A Quirky Texas Attraction In The Heart Of Austin Is A Throwback 'Dime Store Museum'

Austin, Texas is filled with historic buildings, contemporary hangouts, and ultra-modern skyscrapers. Austin's amazing live music venues have also helped give it the nickname of "Live Music Capital of the World." However, this sprawling city of contrasts and entertainment has another tagline floating around.

The popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird" offers a sense of identity for locals and sparks curiosity for potential visitors. With plenty of quirky things to see and do in Austin, it definitely lives up to its name. Just over a mile from Austin's famous Rainey Street is the Museum of the Weird. What makes this destination intriguing (aside from the name itself) is that it is one of the few remaining "dime museums" left in the United States. This means the Museum of the Weird is carrying on a long tradition of sideshow oddities on display for the public — and for low prices. Fans of "The Greatest Showman" might easily make the connection between dime store museums and P.T. Barnum, as this infamous circus promotor helped these dime museums become popular.

The Museum of the Weird began as the Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts shop, which still occupies the front of the museum. The shop's owners soon wanted some choice items to remain on permanent display, and the Museum of the Weird was born. Cheesy horror film props, mermaids, wax figures, mummies, and other curiosities are just some of the wacky items you'll find at this museum. In true dime museum fashion, tickets are just $12.99 for adults and $8.99 for kids eight and under. As you can guess, you can buy a little piece of Austin's weirdness at the gift shop, or take your pick from more tame souvenirs like Austin t-shirts.

The Museum of the Weird is located right on Sixth Street, one of Austin's major cultural hotspots. After raising your eyebrows at the wonders of the Museum of the Weird, keep walking along Sixth Street for a handful of comedy clubs, bars, and nightclubs. It becomes pedestrian only on the weekends too. The Museum of the Weird is not the only family-friendly thing on Sixth Street, however. VooDoo Doughnut is a highlight of Sixth Street and serves over a dozen inventive doughnut variations for all ages to enjoy.

If you're looking for bizarre tourist attractions in America, Austin definitely has more than just the Museum of the Weird. Head to the other side of the river to the Cathedral of Junk. This giant structure is perhaps the ultimate place to play a game of "I Spy." It is made up of anything from metal pipes to lawnmowers to bicycles, yet artist Vince Hannemann created the Cathedral of Junk purely for fun. It is now open as an event venue or simply a place for curious onlookers to explore. Try to find what you think Hannemann might call the "Throne Room."

Another unique activity in Austin is the Eureka Room, a place to take part in goofy games and activities. Past participants have sang its praises, yet also expressed their confusion over what one could expect from the experiences to be had at the Eureka Room. You don't need to arrive in a group to take part either, but you do have to be sociable at least for a little while. Book your one-hour time slots the Eureka Room's website.