Memorable & Unusual Museums to Visit

With the holiday shopping season in full-swing you may be looking for a unique gift idea. This gift idea could be giving someone a memorable experience. Texas is known for outstanding museums across the state. Did you know our great state also has a vast collection of quaint, lesser known weird and unusual museums? It’s true! The Houston metroplex is surrounded by memorable and significant exhibits spanning historical, scientific, artistic, and cultural interests. Gifting someone museum admission tickets or even an annual membership can be a wonderful stocking stuffer that is sure to be enjoyed.

Museum exhibits tell us stories.

These stories could be a story about art or history. But what if the story is about funerals and vintage mortuary tools? A visit to the National Museum of Funeral History located at 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston contains a collection of artifacts and relics that aim to "educate the public and preserve the heritage of death care." The 35,000-square-foot museum opened in 1992 and boasts one of the country’s largest collections of funeral service artifacts. Displays go back in time as far as Ancient Egyptian funerary practices plus include items like hearses and unusual coffins. It also devotes space for a Presidential Funeral Gallery. Among other items, it has the original $99.25 funeral bill for George Washington.

If your favorite fruit is an orange, well, then it makes sense to dedicate a museum to the color oranges, right? This is exactly what Houston mail carrier, Jeff McKissack, did when he transformed a small suburban lot near his wood-frame house into The Orange Show. This is located at 2401 Munger Street, Houston and is home to an eclectic array of folk art crafted from a wide selection of materials. The outdoor 3,000-square-foot monument is maze-like in design and includes an oasis, a wishing well, a pond, a stage, a museum, a gift shop and several upper decks. McKissack wanted others to be introduced to and have the opportunity to embrace visionary art. Now 40 years later, additional art ventures have been added to include: The Beer Can House located at 222 Malone Street, Houston and Smither Park located at 2441 Munger Street, Houston. The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art is the sponsor of the annual world-famous Orange Show Art Car Parade that happens each spring in Downtown Houston.  

It's natural for children to look-up to heroes. We can’t think of any more deserving heroes than those who serve our community in law enforcement. Take the kids to check out the Houston Police Museum located in the lobby of the Houston Police Department at 1200 Travis Street, Houston. You will see distinctive displays along with a memorial wall honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by those officers that gave their lives in the line of duty. Additionally, you’ll find artifacts from the Honor Guard, SWAT, Mounted Patrol, badges, uniforms and other equipment utilized over the years.

When in India, you may visit the Taj Mahal. When living near Houston, the natural choice is to visit the Garage Mahal. Yes, our next museum stop is Art Car Museum located at 140 Heights Blvd., Houston. The museum’s emphasis is on art cars, fine arts, and artists that are rarely seen in other cultural institutions. The museum's mission, since opening in 1998, is to elevate awareness of the political, economic, and personal dimensions of art. The art pieces feature elaborate art cars, lowriders, and mobile contraptions.

Imagine walking through a rain forest among hundreds of butterflies. This can be your experience when you visit Cockrell Butterfly Center located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. The butterfly center can be highlight for science enthusiasts or anyone who enjoys nature and bugs. The Rainforest Conservatory features a three-story glass haven with a 50-foot waterfall and is home to 1,500 butterflies from global farms. Guests can experience butterflies fluttering, sipping nectar, and even landing on visitors.

Let’s head over to Seismique located at Village at West Oaks, 2306 S. Texas 6, Houston for another immersive art experience that utilizes sound, color, movement and light. This mind-bending, interactive experience contains exhibits and stunning displays designed to entertain and inspire. Visitors can explore over 40,000 square feet of the most creative and inventive exhibits and is tucked into what used to be a former Bed, Bath, & Beyond location. This colorful multi-verse features works by 55 artists, technologists and experience designers, many from Texas and 37 in Houston. The museum showcases local artists’ work alongside the exhibits.  

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.