Lone Star Oddities: 10 Museums That Keep Texas Weird Even Today

Some of these museums in Texas are one-of-a-kind.

These quirky little gems will make you laugh, scratch your head, and maybe even wonder, “What the heck am I looking at?”

From the bizarre to the unexpected, these 10 oddball museums in the Lone Star State let you dive into some of its weirder side.

The Toilet Seat Art Museum (The Colony)

Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum is a local legend.

With over 1,400 toilet seats covered in art, it’s equal parts bizarre and brilliant. Think historical moments, pop culture, and just plain weird. It’s not your average art museum, that’s for sure, but it’s an absolute trip.

Fun fact: The new owner Jason Boso, (founder of Texas Truck Yard), stumbled on the Toilet Seat Museum online during a “drunk Google” session. He bought it from Smith, adding quirky art to his new bar location.

National Museum of Funeral History (Houston)

This place dives deep into the history of funerals, from antique hearses to fascinating burial customs from across the globe.

The museum boasts 19 permanent exhibits across 30,500 square feet, including Presidential Funerals with artifacts from George Washington, Lincoln, and JFK. You’ll get an unexpected peek into the business of death.

But it’s way more lively than it sounds. What’s cookin? Take your date to the Till Death Do Us Part Market for Valentine’s this year.

Devil’s Rope Museum (McLean)

Featuring over 2,000 barbed wire samples and 450+ patented designs, Devil’s Rope Museum highlights the history behind the Industrial Revolution.

Branding irons, fencing, funky sculptures, and military applications, you name it. You’ll come across several Burma Shave roadside advertising signs along the way.

Some guided tours even throw in a little Route 66 nostalgia.

The Munster Mansion (Waxahachie)

Nostalgia lovers, brace yourselves.

If you’re a fan of the 1960s show The Munsters, this is where you go. It’s a jaw-dropping replica of the TV set, built to the exact specs. The mansion is still someone’s home, but it’s open for visits.

Besides featuring items from the original show, take part in their thrilling Murder Mystery Dinner, complete with delicious food, interactive drama, and immersive entertainment.

Texas Prison Museum (Huntsville)

Hardcore crime fan, this one’s for you.

Texas’ prison system comes to life in this sobering museum. It’s not the most cheerful spot, but it’ll open your eyes to a side of Texas history that’s hard to ignore.

Founded in 1989 (relocated in 2002), the museum showcases over 10,000 artifacts, including notable exhibits like a replica prison cell.

You’ll see confiscated weapons, inmate art, and the infamous “Old Sparky”, the electric chair that was used for executions up until 1964.

Frontier Times Museum (Bandera)

Frontier Times Museum houses fascinating artifacts from the American West.

From two-headed calves to Native American arrowheads, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a time capsule. It’s all thanks to J. Marvin Hunter, who wanted to preserve the stories of the Old West, a cornerstone of Bandera’s cultural heritage.

Look for The 4th Sunday Jamboree, a free monthly music event, where a member of the Frontier Times Troubadours hosts and performs their favorite songs with talented local musicians.

American Windmill Museum (Lubbock)

No matter which direction you’re heading in Texas, you’ll see a windmill somewhere along the highway.

These iconic structures are scattered across the landscape, playing a huge part in the state’s rural charm. So when you step inside the world’s largest windmill museum you’ll appreciate how these simple machines helped shape rural America.

Besides the 170 restored windmills, the place has working wind turbines and model farms, making it both educational and surprisingly cool.

The Witte Museum’s H-E-B Body Adventure (San Antonio)

The Witte Museum itself is a classic, but the H-E-B Body Adventure exhibit is a modern and immersive experience (ideal for any age group).

With over 350,000 visitors annually, it attracts people to its four-story, interactive experience. You’ll get to interact with the human body like never before, ride a bike through a virtual human body, and test your strength against a T. rex.

Did you know? The exhibit was recently honored (2016) with an innovation award from the Texas Association of Museums.