These unusual museum concepts offer unconventional visitor experiences. While traditional museums can be extremely educational, not everyone finds these visits to be an enjoyable experience. These unusual galleries are designed to add a level of fun and excitement to the conventional museum experience.
While many adults are interested in visiting museums, children are often less enthusiastic about such outings. In order to make the museum experience more enjoyable for children, many galleries have sought to cater to a younger audience. These kid-friendly facilities include candy-inspired museums, cartoon dog museums and multi-sensory art museums.
Beyond catering to the needs of children, many museums have sought to draw in the types of consumers that would not usually visit a traditional gallery. In order to appeal to a different type of audience, many museums have designed unique installations and interactive exhibits that make the experience more entertaining. Some of these unusual museum features include sensory light installations, edible art exhibits and investigative museum-exploring apps.
78 Unusual Museum Concepts
From Electronic Music Museums to Candy-Inspired Children's Museums:
Katherine Pendrill — Sep 17, 2015 — Art & Design

78
Optical Art Museums
The Museum of Illusions Opens its Doors in Zagreb, Croatia

77
Antique Adult Toy Museums
See How Pleasure Toys Evolved with the Good Vibrations Museum
76
Submerged Mountain Museums
This Massive Concrete Structure is Partially Embedded in a Mountainside
75
Surreal Retail Display Museums
This Hermes Window Display is Made Using a Colorful Paper Medium
74
Surreal Digital Museums
The 'From Monet to Cézanne' Exhibit Explores French Impressionists
73
Mirrored Art Installations
Jeppe Hein Creates Large-Scale Reflective Sculptures
72
Interactive Art Museums
Manila’s Art in Island Gallery Immerses Art Lovers into Paintings
71
Elevated Museum Architecture
The National Art Museum of China by Jean Nouvel is Stunning
70
Transparent Mountainside Museums
The Aspen Art Museum Boasts a Stunning Timber Facade
69
Futuristic Cavernous Structures
The Louisiana State Museum by Trahan Architects is Icily Sci-Fi
68
Candy-Inspired Children's Museums
The Sweetness by Sports Harnesses What Kids Love Most
67
Gorgeously Sloping Architecture
Zaha Hadid's Heydar Aliyev Center Wins Design of the Year
66
Robotic Museum Guides
The De Young Museum is Making Their Tours Accessible to All
65
Lifelike Wooden Restaurant Installations
Roxy Paine Created an Entire Fast Food Joint Out of Wood
64
Electronic Music Museums
The Museum of Modern Electronic Music is to Open in Frankfurt
63
Sustainably Monolithic Museums
Museo Maya de América is the Largest Museum in Central America
62
Underwater Museums
'Underwater Museums' in the Baltic Sea Aims to Preserve Maritime Monuments
61
Interactive Art Museums
This 3D Museum in Hong Kong Lets Visitors be Part of the Anime Artwork
60
Mathematical Gallery Designs
Zaha Hadid Will Design the London Science Museum Mathematics Gallery
59
Sea Creature-Inspired Museums
The Shanghai Natural History Museum Takes After the Nautilus Shell
58
Virtual Reality Museums
Reload Studios is Bringing Famous Artwork Out of Museums and Into Homes
57
Serpentine Mountainside Museums
The Maison des Fondateurs Features a Spiraling Design
56
Distorted Experience Installations
BMW Collaborated with Barber & Osgerby to Create a Piece of Art
55
Neon Sign Art Exhibitions
This Rome Exhibition Features Showcases the Work of Maurizio Nannucci
54
Edible Art Exhibits
The Art Fund is Raising Money for Exhibits with Edible Art
53
Sensory Light Installations
Liz West's Latest Art Project Features Technicolored Elements
52
Irregular Opening Museums
The Museo Juan Soriano is a Large Blocked Building
51
All-Blue Museums
The Cachaça Museum in Brazil Consists of a Steady Hue
50
Experience-Focused Museums
The Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus Incorporates Nature and Design
49
Delicately Designed Museums
The Hungarian Museum of Architecture Would Renew Budapest's City Park
48
Ridiculously Tiny Museums
Somerville, MA Mayor Joseph Curtatone Unveiled the Minuscule Museum
47
Digital Museum Experiences
The Anne Frank House Website Boasts a 3D Virtual Tour
46
Sensory Sculpture Installations
Gratitude by Ernesto Neto is Located in the Aspen Art Museum
45
Personal Trinket Museums
Nick Cave is Making a Museum of Sentimental Items of Arguable Importance
44
Animal Print Car Museums
The Design of the Petersen Automotive Museum Resembles Zebra Stripes
43
Historical Excrement Museums
The Museum of Shit in Italy Explores the History of Poop
42
Rocky Museum Installations
The Riverbed Installation Brings the Great Outdoors Inside
41
Flame-Inspired Copper Facades
The Museum of Fire in Poland is Inspired by the Natural Phenomenon
40
Mine-Converted Museums
Salina Turda Pays Epic Tribute to Salt Mining in Romania
39
Aquatic Museum Interiors
Lisbon's Water Museum Reflects Its Subject Matter in a Design That Flows
38
Geometric Museum Proposals
Comac Uses a Cubed Structure for the Berlin Natural Science Museum
37
Distorted Memory Museums
The False Memory Archive Asks Us: Have We Been Living a Lie?
36
Celebratory Bike Centers
Tokyo’s Bicycle Culture Center is Stunning and Welcoming
35
Virtual Museum Exhibits
The Virtual Reality Weekend Transports Museum Visitors to the Bronze Age
34
Palatial Baroque Museums
The New Cultural House of Pinhel is a Stunning Revamped Palace
33
Hindu Deity Exhibits
The Metropolitan's Museum Exhibit Depicts Lord Vishnu's Lion Avatar
32
Blind-Guiding Museum Exhibitions
Touch the Prado Lets the Visually Impaired Feel Art Copies
31
Giant Bird Installations
Sipho Mabona Presents Giant Avian Origami at Tropenmuseum
30
Complimentary Contemporary Galleries
The Broad Museum in Los Angeles will Open in September 2015
29
Medieval Modern Museums
The Waterford Medieval Museum Fuses a Modern Exterior with Ancient Ruins
28
Branded Toilet Museums
This Japanese Museum Showcases the Toilet History of Toto Ltd.
27
Literary Detective Exhibits
The Museum of London's Sherlock Holmes Exhibit Explores the Series
26
Contemporary Museum Interiors
The New Santo Antonio Museum in Lisbon Replaces the Original
25
Subterranean Salt Museums
This Salt Mine Has Been Converted into a Museum
24
Cartoon Dog Museums
Japan's Snoopy Museum Will Idolize a Fictive Comic Strip Dog
23
Triangular Museum Architecture
Tadao Ando Builds the Asia Museum of Modern Art
22
Gridded Patterned Architecture
The Yenikapi Project Features Complex Walkways
21
Minimalist Concrete Museums
The Fresach Diocesan Museum Complements a Nearby Church
20
Childlike Glass Museum Architecture
COORDINATION ASIA's Kids Museum of Glass is Whimsical
19
Tragedy-Commemorating Museums
The 9/11 Memorial Museum Honors the Lost Lives of Many
18
Investigative Museum-Exploring Apps
The ScopifyROM App Lets Users Explore History
17
Cheesy Museum Pop-Ups
Castello's Pop-Up Cheese Tasting Appeals to Multiple Senses
16
Green-Roofed Museums
The Shekou Museum Blends Well with Nature
15
Glass-Enclosed Museum Facades
The Vincent Van Gogh Museum Will Soon Unveil Its New Spacious Foyer
14
Foggy Museum Installations
FOGSCAPE #47412 by Fujiko Nakaya Creates an Eerie Effect
13
Artistic Museum Renovations
The Renovations to the Clark Art Institute Have Finally Been Revealed
12
Sandstone-Inspired Architecture
The Southern Utah Museum of Art Has Natural Influences
11
Skyline-Mirroring Installations
The Dan Graham Design Sits Atop the Metropolitan Museum of Art
10
Sustainable Science Museums
Moatasem Esmat Gives the Science Museum an Upgraded Look
9
Redefined Glass Museums
MoMA's Public Geometric Glass Structure Redefines the Traditional Museum
8
Homey Museum Installations
Mauritshuis' Museum Campaign Turns a Gallery into a Home Setting
7
Lifelike Limb Installations
The Dutch Silver Museum by Tinker Features Floating Arm Sculptures
6
Pyramid Architecture Add-Ons
The Harvard Art Museum Nears the End of its Project Expansion
5
National Supercar Museums
This Corvette Museum Plans to Display Sinkhole Damaged Cars for Fans
4
Salacious Phallic Museums
The Icelandic Phallogical Museum Holds a Casting Call
3
Interactive Toy-Built Museums
Denmark's LEGO Museum Will Be Designed with Thousands of Blocks
2
Woven Timber Museums
The Aspen Art Museum by Shigeru Ban Features a Latticed Side
1
Multi-Sensory Art Museums
The Tate Sensorium Invites Guests to Experience Art in a New Way
Related Ideas
In-Person Gallery Experiences
Whataburger Museum of Art Brings Fan Creativity to Life at SXSW 2025
Immersive 3D Fashion Exhibits
Portal:M x Virtual Fashion Exhibition Host a Phygital Experience
Immersive Material Design Exhibits
Garde Hvalsøe Presents Deltag Showcase for 3daysofdesign 2025
Treat-Themed Crafting Dolls
Far Out Toys' Pretty Sweets Invites Kids to Customize Mini Desserts
Therapy-Inspired Retail Concepts
Okamura Reimagines Retail Therapy with the Kimochi Kiosk in 2025
Sensory-Friendly Airport Spaces
Edmonton International Airport Opens a Sensory-Friendly Space
Parisian Airport Pop-Ups
Moët Hennessy's Paris Concept Event Featured Travel Exclusives
Concept Perfume Stores
Lush's Perfume Library Provides Consultations with Fragrance Experts
Sensory Accessibility Programs
Lush Cosmetics Partners with KultureCity for a Pilot Program
Concept-Driven Retail Experiences
Artist Miya Ando X Saint Laurent Create an Immersive Exhibition
Immersive Light Art Installations
Olafur Elisson Presents Your Psychoacoustic Light Ensemble
Engaging Science-Inspired Activities
The Ontario Science Centre is Engaging Families During Winter
Dubai Chocolate Pop-Ups
FIX Dessert Chocolatier's Pop-Up Concept Features Viral Favorites
Reimagined Artwork-Based Travel Campaigns
Plaza Premium Group Debuts 'The Art of Travel'
Thailand International Modern Museums
WHY Architecture Unveils a Look at the Dib Bangkok Museum
Blurry Abstract Photography Exhibits
Hiroshi Sugimoto Displays the Optical Allusion Exhibition
Playful Modern Art Shows
Brent Estabrook Debuts 'Storytime' at the Maddox Gallery in Switzerland
Futuristic Imaginative Design Concepts
Toyota Introduces the Unique E-Collection of Products
Infinity Loop-Shaped Museums
Aedas Completed the Design of the Yohoo Museum in Hangzhou
Edgy Futuristic Activations
The Oakley Exoplanetary Bunker in Paris is Otherworldly
Community-First Beauty Hubs
The Immersive Club MAC Retail Concept Features Experiential Zones
Automotive Design Philosophy Exhibits
Kia Showcases Two Exhibits at Milan Design Week 2025
Immersive Gondola Displays
ColourPop is Getting a New Immersive Makeover at ULTA
Fragrance-Focused Escape Rooms
The Perfume Shop Created the UK’s First Perfume-Themed Escape Room
Wonderous Art Installations
Olafur Eliasson’s 'Your Psychoacoustic Light Ensemble' is Immersive
Nostalgia-Inspired Experiences
Bubble Planet Creates a Sensory Journey with Distinct Bubble Rooms
Family-Friendly Interactive Museums
LEGO's Superpower Studios is Devoted to Hands-On Play
Dynamic Installation Science Museums
MAD has Designed the New Hainan Science Museum
Screen-Free Music Toys
Loops Lab Lowers the Barrier of Entry to Music Creation
Multisensory Toy Boxes
The Janod Boxes Stimulate Sight, Touch, Hearing and More
Vibrant Inclusive Playground Exhibitions
Wade and Leta Presents the Falling Into Place Exhibition
Culturally Immersive Vacay Destinations
The Marriott Vacation Clubs Center on Experiences
Paper-Inspired Artful Museums
Bjarke Ingels Group Designed the Museum for Papirkunst
Kids' Entertainment Initiatives
Yoto x CF Shopping Centers will Offer Summer Programming for Kids
immersive artful bright installations
Nadja Stäubli Presents the Sensorial Chroma Installation
Immersive Auto-Focused Artistic Experiences
Lexus Explores the Relation Between Humans & Mobility
Visual Museum Campaigns
MoMA’s New Museum Campaign Transforms NYC into an Art Lover’s Paradise
Sensory Dough Toys
Play-Doh 6 Variety Compounds are Uniquely Textured & Scented
Experiential Hotel Concepts
Moxy Montreal Downtown Brings Playful Hospitality Experience to Quebec
Dynamic Art Exhibitions
The 'Art in Motion' Exhibition Features Moving Artworks
Custom-Made Snacks
The KIND Bar Offers a Sensory Snack Experience
Colorful Dynamic Acoustic Playgrounds
Yuri Suzuki Designs the Otonomori Playground in Shanghai
Revamped Museum Brand Identities
The Brooklyn Museum Has Updated Its Branding Aesthetic
Auto-Branded Multimedia Experiences
Audi Haus Performance Art is Free, Forward-Thinking & Exciting
Immersive Art Escape Rooms
Daydream Adventures Traps Players in an Enchanted Forest or Sci-Fi Cave
Artfully Functional Synergy Exhibitions
Muller Van Severen Presents the Frames Exhibition
Collaborative Auction Experiences
Hospitality Meets Collectible Art Through This Auction Event
Incredibly Bold Design Exhibitions
Capsul and Basic.Space Present the Memphis Miami Exhibition
Multisensory Cocktail Menus
Synaesthesia Inspired the Spectrum Cocktail Menu at Fitz’s
Unique Rotating Art Galleries
NUMU Boutique Hotel Features an Exhibit by David Troice
Custom Inspirational Quotes
Muse Combines Quotes with Creative Themes for Social Media
Thematic Large-Scale Light Installations
SPOOKY AT ILLUMI Offers a Unique Family Experience
Designer-Hosted Brooklyn Pop-Ups
The Gustaf Westman in New York is a Unique Museum Experience
Vibrant Slime Collections
Sloomoo Institute Introduced 18 Colorful Slimes
Experimental Furniture Design Exhibitions
WEDGE Presents the Mise En Abyme Installation
Child-Forward Travel Planning Kits
Trip Jones Offers Kid-Friendly Travel Planning
Vibrantly Artful Playful Pavilions
Peter Cook Presents the Play Pavilion Using LEGO Bricks
Savory-Sweet Dessert Bagels
Museum of Ice Cream & Ess-A-Bagel Collaborated on an Ice-A-Bagel
Cultural Shopping Experiences
Cadillac Fairview Transforms Malls for Lunar New Year Festivities
Unique City-Based Culinary Tours
Tasty Tours Expands Its Lavish Culinary Tour Offerings in Toronto
Sustainably Built Public Attractions
National Geographic Society Unveils the Museum of Exploration
Heritage Preservation Museums
The SAKA Museum Unveils Three Immersive Balinese Exhibitions
Garden-Topped Sunken Museums
Kengo Kuma & Associates Design the CMP Inspiration Museum
Monumental Cultural Art Installations
Nicole Nomsa Moyo Unveiled the Pearl Jam Art Installtion
Hyperrealistic Food Art Exhibitions
Japan House London Presents Looks Delicious! Installation
Multi-Sensory Sound Installtions
The Barbican Centre Hosts the New Feel the Sound Exhibition
Sensory-Focused Furniture Design Exhibits
File Under Pop Presents the TIME SIGNATURE Installation
Branded Creativity-Focused Workshops
The LEGO Group Unveils Its 2025 Creativity Workshop Series
AI-Generated Elizabethan Experiences
The Museum of Shakespeare Will Recreate 16th Century England
Mexican Designer Collaborative Exhibitions
Hall Haus Presents the Design Mixtape Exhibition
Sensorially Immersive Art Experiences
teamLab Presents the Phenomena Abu Dhabi Universe
Sensorial Art Exhibitions
Gardens by the Bay Presents the 'Impressions of Monet' Experience
Iconic Doll-Inspired Exhibitions
Barbie: The Exhibition Opens at London's Design Museum
Exploratory Art Exhibits
The Saga of the Department Stores Exhibit Explores Shopping’s Evolution
Culturally Immersive Dining Experiences
D'Art Design is Transforming India's Dining Sector
Immersive Garden Bar Experiences
BLOOM Explores America's First Botanical Garden in NYC
Dynamic Immersive Play Museums
LEGO Group Presents the Superhero Studios Initiative in Paris
Artful Soft-Pink Dining Rooms
The Gallery at Sketch in London Boasts Subtle Vintage Touches
Hybrid Shopping Ventures
Smartseller Unveiled an Integrated Concept at Nuremberg Airport
Weightless Pavilion Museum Wings
Snøhetta and Alley Poyner Macchietto Expand the Joslyn Art Museum
Curvaceous Artful Play Pavilions
Peter Cook Designs the Play Pavilion for the Serpentine Gallery
Enigmatic Graffiti Incidents
Toronto's Museum of New Calls Attention to Mystery Graffiti
Museum-Branded Sock Collections
Brooklyn Museum and doublesoul Brings Enter a Collaboration
Active Family Restaurant Experiences
The Chuck E. Cheese Adventure Zone Concept is Engaging
Pattern-Heavy Design Exhibitions
Timorous Beasties Presented What are You Looking At?
Hybrid Indoor Play Spaces
Jumpin' Jellybeans Expertly Merges Play with Wellness
Exploratory Architectural Projects
The Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is Thought-Provoking
Young Consumer-Focused Store Redesigns
Auntie Anne's Presents a Contemporary Updated Aesthetic
Abstract Colorfully Vibrant Playscapes
100architects Designs the Wired Scape Playground
Self-Designed Exhibition Spaces
Kiki & Joost Adds a New Installation Space to Eindhoven Studio
Unconventional Design Exhibitions
Meritalia Presents a Striking Exhibition at Design Miami 2024
Children's Story-Inspired Libraries
Studio Vapore Reimagines the Western Academy Library
Cybersafety-Focused Resource Libraries
The Worst Children’s Library Highlights Harmful Content
Sculptural Gallery Art Exhibitions
Kennedy Yanko Presents Two New Galleries in NYC
Outdoor Wildlife Exhibitions
The Great Elephant Migration Exhibit Features Life-Size Sculptures
White Concrete Boxy Museums
Thomas Phifer Designs the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
Whimsically Vibrant Exhibitions
Wendy Maruyama and Tom Loeser Exhibit the Colorama Show
Provocative Banned Books Installations
The American Bookbinders Museum Debuts 'Banned Books Jail'
Temple-Inspired Striking Galleries
Abin Design Studio Designs a Gallery with Temple Themes
Experimental Cuboid Exhibition Spaces
Sār Unveils the Experimental Sār Residence by Girish Doshi
Developmental Bath Toys
The Your (Un)Ordinary Bath Toy Collection Encourages Sensory Exploration
Children-Friendly Jiu-Jitsu Academies
Kidz Designs a Jiu-Jitsu Gym Around a Wooden Amplitheater
3D Royalty-Based Museums
The Princess Diana Museum Features a Virtually Guided Experience
Chocolate Honoring Museums
The Chocolate Story in Porto, Portugal is an Artisanal Destination
Cascading Aluminum Pipe Museums
Kengo Kuma Design the Audeum Museum with an Aluminum Facade
Virtual Museum Queueing Systems
Philadelphia Museum of Art Taps Accesso's Virtual Queueing System
Tradition-Focused Digital Libraries
Nestlé Brands Introduced the Living Traditions Library
Spring-Welcoming Art Installations
DRIFT's Latest Presentation is the Meadow Exhibition
Broken Bike Lock Furniture
Design Students Showcase the People and Places Exhibition
Aluminum-Clad Gallery Redesigns
OMA Remodels the Gallery of the Kings at the Museo Egizio
Hug-Recreated Art Exhibitions
Sibling Architecture Created the Deep Calm Exhibition
Playfully Vibrant Studio Spaces
Estudio Protobox Coverts a Parking Garage in Colégio Salesiano
Sensory Museum Tours
The Dock Museum in Barrow Aims to Increase Accessibility for Blind Visitors
Sensory-Friendly Zoo Quiet Hours
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Improve Accessibility for Visitors
Community-Centric Sculptural Installations
Naoto Fukasawa & Jakuets Design the Playful Sculptures
Immersive Nature-Inspired Design Showcases
The Muuto Spaces Event Was Multifaceted and Engaging
Manga-Inspired Museum Exhibits
The Museum of the Moving Image Presents a Yu-Gi-Oh! Experience
Boundless Art Exhibitions
The Frameless Experience Showcases Iconic Art Beyond Reality
Director-Celebrating Artful Exhibitions
London's Design Museum Hosts the World of Tim Burton
Ultra-Green Deadstock Stores
The Kisarazu Concept Store is Deeply Rooted in Sustainable Practices
Environmentally Harmonious Museums
Tadao Ando Designs the Naoshima New Museum of Art
Immersive Space Exhibitions
‘Beyond the Light’ Immerses Guests in NASA’s Scientific Discoveries
Science Centre Anniversary Celebrations
The Montréal Science Centre Marks 25 Years of Operation
Complimentary Disability-Friendly Sensory Rooms
Elemore Country Park Opens a Free Sensory Room
Immersive Light Festivals
The Lektrik Festival of Lights will Illuminate the NY Botanical Garden
Sun-Inspired Disc-Topped Museums
SMAR Architecture Studio Designs the Science Island Museum
Light Garden Installations
Imaginarium360 is an Immersive Walkthrough Garden Event
Comprehensive Museum Visitor Apps
The Chester Beatty Museum & accesso Refine Visitor Experiences
Immersive Balloon Experiences
The Balloon Story Pop-Up Event is Whimsical and Imaginative
High-Tech Center Renovation Projects
Two Studios Join Forces to Update the Centre Pompidou
Wooden Roof Japanese Museums
Shigeru Ban Designs the Toyota City Museum in Japan
Structural Energetic Playgrounds
The Archipelago Playscape is a Children's Museum Playground
Photograph-Centric Museums
Jadriv Architektur & 1990uao Design the Photography Seoul Museum of Art
Interactive Survival-Focused Exhibitions
The Ontario Science Centre Hosts Survival: the Exhibition
Dual Level Concrete Galleries
Morphosis Designs the Crow Museum of Asian Art in Dallas
Kids Art Marketplaces
Kid Art Show is A Safe Platform for Kids to Sell Their Art and Creativity
Old Mine Tunnel-Integrated Museums
Atelier XÜK Integrates Old Mine Tunnels into a Chinese Museum
Port Building-Nestled Museums
Colectivo C733 Installs a Museum inside of a Mexican Port Building
Positive Sensual Miami Museums
Snøhetta Designs the Second Museum of Sex in a Warehouse
Museum-Nestled Tokyo Offices
I IN Updates the Reception Lounge in Museum Tower Kyobashi