The 10 most unusual halls of fame you can physically visit

Forget the big halls of fame for baseball, football and basketball. There are a lot of more niche halls of fame out there to visit.
What follows are 10 of the most unusual halls of fame that you can physically visit.

Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame

The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wis., is a museum dedicated to freshwater sportfishing. The highlight of the museum is a giant sculpture of a leaping fish (a muskellunge or muskie). The “Shrine to Anglers” is half a city block long and 4.5 stories tall. Visitors can stand in its open jaw for a great photo opp.

Burlesque Hall of Fame

The Burlesque Hall of Fame is a little museum with a big mission to preserve, celebrate, and inspire the art of burlesque. It is located inside Emergency Arts in historic downtown Las Vegas. It now is looking to move to a larger location.

Pinball Hall of Fame

The Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas celebrates the history and fun of pinball machines. But first and foremost, it’s an active arcade with tons of machines to play. (Photo by James Brooks.)

National Toy Hall of Fame

The National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y., recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Each year, the hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations.

World Video Game Hall of Fame

The World Video Game Hall of Fame is co-located with the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong. The World Video Game Hall of Fame inducted its first six honorees last June: Super Mario Bros., Pong, Pac-Man, Tetris, World of Warcraft, and Doom.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame is part of the EMP in Seattle. The hall was established to honor work of the greatest creators of science fiction and fantasy.

International Clown Hall of Fame

If clowns don’t creep you out, you might want to visit the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in Baraboo, Wis.

International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame

Sports account for most halls of fame in North America. One of the more unusual halls is devoted to bowling. The International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas, collects, preserves and exhibits the 5,000-year history of the worldwide sport of bowling.

Paper Industry International Hall of Fame

The Paper Industry International Hall of Fame is an organization “whose mission is to celebrate all things paper, the wonder and the legacy.” The hall of fame is located at Paper Discovery Center in Appleton, Wis.

Insurance Hall of Fame

If these other halls of fame are too exciting for you, try the Insurance Hall of Fame.
The Insurance Hall of Fame honors leaders, innovators and visionaries in the insurance field. Located at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the Insurance Hall of Fame Museum and Portrait Gallery houses a collection of memorabilia illustrating the impact the insurance industry and its leaders have had on the world, especially in times of disaster and economic downturn.