9 Michigan Oddities and Attractions from Horror to Christmas

I have always been a fan of the odd and eccentric. I love going on road trips and spotting abandoned houses, vehicles, and places. Then I like to create stories in my head about them. And Michigan has plenty of them! You head down Dixie Highway towards the Ren Fest, and you’ll pass by an amphibious military track vehicle. Why is it there? Well, we are going to talk about some Michigan oddities and attractions, you may not know exist.

There are so many oddities that we pass and yet they stay buried in our minds. Taking up valuable space that should be used for learning how to do our taxes! But our minds pick and choose what will stay in there. Recently those who love the strange and unusual have been provided with many ways of enjoying our nature. Things like Museums of Horror, Museums of the Macabre, Shows of Debauchery and Excess. All here in Michigan!

Are you weird like me and notice such things? Faces in inanimate objects? Find things in jars strangely interesting? And yet you love puppies and Squishmallows? Open your mind, throw out expectations, and enter into The World of Michigan Oddities!

• The Michigan Museum of Horror - Monroe

  Fairly new to the scene, opening in 2022, the Michigan Museum of Horror has arrived. Where else can you get real human bones at a reasonable price? No more digging in those graveyards Igor! The Museum of Horror, opened by horror director, Nate Thompson, boasts plenty of real human bones and a horrific good time. Located at 44 S Monroe St, Monroe. Open WEDNESDAY : 12-8PM, THURSDAY : 12-8PM, FRIDAY : 12-9PM, SATURDAY : 12-9PM, SUNDAY : 12-8PM.

• Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum - Farmington Hills

  I cannot say enough about Marvin and his Museum. I’ve been going for years and love going there. Marvin Yagoda was a pharmacist that loved the strange and unusual. Marvin collected everything that caught his eye for over 60 years. The most famous items in his collections include the P.T. Barnum Cardiff Giant, a real electric chair that executed over 30 inmates, and a collection of original Chucky Cheese Animatronics. They can get crowded, but if you can squeeze in, it’s quite an experience. Located at 31005 Orchard Lake Rd and their hours are:
  Monday: 10:00am – 09:00pm

  Tuesday: 10:00am – 09:00pm

  Wednesday: 10:00am – 09:00pm

  Thursday: 10:00am – 09:00pm

  Friday: 10:00am – 11:00pm

  Saturday: 10:00am – 11:00pm

  Sunday: 11:00am – 09:00pm

• The Dirty Show - Traveling Show

  The international show of all things erotic. The Dirty Show has erotic art, shows, video, and dance. If it’s something slightly naughty, it’s probably in this show. They are going on their 23rd year. The last show was in February 2023. You can check out the videos and pictures of their last show to see if you might want to attend 2024’s show. But you probably want to do your browsing at home and not at work. I mean, it IS The Dirty Show!

• KISS Monument - Cadillac Michigan

  Were you there in October 1975 when KISS played Cadillac High School homecoming? WOW! How insane would that be? As history goes, the Cadillac football team had a 9-0 record in 1973 but in 1974 were in a real slump and need inspiration and motivation. That came from blasting KISS in the locker room for the next seven games they won. KISS got wind of this and adopted the Cadillac Vikings as their team. The following year KISS played their homecoming. In 2015, at the 40-year anniversary celebration, an 8ft tall black granite monument was built to commemorate that event. It is located between Lake Cadillac and the Cadillac Viking Football field.

• Hell Michigan - Hell Michigan

  I think Hell Michigan is an oddity at being a town that relishes in its own name and embraces it for all it is worth. Visit Screams and eat from the Creamatory! Eat the infamous Gravedigger Sundae! If anything, go for the shirt, the ice cream, and the chance to say you went to Hell. 

• Henry Ford Museum - Dearborn

  It has been some time since I’ve been to Henry Ford, but reading about it again reminds me of the oddities there. A test tube holding the last breath of Thomas Edison? Like who had the forethought, hey get that tube under his nose before he dies instead of CALL THE DOCTOR IN HERE! They have Lincoln’s Death Chair on display there. Located at 20900 Oakwood Blvd in Dearborn. Open daily 9-5 PM.

   

• Giant EVERYTHING - Any Town really

  I feel every town has a GIANT something. My town, Keego Harbor has a bunch of Giraffes for instance. Here are just a FEW of the GIANT things around Michigan:

  East Leroy – Giant Ice Cream Cone

  Ann Arbor – Big Carrots

  Allen Park – World’s Largest Tire

  Alpena – Big Eagle Head

  So many giant cows in Daggett, Detroit, Elsie, Linwood, and Marquette!

  But there are many many more. Roadsideamerica.com has a whole assortment to check out.

• The Heidelberg Project - Detroit

  The Heidelberg Project has been on my mind for a long time. Being an artist graduating from Wayne State, I’ve heard and seen quite a bit about the project. Created in 1986 by Tyree Guyton. Tyree started this project to reverse the highly visible blight of the city. While there have been many arguments on whether this is art or a pile of trash, there is no argument it is a sight to see. Several areas of the Heidelberg Project have been demolished or burned. In 2016, Tyree said that the Project would slowly be dismantled. Much of the project still remains.

• So much Christmas - Frankenmuth

  Michigan has to be right at the top for loving Christmas because we even have a town called Christmas! A whole town dedicated to it and a mega store that is open all year round for it. Yes, we have a town called Christmas and they of course declared themselves the home of Santa. But what beats that? How about a town like Frankenmuth that is open all year round, but is extra special during those winter holidays. A Bavarian village of chicken and chocolate delights. And if you need a Simpsons ornaments in the middle of July, what better place than a stop by Bronners while in Frankenmuth? And people think it’s weird to keep up a tree past New Year’s? Psssshhhhh. 

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