TOP : ANTHONY HEFLIN / SHUTTERSTOCK , COM ; RIGHT : KJARRETT / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
POINT PLEASANT , WV
Top : Incredible fall colors at Dolly Sods Wilderness ; left : The Mothman statue in Point Pleasant , WV .
Winged humanoids , the Men in Black , a disastrous bridge collapse … what do these things have in common ? They ’ re all components of the bizarre Mothman sightings that captivated the residents of Point Pleasant , WV in the 1960s . One of America ’ s most beloved cryptids , Point Pleasant is proud to call this mysterious winged beast theirs , so much so the town established an annual Mothman Festival to celebrate the ominous , red-eyed creature each September . At the event , festgoers can enjoy a roster of exciting activities alongside live bands , homemade costumes and more .
Travelers can even take part in a TNT bus tour , where they ’ ll visit the very site where the Mothman made its first appearance many years ago .
Leaning into the fall spirit , the leaves in West Virginia begin to change from late September to October . Visitors to the area can hop in a car and head west to Monongahela National Forest . Here they ’ ll discover some of the state ’ s most awe-inspiring displays of fall foliage in places like Dolly Sods Wilderness , Seneca Rocks , Blackwater Falls State Park and Spruce Knob .
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