Strange and Wacky Travel Destinations Part 2

If you can’t get around the globe to visit some of the sites mentioned in Part 1 click here then don’t worry. There are plenty of strange attractions right here in the US. Here are a few places to stop on your next road trip.

 National Museum of Funeral HistoryImage by Mr. Kimberly via FlickrThe Museum, which was founded by Robert Waltrip, opened its doors in 1992 in Houston Texas. The museum has various exhibitions that include a casket factory, Civil War embalming, fantasy caskets and a hearse from 1921. Even one depicting the lives and deaths of Popes including a real PopeMobile. My understanding is they also have a giftshop. Not sure what I would buy there though.

Oasis Bordello Museum
Image by shiny red type via FlickrLocated in Wallace Idaho the Oasis is housed in a building that started out in 1895 as a hotel and saloon. After a while it became one of 5 operating bordellos in the Silver Mining town.  According to their website the bordello managed to stay in operation until 1973 when a politician asked for a donation to go easy on authorities. With rooms on display, and yes they have a gift shop also, tours are available for $5.

Image by pquan via FlickrThe Cockroach Hall of Fame http://www.pestshop.com/cockroaches.html
The brainchild of Michael Bohdan, a pest control specialist, the Hall of Fame consists of dead roaches dressed in costumes. Located in Plano Texas it is a real bargain with free admission.  I thought maybe I would have to pay to see dead roaches dressed up. But he also has the giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches that are alive on display. And yes do not not worry there is a gift shop.

Image by juliegomoll via Flickr
The Toilet Seat Museum
Located in Alamo Heights Texas, starting to see a pattern here, Barney Smith has amassed over 1000 toilet seats and turned them into works of art. Housed in his garage the Museum is open if the garage door is up.  If not there is a number to call. I can imagine the frustration of traveling all the way to see toilet seats only for the museum to be closed. Smith has had visitors from all over the world and his museum has been featured on several TV shows. Unfortunately he doesn’t have a gift shop.

The Darwin Twine Ball
Image by Great Beyond via FlickrIn 1950 a man named Francis A. Johnson was apparently a little bored. He decided to make a ball of twine so he began wrapping. He then kept on for 4 hours a day for 23 weeks. It got so big he had to use a crane and moved it outside where he continued to make his ball. The result was a ball of twine 40ft in circumference weighing in at 17,400 lbs. Now that’s a lot of string. After Francis died in 1989 the city of Darwin Mn took over the string ball and now houses it in a fitting tribute on Main Street. But if your going to visit try and do it on the second Saturday in August when the town celebrates “Twine Ball Days”. And good news they have a gift shop where you can buy your very own twine ball starter kit.

And of course there is always the world’s largest. It doesn’t matter what, there are world’s largest all over America from Largest Yo-Yo, Largest Bottle, Largest Doughnut and Largest Fruit and Vegetables of all kinds. Wherever you go if you look hard enough you can find that special attraction. Just remember to stop at the gift shop when you leave.

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