Portland has never shied away from the weird, but this PDX museum takes that reputation to new, delightfully bizarre heights.
In a city that proudly waves its weird flag, The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium might just be Portland’s ultimate shrine to the bizarre. Equal parts art gallery, odditorium, and interactive funhouse, this Northwest Portland gem packs an outrageous amount of strange into just 1,800 square feet.
Enter If You Dare (And Prepare To Be Delighted)
Walking through the doors of the Peculiarium feels a little like falling into a tabloid come to life. There's no telling what you'll stumble across inside. Maybe you'll find a haunted dollhouse, a cryptid or two, or a ten-foot-tall statue of Bigfoot. It’s the kind of place where nothing is off-limits, and everything is a little bit unexpected.
The Peculiarium isn’t designed for the faint of heart or the super serious. It celebrates all things strange, gross, nostalgic, and hilarious.
Urban legends? Check. Sci-fi references? Absolutely. Pop culture oddities, spooky displays, and gory alien autopsies? Yes, yes, and yes.
It's like someone opened up a cabinet of curiosity, let their imagination run wild, and gave everyone permission to poke around and have fun.
Unlike more traditional museums, this one encourages touching, posing, and exploring of some of the exhibits.
You can “fall” off a building in a photo illusion, get abducted by aliens, or try your hand at the theremin for some spooky sound effects. It’s part art gallery, part playground for the oddball in everyone.
Oh yeah, and did I mention you can try out a bug sundae while you're there? That's right, ice cream. With bugs. Delightfully weird, and totally delicious (maybe).
Visitors of all ages can enjoy the spectacle, though the themes lean toward older kids and adults. Younger children might find some of the displays a bit too eerie depending on their tolerance for haunted doll houses and monster surgery scenes. But for those who love the strange and unusual, it’s a goldmine of entertainment.
Are there jump scares at the Peculiarium? No, this isn't a haunted house, just a steady stream of fun “what did I just see?” moments.
How Much Does It Cost To Go To The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium in Portland?
Admission is $10, but there are plenty of quirky ways to shave a few dollars off. Costumes that pass the cashier’s “decent” test get you in for free (think cosplay, not just a funny hat), and well-behaved pets are welcome too (bring one along and your ticket is on the house). Tuesdays come with a $7 ticket price, and discounts apply for groups of five or more people.
Do I have to buy tickets to the Peculiarium in advance? You can get tickets in advance if you want to, or you can get tickets at the door.
How Long Does A Typical Visit To The Peculiarium Last?
No matter how fast or slow you move through it, there’s a good chance you’ll want to circle back and see it all again. Some visitors make it through in 20 minutes, others spend closer to an hour and a half reading signs, finding hidden Easter eggs, and goofing off with friends. It's a small museum, but packed with things to see.
And once you've had your fill of cryptids and creepy but cool art, the gift shop is worth a visit all on its own.
The gift shop is a tightly packed trove of quirky novelties, original art, offbeat books, and other fun items such as bat shaped air fresheners and mystery bags where you never quite know what you're going to get. Just like the art gallery, the gift shop is small, but packed full of surprises.
Freakybuttrue Peculiarium Portland, Oregon Information
- Location: 2234 NW Thurman St. in Portland, Oregon
- Hours: 12 PM - 7 PM, seven days a week, excluding major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years day.
- Get more information at the Peculiarium website.
Tip: Parking is metered, so bring money to pay for your parking space.
The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium might not take up much space on a map, but it leaves a lasting impression.
Whether you're curious about Portland’s weirdest corners or just want a fun photo with Bigfoot, this little oddball gallery delivers. It's creative, it's absurd, it's thoroughly Portland. And it might just be the most fun you’ll ever have being confused.
