Museum of the Weird — Attraction in Austin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Museum of the Weird – Austin, TX

The Museum of the Weird on historic Sixth Street in downtown Austin is one of the most unique and memorable attractions I have ever visited, and it absolutely earns a five-star review. From the moment you walk through the entrance inside the Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts, you know you are about to experience something special. The museum perfectly embodies Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” spirit, showcasing an extraordinary collection of oddities, rare artifacts, and one-of-a-kind exhibits that captivate both the curious and the skeptical.

The exhibits themselves are incredible in their variety. You’ll find shrunken heads, Fiji mermaids, two-headed animals, a cycloptic pig, human skeletons, mysterious mummies, and even preserved sideshow creatures like the legendary “alligator man.” Bigfoot footprints, paranormal photography, and cryptid memorabilia create a sense of wonder that lingers as you explore. Each piece feels carefully chosen to blur the line between history, myth, and spectacle, giving visitors the thrill of stepping into an old-world dime museum.

One of the highlights is the Horror Cinema wax museum, which features life-size tributes to classic movie monsters. From Dracula and Frankenstein to Nosferatu, The Wolf Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the artistry is both eerie and nostalgic. Standing in the massive hands of King Kong for a photo is a crowd favorite and a memory you won’t forget.

What sets the Museum of the Weird apart is that it’s not just about static displays—it’s about living entertainment. The live sideshow performances are a true gem, featuring sword swallowers, fire-eaters, escape artists, and other daredevils who bring a vintage carnival atmosphere to life. This combination of history, theater, and daring acts makes the experience interactive and dynamic.

The museum is also extremely photo-friendly. Every corner is filled with Instagram-worthy opportunities, from eerie vampire coffins to mystical relics under dramatic lighting. The atmosphere is intentionally intimate and mysterious, immersing guests in a world where reality and illusion intermingle.

Adding to the appeal is its unbeatable location. Situated right on Sixth Street, the museum is surrounded by Austin’s famous nightlife, music venues, and eclectic dining options. Before or after your visit, you can explore everything that makes Sixth Street legendary, making the Museum of the Weird a perfect stop on any downtown adventure. The attached gift shop extends the fun, offering quirky souvenirs like Bigfoot bandanas, monster collectibles, and other unique curiosities you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Practical details also make it accessible: the museum is open daily, usually from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with very affordable admission ($13 for adults, $9 for children). It’s an easy stop whether you’re visiting Austin for the first time or you’re a local looking for something fun and unusual to do. For the best experience, I recommend visiting earlier in the day on weekdays when it’s less crowded and parking is easier to find.

In summary, the Museum of the Weird is a true Austin treasure. It combines eccentric collections, cinematic nostalgia, thrilling live performances, and an authentic old-school sideshow spirit—all in a single experience that is equal parts educational, entertaining, and wonderfully bizarre. Whether you are fascinated by the paranormal, intrigued by history’s curiosities, or simply seeking an unforgettable attraction in downtown Austin, this museum deserves a solid five stars. It is more than just a place to see—it’s a place to experience, remember, and talk about long...

It is in a rough area of the city in the daytime. There were a few 2 hour parking spots in front of the museum. We didn't know that until we spoke to the doorman. We parked around the corner and it wasn't great walking to the museum. All of that is not their fault. The doorman was very friendly. We first walked into a gift shop. Then there was an issue where they had to reboot their computer system. They let us go through the tour. They can not accept cash at this time. Also, no one without a mask gets in the door. There were oddities first on the tour. Mummy stuff. A description of the haunted hotel in Austin, TX. There is a Gremlin and it has the wires to show how it was controlled. Then we went outside where we walked into an ice creature exhibit. That was something very interesting. Then upstairs to taxidermy exhibits and a video on one of PT Barnum's performers. Very interesting. We then walked up the stairs to the wax museum. I opened the door to find Nosferatu staring down at me. I shut the door. I cracked it open and looked again. It took me a moment to walk through. I had to make sure he wasn't going to move. I could not believe he wasn't real. The swamp thing was great. The Boris Karloff Mummy was so detailed. It looked like it came out of the movie. I am a Bela Lugosi fan. I didn't think the wax figure really captured his face. I wasn't blown away like with the Nosferatu figure. Frankenstein's Monster was realistic and looked like Boris Karloff's version. I got another look at Nosferatu before I left. The hands and the nails were so realistic. The placement of him when the person opens the door looking down is perfection. My heart raced and I closed the door. On the way out there is an Alien figure that was very realistic as well. They had the computer system rebooted and I was am to pay on...

The museum itself is what you would expect. I have no qualms with that or the staff members. What I am frustrated with is the complete lack and disregard for accessibility. The wheelchair ramp into the museum is wooden and flimsy and my friend who was using a mobility scooter couldn’t drive up it because it was not sturdy enough for it. The entrance itself to the museum was not wheelchair accessible because it was a turnstile. A rope would have sufficed here. The first floor of the museum was otherwise fine in terms of accessibility, but the second floor and third floor were a no go.

It was a shame because my friend paid full price for their ticket, but was not aware that half the museum was totally inaccessible to them. When I questioned if the building was accessible, the cashier said the building was over 100 years old. In Britain we have buildings far older and they are perfectly accessible. I saw many opportunities for accessibility here too. The courtyard could likely fit an accessible elevator, and the wax museum room could potentially have a ramp, though the room itself may be too small to manoeuvre a wheelchair in (which would be understandably an unavoidable problem for the museum as they can’t change the room shape).

Ultimately, in my research I didn’t see anywhere that the museum had little to no accessibility, had I known I may have reconsidered whether it was a good place to take my friend.

I think some small adjustments and thought would go a long way into making the museum a better, safer, and more accessible environment for all patrons. I enjoyed the exhibits like I’ve previously stated, I just felt disappointed by the aforementioned issues.

If you are able bodied and interested in the weird and in mythical creatures I do think this is a place worth going. I certainly was able to...