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13 Unique Museum Experiences in Long Weekends States

Illinois

Chicago Area

Kentucky

Michigan

Indiana

New York

Ohio

Tennessee

West Virginia

History & Culture

Batter up to baseball history at Kentucky’s Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and celebrate America’s favorite rainbow-colored companion at the Troll Hole Museum in Ohio.

Whether you’re interested in learning about local legend the Mothman, the history of children’s play or the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, over a dozen quirky museums across Ohio’s surrounding states have you covered. Visit the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, and the Sanders Cafe & Museum in Corbin, Kentucky, as well as ten other locations that’ll scratch the niche interest itch.

Medieval Torture Museum

Torture instruments at the Medieval Torture Museum in Chicago, Illinois (photo courtesy of Medieval Torture Museum)

This macabre museum in Chicago showcases more than 100 torture devices — 30% of which are original to their time, while the rest are replicas that give visitors an idea of their craft and use.

The Great American Dollhouse Museum

Fully furnished dollhouse at The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville, Kentucky (photo by Jon Sachs)

This Danville, Kentucky, attraction’s more than 200 fully furnished dollhouses and room boxes exhibit the tiniest, most exquisite details.

Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum & Pontiac-Oakland automobile Museum & Resource Center

1957 Chevy mural in Pontiac, Illinois (photo courtesy of Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum & Resource Center)

These two museums in Pontiac, Illinois, celebrate America’s obsession with the open road and historic cars from throughout history.

Old Lighthouse Museum

Exterior of Michigan City, Indiana’s Old Lighthouse Museum in the winter (photo by Josh McIntyre)

Built in 1858, this Michigan City, Indiana, lighthouse was a beacon and keeper’s residence until the early 1940s. The Michigan City Historical Society opened it as a museum in 1973.

Wayne County Historical Museum & Joseph Moore Museum

Wayne County Historical Museum & Joseph Moore Museum in Richmond, Indiana (photo courtesy of destination)

These two museums in Richmond, Indiana, both have a mummy among their permanent collections.

Sanders Cafe and Museum

The dining room at the Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky (photo by Mark A. Steele)

Visit this Corbin, Kentucky, landmark where Harland Sanders launched his famous fried-chicken restaurant.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Kentucky (photo courtesy of destination)

This museum in Louisville, Kentucky, dedicated to one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic tools of the game even offers factory tours.

The Strong National Museum of Play

Exhibit at The Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York (photo Courtesy of The Strong Museum of Play)

This fun museum in Rochester, New York, celebrates play with activities and exhibits that showcase favorite games and toys.

The Troll Hole Museum

Troll wearing “I Love Ohio” shirt at The Troll Hole Museum in Alliance, Ohio (photo by Jim Vickers)

This fun museum in Alliance, Ohio, embraces the nostalgia of the pop culture phenomenon and delves into the Scandinavian lore surrounding trolls.

Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center

This fun museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, offers visitors the chance to take photos with celebrities past and present.

Alcatraz East Crime Museum

Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (photo courtesy of destination)

This family-friendly museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, shares the behind-the-scenes stories of America’s most notorious villains and artifacts such as a 1963 Harley-Davidson police motorcycle.

Mothman Museum

Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, West Virginia (photo courtesy of destination)

Explore the legend of the Mothman at this fun storefront museum in the heart of downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Archive of the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal

Archive of the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal in Cameron, West Virginia (photo courtesy of destination)

The collection of oddities at this home museum in Cameron, West Virginia, includes a number of haunted objects from paranormal investigations.

Story: Kelly Powell
Issue: Weekend Guides

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Interior of The Henry Clay Estate in Lexington, Kentucky (photo courtesy of The Henry Clay Estate)

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

Explore the life of Speaker of the House and U.S Senator Henry Clay in Lexington, Kentucky, at an estate preserved by his children and grandchildren.

Ojibwe Spirit Horses at Madahoki Farm in Nepean, Ontario (photo courtesy of Madahoki Farm)

Madahoki Farm

This Indigenous farm in Nepean, Ontario, offers a glimpse into the lives of the region’s Native people by providing insight into their culture as well as the chance to see Ojibwe Spirit Horses.

Exterior of Mark Twain Study at Mark Twain Study and Gravesite in Elmira, New York (photo courtesy of Elmira College)

Mark Twain Study and Gravesite

The author behind The Adventures of Tom Sawyer did much of his work in Elmira, New York, in this octagonal study now located on the campus of Elmira College.

Vintage white Corvette on display at National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky (photo courtesy of National Corvette Museum)

National Corvette Museum

The Corvette earned its place in history as the first American sports car. That rich legacy is showcased today in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Mural of Roberto Clemente outside The Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (photo courtesy of The Clemente Museum)

The Clemente Museum

Roberto Clemente left his mark on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a player for the Pirates baseball team and as a humanitarian. His legacy lives on at this attraction that shares his story.

Third-floor gallery at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee (photo by Diana Carniato Photography; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Learn about the legends of the genre at this Nashville, Tennessee, attraction where names like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks are honored.