the metal skull and arm of the T-800 Terminator. Allen's bottomless bank account has tractor-beamed many rare sci-fi knickknacks, such as a 1975 Bionic Bigfoot action figure, and the gnarly Tree of Life from the already obscure The Fountain (2006). (Website Link)
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Just strange museums
The Vacuum Museum located in Nottinghamshire, England
This former coal mining town will no longer be known for its dust and grime. Britain's first vacuum museum has opened in Nottinghamshire and is cleaning the air for visitors. James Brown, vacuum enthusiast and curator of the museum, owns 130 vacuums and has 65 of those on display. His collection covers the span of domestic cleaning favorites such as Hoovers, Electroluxes, Kirbys and Dysons. Situated inside Mr. Vacuum Cleaner, Brown's sales and repair shop, the museum is free of charge and shows the historical timeline of pre-war domestic hygiene to modern-day cleaning. (News Link) Also see: Stark's Vacuum Museum Portland, Oregon
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International UFO Museum located in Istanbul, Turkey
E.T. phone home! More like E.T. phone Turkey. Located in the historical city of Istanbul, the International UFO Museum displays artifacts suggesting extraterrestrial life. Founded by Sirius UFO Space Sciences Research Center, the museum offers bits of UFO history, such as a display about the 1947 Roswell, N.M., incident, a worldwide sighting map, soldier and pilot reports, animations of archaeological ruins and statues. This museum is the perfect go-to for those suspecting life beyond our atmosphere. (Wiki Link) Website: Beta V.1 Sirius Ufo Uzay Bilimleri Araştırma Merkezi
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The German Sausage Museum located in Holzhausen, Germany
The German Bratwurst Museum is the first of its kind in Germany. Providing visitors with everything they might want to know about the sausage-making process, the museum displays machinery and equipment. Visitors can also learn about the history of this iconic food, including that the first mention of bratwurst occurred in 1404. The museum also boasts a model of a traditional German festival, which is synonymous with the bratwurst. And to pay real homage to the bratwurst, the museum also houses a collection of other bratwurst memorabilia. (News Link: Young Germany: First German sausage museum opens) Link: Deutsches Bratwurstmuseum - Freunde der Thüringer Bratwurst See also: Deutsches Currywurst Museum
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The Cockroach Hall of Fame Museum located in Plano, Texas
The brain-child of pest-control expert Michael Bohdan, the Cockroach Hall of Fame is located inside Bohan's store, The Pest Shop, in Plano Texas. The Hall of Fame displays dozens of various types of cockroaches both dead and alive. The highlight is displays of "roach art," made from dead roaches donated by a wide variety of people. One of the most notable pieces was created by an 85-year-old lady from Fort Worth, Texas, who placed a dead roach next to a tiny piano dressed in a mink cloak. She named him "Liberoachi." (Website Link) See also: Wiki; List of museums in Texas
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Sulabh International Museum of Toilets located in New Delhi, India
Displaying toilets from as far away as Argentina, Luxembourg, Kuwait and Senegal, the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets provides visitors with a unique look at the history of sanitation across the world. The museum aims to not only educate people about "the historical trends in the development of toilets," but also provides help to "manufacturers of toilet equipment and accessories in improving their products." Either way, objects in the collection include pre-Victorian chamber pots, ornate royal "thrones" and the ingenious microwave toilet which used less water in hopes of revolutionizing the experience. (Website Link)
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The Pirate Soul Museum located in Key West, Florida
Pirate Soul- the largest and the most authentic collection of Pirate Artifacts under one roof. Pirate Soul was started by Pat Croce, the former president of the Philadelphia 76ers, Olympic commentator and writer. It boasts a pretty impressive collection of pirate memorabilia, and we’re not talking about Johnny Depp (although I would probably visit that museum too). Croce has managed to get his hands on Blackbeard’s dinner plate, a real Dutch East India Company cannon, the 1699 Journal of Captain Kidd’s Last Voyage, gold retrieved from Blackbeard’s warship and one of two authentic Jolly Roger flags left in the entire world. So next time you’re in Key West, tear yourself away from Fantasy Fest, Ernest Hemingway’s house and Sloppy Joe’s Bar and hit up Pirate Soul… arrrrrr!! (Website Link)
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The Torture Museum located in Amsterdam, Netherlands
(Oh yeah! This is where I'm going to on VDay!)
Set in Amsterdam's red-light district, this museum is not for the faint-hearted. The Torture Museum lives up to its name with dark lighting and an entrance that sees visitors begin their experience by journeying down a dark corridor. The exhibit includes a historical tour of various torture methods, primarily focusing on those from medieval times. Devices on display include the inquisition chair, the skull cracker, the heretic fork, various hanging cages and masks, and, of course, the guillotine. (Website Link) Also see: Wikipedia - Torture Museums
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The Lunchbox Museum located in Columbus, Georgia
Recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, the Lunchbox Museum claims to be home to the largest collection of lunchboxes in the world. The exhibit itself is relatively new, the museum's owner only began collecting four years ago. However, the collection has grown at a speedy pace and now includes over 1,000 lunchboxes and associated memorabilia including coolers and thermoses. A tour of the museum provides an interesting account of the history of the trusty lunchbox from their original tin models to the contemporary plastic kind. (Website Link)
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The Museum of Bad Art located in Dedham, Massachusetts
“Art too bad to be ignored”. And with a tagline like that, how could you? This 400+ piece collection is located in the Dedham Community Theater. About 30-40 pieces are displayed at any one time.
The piece above is Lucy in the Field with Flowers and it is the art responsible for the birth of this museum. One of the founders of the museum spotted this lovely work in a trash pile on the streets of Boston and decided he had to have it. Actually, a lot of the work acquired by the Museum of Bad Art has been saved from the curb. Another popular scouting spot seems to be the Salvation Army. (Website Link)
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Paris Sewers Museum located in Paris, France
Aptly set underground beneath the streets of Paris, this museum displays the long history of public sanitation since Paris first sewer system in the 13th Century. Running parallel to the Seine River visitors are able to see one of the old main sewage lines servicing the city and the main exhibit includes sewer-maintenance equipment, clothing worn by sewer works and cleaning devices. Visitors should also be sure to visit the built-in theater the restrooms are indeed connected to the current sewer system. (Website Link) See also: Wiki- Paris Sewers and Wiki- List of museums in Paris
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The Hobo Museum located in Britt, Iowa
If you’re bumming around but looking for a good time, be sure to take a load off in Britt, Iowa, at The Hobo Museum, which details the history and culture of tramps. Bear in mind, though, that the museum kind of, well, slacks on hours and is only open to the public during the annual Hobo Convention. Luckily, tours can be arranged by appointment any time of year. Of course, if you’re interested in the Hobo Convention, lodging is available all over the area, but it’s a safe bet that most of your compatriots will be resting their floppy hats at the "hobo jungle," located by the railroad tracks. Both the event and the museum are operated by the Hobo Foundation, which – incidentally – also oversees the nearby Hobo Cemetery, where those who have "caught the westbound" are laid to rest. (Website Link)
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The Hair Museum located in Avanos, Turkey
The Hair Museum is home to a collection of hair specimens from over 16,000 different donors. Displaying the collection of famous Turkish potter Galip Korukcu, the museum adds to its unique experience by being housed in a cave. Korukcu is now in the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest collection of hair, and visitors to the museum are apparently given the option to add to the collection by donating their own locks. The museum originally opened in 1979 and has become an international phenomenon. (Info Link) See also: Wiki - Leilas Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri.
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British Lawnmower Museum located in Southport, Lancashire, England
Since its opening, the British Lawnmower Museum has attracted widespread interest from across the globe. The museum's on-site workshops work to repair and restore vintage lawnmowers and the museum's collection includes not only the actual machines but also various types of memorabilia including patents and blueprints from as far back as the 18th Century. The lawnmowers themselves include classic models used in landscaping but also a host of machines that are more famous for having participated in lawnmower races. Don't miss the largest collection of Toy lawnmowers in the World. The museum offers a free audio tour. (Website Link)
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The Beijing Museum of Tap-Water located in Beijing, China
The Beijing Museum of Tap-Water was built on the site of the first water plant in Beijing. The museum offers visitors a tour of the 90-year history of tap water in Beijing. The exhibit itself is divided into three exhibits designed to illustrate the various stages of development of tap water. The museum houses a collection of almost 300 objects, pictures and models. (Info Link) (Tour Link)
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The Mustard Museum located in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Founder Barry Levenson began collecting mustard in the 1980s but the museum itself has only been open since 1992. The museum's collection includes over 4,800 types of mustard in bottles, tubes and jars that originate from across the 50 states and 60 countries. The exhibit also includes a historical tour of the mustard industry with antique pots and advertisements amongst other memorabilia. Fans of mustard should also make sure that they pay a visit to the museum's unique gift shop which itself sells many different types of mustard. (Website Link) Wiki - Mustard Museum
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Kansas Barbed Wire Museum located in La Crosse, Kansas
Since opening in 1971, the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum has been educating the public about the history of the barbed wire, often referred to as the "Devil's Rope." The collection now includes over 2,000 types of barbed wire, some dating back to the 19th century. The tour includes a Barbed Wire Hall of Fame and a research library but visitors should be sure to also visit the theater to watch the educational films about the history of this multi-million dollar industry. (Website Link) Wiki- Kansas Barbed Wire Museum
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Celebrity Underwear Museum located in Brussels, Begium
Just opened in Brussels, the Musee du Slip, known as the Celebrity Underwear Museum, exhibits underwear worn by the rich and famous. The collection includes a G-string once worn by French porn star Brigitte Lahaie and boxer shorts belonging to the Belgian Finance Minister, Didier Reynders. The brain child of artist Jan Bucquoy, famous for his use of underwear in his art, the museum's most prized piece is a portrait of the French President Nicholas Sarkozy made-up to look like Napoleon but wearing a striped pair of underwear on his head. News Link: Reuters news and Panty Poetry: Celebrity Underwear Museum Opens in Brussels
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Titan Missile Museum located in Sahuarita, Arizona
The Titan Missile Museum in Arizona is the site of the only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the U.S. and it provides a very unique experience. The one-hour guided tour of the facility includes a look at a 103-ft Titan II missile in its launch silo and its 8-foot thick walls. A highlight is a missile launch simulation held underground in the command room. The museum also includes a lot of history about the Cold War. (Website Link) News: NY Times News Article
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SPAM Museum located in Austin, Minnesota
The perfect museum for lovers of the infamous food item, the SPAM museum details the history of SPAM since it first hit the shelves the 1930's. A walk through the museum offers visitors an interactive chance to learn about SPAM. Exhibits include the opportunity to make your own can of SPAM, take a quiz on your knowledge of SPAM, and get involved at a "Cyber Diner." A trip to the museum should also include a stop at the gift shop where visitors can pick up a whole host of SPAM-related items and memorabilia. (Website Link)
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Mütter Museum located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia promises -- and delivers -- an afternoon of esoteric and incredible sights. The sophisticated, high-ceilinged gallery that houses this collection of medical monstrosities helps us rationalize our interest in it. Designed for perusal by present and future members of a dignified overpaid profession, the museum is two floors of dark wood-trimmed display cases with a library-like stateliness. Shouts of "Will ya look at this MONSTER BABY?" are entirely inappropriate. There’s all kinds of bizarre stuff, from a tumor removed from Grover Cleveland’s jaw to a corpse that turned into soap to a plaster cast of Siamese twins. It’s really fascinating stuff. The museum itself is located in a really unassuming building of the College of Physicans of Philadelphia, but it’s definitely worth seeking out. (Website Link)
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Glore Psychiatric Museum located in St. Joseph, Missouri
The Glore Psychiatric Museum chronicles the 130-year history of what was once known as the “State Lunatic Asylum No. 2.” The Museum uses full-sized replicas, interactive displays, audio-visuals, artifacts, and documents to illustrate the history of the treatment of mental illness. The museum is recognized as “one of the 50 most unusual Museums in the country.” It is also featured in the book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die in the USA and Canada.”. (Website Link)---
The International Clown Hall of Fame located in West Allis, Wisconsin
I have never found anything remotely funny about clowns. They scare me, and not in a good way. But if you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll find exhibits dedicated to Bozo, Emmett Kelly and Red Skelton, among others. Willard Scott gets a tribute because he played both Bozo and Ronald McDonald before moving on to the Today Show. You’ll also find out about the history of clowns and the different categories of clowns. If anyone has been there, let me know if you still have nightmares. (Website Link)
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Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum located in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
So, what do you get when you combine the loneliness of a pet cemetery with the creepy flair of vaudeville? The Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum, of course – where dummies go to die.
The Fort Mitchell, Ky., museum was the brainchild of the late William Shakespeare Berger, who founded the site as a home for retired wooden puppets. In fact, he collected figures from some of the country’s most famous ventriloquist acts. And with more than 700 dummies stacked from floor to ceiling, you’re bound to feel like you’re stuck inside a 1970s horror flick – albeit a really good one. But sadly, when Berger gave the tour, you could totally tell his mouth was moving. (Website Link)
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Cumberland Pencil Museum located in Keswick, Cumbria, England
Located in the grounds of a pencil-making factory, the Pencil Museum takes visitors through a replica of a graphite mine. The walk through the museum allows visitors to learn of the history of the pencil, learning all about how it was first made. Visitors should also check out the drawing zone where kids can make some art, and also be sure to see if there are any demonstrations happening where parents and kids can get some expert tips. The museum is also home to one of the world's longest pencil, which is also well worth seeing. (Website Link)
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Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia located in Burlingame, California
Celebrating its 14th birthday this year, the Museum of Pez Memorabilia pays homage to the iconic candy. Their prized possession is the world's largest Pez dispenser which, at 7-feet, 10-inches, is most impressive. The museum also has a large collection of vintage Pez dispensers as well as other Pez-related items. Visitors should be sure to visit the gift shop where they can pick up their own piece of Pez history! (Website Link)
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The Virtual Banana Museum located in Auburn, Washington
An entire museum dedicated to Bananas. I have nothing left to say.
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Icelandic Phallological Museum located in Husavik, Iceland
The Icelandic Phallological Museum is probably the only museum in the world to contain a collection of phallic specimens belonging to all the various types of mammal found in a single country. Phallology is an ancient science which, until recent years, has received very little attention in Iceland, except as a borderline field of study in other academic disciplines such as history, art, psychology, literature and other artistic fields like music and ballet. Now, thanks to The Icelandic Phallological Museum, it is finally possible for individuals to undertake serious study into the field of phallology in an organized, scientific fashion. .
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The Trash Museums located in Stratford & Hartford Connecticut
Mom wasn’t kidding when she said one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. At the Trash Museum in Hartford, Conn., the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) turns garbage into 6,500 square feet of pure recycling entertainment!
Tour the Temple of Trash or visit the old-fashioned town dump. And for your recycler-in-training, head down the street to the Children’s Garbage Museum, where you can take an educational stroll through the giant compost pile, get a glimpse of the 1-ton Trash-o-saurus, or enjoy the company of resident compost worms. (Website Link)
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See also
My blog about haunted places
Roadside America - Guide to Uniquely Odd Tourist Attractions
