Unleash Your Inner Fangirl/Fanboy: 7 Nerdy Travel Destinations

by  Teresa Bitler | Nov 16, 2015
Wookiepedia
Wookiepedia

Admit it -- you have a nerdy side. We all do.

That’s why we compiled a list of the seven nerdiest places you can visit. Feel free to geek out.

For Star Wars Obsessives: Rancho Obi-Wan
The Force will definitely be with you when you enter Rancho Obi Wan, the world’s largest privately owned collection of Star Wars memorabilia, located in Sonoma County, California. Tours with owner Steve Sansweet usually run two to three hours (!) and must be scheduled in advance online ($60). Before you leave Rancho Obi-Wan, test your skills in the Star Wars-themed arcade, where the vintage video games and pinball machines are free to play.

For Bio Nerds: The Evolution Store

Flickr Ryan Somma

Mounted insects, botanical prints, and animal skulls are just a few of the items you’ll find on the shelves of this Manhattan store that could easily be mistaken for a natural history museum. Allow plenty of time to indulge your inner paleontologist and to purchase a few souvenirs for your home.

For Those Who Believe That The Truth Is Out There: International UFO Museum and Research Center

Flickr seanmugs

You don’t have to believe in extraterrestrials to enjoy the International UFO Museum and Research Center ($5). The museum explores the subject of unidentified flying objects objectively, or at least as objectively you as you can in the alien-loving community of Roswell, New Mexico. Look for displays on the Roswell Incident, crop circles, UFO sightings, Area 51, ancient astronauts, and abductions.

For Literary Lovers: New York Public Library

New York Public Library

We love books, but seriously, what’s nerdier than a library? Peruse the shelves of one of America’s most iconic libraries, the “main branch” of the New York Public Library. You’ll recognize Patience and Fortitude, the lions at the library’s entrance, as well as the long wooden tables inside from movies such as Sex in the City: The Movie, Regarding Henry, and the original Ghostbusters.

For Comic Book Geeks: Hall of Heroes Super Hero Museum

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Museum may be a bit of a misnomer. The Hall of Heroes is a private collection of superhero memorabilia housed in a two-story garage in Indiana that has been renovated to look like the Hall of Justice. The items are stacked on shelves and lack descriptions, but for true superhero fans, it’s a mecca of 55,000 comic books and 50-plus years of collectibles. Admission is $6.

For Your Inner Steve Jobs: Computer History Museum

Computer History Museum

From Charles Babbage’s computing engine to the Cray supercomputer and beyond, this museum is nerd nirvana. Play a game of Pong, learn about the roles innovators like Steve Jobs played in the evolution of the modern computer, and ogle the Google self-driving car. The museum is located in Silicon Valley -- where else? -- and offers free tours with admission ($15). Upgrade to the Super Geek Package ($28) that includes a souvenir laptop sticker and t-shirt with admission.

For Those Ready to Step Inside the Tardis: Dr. Who Experience

Flickr Canis Major (Steve)

Travel through time and space when you enter the Dr. Who Experience ($16 Euro), located a short distance from the BBC studio where the popular television series, Dr. Who, is filmed. Visits begin with an interactive adventure featuring the Twelfth Doctor, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the world’s largest collection of Dr. Who props, sets, and costumes. At times, a tour of local filming sites and a visit to the actual Tardis set are available for an additional fee.

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