The World's Strangest Museums
The world’s already pretty weird—but buckle up, because it’s about to get a whole lot stranger.
Believe it or not, people have built entire museums dedicated to the oddest things you can imagine. Instant noodles? Check. Condoms? Yep. Even tap water? Believe it. There’s a weird museum for just about everything.
Ready to take a wild tour? Here are 40 of the world’s strangest museums that honestly might not need to exist — but we’re glad they do.
The SPAM Museum
The SPAM Museum is located in Austin, Minnesota. Here, you can learn all about everyone’s favorite meat cube. From ingredients and shelf life, to unusual uses, die-hard SPAM fans will get a kick out of this museum.
Take advantage of the free guided tours that run hourly on weekends.
The Washington Post, Getty Images
The National Mustard Museum
The National Mustard Museum is located in Middleton, Wisconsin. It houses a collection of over 6,000 types of mustard from around the world.
Check out the shop that sells 500+ varieties, and offers free taste testing.
Wwahammy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. This place is filled with loads of old, iconic and rescued neon signs. It has both an indoor exhibit and an outdoor exhibit known as the Neon Boneyard.
This museum hosts events like weddings and conferences, and also has "portrait hour" for people who want to go there specifically for photography.
Beijing Tap Water Museum
Tucked away in China, the Beijing Tap Water Museum is a quirky spot like no other. Once a humble pipe house, it’s now a full-on museum celebrating the fascinating world of tap water. Whether you’re curious about its history or the tech behind it, this oddly specific museum is a hidden gem for anyone who’s ever wondered about the water running from their tap.
The Museum of Bad Art
The Museum of Bad Art is located in Boston, Massachusetts. It’s the only museum in the world dedicated to “the collection, exhibition, and celebration of bad art in all its forms.”
There are over 900 pieces of art, each with a descriptive narrative specific to its origin.
The Dog Collar Museum
The Dog Collar Museum is located in Kent, England. It is a “fascinating collection of canine neckwear”. Believe it or not, this museum has existed for five centuries and is more popular than you’d think.
Here, you’ll find rare collars, ancient collars, and collars made from all and any materials.
British Lawnmower Museum
Located in Merseyside, England, the Lawnmower Museum showcases various lawnmowers from around the world. From royal lawnmowers belonging to Prince Charles (not likely used by him though), to the world’s most expensive lawnmowers, this museum will pleasantly surprise you.
Don’t miss the fully-functioning lawnmower that is only 5cm high.
Dual Freq, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Iceland Phallological Museum
In Reykjavík, Iceland, the Phallological Museum holds the world’s most unusual—and definitely one-of-a-kind—collection: male reproductive organs. Yep, it’s likely the only museum on Earth dedicated entirely to the male member.
From the tiniest hamster’s 2mm “exhibit” to the massive 1.7-meter phallus of a sperm whale, plus a human specimen from a 95-year-old man, this museum promises a wild, educational, and unforgettable experience.
International Cryptozoology Museum
The International Cryptozoology Museum, located in Maine, USA, features full sized art sculptures of your favorite monsters.
Cryptozoology is “the study of unverified animals, mystical creatures” only rumored to exist by legend or belief, such as the Yeto or the Loch Ness Monster.
Instant Ramen Museum
The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum is located in Japan and it boasts and incredible collection of instant noodles.
Not only can you learn the history of ramen noodles, but you can also make your own in their visitor’s kitchen.
The Museum of Death
The Siriraj Medical Museum (Museum of Death) is located in Thailand, and it definitely not for the weak. As soon as you walk in, you’ll be greeted with the skeleton of the museum’s founder.
You’ll also find hemorrhaged brains, severed limbs, and punctured organs—among many other graphic exhibits.
Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center
Nestled in Wisconsin, the Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is a quirky shrine to America’s jokesters—both the hilarious and the downright creepy. This offbeat museum houses the world’s largest collection of clown artifacts, celebrating the colorful characters who’ve made us laugh, gasp, and maybe hide behind the couch.
Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Hair Museum
The Avanos Hair Museum is located in Turkey, and houses the world’s largest collection of hair.
Actual hair gathered from more than 16,000 women covers the walls of this museum, and even includes names and addresses of the people who provided the hair.
Nevit Dilmen, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Bread Museum
The Bread Museum is located in Germany. The museum houses 16,000 artifacts related to the history of bread, but no actual bread.
It’s more about the cultural history of bread, and the various ways to make it.
Schnute22, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame
The Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame is located in California. This museum proudly displays Hollywood undergarments, from Tom Hanks’ boxer shorts in “Forrest Gump” to the undies of the entire cast of “Beverly Hills 90210.”
Paramount, Forrest Gump (1994)
Museum of Enduring Beauty
In Malaysia, the Museum of Enduring Beauty stands as a striking tribute to the lengths people will go to achieve their idea of beauty. From bound feet and reshaped skulls to lip discs and dyed skin, this museum showcases traditions that are as fascinating as they are shocking. It’s a powerful look at beauty’s strange—and sometimes painful—history around the world.
Underwater Museum of Art
The Underwater Museum of Art is located in Cancun, Mexico. It displays more than 500 submerged sculptures.
To visit this museum you must put on a wetsuit and descend about 6 meters into the water.
Museum of Broken Relationships
The Museum of Broken Relationships is located in Croatia. Here, you’ll find displays of books, coffee pots, spoons, shoes, Valentine’s gifts, and more—all memorabilia from relationships that have ended.
Most of the artifacts are from the personal collection of the founders, but some were also donated by friends and family who also experienced heartache.
The Poop Museum
The Poop Museum is located in Italy, and it displays various sculptures made out of cow manure. These sculptures were created using the poop of more than 2,500 cows.
Zde, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Vent Haven Museum
Tucked away in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, the Vent Haven Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to ventriloquism. It houses over 900 retired dummies, including some used by famous performers, making it both fascinating and a little eerie. If ventriloquist dolls have ever creeped you out or caught your curiosity, this museum is a must-see.
Bata Shoe Museum
The Bata Shoe Museum is located in Toronto, Canada. It started out as the private collection of a woman whose husband owned a shoe company.
Today, the museum has over 13,000 different pairs of shoes, dating back as far as 4,500 years.
International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum is in Washington, DC. This museum isn’t “strange”, but rather very intriguing. It offers a unique look at the secrets of real-life espionage.
It boasts incredible interactive displays of tools and inventions used by spies all around the world.
The Parasite Museum
The Meguro Parasitological Museum is located in Japan. It features more than 300 parasite specimens, including the world's longest tapeworm, the insides of a dolphin’s stomach, and a turtle’s head that had been taken over by a parasite.
The National Poo Museum
The National Poo Museum in England isn’t just about cow manure—it features real poop on display. Samples from various animals and humans are preserved inside resin spheres, making it a strangely fascinating stop for the curious and brave alike.
PooMuseum, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Electric Ladyland Phosphorescence Museum
The Electric Ladyland Phosphorescence Museum is in Amsterdam, and it’s the only museum in the world dedicated to phosphorescent art.
The psychedelic UV-lit rooms also feature fluorescent fish, mineral samples, toys, and other glowing everyday objects.
Robin Sheat Eythian, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kattenkabinet
The Kattenkabinet is a museum completely dedicated to all things cat. Not only is it filled with cat art and cat memorabilia, it also has several feline friends that roam around while you look.
The National Museum of Funeral History
The National Museum of Funeral History is located in Houston, Texas. Here, you can learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about funerals. From historical funeral customs to funeral techniques around the world, there is a coffin for everyone here.
UFO Museum
Located in Roswell, New Mexico, the UFO Museum opened in 1992 thanks to two men involved in the famous Roswell incident who wanted to share their conspiracy theories. Inside, you’ll find a mix of artifacts, photos, and stories all tied to alleged UFO sightings and mysterious landings—perfect for anyone fascinated by the unknown.
Jirka Matousek, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Plastinarium
The Plastinarium is located in Germany. It’s a touring exhibit of corpses that have been preserved with plastic. More than 18,000 people have donated their bodies to this museum.
TheFlyingDutchman, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Museum of Intimacy
In New York, there is a museum that documents the history of human intimacy. It includes displays of suggestive art, exhibits that explain how animals do the deed, and various toys used between lovers.
To add to the already fun atmosphere, you’ll find a bouncy house made of breasts.
Don’t forget to visit the gift shop!
The International Museum of Toilets
The Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is in Delhi, India. This museum documents the evolution of toilets—including commodes, urinals, and chamber pots from around the world dating all the way back to 2500 B.C.
The Museum of Mummies
The Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato in Mexico holds a chilling collection of real mummies. Back in the 1860s, the city introduced a grave tax—families who didn’t pay had their loved ones’ bodies exhumed. As the number of mummified remains grew, the museum was created to house them all, offering a haunting glimpse into history and tradition.
The Corpus Museum
The Corpus Museum is located in the Netherlands. This museum allows you to travel through the entire human body, as if you were shrunk down to the size of an ant.
Visitors enter through the knee and make stops throughout the body, such as the intestines where they witness the digestion of a cheese sandwich.
Willem Nabuurs, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Museum of Miniature Books
The Museum of Miniature Books is located in Baku, Azerbaijan, and it is the world’s only museum of mini books.
The collection was compiled over 30 years ago and currently houses more than 5,600 books published in 66 different countries.
Included is the smallest book in the world, which must be read by magnifying glass.
Stanislav Kozlovskiy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The National Hobo Museum
The National Hobo Museum is in Britt, Iowa. It was founded by three former hobos who wanted to preserve and educate others about the hobo lifestyle and customs.
Along with various artifacts and memorabilia, it also includes the personal collections of famous hobos like the Pennsylvania Kid, Connecticut Slim, and the Hard Rock Kid.
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Located in England, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic boasts the world’s largest collection of witchcraft artifacts. It explores a wide range of magical practices, superstitions, and rituals, offering visitors a fascinating journey into the mysterious and mystical world of witchcraft.
Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Gopher Hole Museum
The Gopher Hole Museum is located in Torrington, Canada. It features dozens of stuffed gophers dressed and posed to resemble different citizens of the tiny town of Torrington.
Believe it or not, thousands of people visit this museum each year.
The Mutter Museum
Located in Pennsylvania, The Mutter Museum of medical history features 19th century medical tools, 100 human skulls, and preserved specimens like pieces of Albert Einstein's brain and the livers of conjoined twins.
Tabasco Museum
The Tabasco Museum in Avery Island, Louisiana is a tabasco museum that documents the sauce's invention. Also on site, you can tour a tabasco factory and their pepper greenhouse.
The Condom Museum
Located in Thailand—the world’s biggest condom producer—the Condom Museum showcases creative art made entirely from condoms. With two full rooms of unique displays and a special section proving their strength and durability, this museum is equal parts quirky and educational.
