This past December, The San Francisco Museum of Ice Cream sold out through its final days in February. The museum’s remarkable popularity made it clear just how much people enjoy the unexpected in a museum. While classic museums filled with art and historical artifacts are both enticing and informative, it’s refreshing to get up-close to out-of-the-ordinary objects. When booking your next event, why not book near a museum that colors outside the lines? Not only will it be a fun excursion, but a memorable one as well.
The Neon Museum, Las Vegas
Where do neon signs rest in peace? The Neon Museum in Las Vegas. Enter the bright graveyard and find old neon signs that have been abandoned. The museum has also restored 11 neon signs, which have been installed along Las Vegas Boulevard in a partnership with the City of Las Vegas.
Stay at Caesars Palace and host an extravagant event in its 300,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The Octavius and Forum Ballrooms can be split up into 25 breakout rooms, or combine the two to fit 5,555 guests.
Museo Subacuatico de Arte, Mexico
Looking for a museum outside of the box? Does underwater work? In 2009, more than 500 life-sized sculptures were installed in the oceans surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. The monuments are made of materials to promote coral life, with the museum aiming to “demonstrate the interaction between art and environmental science.” You can even scuba or snorkel to get an “in-depth” look.
Head two minutes north and stay at The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas and Spa to host an event on the beach. The space can fit up to 100 guests and includes catering and audiovisual services.
Torture Museum, Amsterdam
If you want to explore the darker side of Amsterdam, take a tour through the Torture Museum. View more than 40 instruments of torture, from the inquisition chair to the aptly-named skullcracker. It’s certainly not conventional, but sickly appealing nevertheless.
Escape from the Torture Museum to The Dylan Amsterdam, a luxury hotel to host your event. The Courtyard can hold a reception of 75 people, while the Ariana room can hold 80 people theater-style or a 150-person reception.
National Museum of Roller Skating, Lincoln, Nebraska
If you’re a fan of rolling around the skating rink, you’re bound to enjoy the National Museum of Roller Skating. Watch highlights of roller skating competitions while learning about the evolution of roller derby, inline skating and speed skating.
Host an event in the Regents Ballroom of Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln, where you can fit 1,490 people in 11,932 sq. ft. of space. The Alumni Room is 1,125 sq. ft. and can fit 140 reception-style or 100 theater-style.
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, New Delhi
We know, we know—it’s weird. But stay with us. It was Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak’s dream to build a museum dedicated to the history of toilets. After three years of planning and plenty of research, it became a reality. Featuring facts, pictures and objects dating back to 2500 BC, you’ll see the historic evolution of toilets unfold before your eyes. Consider it an outlandish story to bring back home.
Shangri-La’s–Eros Hotel, New Delhi boasts a ballroom that can hold a 400-guest reception, while the Ganga space can host a reception of up to 100.
The Museum of Bad Art, Boston
If you still want to go to an art museum, but are looking for something different, stop by the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA). Founded in 1993, the museum is “dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms and in all its glory.” Don’t take it too seriously—the museum certainly doesn’t.
Stay at Boston Marriott Copley Place. You’ll find 61,085 sq. ft. of event space, with 45 breakout rooms. The Back Bay Conference and exhibition center can hold up to 1,400 banquet-style.
Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb, Croatia
If you’re heartbroken, nostalgic, or simply want to experience the twisted beauty and pain of a break up, Museum of Broken Relationships is for you. With donated items from old relationships featuring stories of the relationships and their aftermath, it’s hard not to feel genuine sympathy for the participants. Donate your own mementos if you’re in the purging spirit.
Stay at The Westin Zagreb, which features 18,643 sq. ft. of event space with a maximum capacity of 1,000. Host a reception of 300 in the Crystal Ballroom or give a presentation in the 2,799-square-foot Panorama to 100 attendees classroom-style.
International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C.
Boasting its title as the only public museum in the United States dedicated to espionage, The Spy Museum features a variety of international artifacts. Browse through items used to shed light on missions and espionage actions. You’ll walk away feeling like the next James (or Jane) Bond.
Retreat to Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill for 38,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. With full-service catering and event planners and multilingual staff on-site, your event will go off without a hitch.
Cupnoodles Museum, Yokohama, Japan
Everyone enjoys ramen, the ultimate comfort food. Cupnoodles Museum celebrates Momofuku Ando’s global success while giving guests an interactive adventure. Make chicken ramen by hand in the factory, which includes kneading and steaming the dough. You can also create your own original cupnoodles package, selecting from four flavors and a variety of toppings.
InterContinental Yokohama Grand caters to almost any meeting size, from large events to intimate affairs. Host up to 430 guests in the InterContinental Ballroom or 26 attendees in the Carlton space.
