Last updated Oct. 29, 2024
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When traveling the USA, you’ll find a number of museums related history, or the quirky, obscure, and fun side of life. From grand sporting history to the pop culture of the past and present, here are some of the most interesting places to add to your next trip.
Musical History Museums
Musical history across the United States is rich and varied, especially works created throughout the 20th century and beyond. As such, there are multiple musical history museums to visit in the U.S.
Bethel Woods’ 1960s museum offers a rich insight into the icons of the decade. Since it was the site of the 1969 Woodstock music festival, the museum also sports a strong connection with the time period.
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul museum in Memphis is dedicated to “telling the complete Memphis music story.” This Smithsonian affiliate shares memorabilia related to the birth of rock and roll and soul music from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Establishments for Sport History
If there’s one thing the United States loves, it’s sports. Baseball, Football, and Basketball are a major part of American culture with a fandom that now spans the world. Yet surprisingly, the first national sports museum didn’t open until 2008 when The Sports Museum of America debuted in New York City. New York is also home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown outside of NYC. You can also visit the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Unique Museums on Space Exploration
We all know about Disney World’s Space Mountain, but putting icons aside, one of the most significant contributions of the United States is that of space exploration. Despite influences from The Cold War, the impact of the Space Race changed the world forever.
Kennedy Space Center should be your first stop on a space exhibition tour. But you can also see space suits, V-1 and V-2 rockets, and Apollo 11 moon rocks at the Cosmosphere Science Education Center.
Attractions for Pop Culture
American pop culture permeates around the globe. Today, most major democratic countries, such as the UK, Japan, and Germany, embrace US culture with open arms.
Within the U.S., one of the most popular places to celebrate pop culture is the National Videogame Museum in Frisco, Texas. Here you can see retro classic games and even get a glimpse into the future of gaming. For the Trekkies among us, take a tour of sets from the original Star Trek Series in Ticonderoga, NY. While very few or the original set pieces remain, dedicated Star Trek superman, James Cawley, has created stunningly accurate recreations for view by the public.
While you’re in the area, take a day to explore New York City, where you’ll find the Museum of Broadway, with props from famous shows old and new.
Quirky and Obscure Museums
You probably understand spam as junk mail you don’t want in your inbox. But Spam is also a much-loved and much-maligned processed meat product. Given the product’s fame, it shouldn’t be too surprising that a museum dedicated to Spam has been established in Austin, Minnesota.
For those of you who love fries with your Spam, you will be delighted to know there is a dedicated potato museum at Blackfoot, Idaho. For more American history and lore, you can visit the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum where you’ll find over 800 pirate artifacts from real pirates as well as fictional characters.
Summary
While unique museums are not solely the domain of the United States, the country definitely has its share of quirky and iconic repositories of American history. From music, space exploration and American pop culture, there is plenty to explore in museums across the U.S.
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