11 Quirky and Unusual Museums in Greater Boston

Boston is a hub of culture and academic achievement with tons of stunning <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-6-most-unique-libraries-in-boston-boston-397332">libraries</a>, <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-23-best-museums-you-ll-want-to-visit-in-boston-boston-409475">museums</a>, and educational institutions. But not all the organizations in Boston are exploring traditional areas of study. For an off-the-beaten-path experience, check out the quirkiest museums in Boston.  by Celina Colby 1) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-fire-museum-boston-443118">Boston Fire Museum</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/Gqa7Yef.jpeg"> Where: South Boston Cost: Free Info: Learn about some of the biggest fires in Boston, like the Great Boston Fire of 1872 and the Cocoanut Grove fire in 1942, see artifacts from the city’s history of firefighting, images from historic firehouses, and more.  2) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-museum-of-bad-art-boston-407973">Museum of Bad Art</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/BXaki2O.jpeg"> Where: Dorchester Cost: Free Info: Located inside Dorchester Brewing Company, this cheeky museum pays homage to the artworks that didn’t quite make it into the history books. The museum has been operating across Greater Boston since 1994, encouraging viewers to consider what makes “good” art.  3) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/russell-museum-boston-443084">Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/3R5ooOW.jpeg"> Where: Beacon Hill Cost: Free Info: Housed in Mass General, this unique museum showcases more than 200 years of medical research and innovation. It’s free and open to the public. If your timing is good you can also pop down the street to see the <a href="https://www.massgeneral.org/museum/exhibits/ether-dome/creating-the-ether-dome-painting">Ether Dome</a>, the space where the first successful public surgery using anesthesia took place. The space is sometimes used for meetings so it’s hit or miss if you can peek in.  4) <a href="https://modren.us/">Museum of Modern Renaissance</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/VA1aypN.jpeg"> Where: Somerville Cost: Varies Info: Local artists Nicholas Shaplyko and Ekaterina Sorokina purchased and restored this former church, turning it into a palace of art with their hand-painted murals all over the walls. The museum doesn’t have regular viewing hours, but you can often visit for concerts and <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/friday-night-yoga-with-live-music-in-savasana-at-the-museum-of-modern-renaissance-somerville-458943">yoga classes</a>.  5) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-warren-anatomical-museum-collection-boston-1006562">Warren Anatomical Museum</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/81mMOkH.jpeg"> Where: Fenway Cost: Free, by appointment Info: The Warren Anatomical Museum used to be its own brick-and-mortar building. Now the unique, and slightly chilling, collection is housed in the Harvard Countway Library Center for the History of Medicine. By appointment you can view artifacts like the skull of Phineas Gage, a man who had a 3’ 7” inch iron rod fired through his head and survived with a dramatic personality change.  6) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/museum-of-the-ancient-and-honorable-artillery-company-boston-443091">Ancient &amp; Honorable Artillery Company Museum</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/zMg1Vy0.jpeg"> Where: Downtown Cost: Free Info: This museum houses tons of artifacts related to the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, which ends up providing a fascinating look at military history. You’ll see uniforms, weapons, paper documents, paintings, and more dating back to the 1600s.  * OUTSIDE OF THE CITY 7) <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ponyhenge">Ponyhenge</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/9hewnuc.jpeg"> Where: Lincoln, MA Cost: Free Info: No one is sure how this field of rocking horses got here, but it’s become a local cultural icon. Situated in a circle, the rocking horses, hobby horses, and former carousel horses feel eerie and abandoned but locals have begun adding their own additions in recent years. 8) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-paper-house-rockport-1006146">The Paper House</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/IPZ20qs.jpeg"> Where: Rockport, MA Cost: $3 Info: The Paper House is exactly as it sounds, an entire house (complete with furniture and decor) that’s completely made out of newspaper. Built in 1922, the house is still standing and can be toured daily spring through fall. 9) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/tours-of-hammond-castle-museum-gloucester-411654">Hammond Castle Museum</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/TglQmlp.jpeg"> Where: Gloucester, MA Cost: $20 Info: Quirky inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr had this sprawling castle built in the 1920s. It served as his laboratory and home. The castle mixes a bunch of architectural styles and still features a lot of Hammond’s inventions.  10) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/willard-house-clock-museum-north-grafton-1006148">Willard House &amp; Clock Museum</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/tfM1JJ8.jpeg"> Where: North Grafton, MA Cost: $10 Info: Benjamin Willard made his first clock in 1766. His brothers joined him in the business and we now benefit from their three-generation clock-making legacy. At this museum, you can see many handcrafted clocks, learn about the process, and explore their family history. 11) <a href="https://burntfoodmuseum.com/">Burnt Food Museum</a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/q9GAwwQ.jpeg"> Where: Arlington, MA Cost: Varies Info: Founded by Grammy-nominated composer and performer Deborah Henson-Conant, this museum showcases the crispy results of her creative cooking. The museum is only very occasionally open to the public (although for a hefty price you can book a private tour), but you can check out the <a href="https://burntfoodmuseum.com/exhibits/">exhibits online</a>.

Boston

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Nathan 

Meredith 

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

11 Quirky and Unusual Museums in Greater Boston

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