18 Creepy Museums Around The World That Will Give You Nightmares

The Mummy Museum, also called Museo de Las Momias, is located in Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage site where hundreds of bodies were burned in the Santa Paula Pantheon's crypts during the mid-19th century. At some point, it was discovered that the bodies had been mummified through a natural process, probably due to the climate. The corpses are now on display in the museum, and as you can imagine, it's pretty creepy.

If you're visiting Amsterdam, you'll probably want to make a stop at the popular Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments, also simply called the Torture Museum. The place gives you a look at the darkest history of Europe, people were regularly tortured and executed. On view are decapitation swords, inquisition chairs, and more. You'll also learn about modern torture in today's world, which is perhaps even spookier.

If you believe in aliens, the International UFO Museum & Research Center will really creep you out — or it will make you believe. The museum is there to educate the public on The Roswell Incident, and it includes a collection and preservation of materials and information related to the 1947 incident and other unexplained phenomena related to UFO research. The Roswell Incident refers to the day when an unidentified flying object crashed at a ranch in Roswell, New Mexico. Although the government said it was just a weather balloon, many don't believe that.

If you have a fear of clowns, you'll probably want to avoid this museum — unless you're into mild forms of torture, that is. The Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is dedicated to the stories behind the famous clowns of the United States, both amusing and terrifying.

There are few museums scarier than one dedicated entirely to death. The Museum of Death has the world's largest collection of serial killer artwork, antique funeral ephemera, mortician and coroners instruments, Manson family items, pet death taxidermy, crime scene photographs, and more. The Pogo the Clown shoes worn by serial killer John Wayne Gacy are on display in the museum, and they're particularly creepy to look at.

There is something extremely creepy about a ventriloquist dummy, and if you don't believe that, you probably will after visiting the Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum. The museum is the only one of its kind, and displays more than 800 dummies, photos, playbills, and historical books from William Shakespeare Berger's collection.

Salem, Massachusetts is known for being the place where colonial-era women were put on trial for allegedly being "witches," then killed. The town plays up their history and is interesting to visit during October. One of the creepiest attractions is the Salem Witch Museum, which allows visitors to get a glimpse of original trial documents and see the real history behind the events of the time.

Jack the Ripper was a notorious serial killer who stalked his victims through dark streets and alleys before killing them. The Jack the Ripper Museum in London allows you to get a better look at him. You can take a "Jack the Ripper Walk," where you can follow in his footsteps, seeing recreated scenes from his crimes and getting the perspective of the victims. You can read old newspaper accounts of the murders, see original autopsy photos, and more. It's definitely a terrifying experience.

Do bugs make you feel like your skin is crawling? Then the Meguro Parasitological Museum is definitely going to freak you out. It's dedicated to researching parasites all over the world. There are exhibits that show parasite lifecycles and what kind of symptoms they can cause for humans. It's educational, but not for those who get queasy easily.

Obviously, an entire museum about funerals makes this list. The National Museum of Funeral History has America's largest collection of authentic, historical funeral service items, and gives you the chance to learn more about caskets and coffins, hearses, and historical funerals.

The Glore Psychiatric Museum is dedicated to the 130-year history of the St. Joseph hospital, which includes years of mental health treatment. It's located on the grounds of the original hospital and exhibits show you surgical tools, treatment equipment, nurse uniforms, artwork from former patients, and personal notes. It's certainly spooky.

Just in case you weren't clear on what to expect, the Mütter Museum's website says, "We invite you to explore our world and become Disturbingly Informed." The museum focuses on medical oddities and mysteries and includes things like skull collections featuring 129 human skulls, Civil War medicine, slides from Albert Einstein's brain, and more. It's definitely informative, but it's also spooky.

The Mothman Museum is dedicated to the mythical Mothman, an urban legend that has been around since 1966. Many witnesses have claimed they've seen the Mothman, and there have been movies made about him. In the museum, you can see documents written by eyewitnesses, photos of West Virginia's Silver Bridge collapse that was linked to the legend, and more.

The Museum of Vampires and Legendary Creatures was created by Jacques Sirgent, who dedicated much of his life to researching vampires, esoterism, and occidental folklore. The museum features a spooky history of Paris and the cemeteries where vampiric rituals were once practiced, as well as cannibal sorcery, medieval Christian hierarchy. There are collectibles, old books, and art that will totally creep you out.

At this point, you've likely heard of the Loch Ness monster. In Scotland, there is a Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition that allows you to learn so much more. The presentation takes you through seven themed areas that cover 500 million years of history, myth, and legend that are undeniably creepy.

Just the name of this museum, the Morbid Anatomy Museum, sounds terrifying. You can see taxidermied creatures, lots of pictures, and get a cup of coffee. There are also lots of events, like taxidermy classes and lectures about Hannibal Lecter, so make sure to check out their calendar.

The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is, obviously, about witches. You can see glass spirit bottles, skulls, witches' charms, and other pagan artifacts. You can even book a witches' workshop. There's also lantern-lit evening tours, which make the whole experience even scarier.

You know all those terrifying urban legends you've heard about for years, like Big Foot? Well, the International Cryptozoology Museum might make you believe in them for real. The museum explores and shows off evidence that they might be real. There is a rare, carnivorous marsupial replica, exhibits of monsters, and more.