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
Playful Toy-Inspired Pop-Ups
The Jellycat Café Pops Up at Shanghai’s Plaza 66 to Revive Traffic
Culturally Specific Retail Expansions
ICONSIAM and POP MART Establish a Global Landmark Location
Immersive Material Design Exhibits
Garde Hvalsøe Presents Deltag Showcase for 3daysofdesign 2025
Modern Cultural Institutions
Centre SANAAQ Opened in Montreal's Peter-Mcgill District
Multi-Sensory Immersive Installations
GSM Project Partners with Justine Emard on Pulsations
Playful Children's Library Designs
Studio Vapore Creates a Whimsical Children's Library
Therapy-Inspired Retail Concepts
Okamura Reimagines Retail Therapy with the Kimochi Kiosk in 2025
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Reimagined Artwork-Based Travel Campaigns
Plaza Premium Group Debuts 'The Art of Travel'
Curated Store Concepts
A New Target Soho Store Opens in New York with Design-First Looks
Universal Icon Exhibitions
The Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs Explores Language Without Words
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Shoe Craft Heritage Museums
Shoemaker’s Museum by Purcell Restores Historic Winchester Site
Adaptive Furniture Displays
The USM Haller Re-Framed Exhibition Explores Reuse and Modularity
Fragrance Culture Sites
The Xuelei Fragrance Museum Opens its Doors in Guangzhou
Art-Inspired Collectibles
The Mattel x MoMA Series Transforms Iconic Artworks into Toys and Games
Playful Learning Collections
IKEA Open House Miami Has Child-Focused Designs for Miami Art Week
Multisensory Gourmand Pop-Ups
Lush's Café Gourmand Pop-Up Immerses Visitors in Cozy Scents
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Community-First Beauty Hubs
The Immersive Club MAC Retail Concept Features Experiential Zones
Multi-Sensory Fragrance Destinations
Intense Oud's Mega Experience Center Considers All the Senses
Adaptive Paris Museums
The Fondation Cartier Opens a New Jean Nouvel–designed Space
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Spirited Museum Fragrances
Osmo Translated Sculpture and Sound into the Electric Harmony Fragrance
Archive Film Exhibitions
The Wes Anderson the Archives Presents Artefacts from His Film Work
Immersive Room-Sized Exhibit Environments
Spazio Viruly Presents 'UNBOXING: a Room as Instrument'
Inclusive Salon Concepts
The Lush HairLab Supports Multisensory Wellness & Diversity
Modular Art Installations
USM x Kasing Lung's Wonderland of the Monsters Has Haller System
Art-Inspired Toy Collections
Hape x The Met Makes Masterpieces Accessible & Play-Inspiring
Pattern-Heavy Design Exhibitions
Timorous Beasties Presented What are You Looking At?
Experiential Play Pop-Ups
IKEA Open House Miami Shares a New Global Collection
immersive artful bright installations
Nadja Stäubli Presents the Sensorial Chroma Installation
Contemporary Art Libraries
Espace Gabrielle Chanel is a Large Public Art Library in Shanghai
University Art Landmarks
Princeton University Art Museum by Adjaye Associates Redefines Art
Bookless Bookstores
The Audible Story House Features Tiles to Sample Audiobooks
Vibrantly Artful Playful Pavilions
Peter Cook Presents the Play Pavilion Using LEGO Bricks
Tokyo Gaming Exhibitions
Capcom Creation: Moving Hearts Across the Globe is a Museum Show
Museum-Inspired Spring Fashion Capsules
Pacsun is Partnering with the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Mayo-Inspired Art Gallery Pop-Ups
Hellmann's Mayonnaise Collaborates with Kareem Rahma
Toy-Inspired Music-Themed Workshops
The LEGO Group Launches Its Final Creativity Workshop of 2025
Whimsical Nature-Inspired Playscapes
Moment Factory Has Designed and Produced Curiosity Cove
Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums
Atelier Alter Architects Designs the Sunner Museum in China
Sensory-Focused Furniture Design Exhibits
File Under Pop Presents the TIME SIGNATURE Installation
Build-Your-Own Sound Sculptures
UTOOTO Invites Collective Creation of Interactive Audio Structures
Supermarket Tourism Campaigns
K-Supermarket's Tripadvisor Listings Share a Taste of Food Culture
Auto-Branded Multimedia Experiences
Audi Haus Performance Art is Free, Forward-Thinking & Exciting
Milk-Themed Mall Exhibits
The Care Corner by Milk Pop-Up is Coming to Yorkdale in November
Creator Theme Parks
Makers Theme Park is a World-First for Hands-On Creativity
Hybrid Indoor Play Spaces
Jumpin' Jellybeans Expertly Merges Play with Wellness
Space Exploration Experiences
Space Center Houston Blends Education and Entertainment
Architecturally Inspired Exhibition Displays
Cecilia Szalkowicz Collaborates with Studio MATER
Toy Building Block Exhibits
WOW will Host an Immersive BrickWorld Ft. LEGO Exhibition
Sensory Retail Experiences
Claire’s Launches ASMR-Inspired Stores for Gen Alpha Shoppers
Eerie Walking Tour Experiences
Toronto's Exhibition Place Introduces 'Ghost Walk Tours'
Adult-Targeted Arcade Experiences
Chuck’s Arcade Builds on the Chuck E. Cheese Legacy
Airport Terminal Galleries
The NOMAD Abu Dhabi Converts a Terminal into an Gallery Space
Opposites-Inspired Branded Exhibitions
Kia Debuts Resonance of Opposites During Milan Design Week
Artful AR Experiences
The Incredible Unknowns of the Louvre is a Free, Interactive AR Experience
Wondrous Multi-Media Experiences
Wondra is an Upcoming Immersive Art Installation in Illinois
Heritage Sound Playgrounds
Hornscape Playground transforms play into a musical experience
Supermarket-Inspired Slime Toys
Zuru Slime Mart Shares Baskets & Bags with Food-Like Sensory Toys
Conceptual Fine Dining Experiences
Levi Lu Taps the Japanese Aesthetic Principle of Mono No Aware
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Inclusive Museum Designs
The National Science and Media Museum Boasts Sound and Vision Galleries
Architecturally Intricate Museums
STORYN Studio for Architecture Designs a Stunning Museum
Immersive Educational Museum Experiences
The National Animation Museum and IndieCade Partner
Futuristic Museum Exhibitions
The Unnatural History Museum of Singapore Shows Mechanical Creatures
Multi-Sensory Sound Installtions
The Barbican Centre Hosts the New Feel the Sound Exhibition
Cancer Care Architecture
Maggie’s Architecture That Cares Exhibition Highlights Healing Design
Protein-Inspired Architecture
Folded Protein Molecule Research & Exhibition Rethinks Structure
Design Sound Festivals
CONTRIBUTIONS Festival #2 Pairs Exhibited Art with Commissioned Soundscapes
Color-Shifting Art Museums
Team BLDG Designs the The Quartet – Songzhuang Z Museum
Sustainable Retail Interiors
Sheep Inc London Store Uses Sculptural Displays & Graphic Art
Village-Like Museum Complexes
The Lost Shtetl Jewish Museum is by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki
Immersive House Installations
RAE BK Unveils Faraday Cage Exhibition in a Prefab Upstate Retreat
Sculptural Mall Dreamscape
Studio Proba Introduces Unbounded Sanctuary in Grand Joy City Mall
Culturally Immersive Dining Experiences
D'Art Design is Transforming India's Dining Sector
Upgraded Experiential Museum Experiences
Museum of Ice Cream Undergoes Significant Renovations
Experimental Classroom Layouts
Smarin Has Caught Attention for Its ÉColetopie System
Rammed Earth Galleries
The Museum Ehrhardt by Kéré Architecture in Plüschow, Germany
New York Design Galleries
ATRA New York Gallery Presents a Multisensorial Design Space
Interactive Survival-Focused Exhibitions
The Ontario Science Centre Hosts Survival: the Exhibition
Futuristic Cultural Spaces
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Blends Form with Civic Imagination
Live Interpreter Museum Experiences
The Manitoba Museum is Implementing the Aira App
Fantasy World Theme Parks
Disney Builds Real-Life Arendelle with World of Frozen
Art-Focused Retail Capsules
Mattel and MoMA Partner to Craft a New Collaborative Collection
Immersive Music Festival Stores
BELLA+CANVAS Debuted Museum of Merchandise at Coachella
Multifaceted Cultural Destinations
Hale Muskoka Represents an Ambitious New Cultural Development
Textile Pattern Showcasings
The IKEA Museum: Magical Patterns Installation opens in Scotland
Young Consumer-Focused Store Redesigns
Auntie Anne's Presents a Contemporary Updated Aesthetic
Responsive Light Museums
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Turns Environment into Evolving Digital Art
Immersive Dome Exhibit
The Lumisphere Experience Unveils a Three-Dome Climate-Focused Experience
Restored Retail Interiors
The New MoMA Design Store SoHo Shows a Revamped Historic Structure
Audio-First Science Adventures
Tonies' Science Museum: Discovery Crew Immerses Kids in Story
Immersive Cultural Dining Experiences
HIRAKUZA Ginza Tokyo Combines Sumo Wrestling with Dining
African Identity-Inspired Exhibitions
Gagosian Hosts the Awulai Ashia & Nkyinkyim Exhibition
Modern Converted Kindergarten Designs
Archikon Architects Designs the Gyöngyszem Kindergarten
Playful Button-Focused Exhibitions
The Mattatuck Museum Presents the Work of Beau McCall
Fluid Function Art Exhibits
Optical Flow Exhibition Boasts Kinetic Art in Everyday Objects
Modern Museum Solo Debuts
Petra Collins Opens First Museum Solo Show with Seoul Exhibition Fangirl
Immersive Brand Architecture
Loacker Galaxy Opens in Austria with Design Inspired by Its Sweets
Gap-Focused Living Rooms
one-aftr Unveiled The 'Pavilion TEUM' Architectural Concept
Timber Warehouse Museums
Cobe Designs IKEA Museum of Furniture Studies in a Converted Warehouse
Organic Form Galleries
Gaur NYC Experience Centre in India Uses Cave-Inspired Spatial Design
Pearl-Inspired Museums
Dubai Museum of Art by Tadao Ando Evokes Water, Light and Heritage
Art Exploration Platforms
Arts – Every Time Art Lets You Explore Unique Artworks and Artifacts
Multimedia Art Exhibitions
Harmony Korine's Perfect Nonsense Opens at ICA Miami Exhibition
Hug-Recreated Art Exhibitions
Sibling Architecture Created the Deep Calm Exhibition
National Cultural Museums
Foster + Partners' Zayed National Museum Roots Saadiyat Culture District
Culture-Celebrating Museum Experiences
The cs Transitioning
Health Object Art Exhibitions
Out of Orifice Explores Interfaces Between Body, Design, & Intimacy
Domestic Design Exhibitions
Home-Home Exhibition in Chiba Explores Objects and Ideas of Living
Immersive Nature-Inspired Design Showcases
The Muuto Spaces Event Was Multifaceted and Engaging
Object Design-Explorative Apartments
Apartamento Secreto explores objects that go beyond function
Material Curiosity Art Shows
Tuleste Factory Returns to Design Miami with Keep It Curious Showcase
Accessible Biennale Activations
La Biennale Di Venezia Has Introduced the Accessible Biennale
Science Centre Anniversary Celebrations
The Montréal Science Centre Marks 25 Years of Operation
Desert-Inspired Art Museums
Las Vegas Museum of Art is a Cultural Project by Kéré Architecture
Desert Cultural Landmarks
Al Ain Museum by Dabbagh Architects Anchors Heritage and Landscape
Sun-Inspired Disc-Topped Museums
SMAR Architecture Studio Designs the Science Island Museum
Photograph-Centric Museums
Jadriv Architektur & 1990uao Design the Photography Seoul Museum of Art
Reflective Museum Conversion
The Hangzhou Empathy Museum is Transformed from an Abandoned Building
Environmentally Harmonious Museums
Tadao Ando Designs the Naoshima New Museum of Art
Thoughtfully Contemporary Museum Designs
Innauer-Matt Architekten Designs the Museum Bezau
Natural History Museums
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi Opens in the Saadiyat Cultural District
Textured Glass Landmarks
Helsinki Design and Architecture Museum Designed as Clear Public Pavilion
Museum Visit Organizers
MuseoTrack Helps You Discover, Track, and Plan Dutch Museum Visits Easily
Immersive Light Exhibits
Spencer Finch Exhibition Maps Time and Place Through Color and Light
Cultural Exhibition Spaces
Espace Gabrielle Chanel by Kazunari Sakamoto Blends Art and Heritage
Experimental Door Handles
The Door Knobs Exhibition Explores Form, Material, and Interaction
Stadium Fan Festivals
FIFA Turns the LA Coliseum into a Multi-Day Fan Experience Hub
Purposeful Museum Shopping Initiatives
Harvey Guillén Participated in Museum Store Sunday
Sensory-Modulating Visitor Experiences
Titanic Belfast Emphasizes Accessibility with New Services
Accessible Musical Experiences
Adapt Music Relies on Hand-On Music Activities as Therapy
Antique Children's Carousel Attractions
City Museum Embraces Whimsicality and Nostalgia
Immersive Eye Exhibitions
Wide Eye by Older Studio explores perception at Milano Design City
Strategic Museum Fundraising Campaigns
The Weald & Downland Living Museum is Looking for Funding
Repurposed Workplace Training Hubs
Cachet Group Transformed the Anytime Fitness Basement
Commercial-Transformed Artful Galleries
New Affiliates Designs the Canyon Museum Space