Buzz
Tap into your quirky side! Though summer nights are fading, there's still time to discover these extraordinary museums.
1. Museum of Clean: Located in Pocatello, Idaho
If someone you know has a hoarding habit, the Museum of Clean is the perfect place for inspiration. Spanning 75,000 square feet, this museum covers half a city block and focuses on promoting a clutter-free lifestyle. What began as a showcase for cleaning tools now inspires visitors to simplify their lives. For those who love order, the highlight is a display of nearly 1000 vacuum cleaners (pictured above). And yes, every exhibit is impeccably maintained.
2. The House on the Rock: Situated near Spring Green, Wisconsin
Flickr: DonovanBeeson
Add this to your must-visit list immediately—it’s the ultimate hub of eccentricity. Home to what might be the world’s largest assortment of curiosities, the House on the Rock combines every quirky roadside attraction into one massive experience. The sprawling complex can take hours to explore. Among its highlights is the world’s largest carousel, a dazzling spectacle featuring 269 animals and 182 chandeliers (pictured above). The crown jewel, however, is the infinity room, a 218-foot structure extending over Wyoming Valley.
3. Museum of Bad Art: Located in Brookline and Somerville, Massachusetts
Museum of Bad Art
Promoted as “art too awful to overlook,” the Museum of Bad Art boasts a collection of over 250 dreadful artworks rescued from thrift stores and garbage bins. MOBA operates from two venues, typically displaying 25 pieces at a time. If you appreciate art and enjoy a good laugh, you’ll be delighted by the assortment of poorly executed watercolors and botched paint-by-number creations.
4. The American Sign Museum: Located in Camp Washington, Ohio
The American Sign Museum
If the glow of neon lights fills you with nostalgia, a visit to the American Sign Museum will transport you back in time. The museum features over 500 signs dating from the late 1800s to the 1970s, offering a vibrant glimpse into the iconic signage that once adorned America’s streets.
5. World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things: Lucas, Kansas
Erika Nelson has a passion for roadside attractions and superlatives. Since 2002, she’s journeyed across the nation in search of the world’s largest objects, such as the 8-ton ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas, or the colossal ketchup bottle in Collinsville, Illinois. After visiting each attraction, she crafts a miniature replica and includes it in her traveling museum. Her mission? To inspire more Americans to value the country’s quirky roadside landmarks and shops over the generic malls and restaurants we often frequent.
6. Museum of Jurassic Technology: Located in Los Angeles, California
Museum of Jurassic Technology
This museum will leave your mind spinning—but it’s worth the visit. Don’t expect dinosaurs or cavemen, though. The Museum of Jurassic Technology is a bewildering, entertaining maze of oddities, a modern twist on the curiosity cabinets of the Renaissance. Its exhibits defy categorization, blending art, history, science, and satire into a collection of factual nuggets wrapped in absurdity.
7. National Mustard Museum: Middleton, Wisconsin
Flickr: Ann Althouse
Barry Levenson was heartbroken. His favorite team, the Red Sox, had just lost the 1986 World Series, and he needed a distraction. To cope, he did what any devoted fan might do—he began collecting mustard. Today, his museum showcases over 5,500 varieties of mustard from more than 70 countries. The massive store is a haven for mustard enthusiasts and even hosts the condiment’s unofficial college: Poupon U.
From the eerie Mütter Museum in Philadelphia to the quirky Musée Mécanique in San Francisco, the U.S. is home to countless unusual museums. Share your favorites in the comments below!
