Mothman Museum
4.7(4.9K)google
4.4(85)yelp
QuirkyEerie & HauntedHistoryIndoorFamily
Overview
Located in the heart of Point Pleasant, the Mothman Museum is the world's only research institution dedicated to the legendary, red-eyed cryptid that terrorized the region in the late 1960s. The quirky museum houses an extensive archive of historic press clippings, eyewitness handwritten testimonies, original movie props, and historical historical investigative notes. It serves as a fascinating pop-culture attraction, culminating annually in a massive festival celebrating folklore and paranormal mystery.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM –5:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun12:00 – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimePerfect indoors year-round, though the annual Mothman Festival on the third weekend of September offers the ultimate fan experience. For regular tours, mid-week mornings (Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM) are best to quietly read the historical investigative clippings before posing with the chrome statue out front.
Getting TherePerfectly placed in downtown Point Pleasant at 400 Main St. No transit links are nearby. Drive via US-35 or State Route 2 along the Ohio River straight onto Main St. The museum is highly visible on the storefront strip, flanked by ample free parallel street parking spots and a municipal open lot.
Travel Tips
- The museum storefront is extremely cramped with narrow one-way aisles. Waiting lines easily exceed 2 hours on Saturdays and during the annual Mothman Festival in mid-September; visit Tuesday-Thursday mornings to avoid the crush.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Flash photography and extended video recording of the original movie props and historical eyewitness clippings are strictly prohibited. The tight quarters and loud multimedia displays can overwhelm noise-sensitive children.
- The metallic Mothman Statue outside is a free roadside photo spot, but cars often block visibility. Never step back into the active lanes of WV Route 62 for a photo angle; this street has heavy commercial truck traffic and massive blind spots.
Reviews
Positive
- As the world's only Mothman Museum, it packs incredible archive clippings, eyewitness testimonies, and rare movie props.
- The iconic, shiny chrome Mothman Statue standing right outside is a legendary pop-culture landmark for unique photo-snapping.
- The gift store is a true cryptid paradise, stocking endless custom shirts, themed hot sauces, and unique artwork plushies.
- The admission fee is highly affordable, offering great niche educational value regarding Point Pleasant's local folklore.
Heads up
- The indoor exhibit floor is very compact and confined to a few small rooms, consisting mostly of static text placards read in 30 minutes.
- During the annual Mothman Festival in September, the site gets entirely overwhelmed by massive crowds and hours-long entrance lines.
- The sensory audio exhibits are somewhat low-tech and lack multilingual subtitles, making old recorded audio hard to decipher.
- The historic downtown main street offers limited street parking spaces, forcing self-drivers to circle blocks searching for meters.