Baltimore, Maryland: American Dime Museum (Gone)

Mummies, human body parts, two-headed animal freaks -- this place has it all, in a collection of bizarre, exotic, and possibly phony oddities and anomalies. Closed in 2007, collection auctioned off.

Sadly, I heard on the radio that the American Dime Museum shut its doors for good last weekend, and they auctioned off all of the freak displays. My friend and I tried to go a couple weeks ago and couldn't get anyone to answer the phone, and then when we drove by it was all dark inside. It's too bad, because of all places, a freak dime museum belongs in Baltimore!

The American Dime Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, which teetered on the brink of oblivion in 2005, has survived to amaze visitors in 2006. Those who like to look at mummified Peruvian Amazons and petrified Presidential poop should get out and visit this place, quick.

Do you work for a corporation or a foundation? Do you have money?

Absolutely worth the price of admission! Our favorites included the mummified head of a Minotaur, the stuffed squirrel riding an alligator, and a great collection of shrunken heads. Bring a necktie to add to the ball of ties. You are also invited to stick your chewed gum onto a female mannequin. Ball of string in the display window is claimed to be over 337 miles long and 825 pounds. Paintings of Betsy, the Finger-Painting Chimp are still on display. Note: parking meters near the museum take quarters only.