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When visiting a typical museum, encountering vampires or standing toe-to-toe with Bigfoot is hardly on the agenda. However, these extraordinary experiences await you at the following ten museums, each dedicated to showcasing humanity’s most legendary mythical creatures.
10. The National Leprechaun Museum, Ireland
Leprechauns, the pint-sized, treasure-loving icons of Irish folklore, are globally recognized as playful emblems of Ireland. These mischievous figures appear in movies, literature, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations worldwide, making it fitting for Ireland to pay tribute to its cherished mythical being.
The National Leprechaun Museum launched in 2010, offering a unique storytelling experience that delves into leprechaun lore while weaving in a rich tapestry of Irish myths and legends. Visitors learn the fundamentals of leprechaun folklore, enhanced by occasional optical illusions. One exhibit features giant furniture, allowing guests to experience the world from a leprechaun’s perspective. The museum also shares amusing tales of individuals who once sought the elusive leprechaun gold.
9. Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, Scotland
Nessie, as the creature is fondly called, has been a fixture in the Scottish Highlands for centuries. Reports of the elusive monster date back to the sixth century A.D., when St. Columba allegedly subdued the “water beast” through the power of prayer.
However, the legend truly gained momentum in the twentieth century when George Spicer and his wife encountered what they described as a “dragon or prehistoric animal” near Loch Ness. This sighting sparked a wave of reports to local and national media, who, after much deliberation, christened the creature the “Loch Ness Monster.”
The first photograph of the creature surfaced on December 6, 1933, coinciding with the Scottish Secretary of State’s directive to law enforcement to avoid harming it. This marked the beginning of the legend and the rise of a thriving industry around it.
An award-winning museum celebrating Scotland’s most elusive figure, the Loch Ness Centre offers a comprehensive exploration of all things Nessie. Established over three decades ago, the exhibition provides a detailed account of the hoaxes and sightings tied to this local myth. For those eager to monitor Loch Ness’s mysterious waters, the museum even features a Nessie-cam.
8. The Mothman Museum, West Virginia
In the mid to late 1960s, reports emerged of a bizarre creature lurking around Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Described as a winged humanoid, this entity gained fame through John Keel’s 1975 book, “The Mothman Prophecies,” which cemented its legend. The subsequent Richard Gere film of the same name further popularized the tale of this enigmatic winged being.
Since the initial sightings of the Mothman, this enigmatic figure has grown so popular that Point Pleasant now hosts an annual festival in his honor and even erected a towering twelve-foot statue. Just across from the statue lies the Mothman Museum.
The museum showcases numerous props from the film, handwritten records of Mothman encounters, and documentaries about the creature. Additionally, guided tours are occasionally offered, taking curious visitors to key locations where sightings have occurred.
7. The Fairy Museum, California
From Tinker Bell to the Sugar Plum Fairy, these enchanting beings have captivated human imagination for centuries. Whether portrayed as playful, mischievous, or tiny as Tom Thumb, their depiction varies across stories and cultures. Yet, our enduring fascination with these delicate, magical creatures remains unwavering.
Given the extensive and diverse history of fairies, it’s no wonder someone decided to gather everything about them under one roof. The Fairy Museum houses artifacts believed to have been used by fairies, gnomes, and pixies. Its gift shop is filled with fairy-themed treasures, including magnetic fairy bottle necklaces, dusting wands, and fairy bell dust bottles. Even if you’re not local, you can still experience the magic, as the museum occasionally takes its exhibits on tour.
6. The Monroeville Zombies
Among mythical creatures dominating modern culture, zombies reign supreme. While vampires and werewolves have their moments, zombies dominate movies, TV shows, video games, and even literary adaptations like “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” It’s no surprise that this brain-craving creature has earned its own museum.
The Monroeville Mall in Pennsylvania, famous as the setting for George A. Romero’s iconic film “Dawn of the Dead,” is also home to Monroeville Zombies. This museum offers a quick yet comprehensive journey through the history of zombies in pop culture, featuring props, memorabilia, life-sized zombie models, and, of course, a zombie-themed gift shop.
5. Mythical Monster Museum, Texas
While museums focusing on specific mythical creatures are great, what if you want a single destination for all things monstrous?
This seems to be the inspiration behind the Mythical Monster Museum at Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie, Texas. The museum boasts a variety of monster exhibits, featuring zombies, goblins, vampires, and werewolves. For those overwhelmed by the eerie displays, expert monster hunters Sir Daniel Raptus and Miles Krane are on hand to vanquish any imaginary creatures haunting visitors’ thoughts.
4. International Cryptozoology Museum, Portland
The International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland focuses on documenting the world’s most mysterious creatures. Inside, visitors can explore a life-sized Bigfoot, a giant squid, various photographs, footprints, and intriguing pop culture artifacts. Founder Loren Coleman, a familiar face on TV, is often available to answer questions from budding cryptozoologists.
3. Museum of Ghosts and Fairy Tales, Plzen, Czech Republic
For centuries, ghosts have been terrifying people, and while many of us have a chilling ghost story to share, few are bold enough to trust their often deceptive eyes.
The Museum of Ghosts and Fairytales, situated in a region renowned for its mysterious occurrences, celebrates mythical beings like water sprites, witches, dragons, and the Saracen devil. Housed in the basement of a former sixteenth-century pub, the museum exudes an undeniably eerie ambiance.
2. Museum of Witchcraft, Cornwall
It’s no surprise that witches have earned their own tribute. Since their introduction into popular culture, people have donned flowing robes to cast spells, revere nature, and explore the mystical arts.
The Cornish Museum of Witchcraft taps into local lore in an area steeped in enchantment. Cornwall, in South England, saw its magical heyday in the nineteenth century, attracting visitors who traveled great distances to consult the region’s renowned white witches.
Today, the museum boasts the world’s largest collection of witchcraft artifacts (as claimed on their website). Established in 1951, it has been located in Boscastle, Cornwall, since 1960.
1. Le Musee de Vampires, Paris
No mythical figure has influenced myths, legends, and monster movies more than the vampire. This vast realm of TV, films, literature, poetry, and art owes much to the tireless work of Bram Stoker, the Irish author who brought Dracula to life.
Le Musee des Vampires (The Vampire Museum) in Paris is a small, private museum dedicated to all things vampire. Housed in a private residence, visits are by appointment only, but the experience is worth it. The space is packed with vampire memorabilia, including paintings, books, and even a mummified cat.
For those feeling hungry, the museum offers a dining experience that includes a guided tour, themed group activities (presumably vampire-inspired), and a meal.
