12 Unique US Museums for Every Type of Traveler
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Looking to step off the beaten path of conventional museums? These 12 unique museums in the U.S. let tourists explore the world where history, art, and innovation exist in quirky ways. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, history buff, or science lover, an immersive experience awaits every type of traveler in these extraordinary museums.
1. Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho
Do you think you love potatoes and all their products? Then, you should make it a point to visit the peculiar Idaho Potato Museum, dedicated to celebrating the vegetable and its impact on the state’s economy.
While it may seem like a narrow niche, there is much to see and explore in this museum. This is an opportunity to check out the evolution of potato cultivation, its different varieties, the intricacies of Idaho’s potato industry, and a collection of potato-related memorabilia. I mean, wouldn’t any potato lover appreciate this?
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2. Museum of Bad Art, Boston, Massachusetts
Mention art museums, and everybody starts thinking of the works of Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and many other iconic artists. The Museum of Bad Art lets you skip the conventionally iconic and great art. Visiting this museum is the chance to see hysterically bad art.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to understand the thought process that led to artworks so bad they got featured in this museum? Check out the museum’s iconic exhibits: Lucy in the Field with Flowers, In The Cat’s Mouth, and Sunday on the Pot with George. As an artist or an art enthusiast, you want to get a peak of both worlds and embrace the creativity in art creation, despite the proficiency.
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3. Museum of Ice Cream, New York City, New York
To get started, the Museum of Ice Cream in New York’s walls and exhibits come in a vibrant pink color, offering a colorful backdrop for anyone wanting some incredible Instagram photos. But this is not the main reason you should visit. Visit it to explore the art and work that goes into creating everyone’s favorite frozen treat.
Dive into The Sprinkle Pool, which is full of colorful plastic sprinkles. Then explore the Chocolate Chamber with chocolate-inspired exhibits, followed by the Colorful Rainbow Room, which perfectly showcases the joy of ice cream.
The real bingo is that visitors get to sample different ice cream varieties throughout their visit. Your inner child and children will have a great time at the Museum of Ice Cream.
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4. International Spy Museum, Washington DC
Test how good of a spy you are at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. If you’re a fan of immersive museums, you will like how engaging this museum’s exhibits delve into the undercover activities of spies throughout history and across the globe.
Immerse yourself in the museum’s most popular exhibits: The Secret History of Spies, which examines the lives of modern-day and ancient spies; Covert Operations, which explores gadgets and tactics used in missions; and Spy Fiction and Pop Culture, which examines the lives of fictional spies in movies and literature.
The highlight of this museum, The Spy Experience, lets visitors unleash the James Bond in them by offering a hands-on experience with spy missions. This experience includes navigating simulated missions and deciphering codes while avoiding detection.
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5. Museum of Death, Los Angeles, California
If you are fascinated with the mystery that surrounds death, then you will be intrigued by this museum as it has so much to offer. Explore the exhibits of some of the world’s most infamous serial killers, such as Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer. This exhibit lets you examine their crime records, motives, and psychological profiles.
You can also look at some crime scene photos, which offer detailed insights into forensic records and investigations. You can also learn about the untimely deaths of icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain, and John F. Kennedy. If you like to confront taboo subjects head-on or are fascinated by the mystery surrounding mortality, this museum is for you.
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6. Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is for anybody fascinated by aircraft and space exploration. The unbeatable collection of aircraft and spacecraft showcases the milestones humankind has achieved in aviation and space exploration. The highlights of this museum include the Wright brothers’ Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, and the Apollo 11 command module.
If you’re a History buff, take time to go through the Space Race, an exhibition showcasing the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union in space exploration.
Whether you’re a history, science, or adventure enthusiast, you will have something to learn and marvel at at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
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7. International Cryptozoology Museum, Portland, Maine
In case you are wondering, Cryptozoology is the study of animals whose existence is disputed by science. Think of the widely considered fictional animals such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, Chupacabra, and the yeti.
Need proof that these cryptids exist? Maybe the evidence in this museum, including footprint casts, hair samples, and eyewitness accounts, could let you decide. If you’re into science, you will love how this museum explores the intersection between reality and human imagination.
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8. National Museum of The U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio
The National Museum of The U.S. Air Force is the world’s oldest and largest military aviation museum. It spans over 19 acres of indoor exhibition space. If you are keen on the military, you will have a great day exploring its technological evolution.
Be sure to catch a glimpse of early inventions such as the Wright Brothers’ 1909 Military Flyer, World War II bombers like the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, and modern fighter jets like the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Besides the rockets and missiles you get to explore, the museum also lets you take a glimpse into the lives of the U.S. Air Force personnel by exploring different artifacts, uniforms, and personal mementos. Wind up by experiencing the simulated flight missions for a detailed immersion into the airforce.
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9. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) Seattle, Washington
Visit the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle to explore the evolution of music, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary culture. Start at the Sound Lab, where you can experiment with different musical instruments, record your tracks, and learn more about sound engineering. Then, proceed to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, which pays homage to works shaping these two genres.
Explore artifacts and costumes from shores such as Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Lord of the Rings. You may also want to explore the Nirvana exhibit, which pays tribute to Seattle’s renowned band.
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10. The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana
There is always something more to learn about the veterans and the events of World War II. The National WWII Museum lets visitors immerse themselves in the details of the war and how it shaped the universe after its end.
Explore the veterans’ battle time in Japan, look into the challenges, triumphs, and human stories of the Western Front from the start to the fall of Berlin, and the contributions of different personnel in the war. It is a way to honor the veterans and analyze the cost of war to humankind.
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11. The Mob Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada
Located in the former federal courthouse where mob hearings were held, the Mob Museum offers exhibits of past organized crimes in America. Fans of true crime would have an amazing time exploring the relationship between law enforcement and the underworld, including the rise and fall of notorious mobsters.
This is the place to closely examine the history of infamous mobsters such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, relive Senator Estes Kefauver’s 1950s hearings, and even step into the shoes of a forensic investigator and try to analyze evidence and solve crimes.
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12. The Neon Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada
One of the things that stands out in Las Vegas is the “Welcome to Las Vegas” neon sign. Your trip to the city is not over without capturing some moments at this neon landmark, nor is it over without visiting the Neon Museum.
The Neon Boneyard in the museum lets you explore the historic neon signs, many of which date back to the early days of the Las Vegas Strip. There is no better way to indulge in the vintage history of Las Vegas than to take you down the history lane of neon lights.
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