America’s Most Interesting Museums

1. Museum of Death in New Orleans, Louisiana and Hollywood, California

If you’re someone who is fascinated with serial killers, this museum is a dream come true! You’ll see all things from hand written letters and murder weapons of some of the nations most notorious serial killers to actual clothing worn by them and their victims. This museum is certainly not for the faint of heart so come prepared to feel fascinated and queasy at the same exact time! With two locations in New Orleans and Hollywood, your next trip west or south should definitely include a little dark history! 

2. The International Spy Museum in Washington D.C.

The International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. features interactive exhibitions, an extensive collection of spy artifacts and first person accounts from the world’s top intelligence officers. This museum is truly worth an entire day on your next D.C. vacation because it has so much knowledge to offer. If you weren’t a conspiracy theorist before visiting, you will be after.  

3. Museum of the Weird in Austin, Texas

Open daily in Austin, Texas, The Museum of the Weird is known as America’s strangest attraction and one of the last true dime museums(link) in the United States. Dime museums were introduced in the 1800’s by P.T. Barnum..so let your imagine run wild-this museum is essentially a giant carny sideshow and for just $12 admission, you can go back in time on your next southern vacation and experience the true frightening amazement of weirdness. 

4. Leila’s Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri

Leila’s Hair Museum is the only hair museum in the world and features thousands of jewelry pieces and wreaths(hmmm) made out of human hair. The museum is still collecting hair art to this day! Is this fascinating or a little psychotic? We’ll let you decide on your next getaway to Missouri! 

5. Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City, California

Filled with science, art, history and tons of unexplained artifacts, The Museum of  Jurassic Technology in Culver City, California will bring out every ounce of curiosity that your mind can handle. Calling itself “an educational institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the public appreciation of the Lowe Jurassic,” this museum of museums will leave you wanting more and questioning all historic aspects of life.  

6. The World of Coke in Atlanta, Georgia

Soda…pop…soda pop? Wherever you are from in the U.S. we can all agree that Coke is a large part of American culture. Sorry Pepsi lovers! The World of Coke in Atlanta, Georgia is an unforgettable experience that will take you back in time to when Coke came exclusively in glass bottles with one size option and still contained trace amounts of cocaine. The museum features a theater, pop-culture galleries, a vault with their secret formula(no longer containing cocaine by the way,) and and entire room that shoots waterfall of coke flavors to taste test. This is a must see next time you travel to Atlanta.

7. The Museum of Bad Art in Brookline, Massachusetts

A museum that will bring true joy and giggles to your next east coast vacation, the museum of bad art is a fun experience featuring art “too bad to be ignored.”  The museum features all forms of bad art including portraits, pottery, sculptures, drawing and photography. Unfortunately they are currently undergoing construction and aren’t open at the moment but plan to re-open in the near future so keep on eye out! 

8. International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine

Before we explain, Cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals. Big words are hard, we know. This is a unique experience and interesting for the whole family next time you’re traveling together! Featuring collections of rare and on-of-a-kind scientific specimens, the mission at this museum is to preserve native art to contemporary souvenirs. If that wasn’t enough to get you to plan your next getaway to Maine, just know that there is an exhibit of a sea monster  that may or may not be real. 

9. The McDonald’s Museum in Des Plaines, Illinois

Thought we couldn’t get more American than The World of Coke? What’s more American than an entire museum dedicated to quickly made and served burgers and fries? Literally nothing. Located 30 minutes from Chicago, you can see this replica of the very first McDonald’s restaurant. Tours are available to schedule that exhibit the vintage grills and fryers used in the original restaurant. You can’t eat here, but conveniently enough, there is a real McDonald’s right across the street! 

10. National Toy Hall of Fame Rochester, NY

Fun for the child at heart or better yet, an actual child! The National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York is a blast from the past showcasing America’s most popular toys in history. This popular museum will not only likely feature your favorite childhood toy, but possibly even your patents and grandparents favorite toys as well! If you can’t make the trip to New York anytime soon, you can see if your favorite childhood toy has been inducted here.