(Mental Floss) -- 1. The SPAM® Museum

SPAM marks its 70th anniversary in 2007 which is also the Chinese Year of the Pig.

If the on-site "wall of SPAM" is any indication, a tour through the SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota, is guaranteed fun for the whole canned-pork-loving family. SPAM's parent company, Hormel Foods, opened the establishment in 2001 to the tune of almost 5,000 cans of SPAM.

One of the main attractions is a scale model of a SPAM plant, where visitors can don white coats and hairnets while pretending to produce America's favorite tinned meat.

2. National Museum of Funeral History

It's pretty hard to argue with the motto "Any Day Above Ground is a Good One." So goes the backhanded optimism of the National Museum of Funeral History, a Houston facility that opened in 1992.

Visitors are treated to exhibits that include a Civil War embalming display and a replica of a turn-of-the-century casket factory.

In addition, the museum boasts an exhibit of "fantasy coffins" designed by Ghanaian artist Kane Quaye. These moribund masterpieces include a casket shaped like a chicken, a Mercedes-Benz, a shallot, and an outboard motor. According to Quaye, his creations are based on the dreams and last wishes of his clients, which -- let's be honest -- really makes you wonder about the guy buried in the shallot.

3. The Hobo Museum

If you're bumming around but looking for a good time, be sure to take a load off in Britt, Iowa, at The Hobo Museum, which details the history and culture of tramps.

Bear in mind, though, that the museum kind of, well, slacks on hours and is only open to the public during the annual Hobo Convention. Luckily, tours can be arranged by appointment any time of year.

Of course, if you're interested in the Hobo Convention, lodging is available all over the area, but it's a safe bet that most of your compatriots will be resting their floppy hats at the "hobo jungle," located by the railroad tracks.

Both the event and the museum are operated by the Hobo Foundation, which --incidentally -- also oversees the nearby Hobo Cemetery, where those who have "caught the westbound" are laid to rest.

4. The Mütter Museum

Originally, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia erected the Mütter Museum as a creative way to inform medical students and practicing physicians about some of the more unusual medical phenomena. (You know, babies with two heads, that sort of thing.)

But today, it primarily serves as a popular spot for anyone interested in the grotesque. There, you'll find the world's largest colon, removed from a man who died -- not surprisingly -- of constipation.

Also on display: an OB-GYN instrument collection, thousands of fluid-preserved anatomical and pathological specimens, and a large wall dedicated entirely to swallowed objects.

5. The Barnum Museum

What better way to honor "Greatest Show on Earth" founder P.T. Barnum than with a mediocre museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut? Some visitors will appreciate the museum's ridiculously detailed miniature model of a five-ring circus.

But only circus freaks (and by that we mean "enthusiasts") will get a kick out of seeing a stale piece of cake from the wedding of Barnum's 40-inch-tall sidekick, General Tom Thumb.

6. The Conspiracy Museum

There's more than one theory about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, so why not have more than one museum devoted to it as well?

Most JFK buffs are familiar with the Sixth Floor Museum housed in the former Texas School Book Depository, which recounts all those boring "mainstream" details of the late president's life leading up to his death at the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald.

But just down the street, the Conspiracy Museum offers fodder for those less apt to buy into The Man's propaganda. For the most part, the museum specializes in showings of the
( Mental Floss ) -- 1 . The SPAM ® Museum SPAM marks its 70th anniversary in 2007 which is also the Chinese Year of the Pig . If the on - site " wall of SPAM " is any indication , a tour through the SPAM Museum in Austin , Minnesota , is guaranteed fun for the whole canned - pork - loving family . SPAM 's parent company , Hormel Foods , opened the establishment in 2001 to the tune of almost 5,000 cans of SPAM . One of the main attractions is a scale model of a SPAM plant , where visitors can don white coats and hairnets while pretending to produce America 's favorite tinned meat . 2 . National Museum of Funeral History It 's pretty hard to argue with the motto " Any Day Above Ground is a Good One . " So goes the backhanded optimism of the National Museum of Funeral History , a Houston facility that opened in 1992 . Visitors are treated to exhibits that include a Civil War embalming display and a replica of a turn - of - the - century casket factory . In addition , the museum boasts an exhibit of " fantasy coffins " designed by Ghanaian artist Kane Quaye . These moribund masterpieces include a casket shaped like a chicken , a Mercedes - Benz , a shallot , and an outboard motor . According to Quaye , his creations are based on the dreams and last wishes of his clients , which -- let 's be honest -- really makes you wonder about the guy buried in the shallot . 3 . The Hobo Museum If you 're bumming around but looking for a good time , be sure to take a load off in Britt , Iowa , at The Hobo Museum , which details the history and culture of tramps . Bear in mind , though , that the museum kind of , well , slacks on hours and is only open to the public during the annual Hobo Convention . Luckily , tours can be arranged by appointment any time of year . Of course , if you 're interested in the Hobo Convention , lodging is available all over the area , but it 's a safe bet that most of your compatriots will be resting their floppy hats at the " hobo jungle , " located by the railroad tracks . Both the event and the museum are operated by the Hobo Foundation , which --incidentally -- also oversees the nearby Hobo Cemetery , where those who have " caught the westbound " are laid to rest . 4 . The Mütter Museum Originally , the College of Physicians of Philadelphia erected the Mütter Museum as a creative way to inform medical students and practicing physicians about some of the more unusual medical phenomena . ( You know , babies with two heads , that sort of thing . ) But today , it primarily serves as a popular spot for anyone interested in the grotesque . There , you 'll find the world 's largest colon , removed from a man who died -- not surprisingly -- of constipation . Also on display : an OB - GYN instrument collection , thousands of fluid - preserved anatomical and pathological specimens , and a large wall dedicated entirely to swallowed objects . 5 . The Barnum Museum What better way to honor " Greatest Show on Earth " founder P.T. Barnum than with a mediocre museum in Bridgeport , Connecticut ? Some visitors will appreciate the museum 's ridiculously detailed miniature model of a five - ring circus . But only circus freaks ( and by that we mean " enthusiasts " ) will get a kick out of seeing a stale piece of cake from the wedding of Barnum 's 40-inch - tall sidekick , General Tom Thumb . 6 . The Conspiracy Museum There 's more than one theory about the assassination of John F. Kennedy , so why not have more than one museum devoted to it as well ? Most JFK buffs are familiar with the Sixth Floor Museum housed in the former Texas School Book Depository , which recounts all those boring " mainstream " details of the late president 's life leading up to his death at the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald . But just down the street , the Conspiracy Museum offers fodder for those less apt to buy into The Man 's propaganda . For the most part , the museum specializes in showings of the
What kind of museums is this?
What kind of museums is this ?
SPAM
SPAM