International Cryptozoology Museum
3.9(1.3K)google
3.3(90)yelp
KidsYouth-FriendlyIndoorPhoto SpotWorld RecordQuirkyEducationalScienceFolk Culture
Overview
Loren Coleman (born July 12, 1947) is an American cryptozoologist, author and television personality who has written over 40 books on a number of topics, including cryptozoology. He is also the President, Founder and leading Director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine. He has a background in social work and has also written on the topic of suicide, particularly the copycat effect.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeOpen year-round, this is the world's only museum dedicated entirely to cryptozoology (the study of hidden animals like Bigfoot, Nessie, and Mothman). Pop culture lovers adore a rainy autumn afternoon visit around 3:00 PM; the dreary weather outside enhances the eerie atmosphere inside the dense gallery filled with vintage specimens, 1:1 scale replicas, and historical tracking expedition artifacts.
Getting ThereAlso nestled within the Thompson's Point creative campus at 4 Thompson's Point Road, a short walk from the Children's Museum. Self-drivers take I-295 to Exit 5A and leave vehicles in the expansive, shared industrial pay-parking lots. For mass transit, walk less than 400 meters straight down the asphalt path from the main Portland Transportation Center (PTC) Amtrak train/bus platform gates.
Travel Tips
- Housed in a compact footprint within the Thompson's Point district, the museum implements low maximum instantaneous capacity limits; peak weekend blocks trigger claustrophobic congestion, making mid-week morning visits critical to optimize study.
- The surrounding asphalt fields are high-frequency monitored by a third-party license-plate digital scanning framework; operators must clear parking tariffs via mobile applications within 3 minutes of engine shutdown to prevent immediate private booted traps.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- The galleries hold sensitive historical artifacts, hair samples, and folklore taxidermy models under strict intellectual property codes; deploying external camera flash units or capturing extended digital video recordings is systematically prohibited.
Reviews
Positive
- The world's only museum dedicated to cryptozoology (Bigfoot, Loch Ness)! Packed with bizarre life-size models and samples, offering great quirky fun.
- An authentic pilgrimage site for travelers into sci-fi lore, monster mysteries, and quirky roadside Americana. The unique value is marvelous.
- The founder is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about every monster display source. The gift shop features rare, fun souvenirs.
- Relocated to the easily accessible Thompson's Point hub for smooth driving access, surrounded by trendy indie breweries for great lifestyle convenience.
Heads up
- The museum scale is extremely cramped and tiny, essentially consisting of two crowded rooms full of plastic models; a quick look takes 20 mins.
- The ticket cost feels a bit pricey for such a small crowded space; regular casual tourists might find the overall value a bit lacking.
- The interior layout is narrow and dimly lit with packed aisles, lacking modern accessible walkways. Strollers and wheelchairs struggle to move around.
- Displays consist mostly of handcrafted replica statues and folklore news clippings; visitors seeking rigorous natural science feel it lacks authority.