Houston, Texas, plays host to some of the most exciting, unique, and entertaining museums the United States has to offer. Take a look at our list of unusual museums in and near the Houston area. We’re sure you’ll find one that piques your interest.
The Health Museum
To discover a museum with a massive heart, drive down to 1515 Hermann Drive in Houston. The Health Museum is packed with interesting activities for the whole family, including a screaming booth, where you can see who has the loudest voice and highest pitch. They have devices that let visitors peer into their throats and view their vocal cords, a body scanner that shows the insides of their bodies in real-time, and a 4,000-square-foot playground for the little ones that includes 30 interactive video presentations and audio kiosks.
The Texas Prison Museum
For one of the darkest destinations in the state, check out the Texas Prison Museum at 491 State Highway 75 North in nearby Huntsville, Texas. An ex-warden of the Texas prison system runs this impressive museum. He did the job for 35 years, so you can be sure he knows what he’s talking about.
Look over artifacts from the history of the state, including the pistols used in the gunfight that ended the run of Bonnie and Clyde, documents and photos from the old prison rodeo, convict ledgers from numerous eras, and devices used for incarceration and execution. This museum is one-of-a-kind, so check it out the next time you’re in the area.
The National Museum of Funeral History
For a to-die-for museum experience, head to the dead center of 415 Barren Springs Drive in Houston. Discover all the details surrounding practices related to the only thing as certain as taxes: death. View and read your way through funerary traditions that span the breadth of history, and view hearses, coffins, and caskets of every imaginable description. The National Museum of Funeral History plays host to everything from an exhibit on the history of cremation to one of the mysterious history of the unknown soldier. The Vatican donated many other items to this 30,500-square-foot museum, so if you are Catholic or your family has Catholic history, this is the museum for you.
The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
At 3816 Caroline Street, you’ll find the largest repository of African-American military history and artifacts on earth. The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is dedicated to the legacy, memory, and honor of the African-American soldiers that were once known as “buffalo soldiers.” This group was made up of former slaves, freemen, and former Civil War soldiers who dedicated themselves to the great westward expansion of the United States of America.
Honor their tradition of valor as you explore the details of their over 177 military engagements, view their uniforms, and learn of the vital role they played in our nation’s history.
Take in some of the most interesting history and natural wonder that Houston has to offer at one of these odd museums. You won’t regret the trip.
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