Who wouldn’t want to visit a place with a name like the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium?  It is filled with creepy oddities, homemade exhibits and weird experiences, like the opportunity to have your photo taken getting an alien autopsy or viewing a dollhouse where one of the disturbing rooms has just had a bloody massacre. If that wasn’t enough, you can also eat a tasty Bug Eater’s Delight sundae.

It’s one of the most bizarre, but fun things to do in Portland.

Peter and I arrived at the peculiarium in the morning as the shop attendant was setting up, pulling eerie statues through the front of the doors. We couldn’t resist a few cheesy poses with these ghoulish guys as we waited for the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium to open its doors to the public waiting, which consisted of just me and my husband.

Freaky but true Peculiarium Portland, Oregeon

This museum, dedicated to learning and terror, is the brain child Conrad Talmadge Elwood who has traveled the globe searching for the freaky.

The bizarre items he found may make you question his sanity.

We entered the peculiarium and were struck by oddities in every direction. To the left was the museum section, where we started our visit, and to the right was a shopping section. So many things to do!
Freakybuttrue Museum n Portland

In the first room, questionable artwork hung on the walls, interesting statues lined the shelves and weird items were for sale, like a crocheted donut.

The Haunted Dollhouse would scare any seven year old, with it’s terror filled rooms. It kind of freaked me out, especially the massacre room with bloody body parts scattered about.

This was nothing like my childhood dollhouse. And I’m glad.
The Haunted Dollhouse at the freaky But True Peculiarium in Portland, Oregon

Dollhouse Massacre at the Freaky but true Peculiarium museum in Portland

The second section got even creepier, if that was even possible. We strolled by a scorched armchair with severed feet in front, Al Capone’s “Real Safe” and an alien autopsy photo op.

Not a chance I would be passing that up:
Autopsy at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium in Portland, Oregon

The store section had everything from scorpion lollipops to zombie feet slippers to an emergency inflatable brain (do you know a few people who could use one of those?).

We perused the entire building saying “that’s freaky”. True to its name.

Not only is the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium bizarre (and free), but you can also order a Bug Eaters Delight sundae before leaving. It has two scoops of ice cream, caramel, chocolate ooze, an ant cookie and is sprinkled with real bug larva. If you dare to eat it your photo will make it onto the elite Insectatarian Club Hall of Fame. Look for my picture there.


Freakybuttrue Bug Sundae in PortlandAnnette White eating a Bug Sundae at Freakybuttrue Peculiarium in Portland

Freakybuttrue Peculiarium | 2234 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210 | Map | WEBSITE

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