9 Unique Museum Experiences
From the place where Harland Sanders perfected his fried chicken to an examination of West Virginia’s famous cryptid, these unusual museums offer a perfect pit stop.
![](https://glp.imgix.net/media/guhj5y55/ky-sanders-cafe-and-museum.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
In 1930, before the world knew him as “The Colonel,” Harland Sanders opened a single-table restaurant inside a Corbin, Kentucky, gas station. The Bluegrass State is also the home of the world’s most famous baseball bat, the Louisville Slugger. Explore further, and you’ll uncover a destination exploring the myth of The Mothman, a celebration of pop culture’s adorably ugly troll doll and a place that showcases the miniature artistry of the dollhouse.
Mothman Museum
![Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, West Virginia (photo courtesy of destination) Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, West Virginia (photo courtesy of destination)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/bxahs3te/wv-point-pleasant-family-fun-mothman-museum.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
Explore the legend of the Mothman at this fun storefront museum in the heart of downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
The Great American Dollhouse Museum
![Fully furnished dollhouse at The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville, Kentucky (photo by Jon Sachs) Fully furnished dollhouse at The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville, Kentucky (photo by Jon Sachs)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/ngqbl0vg/ff-ky-dollhouse-museum-jon-sachs.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
This Danville, Kentucky, attraction’s more than 200 fully furnished dollhouses and room boxes exhibit the tiniest, most exquisite details.
Medieval Torture Museum
![Torture instruments at the Medieval Torture Museum in Chicago, Illinois (photo courtesy of Medieval Torture Museum) Torture instruments at the Medieval Torture Museum in Chicago, Illinois (photo courtesy of Medieval Torture Museum)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/pakks4vj/hc-il-medieval-torture-museum-torture-instruments.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
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.
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
![Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Kentucky (photo courtesy of destination) Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Kentucky (photo courtesy of destination)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/2dydmira/ky-louisville-family-slugger-museum.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
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) Exhibit at The Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York (photo Courtesy of The Strong Museum of Play)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/ckrb351o/ny-the-strong-build-drive-go.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
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) Troll wearing “I Love Ohio” shirt at The Troll Hole Museum in Alliance, Ohio (photo by Jim Vickers)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/ruudjfue/img_5331.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
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
![](https://glp.imgix.net/media/hrog0wyo/tn-pigeon-forge-family-hollywood-wax-museumcredit-matt-silk.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
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) Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (photo courtesy of destination)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/aown3jvh/tn-pigeon-forge-family-fun-alcatraz-museum.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
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.
Sanders Cafe and Museum
![The dining room at the Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky (photo by Mark A. Steele) The dining room at the Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky (photo by Mark A. Steele)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/guhj5y55/ky-sanders-cafe-and-museum.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
Visit this Corbin, Kentucky, landmark where Harland Sanders launched his famous fried-chicken restaurant.
Story:
Kelly Powell
Issue:
Weekend Guides