A World of Creepy-Crawlies Awaits at This Bug Museum in New Jersey

I've always been fascinated by insects. I remember, as a young kid, walking around with jars and clear boxes that I would use to catch spiders, roly-polies, caterpillars, and just about anything else that caught my eye. I'd observe them for a bit and then release them unharmed, happy to interact with something with a life so different from my own. I was thrilled to learn about Insectropolis in Toms River just before a recent trip to New Jersey, and I knew I had to visit this little museum.

I'm a big fan of checking out museums, and there were quite a few cool ones I discovered during my recent visit to the area (Asbury Park's Silverball Museum was also worth a visit if you're a fan of arcades!). Insectropolis is a small museum with limited hours during the off-season, but it's a fascinating place that's home to dozens of insects. You'll find both pinned specimens and living bugs here, and even have the opportunity to interact with a few creepy-crawlies, if you're brave enough.

The friendly staff were excited to hear it was my first visit and explained that the museum was in a loop formation that would take about an hour or so to walk through and examine everything. The entrance area had a few species of roaches and even a ball python and a bearded dragon. I was happy to see that all of the animals here were very clearly well cared-for, with large enclosures and plenty of enrichment.

In addition to live animals, the museum also houses a sizable collection of pinned insects, with a special focus on moths, butterflies, and beetles. I'm pretty knowledgeable about animals, and even I saw a number of species that I wasn't familiar with.

The informative displays explained how insects and humans have interacted over the years, with features on butterfly migration, insects in pop culture, and killer insects that have caused immense problems for humankind, like mosquitoes and boll weevils.

My favorite part of visiting the "Bugseum" was seeing all the live species on display. There are so many cool tarantulas living here. I'm typically more a fan of mammals, but it was fascinating to see how much variety there is amongst insects and arachnids.

There are demonstrations given throughout the day, and I happened to arrive right as one was ending. The staff member was extremely kind and let me pet a hissing cockroach and scorpion before she put them up to rest in between demonstrations. I loved seeing how patient the staff members were with all the children there. All of the employees were willing to patiently answer questions that I'm sure they get a thousand times a day from bug-crazy little boys and girls.

I was visiting by myself, but the museum is perfect for kids, too. I was really impressed by how the exhibits here were so appealing to such a wide age range. Even those who are afraid of bugs will find something to enjoy here, though it may not be holding the hissing cockroaches! If you're looking for a kid-friendly museum in New Jersey that will please the whole family, this might be a great option.

For more information about the Insectropolis Museum in New Jersey, check out the Insectropolis website or Insectropolis Facebook page.

Toms River is such a charming area in the Garden State. If you're looking for the perfect place to stay in Toms River, NJ, check out this luxurious waterfront home that can sleep up to 16 guests.