Skip to main content

From Ramen to Beluga Penises, Behold These 4 Wonderfully Weird Museums

Fine art, NASA technology, and the cinematic history of James Bond — all things that seem fitting for placement in a museum. But anything can be elevated to high-society status by collecting it, curating it, and building a museum around it. Case in point: these four weird museums. From phallic whale exhibits in Iceland to barbed wire in Kansas to sentimental scabs from significant others, these are among the world’s strangest.

Iceland Phallological Museum

Reykjavik, Iceland

Why bury our lede? Iceland’s Phallological Museum is arguably the strangest museum in the world. The Reykjavik-based attraction pays homage to all things phallic. The official website describes it as “probably the only museum in the world to contain a collection of phallic specimens belonging to all the various types of mammal found in a single country.” It’s no doubt the pride of the Icelandic people. Of the 215 penile specimens on display, there’s a particular fixation on sea and land mammals native to Iceland. For a serious dose of humility, don’t miss the whale exhibit.

Related Videos

The Museum of Broken Relationships

Zagreb, Croatia

Part crowdsourced art installation, part homage to the bittersweet beauty of lost love, Croatia’s Museum of Broken Relationships is one of a kind. Here, you’ll find a collection of donated artifacts that each signify a now-defunct relationship. There are the obvious symbols of affection like jewelry, frilly underwear, and Valentine’s Day cards. However, the more bizarre pieces — like this Exe Axe, this armless mannequin, and this sentimental scab (seriously) from a 27-year-old motorcycle accident — are far more interesting. Visitors are encouraged to donate their own items provided there’s a good story behind each piece.

Kansas Barbed Wire Museum

La Crosse, Kansas

Kansas is hardly a bucket-list-worthy destination for most travelers, but what if I told you there’s a barbed wire museum there? Still nothing? Well, the aptly named Kansas Barbed Wire Museum is far more interesting than it sounds. In the wild days of 19th-century America, state borders and property lines were still being fought over. While the six-shooter helped settle many disputes, the advent of barbed wire literally defined most modern-day U.S. borders. The metal itself hardly seems exciting, but its influence on our country was profound.

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

Osaka, Japan

For average folks, ramen is merely a dirt-cheap, nutrition-free junk food buried somewhere in their local grocer’s “International Foods” aisle. But, for starving students forced to pay their own way through college, those noodles (and cheap beer) were often the only thing keeping them alive for four years. Osaka’s CUPNOODLES Museum is a shrine to the now iconic instant noodles and their creator, Momofuku Ando. The museum chronicles ramen’s impact on Japanese food culture over the last 60 years. Visitors can sample limited edition flavors and even personally craft their own Instant Ramen noodles (from 5,460 flavor combinations!) and packaging at the My CUPNOODLES Factory.

Editors' Recommendations

Run Away from Winter to a South Pacific Paradise: The Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort
Conrad Bora Bora Nui

With winter's cold death grip around the collective throat of most North Americans, it's time we start thinking about a mid-season escape. Some people take the easy route and book a trip to south Florida, hitting up Miami or the Keys; others opt for drier climes in Southern Arizona and California among the senior snowbirds; and still others go further afield for tropical beach vacations in Mexico or the Caribbean. For this year's winter escape, allow us to suggest switching hemispheres entirely and run away from winter to the electric-blue paradise that is the South Pacific and Polynesia.

Thanks to newly announced direct flights from San Francisco to Tahiti via United Airlines (the only U.S. airline to do so), French Polynesia and its famously beautiful motu-ringed volcanic island, Bora Bora, are now less than 10 hours away from the West Coast. With crystal clear waters, healthy coral reefs, and more than a few luxury resorts, Bora Bora is the ultimate island destination for couples, relaxation seekers, and anyone with several thousand dollars, a spirit of adventure, and the good sense to take our advice and stay at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort.

Read more
The Original Jersey is 14 Miles from the Coast of France
Stock-Jersey-Island-UK

I have been vacationing on Jersey for about ten years now and every time I mention where I am going, I have to go deep down the rabbit hole to explain the location and history of this delightful destination.

We have combed the island for the best things to see, do, drink, eat and places to rest your head.

Read more
The Weird and Wonderful World of Japanese Convenience Stores
Japanese convenience stores

“Vegetarian?” Max, my travel partner, asked as he quizzically looked at the clerk who was restocking shelves with some type of mini salad. “Wait, I’ll type it into Google Translate.”

It was 12:30 am, and we had just wandered into a 7-Eleven conveniently located right outside our hotel in search of nourishment after stepping off a 14-hour flight from New York City to Tokyo. We’d heard the legend of Japanese convenient stores from friends and food columns, but were mesmerized nonetheless as we stepped through the door under the infamous red, orange and green sign.

Read more