10 Strange Museums Around The World You Might Not Heard Of

1. Gelato Museum: Emilia Bologna, Italy

Italy is well known for its ice cream, but the locals call it gelato. Did you know that there is a Gelato Museum, in Italy? It actually exists and it is the first ice cream museum in the world! So, on your next trip to Italy, check out this cool museum - the only museum dedicated to the technology, history and culture of artisan gelato. There are five large themed areas where you’ll be able to see and learn about the history of ice cream, the utensils used to make gelato and the process of making it. There is more, as you’ll get to taste some of the gelatos as well as participate in gelato making classes. Besides all this, there are guided tours, but you’ll need to book in advance. Don’t forget to bring your kids, as there are exciting activities for them, too. After all, no one likes ice cream more than children.

Gelato Museum

Address: Via Emilia, 45, 40011 Anzola dell'Emilia BO, Italy

Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm (Tuesday - Saturday). Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Website: Gelato Museum

2. Cancun Underwater Museum: Cancun, Mexico

This museum is a must visit for tourists from around the world. At the Cancun Underwater Museum, you will be in for a surprise. Unlike the usual museums you have been to, this museum is underwater. You will need to dive into the sea to visit this museum as there are about 500 sculptures here, submerged between 3 to 6 meters (9.8 to 19.7 feet) under the ocean. The museum is located in the vicinity of Cancun National Marine Park and it is an interesting point of interest if you happen to be in Cancun or if you plan on coming here in the near future.

The Cancun Underwater Museum’s purpose is devoted to the art of conservation, especially coral reefs. Among the unique sculptures you can see here are the terracotta army, a vintage car, as well as others. These exhibits are not mere rocks or stone sculptures, they are indeed pieces of creative art. And if you don’t like diving, you can board a glass bottomed boat, just to take some photos and admire the beauty of the exhibits. If is like the lost city of Atlantis, and you can explore a huge area here, under the sea.

Cancun Underwater Museum

Address: Km. 15.3, Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm (Monday - Sunday)

Website: Cancun Underwater Museum

3. Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum: Ikeda, Japan

Asian countries are well-known for their noodles. And, speaking of Asian noodles, there is a variety to choose from! From the famous Cup Noodle to other brands of instant noodles and ramen, Japanese food would be incomplete without this quick and easy tasty treat. The craze of ramen noodles is never ending. That’s why you’ll see locals go to Japanese restaurants that serve ramen, over sushi, every time. So, when in Japan, take the time to learn about the history of ramen noodles by touring the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum. The museum was founded by Momofuku Ando and he has designed an attraction suitable for everyone, from kids to senior citizens.

Get ready to learn about the process of making ramen noodles. Visit the ramen factory and take part in the instant ramen workshop. You’ll need to pay a fee to join, but the museum itself is free of charge. You will definitely get hungry when you smell the aroma of the noodles. Good news - you’ll be able to taste different types of instant ramen from the vending machine in the special tasting room. This place is indeed awesome.

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

Address: 8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka 563-0041, Japan

Opening Hours: 9.30am - 4pm (Wednesday - Monday). Closed on Tuesday

Website: Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

4. Museum of Broken Relationships: Zagreb, Croatia

Of all the museums in the world, you would never imagine this museum actually exists. This museum is in Zagreb, Croatia and if you are in love or engaged, it is worth a visit. But, do note that this museum might not be suitable for someone who has just had a breakup! The history of this museum is amusing. Did you know that two Zagreb based artists, Dražen Grubišić and Olinka Vištica, founded this museum? They were initially in a relationship and broke it off, after four years, which became the catalyst for this museum!

Inside the museum, you will come across an axe, previously used by a woman from Berlin. She used it to chop up her former lover’s furniture. Apart from the items on display here, you’ll be able to read the stories behind each broken relationship. In total, there are three segments you’ll need to see and experience, for yourself. They are the Virtual Web area, the Material Remains section and the Confessional area. If you have anything you want to donate from your previous break up, you can donate it to the museum. Besides, you can also record your confession and store your secret messages here.

Museum of Broken Relationships

Address: Ćirilometodska ul. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm (Monday - Sunday)

Website: Museum of Broken Relationships

5. Museum of Mathematics: New York, USA

Do you like numbers? How about mathematics? Time for you to visit the Museum of Mathematics. This is the only such museum in the whole of North America and it is unique, in its own way. While you are here, you can view more than 30 exhibits. In general, most people have the perception that mathematics is hard and boring, but by visiting this museum, you might change your perception of it, after all. Be prepared to crack the code and be a maths wizard while you are here.

Various programs are available for all age groups. Among them are Family Fridays, Math Midway, Math Encounters and Math Midway 2 Go. Do not miss the square-wheeled tricycle, which you can try out. It is one of the most popular attractions in the museum and kids will want to play with it. What are you waiting for? Bring your whole family here.

Museum of Mathematics

Address: 11 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010

Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm (Monday - Sunday)

Website: Museum of Mathematics

6. Le Musee des Vampires: Les Lilas, France

Forget Bran Castle and visit Le Musee des Vampires. Vampire fans will definitely want to check out this museum, located in Les Lilas, France. Upon entering the museum you will be in a whole new world. It’s setting and surrounding is eerie by horror movie standards and this place is not for the faint-hearted. What do Bram Stoker’s book, Count Dracula and this museum have in common? They are all vampire related. You will get to see various horror fictions, different types of vampire costumes, weapons used to kill vampires, posters and much more.

There are guided tours available but you need to book in advance. Besides, why not dine in the evening and experience the gothic music and environment. You can also take part in vampire-related games and hear some terrifying stories. Just book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Le Musee des Vampires

Address: 14 Rue Jules David, 93260 Les Lilas, France

Website: Le Musee des Vampires

7. International UFO Museum and Research Centre: USA

The United States of America is a big country. For your coming trip, you should be Dana Scully and Fox Mulder, for the day. After all, at this museum, you will come across alien exhibits, flying saucers, posters and news clippings that cover the numerous sightings of UFO’s by the public, in the USA. Up until today, the government, researchers and scientists are still searching for clues about alien visitation to Earth and this museum is dedicated to a 1947 incident in Roswell.

Just like the TV series, the X-Files, you will come across all the weird exhibits, here. There is a souvenir shop in the museum and you can get yourself some of the bizarre items, too. Among them are magnets, toys, books, posters and much more. So, it is time to find out more about extraterrestrial life forms. After all, most of us are curious about it.

International UFO Museum and Research Centre

Address: 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203

Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm (Monday - Sunday)

Website: International UFO Museum and Research Centre

8. Currywurst Museum: Berlin, Germany

Fancy some sausages? Then, head over to Berlin and you will get to see some of them at the Currywurst Museum. Currywurst is a type of German sausage and has a history of over 60 years. It is an interactive museum and you need to engage your senses to experience it. From a sausage-shaped sofa to a spice chamber with sniffing stations, everything here is cool and exciting. Also, drop by the souvenir shop and try some of the snacks at the bar.

Currywurst Museum

Address: Schützenstraße 70, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm (Monday - Sunday)

Website: Currywurst Museum

9. Meguro Parasitological Museum: Tokyo, Japan

Japan is land of everything strange. It is even stranger when you visit the country’s parasite museum. Founded by Dr Satoru Kamegai, in 1953, this museum is dedicated to the science of parasitology and parasites. Once you step in, you will start thinking of those mad scientists and their experiment labs. The museum is indeed scary and if you dare not see some of the exhibits, just forget it. Before you leave, remember to buy some souvenirs for yourself.

Meguro Parasitological Museum

Address: 4-1-1 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064, Japan

Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm (Wednesday - Sunday). Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Website: Meguro Parasitological Museum

10. Sulabh International Toilet Museum: New Delhi, India

You might have visited the Toilet Restaurant in Taiwan but in India, you can see various types of sinks, toilet bowls and bathtubs in a museum. Just imagine, during our ancestors time and even before that, how did they bathe, wash their hands or go to the toilet? Tourists and visitors should learn more about sanitation history by visiting the museum. In total, there are three sections, the Ancient, Medieval and Modern and you can get a closer look at toilet exhibits from more than 50 countries.

Sulabh International Toilet Museum

Address: Sulabh Bhawan, Palam Dabri Road, Mahavir Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110045, India

Opening Hours: 10.30am - 5pm (Monday - Sunday)

Website: Sulabh International Toilet Museum

Everything quirky

Although you normally see some of these items in movies, in real life they actually can be found in museums. Whether it is the props and costumes of Count Dracula or the underwater terracotta statues of Cancun, everything is unique in these museums and it is a good thing they are preserved, so that the next generation can see them, too.