Museums are educational and entertaining, the last part only if you’re lucky. But what about those museums that put the ick, the weird in the mix? Next up, some of the weirdest museums around the world. They cover human biology, the bad type of art, and even the lost art of salt and pepper shakers.
1. Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) – Massachusetts, USA
MOBA is dedicated to collecting and displaying art that is so bad it’s good. It showcases a collection of “art too bad to be ignored,” celebrating the unintentional humor and creativity in amateur art.
2. The Mütter Museum – Pennsylvania, USA
Located in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the Mütter Museum is a medical museum filled with anatomical and pathological specimens, including preserved body parts, medical oddities, and antique medical instruments. Clearly not for the faint of heart!
3. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets – New Delhi, India
A whole museum dedicated to the history of sanitation and toilets. It displays a wide range of toilet designs and provides a unique perspective on the evolution of bathroom facilities, evolution for which we are all thankful.
4. Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum – Kentucky, USA
5. The Dog Collar Museum – Kent, England
A small museum located in Leeds Castle, this one showcases a fascinating collection of historic and cool dog collars dating back several centuries, offering insight into the history of canine fashion. Spiked or not, full on leather or full on fabric, gold plated for the fancy doggos, these guys have a lot on display.
6. The Iceland Phallological Museum – Reykjavik, Iceland
This museum is dedicated to the study and display of penises from various animals, all neatly displayed in jars. It’s a unique exploration of the male reproductive organ in the animal kingdom all packed up in one hormone-filled museum.
7. The Museum of Broken Relationships – Zagreb, Croatia
This museum displays donated mementos and artifacts from failed relationships, each with a story explaining the significance of the item. People all around the world submitted sad, funny, or plain weird memorabilia from a relationship that wasn’t meant to be. You have 4k objects to browse so take your time.
8. International Cryptozoology Museum – Maine, USA
Cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals, and this museum explores cryptids such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Chupacabra through exhibits and artifacts. Expect to see a lot of mysterious, unexplained stuff, this is what this museum is all about.
9. The Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments – Prague, Czech Republic
This museum showcases a grim collection of torture devices used during the Middle Ages. Visitors can see various implements designed to inflict pain and punishment. The grim, the gore, you get to see it all in a rather grim setup as well.
10. The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum – Tennessee, USA
This museum is dedicated to the tiny but diverse world of salt and pepper shakers. Colorful, varied, and oh so chintzy, this portrays salt and pepper shakers in such a fun and weird light.
11. The International Spy Museum – Washington, D.C., USA
If you want to explore the world of espionage with anything this implies, from exhibits on spy gadgets, secret missions, and the history of spying, this is it. Relocated from Penn Quarter to L’Enfant Plaza back in 2019, this is home to a LOT of stuff.
12. The Torture Museum – Amsterdam, Netherlands
A take on different torture instruments, from hanging chairs to inquisition chairs. The atmosphere matches the exhibits, a small, dark place with creepy stuff on display.
13. The Siriraj Medical Museum – Bangkok, Thailand
Also known as the Museum of Death, it houses an extensive collection of preserved human bodies, organs, and other medical oddities. No need to go into morbid details, you can check it online and decide if it’s a go or no go for you.
14. The Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders – Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bugs, bugs, everywhere you look, you have bugs. You get an up-close look at the insect kingdom, featuring a vast collection of preserved insects, butterflies, and creepy-crawlies.
15. The Museum of Osteology – Oklahoma City, USA
Focusing on bones, this museum has an extensive collection of skeletons and is dedicated to the study of skeletal systems in the animal kingdom. You get to explore 450 skeletons of animal species from all over the world. It’s a bit weird and a whole lot interesting at the same time.
16. The Mini Bottle Gallery – Oslo, Norway
From the category “Weird stuff people collect” we have this gem. You’ll see a huge collection of mini bottles from around the world, from spirits and beer to soda.
17. The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft – Holmavik, Iceland
A museum that explores the history of witchcraft and sorcery in Iceland, with exhibits on magical artifacts and folklore. You get two whole floors jam packed with stuff like necropants aka pants made from the skin of a dead guy that you wear for good luck, milk-suckin demons, a ritualistic stone and so much more.
18. The Bunny Museum – California, USA
A paradise for bunny enthusiasts or a horror show for those who are not such big fans. You get to see stuffed animals, bunny art, and anything in between.
Recommended reading next: The 13 Weirdest Buildings In The World Will Blow Your Mind
19. The National Mustard Museum – Middleton, Wisconsin, USA
When you think you’ve seen it all, you get hit by this. A museum entirely devoted to mustard, featuring thousands of varieties of mustard from around the world.
