Explore distinctive museums in the Northeast for a one-of-a-kind group experience. Whether the interest lies in the historical, supernatural, peculiar, or uncanny, there are numerous venues in this region for your group to explore.
Groups can get up close and personal with their favorite celebrity at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York City. Take your group on an immersive red carpet experience and view wax figures of celebrities from Hollywood, music, sports, politics, and more. Venture on self-guided tours through the museum that encourage hands-on, interactive experiences with figures endorsed by the celebrities they represent. “It’s not just a museum—it’s an A-list experience, showcasing lifelike wax figures of your favorite celebrities and cultural icons,” says Brittany Williams, the museum’s public relations manager. “Walk among the stars, strike a pose, and immerse yourself in the dazzling allure of Madame Tussauds’ world-famous red carpet attraction.”
In Maryland, your group can learn the “often-neglected facts” of African American history at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore. The museum displays contributions of prominent African Americans, from Civil War soldiers and Freemasons to pioneers in the Western frontier, polar exploration, and the Space Race. Through self-guided and guided tours, your group will explore a 5,000-year historical journey from Ancient Africa to modern times and view over 200 life-size wax figures.
Your group can experience year-round thrills at the Salem Wax Museum and Salem Witch Village in Salem, Massachusetts. The museum, located near historic sites such as the Tricentennial Witch Trials Memorial, includes 50 London-made wax figures depicting scenes from the town’s notorious history. In the lower dungeon of the museum is the lair of Dr. Frankenstein, where your group can be spooked by live actors and animatronics. During Salem’s annual October celebration, “Haunted Happenings,” the Salem Witch Village is converted into the “Haunted Neighborhood,” including haunted houses and walking tours with themes ranging from witches and seafarers to ghosts and spellcasting.
Groups looking for an experience outside of the norm should visit the Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park, New Jersey, which has a reputation for being haunted. This small, yet unique museum has more than 200 artifacts on display, each with an eerie story. Founded by Kathy Kelly, a true enthusiast of the paranormal, the museum also houses a bookstore called Paranormal Book & Curiosities and a rooftop garden for events. “You’re not only going to get the stories, but it’s entirely possible that you’ll have an experience as well,” Kelly says. “It’s not unusual for people to hear things or be touched or see things move.” But the museum is not just about the scares, she says. It is a blend of history, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural.
Take your group into the world of unknown animals at the International Cryptozoology Museum in Bangor and Portland, Maine. At the museum, your tour group can see a diverse range of exhibitions—from rare scientific specimens to cultural homages. Plan a guided tour to provide your group with insights into cryptids like Bigfoot, Yetis, and living fossils. Visitors will have the chance to view rare evidence for these creatures, such as hair samples and foot casts.
By Clarissa Casper
Main Image: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, New York City, New York; Credit: Madame Tussauds New York