The Weirdest Museums Around the World

This fascinating museum is perfect for lovers of the occult and the supernatural. From vampire-hunting kits to a majestic vampire-hunting hearse brought in from Santorini and a skeleton chair that perhaps belonged to Vincent Price, the huge collection of macabre items on display promises a spooky experience like no other. Blending history with folklore, the eight rooms of this museum along with its grounds filled with ghoulish statues make for an eerie, educational outing.

The location of Roswell in New Mexico is a hotbed for UFO sightings and conspiracies, so it’s no surprise that a UFO Museum has now cropped up there, offering visitors a unique chance to engage with Roswell’s history as well as imagine what alien encounters can actually be like. Along with a research library, there are plenty of odd displays including an alien autopsy and immersive sci-fi experiences, along with a gift shop so you can bring back UFO-themed souvenirs home. 

Situated in the building of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Hunterian Museum is devoted to anatomical specimens, surgical implements and other medical relics. Whether you’re a student of biology or medicine, or just fascinated by the anatomy of various fauna and how the practice of surgery has evolved through the ages, a visit to the Hunterian Museum will definitely be an eye-opening educational experience for you.   

Mourning rituals and funerary traditions vary across cultures, and the National Museum of Funeral History located in Houston, Texas, aims to "educate the public and preserve the heritage of death care." There are all sorts of death-related items on display, such as unusual-shaped coffins from ancient Egypt, funerary hearses, Abraham Lincoln’s death mask, majestic caskets, and more. 

And in a paradoxical way, the museum’s exhibits highlight how the fact of death unites everyone, rich or poor, and encourages visitors to appreciate the miracle of existence.

This is the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the female reproductive system. While initially hosting two exhibitions a year to promote awareness about gynecological health, there are now permanent galleries educating visitors about the female anatomical structures including vulva diversity, and fighting against the stigma and shame often associated with these organs. 

From health resources on endometriosis to awareness drives about periods, the museum brings together education and activism under one roof, and celebrates bodily autonomy in all its varied forms. 

Until now, all the weird museums we’ve discussed are located above ground. But what if we told you about a majestic museum that exists underwater and visitors have to dive and snorkel to browse through the exhibits of over 500 sculptures, all carefully designed by local and international artisans to promote coral life? 

Welcome to the Museo Subacuático de Arte, located in Cancún, Mexico, that mixes art with environmentalism. It offers visitors an unforgettably unique experience while also raising awareness about the importance of preserving coral reefs. And if you’re not keen on getting wet, you can also opt for a tour in a glass-bottomed boat! 

New Orleans is rife with history and folklore, and if you’re planning a trip to the French Quarter, a visit to the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum is a must. This one is entirely dedicated to Voodoo history, art and culture, with a vibrant collection of Voodoo paintings, flags, altars, fertility statues, ceremonial masks and more. Visitors not only get an enthralling crash-course on this African diaspora religion, but they might also be lucky enough to witness a Voodoo priest doing live readings. There are also walking tours to nearby historical and cultural sites, along with a gift shop packed with eclectic souvenirs.