A banana museum?
From Spam to PEZ: Some of the strangest museums in America
Image: Ti Wi
Think museums are all about fine art and ancient fossils? Think again. Across the U.S., there are museums dedicated to just about anything —including bananas, playable vintage arcades, and even mustard. From the world's largest PEZ dispenser collection to a palace made of corn, here are some of the most unexpected museums you never knew existed!
1
The Spam Museum
Image: Hannes Johnson
Spam, Spam, Spam! In Austin, Minnesota, you can walk into a playful, interactive, and nostalgic tribute to the iconic canned meat.
If you are interested, you can learn everything about Spam’s history, its production, and its cultural impact. Maybe we can understand why unwanted emails came to be called after it!
2
The International Banana Museum
Image: Aleksandar Pasaric
Would you be interested in walking around a banana museum? In Mecca, California, you can. A bright yellow wonderland dedicated to all things this fruit.
Banana phones, banana toys, and even banana-flavored candies are some of the gems you can find there. The museum's curator spent decades assembling this collection, the world’s largest assortment of banana-related items, according to Guinness World Records.
3
The Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia
Image: Jason Leung
Did you ever get a PEZ dispenser that you kept for years and years? That sort of nostalgia is what’s behind this museum in Burlingame, California.
You can take a trip down memory lane celebrating iconic PEZ dispensers that people loved. It includes vintage and interesting models, fun for collectors, enthusiasts, and PEZ fanatics.
4
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
Image: Tim Mossholder
Do you remember the cutest, funniest, or cleverest salt and pepper shakers you’ve ever seen? You may find a similar set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
This museum displays the incredible variety and artistry of salt and pepper shakers. Sets range from vintage to modern, made from materials like porcelain, wood, and metal.
5
The Neon Museum
Image: Ben Lambert
The Neon Museum is in Las Vegas. Where else? It preserves and displays the dazzling history of Sin City's neon signs.
The "Neon Boneyard" features iconic signs from closed casinos and businesses. It's a vibrant glimpse into the city's past and design aesthetic.
6
The Museum of Bad Art
Image: Melissa
The point of this museum in Somerville, Massachusetts, is to expose art that is "too bad to be ignored."
Sure, appreciating technically perfect and beautiful paintings is easy. But a far more interesting outing would be to walk around this museum smiling at pieces that look like painters’ bloopers! What is a bad painting, anyway?
7
The American Sign Museum
Image: Mikechie Esparagoza
Not for the sensitive ones; you might be overstimulated at the Sign Museum! Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this one traces the evolution of American signage and advertising culture , from hand-painted signs to electric displays.
8
The National Mustard Museum
Image: Simona Sergi
If you do not like mustard, you might want to steer clear of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin. This is a flavorful exploration of the condiment, with thousands of international varieties.
Visitors can sample different mustards and learn about their origins. It’s the largest collection of mustards in the world!
9
The Houdini Museum
Image: Hugh Green
Yes, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, there is a museum dedicated to the life and illusions of the legendary Harry Houdini. Exhibits include his personal artifacts, magic props, and escape tools. If you are interested in the world of magic and illusion, this is a must-see!
10
American Oddities Museum
Image: Giorgio Trovato
Home to the bizarre: The museum celebrates the weird history of America, with exhibits on UFO sightings, haunted dolls, and outlandish inventions.
This might be a spooky kind of museum, but endlessly intriguing. It holds everything from skeletons of two-headed animals to eerie antique medical devices. Fans of the strange and unexplained will love the collection.
11
Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum
Image: Garrett johnson
Located in McLean, Illinois, this place is a paradise for retro game lovers. It’s packed with classic pinball and vintage video games from the golden era of gaming.
The collection spans decades, featuring everything from Pac-Man to rare, forgotten arcade cabinets. Unlike many museums, visitors can actually play the exhibits —so prepare to challenge friends and relive childhood memories!
12
The National Museum of Funeral History
Image: Suhyeon Choi
It’s not as sad as it seems, we promise. This museum in Houston, Texas, gives a respectful and informative look at funeral customs across cultures and time.
Its goal is to explore the universal human experience of death and mourning by looking at how several cultures deal with someone’s passing. Displays include hearses and ornate items from Egyptian mummification rituals to presidential funerals.
