The 10 Creepiest Museums in America (That You Can Visit)

Not all museums feature educational exhibits, ancient relics, and “please do not touch” signs! America is home to some of the most bizarre museums in the world, where displays of haunted objects and cursed collections, accompanied by a big “visit at your own risk” warning, give visitors a chance to blur the line between a fun adventure and a worst nightmare. From medical facilities with a horrible past preserved in time, creepy museums with cursed objects from every corner of the world, to tours of true crime scenes, these museums will surely make you question humanity… and your decision to explore them. We know curiosity is killing you, so let’s explore the 10 creepy museums in America.
The Mütter Museum (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Ever seen a vast collection of real skeletons and organs in jars? At the Mütter Museum, visitors get to see odd human body exhibits, which include real skulls, fetuses in jars, and even a giant piece of colon (yes, really). All of these were part of Dr. Thomas Mütter’s studies in 1858 to treat various diseases. After he passed away, his work was donated to the museum at his will. It’s perfect for those curious about the human body—or those who just enjoy losing their appetite.
Some good hotels to stay near the Mutter Museum are:
Museum of Death (Los Angeles, California)

Since we’re talking about weird museums to visit in the US, leaving the Museum of Death out would’ve been a huge crime! Featuring personal belongings of real-life serial killers (like their paintings), real autopsy footage on loop, clothing of cult members, preserved human remains, and even items from a mass suicide site, this museum will surely blow your mind—if it can handle this much creepiness. Consider yourself warned.
Some good hotels to stay near the Museum of Death are:
Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast (Fall River, Massachusetts)

Sleeping at a true crime scene might not be on your bucket list, but why not give it a try at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast? This place is tied to the 128-year-old unsolved case of Lizzie, accused of killing her stepmother and father with an axe. Visitors can tour the house frozen in time, or even stay overnight in rooms still styled like it’s 1892. There’s also a photo wall with real crime scene photos. Haunted? That’s for you to find out—if you manage to get any sleep.
Some good hotels to stay near the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast are:
Salem Witch Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)

Everyone knows about the Salem Witch Trials, which created a huge stir in the colonial era and still fascinates us today. The Salem Witch Museum lets visitors peek into actual trial documents and explore how the perception of witches has changed over the centuries. Spoiler: no broomsticks on display, but plenty of history that still sends shivers down spines.
Some good hotels to stay near the Salem Witch Museum are:
International Cryptozoology Museum (Portland, Maine)

Cryptozoology is the study of hidden animals—creatures believed to exist but never proven. Think Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Abominable Snowman. This unusual tourist attraction features life-size models of such creatures, plus exhibits like the Okapi and the Megamouth shark. (A giraffe-zebra hybrid and a giant-mouthed fish? Weird enough, right?) Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, it’s a wild ride.
Some good hotels to stay near the International Cryptozoology Museum are:
Indiana Medical History Museum (Indianapolis, Indiana)

All the medical fanatics will love this one! A place that looks like a century-old movie set, this museum displays old medical equipment, antique cabinets, and doctors’ offices. Visitors can see how medicine developed over time and appreciate the odd tools used by doctors. It’s creepy and fascinating at once—like walking through a haunted episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
Some good hotels to stay near the Indiana Medical History Museum are:
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Do you know about the good old days when cocaine and marijuana were actually prescribed as medicine? Although we weren’t around to see it, thanks to the Pharmacy Museum we can now witness how it was done—along with plenty of other questionable remedies. Visitors will find everything from tampons soaked in opioids to real voodoo potions meant to curse diseases. Sadly, no free samples are available at the gift shop (probably for the best).
Some good hotels to stay near the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum are:
Glore Psychiatric Museum (St. Joseph, Missouri)

Keeping our guide raw and honest—this place is creepy. The mannequins alone could scare the life out of you with their lifelike appearances. But that’s just the start: this building was once a state lunatic asylum, later turned into a state prison. Visitors can see actual mental health equipment once used on patients, along with chilling “treatments.” No ghosts needed—real history is terrifying enough.
Some good hotels to stay near the Glore Psychiatric Museum are:
Museum of Shadows (Omaha, Nebraska)

Known as one of the most haunted museums in the country, the Museum of Shadows is a must for thrill seekers. Visitors can browse a 100-plus collection of haunted objects, join ghost-hunting activities, and maybe even have their own paranormal experience. Think of it as a “try before you die” kind of attraction.
Some good hotels to stay near the Museum of Shadows are:
Museum of Jurassic Technology (Los Angeles, California)

Finally, something a bit different! The Museum of Jurassic Technology has nothing to do with the movie Jurassic Park. Instead, it showcases oddities blending art, science, folklore, and fiction. Exhibits include sculptures made of human hair, surreal art questioning reality, and unique tea rooms. It’s the kind of place where you’ll ask yourself, “Where the hell am I?”—and that’s the fun of it.
Some good hotels to stay near theMuseum of Jurassic Technology are:
Final Chilling Note
From skeletons in jars to haunted dolls, these creepy museums in the US blur the line between education and nightmares. Whether you’re chasing chills in Salem or wandering haunted halls in Nebraska, these unusual tourist attractions prove that museums aren’t always boring—they can be downright terrifying. The real question is: are you brave enough to visit?