One of the most thrilling and awe-inspiring attractions on the Golden Coast is Ripley’s Believe It or Not, which is an ideal place, especially for young families and children. This museum gives you an experience that is equally unusual, unbelievable, and unexpected as it is enthralling and fascinating. From strange to beautiful to shocking, Ripley’s hosts a number of things that will trigger your senses. An incredible and pleasantly surprising place that is truly a real-life manifestation of the Goosebumps novels we used to read as a kid, Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a must-visit attraction while touring Hollywood. Let’s take a look at what this uncanny place has in store for you.
“I Have traveled 201 countries including Hell (Norway), and the strangest thing I’ve seen Was man”
Robert Ripley
Ripley’s Believe It or Not – At a Glance
Ripley’s Believe It or Not – The Ultimate Guide
Ripley’s Believe It or Not offers a one-of-a-kind unbelievable and unusual experience to its visitors. Home to rare artifacts, mind-blowing interactive exhibits, photographs, giant robots, micro sculptures, and so much more, the museum is a fascinating place filled with allure and intrigue. As you walk through the Ripley’s Believe It or Not galleries, you will be greeted by eccentric art, extraordinary animals, intricate sculptures, and much more that you leave you awe-struck and gaping mouthed.
Stranger Things
Starting with the eerie and weird, Ripley’s Believe It or Not houses a section that displays deformed animals under the tag Pranks of Nature. These animals are preserved by taxidermy and support weird characteristics like five legs or two heads. The animals aren’t displayed in a gruesome way, but some kids might find them a little disturbing and some individuals might get offended by them. Therefore, when you enter Ripley’s Believe It or Not, go with an open mind.
Other eerie displays include Shrunken Heads and the Human Oddities that show people covered in tattoos, or with various things implanted under their skin. Shrunken Heads is regarded as the most iconic exhibit in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Robert Ripley collected his first shrunken head in the year 1923, and now Ripley’s has a collection of 100 shrunken heads in total.
Another strange thing that you will come across in Ripley’s Believe It or Not is the World’s Tallest Man. Robert Wadlow, the World’s Tallest Man, will greet you as you enter the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium. Robert was 8 feet and 11 inches tall and was regarded as the Giant of Illinois.
Astonishingly Amazing
Did you think that the entire place was filled with things that made you gawk and squirm? Think again, it’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not. The place also houses some of the most creative and fascinating displays that are made by talented people and will surely wow your kids to the core. While strolling the museum you will come across the Starburst Candy Wrapper Dress, which is intricately made and the attention to detail is applaud worthy. You will also get to witness a fascinating portrait of Jimi Hendrix made from guitar picks, now how creative is that?
Ripley’s Believe It or Not houses fascinating sculptures made out of toothpicks and matchsticks that effortlessly resonate with the effort and creativity of the maker. For all the Star Wars fans out there, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Hollywood harbors an entire room dedicated to Star Wars-themed creations.
You will also find several artefacts from around the globe like fantasy coffins from Ghana decorated like sneakers and birds (that’s one way to “go out” in style). The museum also houses carved tribal masks that will surely stir your inner Anthropologist. One of the best things that the Odditorium has is the musical staircase, where you can create your very own songs by stepping up and down the stairs. Moreover, you will also be able to witness the famous “Happy Birthday Mr President” Marilyn Monroe dress in its full glory.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Hollywood – Tickets and Timings
| Ripley’s Odditorium | Ripley’s and Tussauds | Ripley’s and Big Bus Tours | |
| Adult (13 and up) | $25.99 | $45.99 | $69.99 |
| Child (3 to 12) | $25.99 | $45.99 | $59.99 |
Mondays–Thursdays: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 PM
Fridays–Saturdays: 10:00 – 12:00 AM
Sundays: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 PM
To book your tickets, all you have to do is head on over to Ripley’s Believe It or Not website and purchase the tickets you want from there.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not – History
In 1918, Robert Ripley started as a cartoonist and created his first collection of facts and feats that was published in the New York Globe newspaper. Ripley had dreams of venturing through the world and in 1922, he set out to make his dreams come true. He traveled far and wide, collecting artifacts and stories from places most people don’t even dream of, let alone heard of. Ripley’s first Odditorium was a pop-up and graced the people with its fascinating oddities at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. About 2 million wide-eyed people came to see it. Robert also wrote five books in his lifetime and hosted a radio show as well as a TV show about his collections.
One year after Robert’s death, the first permanent Odditorium was established in St. Augustine, Florida, and opened its doors in the year 1950. As of May 2023, there are 29 Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditoriums around the globe, and millions of people visit them to see the odd and the fascinating things they harbour. The Odditoriums are more than mere museums, apart from being cluttered with curiosities some include arcades, and theaters like the ones in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Top 10 Vacation Spots in the USA
Apart from Ripley’s, USA has a lot of other vacation options in its arsenal that will wow you and make your trip to the states a fascinated and adventurous one. Just head on to our article on the top 10 vacation sports in the USA, and see what the country has in store for you.
