Washington, DC: Museum at Palace of Wonders (Closed)

The Palace of Wonders is the most amazing collection of sideshow oddities I have ever seen. An added element is the fact that since it's in a bar you get the experience of being in a museum surrounded by drunk people (and even get drunk yourself). The Museum has THREE Fiji Mermen, FOUR if you count the mysterious "Sea Wurm."

If you love circus freaks, this is the perfect attraction.

The Palace of Wonders is a two story bar with showcases of carnival and side show memorabilia and mummified/stuffed memorabilia. There is a stuffed unicorn, a mer-fish, a five pawed dog, x-rays of a sword swallower, and various preserved fetuses and fake "pickled punks."

There are frequent burlesque acts on the weekends, when there is a cover charge. Definitely worth a visit to the bar if there is a burlesque or belly dancing crew performing. Be sure to check palaceofwonders.com to see what group is in town that weekend. Get there early to get a (good) seat.

There is parking across the street at a Murray's Auto store, but they will tow if before 9 PM. As for the safety of the area, it is not the kind of place tourists want to walk around at night. Cab in and cab out.

The Museum at Palace of Wonders recreates the great days of 19th century Dime Museums and preserves one of their many grand traditions: Sunday matinee museum lectures, demonstrations and performances.

Featuring the largest collection of the strange, the weird, the odd, the bizarre and the unusual, the Museum houses over half a thousand exotic artifacts from all over the globe.