The Cryptozoology Museum in Portland is a fun and very weird place to visit. It is full of neat exhibits about hidden animals like Bigfoot and the Yeti. The museum is small, but every single room is packed with strange models, footprints, and cool toys. It is a great stop if you like fun mysteries and want to see something totally different. read more

The International Cryptozoology Museum is a museum that opened in Portland, Maine in 2003. It was founded by cryptozoologist, author and TV personality Loren Coleman. Although he has a background in social work, Coleman has had a passion for cryptozoology (the study of animals whose existence is unproven: aka cryptids) for several decades. Originally from Virginia, he relocated to Maine in 1980 and wrote a number of articles and books on cryptozoology. In 2003, Coleman opened the museum in the first floor of his home. As his collection of cryptid artifacts grew, so did his need to find a larger museum space. The museum moved a number of times before it ended up in its current location in Portland's Thompson Point in 2020. There are plans to move the museum to an even larger space in Bangor in 2026. My extended family and I visited the museum this past summer while we were vacationing in Maine. I've wanted to visit it for several years. I'm very familiar with Coleman's work from his books and TV appearances on documentaries on A&E or the History Channel. The museum is loaded with an absurd amount of artifacts all related to cryptozoology. I would say that a majority of the artifacts are dedicated to Bigfoot (Sasquatch), the Abominable Snowman (Yeti) and other legendary ape-like hominids. There were plenty of sculptures, footprint castings, and other various artifacts. The highlight for me was the 8.5-foot-tall Crookston Bigfoot sculpture made by taxidermist Curtis Christensen. There are also artifacts dedicated to cryptids such as Lake Monsters (Loch Ness Monster, Champ, Ogopogo, Cadborosaurus), Swamp Monsters, the Feejee Mermaid, the Montauk Monster, the Mothman, the Dover Demon, the Jersey Devil, the Beast of Bray Road, and others too numerous to mention. We all really enjoyed exploring the museum and we highly recommend it to anyone who's interesting in all things strange and unusual. read more

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Although this place was geared more towards Bigfoot than any other animal, it definitely had a little bit of everything and was oddly interesting. For $10 it's worth a stop. I think Parking was two dollars for an hour. There were a good number of kids there who obviously seemed to love it. i'm not sure that I would consider it an actual museum. It's more of a collection of odds and ends. read more

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Looking for things to do before our flight we found this museum. Inexpensive and a self guided tour made it fun to walk through. Mostly about yeti/sasquatch it even had other "creatures" to consider but I'll leave that to your imagination. If you get the chance, make sure to check it out read more

International Cryptozoology Museum - Selfie corner! - Museums Near Me - Bangor, Maine

This is one of those places where how much you enjoy it will depend on what your expectations are. If you are thinking this is going to be a fancy, informative museum you are going to be disappointed. It is more like a super fun and weird collection that your cool, wealthy uncle might have. If you have that expectation you will enjoy the "museum". They have a fun collection and the employees were nice. Something interesting to do if you have an hour to kill in Portland. read more

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The truth is out there! This museum is well researched and includes many interesting facts and models of creatures. There are sections on Moth Man, Jersey Devil, and Big Foot. There is engaging media (stories, film), which captivated my kids' attention. This may have inspired career choices :). read more

International Cryptozoology Museum - Museums Near Me - Bangor, Maine

It was a cold, rainy, gloomy late October 2022 day when I visited the International Cryptozoology Museum during a vacation to Maine. The International Cryptozoology Museum would like for you to believe they are some sort of scientific institution - which they are not. Instead, it's a really well executed tourist trap! I love this sort of cheesy, tourist trap stuff when it's done well. When I was a little kid growing up, I was fascinated and scared by Bigfoot legends. When I got older and came to the realization that Bigfoot does not exist - I was a bit disappointed! So I enjoyed all the silliness of the Bigfoot exhibits - as well as the other monster stuff. I believe it was $10 admission to get in. #InternationalCryptozoologyMuseum read more

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If you are all about cheesy, epic, cool, are curious about the unknown and into all things weird- if so, I KNOW you will love this place just as much as my husband and I did! Interestingly enough, this is the only museum I believe in the world that is dedicated to the study of Cryptozoology. With that said- because it is the only one I thought it would be a little more organized and have more in depth information on certain creatures- even though it wasn't I was still completely into the whole experience. If you are worried about "wasting your money" on this place- don't, it's literally only $10.00 to get in- a bargain to just look at everything they have in here. They have both scientific facts, videos, pictures, along with collectible items, figurines and toys. I read reviews before coming here and expected to be completely underwhelmed but me and my husband had fun, the trick to this place is to come here tipsy, embrace the mess and laugh at and enjoy everything you see. read more

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This is a very cool little museum. So much to see in such a small space. The main complaint I have is there are entirely too many displays at floor level: at least half of the museum would require you to crouch or sit down in the tiny aisles to be able to see the displays. Aside from that, it was very neat to see the mixture of pop culture and cryptozoology. The gift shop was incredibly disappointing. I had brought hundreds of dollars to spend specifically here, and there wasn't a single item worth buying aside from a men's cut tree-shirt. I am glad this museum exists; it was very interesting and an awesome way to spend a couple hours in Portland. Also, it is walking distance to the bus stop- they should partner up for those waiting on busses. read more

Came through the ICM while in Portland on a cruise stop. The museum has many different exhibits focused on all kinds of cryptids from around the US, not just ones in the Northeast. This is one of the largest collections I've seen so far, and the museum was worth a stop to check out. I'd recommend checking the ICM out for anyone passing through! read more

Cheesie on various levels so unless you LOVE cheese and do not appreciate the cool factor, don't come here. My friend and I stopped in during our road trip and we loved this place. So many fun photos, collectibles, artifacts and much more. We had many WOW moments. I personally love folklore and urban legends and tend to believe that there is some truth to most of this stuff. I mean, do werewolves exist? Maybe. Is there a Mothman? Hell yeah there is and it make life WAY more fun if you believe in it. The staff was very nice. read more

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This really was an interesting and fun way to spend a few hours. While the place is on the smaller side, there is a display or photo or poster filling up every available space of this 2 story museum. Portland resident and well regarded cryptozoologist, Loren Coleman, opened this International museum to showcase the items and artifacts he had collected over many years of studies and travels. There are things from all over the world. This is not just Bigfoot but all of the creatures from folklore and ancient and modern sightings all over the globe. While many say this visit is about an hour, if you look at and read the displays in detail, you could be lost in here for hours. There is even a display about the hoaxes that have been uncovered surrounding unknown creatures. You don't have to believe in Bigfoot or anything else to enjoy, but we found the scientific aspect and approach of cryptozoology quite fascinating. Admission was $10 a person and they do have restrooms. Small gift shop with lots of books. Parking in adjacent "pay to park" spaces. Worth a stop in. read more

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This was a unique and interesting museum to walk around and experience. I highly recommend going to it if you're interested in all things, Bigfoot, sea mosters, and other things that go bump in the night and have not been actually confirmed as real or fake. There's a lot of things to read and look at, and a cute gift shop at the end to pick up a one of a kind souvenir from. The guy at the front was pleasant and funny, so it was a nice experience. read more

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This was entertaining to say the least. We did have some fun walking through this small collection of memorabilia, but that's exactly what it is. It's curio cabinets full of stuffed animals and collectible items of big foot, lochness monster and others. There is a legit cabinet full of paper mache poops of 'what big foot's poop would look like'. Absolutely hilarious. read more

I love Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster so I had to visit to see what this was about! I think the full, self guided walk through the place took maybe an hour? It's not super big but there is a lot of little stuff to look at and read. It's kitschy, but you can definitely learn a few things if you're paying attention. read more

International Cryptozoology Museum - This was my favorite item in the collection! - Museums Near Me - Bangor, Maine

The Cryptozoology Museum felt more like a shotgun-style antique thrift shop than a curated museum. Random curiosities stuffed in display cabinets including a collection of open beer cans set the tone. Reruns of old Discovery Channel-style documentaries looped upstairs, adding to the odd charm. You'll also find things like Ninja Turtle and Gremlin displays thrown into the mix. It's $10 to get in, which felt steep for what's essentially a jumble of pop culture, cryptid memorabilia, and garage sale finds. Worth it if you're into the weird and offbeat, but not exactly a polished experience. read more

Fun little place out the outskirts of the busy downtown area. Reminds me a lot of a similar museum I grew up around back home - The Bigfoot museum in Felton. What starts as a trio through the mysteries of animals that might be out there, the stories of searches for the truth, and collection of memorabilia quickly turns into a cute outing for the afternoon. Gift shop was nice too - lots of book, stickers, shirts, and more. I made sure to pic up the map I saw along the walls there. Very happy we stopped by. Just a heads up: the website doesn't always work and the number listed on goggle and yelp don't seem to work anymore. read more

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Love that they take their research seriously and there is clearly a ton of effort put into making this place worth visiting. Their collection is displayed in earnest and they have videos, documents and pictures of every time of unexplained phenomenon you can think of. It's a little off the beaten path but that makes for a much better experience since you have to make the effort to get there. The staff were really friendly and the space is just right for all their items. You can spend an hour there and get the just but a little more time gives you the chance to read every piece of paper in the museum and it's so fun! Def worth a go! read more

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Potential for this was there, execution was not. Was dirty/unkept. Would really benefit from a curator.

This is more of a collection that someone had that he decided to turn into a museum. 'Here's some castings of Bigfoot prints' Ok, that tracks. 'And here are some movies about monsters that I liked' And here's a mummified cat. Great story about the Montauk beast, which really wasn't a beast but a raccoon. We are still laughing about the whole experience. read more

Cute. Interesting. A bit high priced for what was there. If you are in the town and need to kill an hour to an hour and a half you could do worse. The kids thought it was neat. read more

Quirky and quaint museum. Very interesting collection. Whether you're a believer or not the $10 is worth the stroll through. A lot of toy and pop culture references. Gift shop has a lot of potential! read more

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I'm sad this Museum doesn't have a higher rating, because it certainly deserves it. It's a frequent destination for me to take friends or family visiting, and everyone I have taken has had a really good time. It's quirky, unique, and can provide a nice hour or two of entertainment whether you are serious about learning about cryptids, or going for sheer entertainment value. It's absolutely jam-packed full of information, and the gift shop is small but really fun. The only 'criticism' I'd have is that there's less for young children (under 6 o 7) and they might start to be bored faster, since the museum really relies on reading plaques and such. read more

Had a lot of fun here exploring the myth (or not!), the (half?) man, the legend--Bigfoot! Two level space with lots of information about Bigfoot, along with a range of other debate-ably real creatures. $10 entry fee isn't terrible, and we spent more than an hour looking at everything. Definitely a one of a kind spot! read more

International Cryptozoology Museum - Museums Near Me - Bangor, Maine

Small museum amongst a distillery, brewery, other museums and a gem show was going on across the way. The cashier/guide was very helpful and knowledgeable of the museum and all its items. She was super friendly and manager the place well. For a little museum, it got busy and she had it running well. Lots of little artifact and write ups about the history of each crypto and where we are at today. It was fun. Read a lot and enjoyed seeing all the historical facts on different creatures. read more

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Really has a blast! Lots of fun information on a range of monsters and interesting occurrences. Also lots of great pop-culture displays featuring toys and other memorabilia, dedicated to the world of the unknown. Would highly recommend. read more

I'm glad I went, there was a lot there that you'd never, ever see anywhere else! That said, I think they could remove some action figures and taxidermy and use the extra space to showcase the really good stuff! I feel like I might have missed something fascinating because there were layers upon layers of artifacts crammed into glass cases. Sometimes things were piled on top of each other or mixed in with plastic action figures. There should be a 5 action figure limit showing only the very best ones, otherwise it reinforces the belief that the creature is some kind of hokey joke to profit from. read more

Lots of Bigfoot foot molds. Lots of funko things in the displays. Wish it were a bigger thing for the cost. Someone said it reminded them of a garage flea market. I get that feeling too. Everything is crammed in there. We did see the VT cryptic map illustrated by an artist we know personally though. read more

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Uh, I really wanted to love this place. When my wife and I booked a trip to Portland, Maine this summer, I looked online for some fun, quirky things to see while there. This totally came to the top of the list. It is located in an up and coming strip mall that also houses a craft brewery, a distillery, and is within walking distance of an outdoor pavilion where live music and concerts are hosted during the summer months. It will also be right across the parking lot from Maine's Children's Museum once it is officially re-opens. So not a bad location to be in for the day. Now I think that it is possible for something like Bigfoot to exist, so I went into this with an open mind. I would say though that after coming out of this place, I feel like I am less of a believer now though when I went into it. A museum might be too formal of a word, I would call this more of a personal collection than anything else. The displays need some major rework in the layout and the presentation. artifacts that are supposed to be hard evidence are placed with stuffed animals and toys that really take away from that hard evidence. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle slippers and Bumble the Abominable Snowman from Rudolph are not artifacts that I would think of displaying in this museum. I get why they are there, to show their presence in our media and current culture, but they should be in their own display so that way the messaging is more clear on whether these animals should be seen as believable or not. And don't get me started on the fan art, there was WAY TOO MUCH fanart displayed over all of the exhibits. It wasn't even of the creatures that they are trying to showcase, it was more about the guy who owned the collection and some of his friends. Do I need to be convinced that they exist as well? I was pretty disappointed it going through this exhibit. the only piece I would say I really enjoyed would be the exhibit that showcased animals that were at one time thought to be cryptids but then have been discovered by modern science to be actually real. That was a pretty interesting display but not worth the admission fee. It's weird, it's quirky, and it's not for everyone. I think next time I will walk down the sidewalk and go to the craft brewery and enjoy a beer instead. read more

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The price is fine; $10, parking was $2. Cute little museum, but kind of warm upstairs in the summer. I hope one day it can move to a bigger space with better merch. Cool life sized creatures to get your photo with! read more

Roadside Attraction. It sound so cool and was cool but incredibly small. You can see everything in about 20 minutes. they have a no photography policy ( I think to avoid spreading the word that they are $10 for a very small museum) quirky but not worth $10. close quarters for anyone with covid. can't recommend unless you love Bigfoot. read more

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Pretty weird spot! Kind of fun and campy throughout, sweeping claims and totally not scientific (almost obscenely so). It also smelled real bad in there too. But it was cute! read more

It's cute but it isn't worth the entry fee. You can make it through the entire thing in less then 30 minutes. The exhibits are like a comic collector's basement. The best part of the place was the giant Bigfoot that you can take a picture in front of. read more

Wow! What a great find in Portland! Interesting exhibits and the people that work there are knowledgeable and make it a fun experience. It's not a tour- you wander through it exploring the exhibits yourself. A great space.. super interesting and a great place to spend a few hours- especially if cryptids are your thing. Lots of exhibits on Bigfoot and others. Interesting for the whole family, but I think more geared towards teens and up. Thanks for the fun! Will be back! read more

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This place is a cheesy tourist trap. It is a museum per se, as it does have bones, foot castings and information that would be taken more seriously had it not been sprinkled amongst random junk. The only thing that made it worth the visit was seeing the foot casting. Also, walking through the exhibit, which are self guided, you'll find that there is not a lot of information describing each piece. If you are OCD, you'll have a terrible time. The pieces are strewn about like a poorly planned yard sale. My advice to management would be to either make it fun and tacky or make it a serious museum. read more

Lots of fun. There's a brewery next door. Museum is two floors with tons of artifacts. The foot casts were quite convincing. Feels like a labor of love. read more

My 6 year old loves the Camp Monsters podcast, and he really enjoyed the Bigfoot Expedition in Blue Ridge, Georgia. I thought he would enjoy this museum... He did not. The museum contains representations of other cryptids, including, for some reason, a 3 foot tall Gremlin statue right around the corner from the desk where you pay. So basically my kid never made it past the t-shirts. And since they don't allow photography beyond the two large statues, you can't really prep a kid before you get there. My partner and I took turns walking through anyway, and it was as others have described. It ended up being a $25, 8-minute adventure for us. 2 Stars because I have a special place in my heart for that one Olympic mascot, Quatchi. read more

Maybe the dumbest part of this place is in their title, they claim to be "international". I tried hard to find out more about this place after visiting, but see this is the only location in the world? Yeah, real "international". Wife and I were walking toward the brewery next door when wife randomly said, hey let's check it out. I respond, saying I just want to grab a beer, but she insisted. This is a classic case of wife not always right. Objects in this "museum" include stuffed animal Yetis that you'd find at any goodwill, other cryptic "artifacts" that are no more than printed photos from Wikipedia, and a curio cabinet full of camel figures with absolutely no explanation as to why they have a dedicated cabinet for camels. I was confused and learned nothing. Also, before we started our "tour", the woman at the desk got super paranoid about us possibly stealing these "tag sale nik-naks", made the wife leave her purse in the car, then they said no photos for copyright. I guess maybe that's the point? That it's just a totally ridiculous "museum"? It got lost on me, and kind of wish I spent the $10 on the brewery next door. read more

An usual visit of an unusual topic. If you believe in this stuff and Big Foot, this is a stop for you. I don't because the video of the creature is too close to a human dressed up in a suit. A lot of the items on display is unknown as to whether it is real or fake. The unfortunate thing about this museum is that all the fakes are spread out among what they claim to be real. It's a quick walk thru for $10 per person. That's a bit expensive for a dirty museum. That is true where the place is dusty and floor dirty. We stopped in because we were in the area and Looking for museums to visit. This appeared on a list and we thought it may be fun but was not all that great. read more

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I really wanted to be blown away by this place but it just ended up being alright. I have to agree with other reviewers that it was more of someone's personal collection than an actual museum. I felt like I was in & out quickly without really seeing anything. It's such a cool idea that I wouldn't deter anyone else from going but just don't have such high expectations & maybe you'll enjoy your trip more than I did. At least they're near some cool spots to go to after (Bissell Bros & a distillery.) read more

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