The new “Poozeum” & 7 other quirky Arizona museums

Learn about the eight quirkiest museums in Arizona, including the new and notable “Poozeum” in Williams. 

There’s more to Arizona’s museum scene than the traditional ones showcasing art, history, and culture—we also have a collection of quirky, one-of-a-kind museums that celebrate the strange and unusual, the unexpected and the unexplained. These surprising gems offer a unique glimpse into the eccentric side of Arizona, providing a refreshing break from the ordinary.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the eight quirkiest museums in Arizona, each offering its own peculiar charm. From a museum dedicated to the art of miniatures to a space filled with dinosaur poop, these eight museums invite visitors to step into a world where curiosity reigns supreme. 

1. Poozeum, Williams 

It would be weird enough to visit a museum filled with poo, but how about one filled with dinosaur poo? That’s exactly what you’ll get at the Poozeum in Williams, and it’s free to visit!

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of coprolites (aka, fossilized poop), marvel at the sheer magnitude of thousands of real fossilized feces, and snap selfies next to a 4-foot-wide titanosaur poop replica. And don’t miss “Barnum,” the T. rex dinosaur poop that Guinness World Records certified as the largest coprolite by a carnivore in 2020. And of course, there’s an on-theme gift shop selling poo-tastic merch, like T-shirts that say, “Coprolites aren’t my favorite fossil, but they’re a solid #2.”

Photo courtesy of Poozeum/CC BY-SA 4.0.

2. Arizona Boardwalk: The UFO Experience and Museum of Illusions, Scottsdale

There are plenty of great experiences at Arizona Boardwalk, including a magical Butterfly Wonderland, enchanting OdySea Aquarium, and unbelievable Ripley’s Believe it or Not, but two of them squarely fall into “quirky” territory.

The first is the UFO Experience, an otherworldly and interactive glimpse into alien abductions, encounters with extraterrestrials, and reports of UFOs. In the same entertai

nment complex, you’ll find the Museum of Illusions, with 60 exhibits that are sure to fool your eyes and make you question your sense of reality — plus it makes for super fun photos.

3. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Tucson

At some museums, bigger is better, but the opposite is true at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures in Tucson — its collection of miniatures includes more than 500 antique and contemporary dollhouses and roomboxes. Check out the special exhibitions too (such as the cultural history of Japan or model cars), and a rotating calendar of events and community arts projects.

No visit would be complete without popping into the store, where you’ll find great gift ideas and tiny treasures for your own home, including fine-scale and artisan miniatures and work by local artists. 

Photo courtesy of Dylan’s World/CC BY-NC 2.0.

4. Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, Phoenix 

The world’s largest museum of firefighting history is aptly located in one of the hottest cities in the country, showcasing more than 100 fire trucks, steamers, hand pumpers, and other fully restored pieces of fire apparatus dating back to the 1700s. There’s also a gallery dedicated to the history of wildland firefighting, and a kid’s play area with a real fire truck to climb on.

In 1998, the museum opened the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which honors American firefighters who have received a national award for heroism and recognizes American firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

5. Titan Missile Museum, Green Valley

On your next drive near Tucson, stop for a journey back through time to the Cold War. The Titan Missile Museum is the preserved Titan II missile site (officially known as complex 571-7) and is all that remains of the 54 Titan II missile sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987.

During a 45-minute guided tour, the museum gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. It takes place underground after descending 35 feet (via 55 stairs) into the missile complex, complete with a visit to the launch control center and experiencing a simulated launch of the missile.

Photo courtesy of Packbj/CC BY-SA 4.0.

6. Ignite Sign Art Museum, Tucson

Have a passion for neon, electric, hand-painted, aluminum, and LED signs? You’ll find all that and more at the Ignite Sign Art Museum, which represents a collection that took 40 years to accrue. Look for old neon signs, a 76 gas station ball, a huge Arby’s hat, retro motel signs, and restored historic signs dating back to the early 1900s on a self-guided tour that has interactive elements and a scavenger hunt. 

7. Vintage Lasers and Holograms Museum, Tempe

Old-school technology is on display in Tempe at the Vintage Lasers and Holograms Museum, and it’s fun to see just how far we’ve come.

Owner Robert A (Bob) Hess has been working with lasers and making holograms since 1980 and his decades of hands-on experience helps him explain these complex technologies in practical terms. This free exhibit, built from Hess’ private collection, includes over 180 lasers (including a prototype of the first commercial laser). 

8. Arizona Copper Art Museum, Clarkdale

Arizona is known for the five Cs — cactus, cattle, cotton, citrus, and copper — and it’s this last C that is showcased at the Arizona Copper Art Museum. Founded in 2012, visitors will find more than 5,000 copper artifacts on display (the country’s largest collection) and housed in the former Clarkdale High School building.

Why Clarkdale? The city’s entire foundation was embedded in copper, as it was a massive producer back in the early 1900s. In fact, before being nicknamed “The Grand Canyon State,” Arizona was known as “The Copper State” for more than 100 years.

Photo courtesy of Verde Canyon Railroad/CC BY-NC 2.0.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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