Ever wondered where to find a taxidermied jackalope or a vintage ouija board in the Grand Canyon State?
Arizona’s got some seriously strange shopping in store for you!
1. Curious Nature (Phoenix)
Imagine walking into a shop where the line between natural history museum and Halloween store gets delightfully blurred.
That’s Curious Nature for you, folks!
This Phoenix gem is where the wild things are – and I mean really wild.
We’re talking ethically sourced animal skulls, preserved insects that look like they’ve stepped out of a sci-fi flick, and enough oddities to make your grandmother’s curio cabinet look downright boring.
The store’s facade boldly proclaims “Skulls & Bones, Taxidermy, Unique Gifts” – talk about truth in advertising!
It’s like Mother Nature’s garage sale, curated by Tim Burton.
Whether you’re in the market for a conversation-starting coffee table centerpiece or just want to browse things that’ll make you go “Huh?”, Curious Nature is your one-stop shop for the beautifully bizarre.
2. Sorted Past Antiques & Oddities (Bisbee)
Tucked away in the quirky town of Bisbee, Sorted Past is like your eccentric great-aunt’s attic – if your great-aunt was a time-traveling collector with a penchant for the peculiar.
The shop’s exterior, with its vibrant purple and yellow color scheme, is as eye-catching as the treasures within.
Inside, you’ll find a mishmash of vintage oddities, from antique medical equipment that’ll make you grateful for modern medicine, to retro toys that’ll have you waxing nostalgic.
It’s the kind of place where you might walk in looking for a vintage postcard and walk out with a 1920s ouija board and a stuffed armadillo wearing a top hat.
3. Nexus Occult Books & Oddities (Tucson)
For those who like their shopping with a side of supernatural, Nexus in Tucson is your mystical mecca.
This isn’t your average New Age crystal shop – oh no, this is where the serious occultists come to play.
The storefront might look unassuming, but step inside and you’re transported to a world where magic isn’t just for kids’ birthday parties.
From rare grimoires to tarot decks that look like they’ve seen more action than a Vegas casino, Nexus has it all.
Need a candle blessed by a certified witch?
They’ve got you covered.
Looking for a book on how to communicate with your cat using telepathy?
Probably on the shelf next to the dragon’s blood incense.
It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder if that tingling sensation is spiritual energy or just static electricity from all the polyester robes.
4. Terror Trader (Chandler)
If your idea of home decor leans more towards “haunted mansion” than “Better Homes and Gardens,” then Terror Trader in Chandler is your happy place.
This shop is where Halloween isn’t just a holiday, it’s a lifestyle.
The storefront, with its ominous coffin propped against the door, sets the tone for the spine-tingling delights within.
Inside, it’s a horror fan’s paradise.
From life-size replicas of movie monsters that’ll give your neighbors a heart attack, to vintage horror movie posters that’ll class up your man cave (or woman cave – equal opportunity scaring here, folks), Terror Trader has it all.
It’s the kind of place where you go in for a plastic spider and come out with a full-size animatronic werewolf.
Because nothing says “welcome to our home” like a snarling lycanthrope in the foyer, right?
5. Antique Trove (Scottsdale)
Antique Trove in Scottsdale is like the TARDIS of antique shops – it looks normal on the outside, but step inside and it’s bigger than you could possibly imagine.
This place is a labyrinth of yesteryear, a maze of memories where every turn reveals another era.
From Victorian-era fainting couches (because sometimes you just need to dramatically swoon) to mid-century modern furniture that’ll make you feel like Don Draper, Antique Trove has it all.
It’s a time machine disguised as a store, where you can touch, feel, and potentially buy pieces of history.
Just be careful not to sneeze – you might blow away a century’s worth of dust!
6. Bookmans Mesa Entertainment Exchange (Mesa)
Bookmans in Mesa is like that friend who always has the coolest stuff – books, music, movies, games, you name it.
It’s a pop culture paradise, a nerd nirvana, a geek’s dream come true.
The exterior might look like your average strip mall store, but inside?
It’s a whole different story.
This isn’t just a used bookstore – it’s a treasure trove of entertainment.
Where else can you trade in your old Stephen King novels for a vintage Nintendo console?
Or swap your collection of boy band CDs (no judgment here) for a first edition of “The Hobbit”?
It’s the kind of place where you go in for one thing and come out three hours later, wondering where the time went and why you’re now the proud owner of a didgeridoo and the complete works of Shakespeare on VHS.
7. Merchant Square Antique Marketplace (Chandler)
Merchant Square in Chandler is like the Disneyland of antique shopping – it’s huge, it’s exciting, and you’ll probably need a map to navigate it.
This place is a sprawling 58,000 square feet of vintage goodness, housed in a building that looks like it could be an old-timey general store on steroids.
Inside, it’s a wonderland of antiques and collectibles.
From elegant Victorian furniture that’ll make you feel like royalty, to kitschy 1950s kitchen gadgets that’ll have you questioning the sanity of mid-century inventors.
It’s the kind of place where you might go in looking for a vintage teacup and come out with a life-size wooden Indian chief, a collection of Depression glass, and a sudden urge to redecorate your entire house in shabby chic.
8. Brass Armadillo Antique Mall (Phoenix)
The Brass Armadillo in Phoenix is like the Noah’s Ark of antiques – two of everything, and a whole lot more.
With its distinctive armadillo logo (because nothing says “antiques” quite like a armored mammal, right?), this place is hard to miss.
Inside, it’s a treasure hunter’s paradise.
From delicate porcelain dolls that’ll either charm you or creep you out (there’s no in-between), to vintage cowboy boots that have seen more rodeos than you’ve had hot dinners.
It’s the kind of place where you can find a 1920s flapper dress, a 1950s jukebox, and a 1980s Pac-Man machine all in the same aisle.
Just remember to bring a snack – you might be here a while!
9. Antique Gatherings (Phoenix)
Last but not least, we have Antique Gatherings in Phoenix.
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you – this place is like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag of antiques.
It seems normal on the outside, but step inside and it’s endless wonders.
From elegant chandeliers that’ll make your living room look like Versailles, to quirky salt and pepper shakers shaped like everything from poodles to pickles.
It’s a place where you can find a Victorian fainting couch, a mid-century modern coffee table, and a 1970s lava lamp all in one trip.
It’s not just shopping – it’s time travel without the pesky paradoxes!
So there you have it, folks – nine of Arizona’s quirkiest, most fascinating oddity shops.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone who appreciates the weird and wonderful, these places are sure to tickle your fancy.