It’s time to search for something different. Luckily, this area has a number of unique museums and spots that are a refreshing break from the average field trip. From castles and camping to petrified Indians and everything in between, you’ll experience some pretty interesting things. 

There are plenty of unique places throughout New England, so it was difficult to pick, but here are a few worth seeing.

You would think you’d have to travel to Europe to see castles, but all you have to do is head to Gloucester, Massachusetts. The Hammond Castle Museum was built by John Hays Hammond, Jr. between 1926 and 1929 to house his amazing collection of artifacts, as well as serve as his research center (Hammond was second to Thomas Edison in patents!). Today, you can explore the castle, touring many areas including the great hall, indoor courtyard, Renaissance dining room, guest bedrooms, war room, kitchens and even a secret passageway. The Hammond Castle Museum is located at 80 Hesperus Avenue in Gloucester, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.hammondcastle.org. 

Whether you really rough it outdoors or make a tent out of blankets in your basement, we can agree on one thing: It’s about time there’s a place to honor camping. The Museum of Family Camping and Hall of Fame pays tribute to America’s camping heritage. Outside, you’ll see vintage Apache and Airstream trailers, and you can explore the various trailers that are equipped as they were in their heyday. Inside the museum, you’ll see camping necessities such as ice chests, gas lanterns and even a portable electric washing machine. The Hall of Fame celebrates the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, L.L. Bean, Sheldon Coleman and many others who played a role in the history of camping. The Museum of Family Camping and Hall of Fame is located at 157 Deerfield Road (Bear Brook State Park) in Allenstown, New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.ucampnh.com/museum/Welcome.html. 

For Henry Sheldon, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Thanks to his keen eye for weird junk, you can visit the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History. Among the oddities that Sheldon collected are a mousetrap that kills mice by drowning them in water, and a pair of President Calvin Coolidge’s baby shoes. Another cool thing to see is the small “petrified Indian boy” that was discovered by a party of rabbit hunters in 1877, but was soon discovered to be a fraud. The museum’s most famous artifact (even though it has never exhibited) is the mummy of a two-year-old son of an Egyptian king. Sheldon was so disappointed at its tattered condition that he never displayed it, and now it is buried somewhere in town. The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History is located at 1 Park Street in Middlebury, Vermont. For more information, visit www.henrysheldonmuseum.org. 

Take a stroll down memory lane at the Barker Character Comic and Cartoon Museum. You’ll see your favorite characters from Snoopy and The Grinch to the Simpsons, Daffy Duck and Popeye in the form of wooden cutouts. Also on display are lunchboxes, toys, Pez dispensers, dolls and other memorabilia. The Barker Character Comic and Cartoon Museum is located at 1188 Highland Avenue in Cheshire, Connecticut. For more information, visit www.barkermuseum.com.

Want more places to visit? Just do a quick Internet search or ask around – you’ll uncover some unique places and stories!