The MOMA and Guggenheim are great, but let's take a minute to appreciate the little guy... you know, that weird estranged cousin of the big name museums. Here's a list of 15 of the weirdest, most wonderful museums in the continental United States that you should totally visit the next time you get that itch for culture or the bizarre in your life.
1) INTERNATIONAL BANANA MUSEUM - MECCA, CA
The International Banana Museum needs no introduction, really. It's just got a certain aPEEL... See what I did there? Funny, right? But seriously folks, this is a museum that's ripe for the picking. Boasting over 200,000 banana related items in it's collection, this top banana is no joke. You'll be seeing yellow by the time you leave, but you'll like it so much you won't want to split!
2) GRACELAND - MEMPHIS, TN
Graceland may be the former estate of Elvis Presley, but it's actually so much more. While it is a shrine of sorts the the late king of rock and roll, it's also Elvis' final resting place and a destinations for fans of all generations. Graceland is also kind of like a 1970s time capsule. From green shag carpets to mirrored ceilings, Graceland screams seventies. It's a place that everyone should visit at least once. The upstairs where Elvis' bedroom was has been closed off to the public. Only one person was able to sneak upstairs in the history of Graceland being open - Andy Kaufman. Legend has it that Andy was able to sneak upstairs during a private tour and used the toilet.
3) NEON GRAVEYARD - LAS VEGAS, NV
Whoa! This place is INCREDIBLE. The Neon Graveyard (or Neon Boneyard to some, but officially The Neon Museum) is where Las Vegas neon signs go to retire. With signs that date as far back to the 1950s, this place is a Las Vegas time capsule that you don't want to miss! The museum runs daily guided tours for $18 - not bad when you're seeing such a huge part of Sin City's history.
4) THE BARKER CHARACTER, COMIC & CARTOON MUSEUM - CHESHIRE, CT
I'm from Connecticut so this is a personal favorite of mine, but anyone that was ever a child will love The Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum. From toys from Pee-Wee's Playhouse to Soupy Sales, this museum has got you covered. This museum has one of the most extensive toy collections in the world AND they've got fun wooden cut-outs of cartoon characters on the front lawn that you can take pictures with. If you're ever in the Northeast, please make time to visit this magical museum!
5) BARNEY SMITH'S TOILET SEAT ART MUSEUM - SAN ANTONIO, TX
Toilet seat art?! Say what! This is actually a real thing at Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Art Museum. An artist by the name of Barney Smith does art on toilet seats! Forget canvas - Barney's paving a new path in the world of art. Let's just hope he cleans these seats before he paints them, am I right? Thank you, America, for making it possible for a man with a dream to paint toilet seats and open a museum. Just a fact that this is a thing proves that freedom rings in America. So, thank you America and thank you, Barney Smith!
Bigfoot is real and there's a museum dedicated to him to prove it! At The Bigfoot Discovery Museum you can learn everything you've ever wanted to know and more about Bigfoot himself. It's pretty weird that a guy who's rarely seen by anyone has a museum solely dedicated to him, but weird is good, right?
7) BURLINGAME MUSEUM OF PEZ MEMORABILIA - BURLINGAME, CA
Pez! The candy that's also a toy and a collectible and overall just the best! Who wouldn't want to visit a museum dedicated to this curious confection? Only terrible people, of course, which isn't you. You're wonderful, which is why you've got to visit The Burlingame Museum Of Pez Memorabilia!
8) SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER MUSEUM - GATLINBURG, TN
The Salt And Pepper Shake Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is pure kitsch. Actually, anyone that's ever visited Galinburg, Tennessee will tell you that Gatlinburg itself is pure kitsch, but that's another story. If you're ever in Dolly Parton's neck of the woods on your way to The Smokies, be sure to stop by this museum for a very flavorful and not-bland-at-all experience.
9) THE CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS - ATLANTA, GA
If you're not terrified of puppets, then you should definitely visit The Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. This museum is for people who love puppetry and people who are interested in the art. It's also for small children and anyone that doesn't have a phobia of clowns, because there are a lot of those at this place.
10) PINBALL HALL OF FAME - LAS VEGAS, NV
Hold up! Did someone say pinball?! I'm sold! Okay, so The Pinball Hall Of Fame is a MUST on your next visit to Las Vegas. While pinball machines aren't typically the shiny, chiming machines that you want to play in Sin City, you should definitely make an exception. I mean, this is a museum full of pinball machines. PINBALL MACHINES. Enough said.
What's the weirdest you've ever been to? Leave a comment below with your story!
Photos via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via& via.
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
No comments:
Post a Comment