Chocolate Museums: International Museum Day

Today is International Museum Day, and what could be better than visiting a Chocolate Museum. I posted an original list in 2009 from Virtual Tourist of the World's Top 10 Best Chocolate Museums. I've added a few more, including the list from Wikipedia. Happy Travels. I see I have a long 'chocolate' bucket list. 

1. The Cologne Chocolate Museum: Cologne, Germany
 Located on the Rhine River, this futuristic building gives visitors three floors of chocolate history to ponder, but the real center of attention here is the famous chocolate fountain. Museum staff dip waffles in the hot liquid for salivating guests.

2. Musee les Secrets du Chocolat: Geispolsheim, France
Complete with theater, tea room and gift shop that sells chocolate pasta, chocolate vinegar, chocolate beer and decorative antique chocolate molds, this museum is every bit as elegant as the country it represents.

3. Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate, Phillip Island Chocolate Factory; Newhaven, Phillip Island, Victoria, Canada
This facility houses such tongue-in-cheek exhibits as statue of David replicas, a Dame Edna mural and an entire chocolate town. Aside from the eye candy, visitors are treated to real candy with a chocolate sample upon arrival.

4. Choco-Story Chocolate Museum: Bruges, Belgium
In addition to dedicating a section of the museum to the health benefits of chocolate, this museum also houses a quirky collection of chocolate tins that pay tribute to the Royal family.

5. Museu de la Xocolata: Barcelona, Spain
The sculptures at this museum are so impressive, you'll forget you're looking at chocolate. Subjects range from copies of serious religious works to whimsical cartoon characters.

6. The Chocolate Museum (Musee du Chocolat): St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada

Museum pays tribute to the Ganong Bros who were candy makers in the area and who have the distinction of introducing the world to the iconic heart-shaped chocolate box, many of which are on display here. The Museum features hands-on exhibits, interactive computer displays, collections of historic chocolate boxes and antique candy-making equipment. Chocolate treats are a staple all the time!

7. Choco-Story Chocolate Museum: Prague, Czech Republic
Chocolate may be a feast for the palate, but this museum is truly a feast for the eyes. Collections of stunning antique chocolate wrappers and demonstrations of the chocolate making process.

8. Candy Americana Museum, Wilbur Chocolate: Lititz, Pennsylvania
Started when the wife of the company president began collecting chocolate memorabilia at flea markets and antique shows, this now over-35-year old museum still admits visitors for free.

9. Chocolate Museum: Jeju-do Island, South Korea
While the chocolate workshop, "Bean to Bar" showroom and art gallery are all impressive, perhaps this museum's biggest draw is their working San Francisco-style trolley car.

10. Nestle Chocolate Museum: Mexico City, Mexico
Known more for its modern design and the speed with which it was built (by most estimates 75 days from start to finish), this futuristic building is an exhibit in itself.

11. Hershey: Hershey, PA. Do I need to say more?
Visit the Museum on Chocolate Avenue

And from Wikipedia: More Chocolate Museums:

Heindl Schokolademuseum	Vienna	Austria
Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate	Brussels	Belgium
Choco Story	Brugges	Belgium
Musée de chocolat Jacques	Eupen	Belgium
Chocolate Caseiro Prawer	Gramado	Brazil
Musée du chocolat de la confiserie Bromont	Bromont	Canada
The Chocolate Museum	Havana	Cuba
Kalev Chocolate Museum	Tallinn	Estonia
Cadbury World	Birmingham	England
Walker's Chocolate Emporium Museum	Devon	England
Chocolaterie Drakkar	Nonant	France
Chocolaterium	Damville	France
Le Paradis du Chocolat	La Côte-Saint-André	France
Musée du Chocolat Bovetti	Terrasson-Lavilledieu	France
Musée du Chocolat Des Hautot	Fécamp	France
Musée du Chocolat Des Lis Chocolat	Nemours	France
Planete Musée du Chocolat	Biarritz	France
Halloren Schokoladenmuseum	Halle	Germany
Rausch SchokoLand	Peine	Germany
Ritter Sport ChocoExhibition	Waldenbuch	Germany
Wawi Schoko-Welt	Pirmasens	Germany	WAWI, Nappo and Moritz brands
Csokoládé-Múzeum	Budapest	Hungary
Museo del Cioccolato Antica Norba	Norma	Italy
Museo Storico della Perugina	Perugia	Italy
Shiroi Koibito Park	Sapporo	Japan
Chocolate museum	Jejudo	Korea
De Chocoladefabriek	Amsterdam	Netherlands	Planned museum to open in 2013
Gemeentemuseum Weesp	Weesp	Netherlands	Local history museum with large collection of chocolate cups and Van Houten memorabilia
Nederlands Bakkerij Museum	Hattem	Netherlands	"Dutch Bakery Museum", exhibits include Droste chocolate memorabilia, baking and confectionery equipment and memorabilia
Cadbury World	Dunedin	New Zealand
Silky Oak 'Chocolate Thru' the Ages' Museum	Napier	New Zealand
Red October Museum of Chocolate	Moscow	Russia
Museo del Chocolate	Villajoyosa	Spain	Chocolates Clavileno
Museo del Chocolate Valor	Villajoyosa	Spain	Chocolates Valor
Museo del Chocolate de Sueca	Sueca	Spain	Comes Chocolate
Alimentarium	Vevey	Switzerland	Operated by Nestlé, includes exhibits on cooking, eating, purchasing food, digesting, and a history of Nestlé
Cailler-Nestlé	Broc	Switzerland
Shokoland	Caslano	Switzerland	Alprose Chocolates
South Bend Chocolate Company	South Bend, Indiana	United States	Tours of the chocolate factory and museum