Explore Bikes, Ketchup, And More At The Unexpected Museums Of This Unique Pennsylvania City

Located a five-hour drive from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh is often referred to as the City of Bridges. However, the city should also be known for its numerous quirky museums, including a bike museum, one dedicated to a condiment, and a center to learn about genetic engineering. And that's just the beginning! It's no surprise that with nearly 40 museums and dozens of music venues, Pittsburgh is considered one of the best cities in the United States for arts and culture.

With a public transportation system that includes bus and light rail service, Pittsburgh is also an easy city to navigate. This makes visiting some of these unique museums a simple and budget-friendly day. Highlighted in the book "100 Unexpected Travel Destinations" by National Geographic author Andrew Nelson, this industrial town is truly a treasure-trove of fun.

Ketchup lovers the world over now have a place to make a pilgrimage. Pittsburgh's Heinz History Center is dedicated to the history of the city and the internationally-loved household name where you can watch vintage Heinz ads on a loop. Visitors can also gawk at the exhibit's prime feature, a giant ketchup bottle made of more than 100 smaller bottles that show Heinz packaging over the years.

Eco-friendly transport enthusiasts will love Bicycle Heaven, the world's largest bicycle museum and shop that houses nearly 6000 vintage and new bicycles. They also rent out bicycles for film productions. In fact, their bikes have wheeled their way into appearances in films such as "Super 8" and "Pee-wee's Big Adventure."

Founded in 1977, The Mattress Factory is an art museum dedicated to championing experimentation and creative growth. The museum has exhibited internationally renowned artists such as John Smith, James Turrell, and Yayoi Kusama. It strives to put on exhibitions that significantly impact the field of contemporary art, so visitors can check out some innovative works here.

Other notable mentions include the Center for Postnatural History, a place dedicated to the niche subject of genetic engineering and evolution. Here you can spend an afternoon contemplating cloning processes, eugenics, and natural selection with an abundance of informative displays. They also have a large collection of biological specimens, both plant and animal type, and an archive of historical papers that show the evolution of this subject in the general consciousness.

Another oddity in Pittsburgh is the Moonshot Museum, an interactive experience that allows visitors to navigate the history of the space industry. With numerous hands-on educational exhibits, this one is great for the whole family. Guests can design a lunar rover, explore a map of the moon, or watch in real-time as screens show how functioning launchers are constructed.

Before leaving Pittsburgh, you have to visit Randyland, located on the north end of the city. Founded by local guerilla gardener Randy Wilson, Randyland functions as a small property-turned-shared art studio, as everywhere you turn there's a bright and colorful piece of art. Admission is free, but bring cash, as donations are encouraged.