If there's one thing I love finding when I travel around Pennsylvania, it's a weird museum. A few years ago, I put together a list highlighting some of the weirdest museums in the state. Since there are so many more strange museums that I've visited since then, I thought I'd put together a list of even more of my favorite weird museums around Pa. Here are nine more that I love.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Two years ago I wrote about 9 weirdest museums in Pennsylvania.
As a followup, here's a list of some of the strangest museums you'll find in the state.
Civil War Tails
Gettysburg is filled with dozens of great places to visit, but none are stranger than Civil War Tails. This museums consists of several incredibly detailed dioramas of various battles from the Civil War. The attention to accuracy here is very commendable, though there is one part of the museum that's a bit less accurate: all the soldiers are miniature cats. But, if you've ever wondered what the Civil War would look like if it was fought by felines, you'll wonder no more.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Daffin's Chocolate Kingdom
Located in the western PA community of Sharon, Daffin's Chocolate Kingdom is a delicious place to visit. While much of the space is taken up by a Daffin's homemade candies, the Chocolate Kingdom is what makes this one of the strangest places in Pennsylvania. Here, there are a variety of animals made out of hundreds of pounds of pure chocolate. If that's not tempting enough, take a peak at the jellybean walkway that leads to a 14-foot chocolate tree.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Magic Gardens
The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia is an art installation made entirely out of recycled products. The murals are the work of Isaiah Zagar and comprised mostly of glass from bottles. Zagar created this space between 1994 and 2008 on what was two empty lots next to a house. Today, browse this great piece of art and see how Zagar has turned trash into priceless, though often strange, art.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Big Mac Museum
Did you know that the Big Mac was invented in western Pennsylvania? The Big Mac Museum in North Huntingdon is located inside a McDonald's that was owned by the inventor of the sandwich and tells the story of his creation. Displays are scattered throughout the store and include both local memorabilia and items from around the world. Don't miss the world's tallest Big Mac Statue or the chance to eat Big Mac while sitting next to a statue of the creator of the sandwich.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Mummer's Museum
The Mummers Museum in South Philadelphia highlights the history of the Mummers and the annual Mummers Parade. The museum features costumes dating back over a century, which do a great job showcasing the history of one of Pennsylvania's most unusual traditions. My favorite part was getting the chance to try on a real Mummers' costume and the lively music that is sprinkled throughout the space.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Scripture Rocks
The Scripture Rocks in Brookville are a series of carved stones that were created in the early 20th century by religious preacher and madman Douglas Stahlman. This outdoor museum preserves many of his carvings that cover everything from Bible verses to rantings against the parents of his love interest. Take a walk along the park's paths to find out the story of one of the oddest men in Pa. history.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Sherman Memorial Lighthouse
The Sherman Memorial Lighthouse in Forest County, Pennsylvania, houses a large collection of miniature lighthouses and family memorabilia. What makes it odd, however, is that while it sits along the Allegheny River and is a working lighthouse, it provides no navigational aid at all and is located more than 50 miles from the nearest large body of water. The lighthouse is open several days a year and provides a great look at the collection and amazing views from the top.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion
The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion is part museum and part zoo showcasing insects and reptiles. While they are still getting back on their feet from a major heist over the summer, this is a great place to visit. Not only do they house one of the only year-round butterfly gardens in Pennsylvania, but they also are home to thousands of rare and fascinating insects from around the world.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum
Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum is a roadside attraction along Route 30 in Adams County. In addition to being housed in a large shop filled with homemade fudge, candy, and other trinkets, the store is also home to the Elephant Museum. Inside this free museum are more than 12,000 elephant figurines and related items that have been collected from around the world.
Jim Cheney | Special to PennLive
Want more cool places to visit in Pa?
Jim Cheney is the writer behind UncoveringPA, Pennsylvania's most-read travel blog. He has traveled to every county in Pennsylvania and to many countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. He lives in Harrisburg, Pa.
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