The Sock Monkey Museum

This quirky museum in Long Grove, Illinois, celebrates the stuffed animals that generations of mothers created for their children using a pair of easy-to-acquire socks.

Castle Noel

Mark Klaus’ museum in Medina, Ohio, is a tribute to holiday memories, offering a way to experience the magic of Christmas all year long. 

Child on slide at Castle Noel in Medina, Ohio (photo by Laura Watilo Blake)

Bata Shoe Museum

From Elton John’s platform boots to Queen Victoria’s slippers, this quirky museum in Toronto, Ontario, offers a unique perspective on culture and fashion. 

Exterior of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Ontario (photo courtesy of Bata Shoe Museum)

Gaylord City Elk Park

This wildlife park in Gaylord, Michigan, offers three public viewing areas where travelers can catch a glimpse of the community’s city-owned elk herd. 

Elk at Gaylord City Elk Park in Gaylord, Michigan (photo courtesy of Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau))