Why settle for marble statues when you could be staring into the glassy eyes of a two-headed squirrel? Across the U.S., museums are getting wonderfully weird—from a shrine to all things mustard (yes, there’s merch) to a Sasquatch museum stocked with suspiciously large footprint casts, to an entire house of oddities filled with taxidermy terrors and toe-curling curios. These aren’t just museums—they’re love letters to the eccentric, the obsessed, and the gloriously offbeat.
Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Museum (Blue Ridge, GA)
Tucked away in the woods of North Georgia, this 3,700-square-foot museum is a wild ride for Bigfoot believers and skeptics alike. Inside, you’ll find Bigfoot vocalization recordings, the nation’s largest collection of footprint casts, and the world’s only Bigfoot Research and Tech Vehicle. Swing by the Sasquatch Theater for spine-tingling documentary clips and eyewitness accounts that just might have you rethinking what’s really out there in the forest.
Museum of the Weird (Austin, TX)
True to its name, the Museum of the Weird is a delightfully strange stop in downtown Austin. Spread across three floors, this curiosity cabinet dives into everything from ghost stories and Bigfoot lore to alien encounters and vintage sci-fi memorabilia. You’ll spot two-headed animals, oddball taxidermy, and maybe even a familiar face—rumor has it Johnny Depp lived here during the filming of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
Oz Museum (Wamego, KS)
If you’ve ever wanted to follow the yellow brick road, the Oz Museum in Wamego is your portal to all things Oz. With more than 2,000 artifacts spanning over a century, this spot goes way beyond the 1939 classic. You’ll find everything from original costumes and first-edition L. Frank Baum books to nods at lesser-known gems like early silent films and The Wiz. Don’t miss the ruby slippers—3,500 Swarovski crystals, in case you’re counting—and shelves of flying monkey miniatures and rare vintage photos.
The Neon Museum (Las Vegas, NV)
Vegas glows a little brighter at the Neon Museum, where vintage signs from as far back as the 1930s get a second life. Nicknamed the “Neon Boneyard,” this open-air collection is a walk-through tribute to the city’s electric past. Stroll past iconic signs in the main yard, explore more in the North Gallery, or take a themed tour—whether you’re into film history or pivotal cultural eras like the Civil Rights Movement. Pro tip: swing by after dark, when the lights flicker on and the desert sky turns into a glowing canvas.
Museum of Death (New Orleans, LA)
If the darker side of history fascinates you, the Museum of Death in New Orleans might just be your kind of place. Sitting on the edge of the French Quarter, this spine-chilling collection features everything from shrunken heads and skeletons to antique morticians’ tools and unsettling letters penned by serial killers. There’s even a whole exhibit on cannibalism—so maybe skip lunch beforehand. It’s creepy, it’s curious, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
International UFO Museum and Research Center (Roswell, NM)
Where else would a UFO museum land but Roswell? The International UFO Museum and Research Center dives deep into the legendary 1947 incident that put this New Mexico town on the extraterrestrial map. Inside, you’ll spot life-size alien models, step into interactive exhibits, and browse rows of old newspaper clippings and first-hand accounts. There’s even a nod to cult-favorite Roswell TV shows—and yes, the gift shop is packed with out-of-this-world souvenirs (think alien crossing bumper stickers and glow-in-the-dark everything).
Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum (Gatlinburg, TN)
How many salt and pepper shakers do you own? Probably not 20,000. At the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg, that’s just the start. This delightfully oddball spot features shakers shaped like everything from fruit and sushi to cola bottles and cows—each one more unexpected than the last. It’s weird, it’s whimsical, and it just might make you rethink your spice rack.
The Soda Museum (St. Charles, MO)
Step into fizzy history at The Soda Museum, where vintage soda culture bubbles back to life. From 1880s glass bottles to ‘80s vending machines, this place is packed with soft drink memorabilia, old-school toys, and branded games that’ll take you straight down memory lane. Before you go, head downstairs and channel your inner kid with a few rounds of pinball in the retro arcade.
