Ripley's Believe It Or Not is a collection of oddities, not wax figures
Ripley's Believe It Or Not museums display curiosities, artifacts, and oddities collected over decades — shrunken heads, two-headed animals, mechanical contraptions, paintings made from unusual materials, and objects that defy straightforward explanation. Unlike a wax museum, which focuses on lifelike sculptures of famous people, Ripley's centers on the genuinely strange: things that actually exist or existed, preserved and displayed to provoke disbelief.
Robert Ripley, a cartoonist and adventurer, began collecting these oddities in the 1920s while traveling the world. He published them in a newspaper cartoon called "Believe It or Not!" which became wildly popular. The first Ripley's museum opened in 1933 in New York City. Today, Ripley's operates museums in multiple cities across North America, Europe, and Asia, each with its own collection of oddities alongside traveling exhibits.
The core difference from a wax museum is straightforward: wax museums show you representations of people you recognize. Ripley's shows you things that are genuinely unusual — objects that make you question what you're seeing because they're real, not sculpted.
Key Takeaways
- Ripley's Believe It Or Not museums display real oddities and artifacts, not wax sculptures of famous people.
- Collections include shrunken heads, unusual taxidermy, mechanical oddities, and objects made from unexpected materials.
- Each Ripley's location has a different collection, so the oddities you see vary by city and change over time.
- Admission prices and hours vary significantly by location, so checking the specific museum's website before visiting is necessary.
- Many Ripley's museums are located in tourist areas and often bundled with other attractions like aquariums or haunted houses.
What you actually see inside a Ripley's museum
The contents vary by location, but common categories include taxidermy specimens (animals with unusual features or preserved in strange ways), shrunken heads and other human remains, mechanical oddities and automata, paintings and sculptures made from unconventional materials, weapons and torture devices from history, and objects that claim to have unusual properties or origins.
Some exhibits are interactive — you might be able to walk through a tilted room, look through microscopes at tiny oddities, or handle certain objects. Others are behind glass. The presentation style is deliberately theatrical: dim lighting, dramatic signage, and an overall tone that leans into the "believe it or not" skepticism.
A few exhibits appear in multiple Ripley's locations because they're part of the core collection, but most museums curate their own displays. The San Francisco location, for example, has different oddities than the one in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some museums rotate exhibits seasonally or bring in traveling collections.
How Ripley's locations differ from each other
Ripley's museums exist in at least 10 permanent locations worldwide, including New York, San Francisco, Myrtle Beach, Gatlinburg, Atlantic City, London, Amsterdam, and several others. Each operates independently and maintains its own collection, though some artifacts are famous enough to appear in multiple museums.
The size and scope vary dramatically. Some are small, single-floor operations in tourist districts. Others occupy multiple floors or entire buildings. A few are housed in unusual structures themselves — the San Francisco location sits in a building designed to look like it's collapsing, and the Myrtle Beach museum occupies a castle-like structure.
Admission prices range from roughly $15 to $30 for adults, depending on location and whether you're buying a combo ticket with other attractions. Hours vary by season and location. Many Ripley's museums are located near other tourist attractions — aquariums, haunted houses, mini golf — and some offer bundled tickets.
The difference between Ripley's and similar oddity museums
Other museums display oddities and curiosities — the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia focuses on medical oddities, the International Banana Museum in California collects banana-related items, and various "museums of the weird" exist in tourist towns. What distinguishes Ripley's is the brand name, the historical collection built by Robert Ripley himself, and the theatrical presentation style.
Ripley's also tends to be larger and more widely distributed than single-topic oddity museums. You're more likely to encounter a Ripley's in a major tourist destination. The exhibits are designed for casual visitors and families, not specialists — the goal is entertainment and amazement rather than education or historical documentation.
Some Ripley's locations also include attractions beyond the museum itself — haunted houses, 4D theaters, or interactive experiences. These vary by location and are sometimes charged separately from museum admission.
What to expect when you visit
Plan to spend 1 to 3 hours inside, depending on how thoroughly you read the descriptions and how crowded it is. The museums are self-guided — you move through at your own pace. Most have a gift shop at the exit selling merchandise related to the oddities you've seen.
Photography policies vary by location. Some allow photos of most exhibits; others restrict photography in certain areas or prohibit it entirely. Check the museum's website or ask at the entrance before you start.
Ripley's museums tend to be busiest during school holidays and summer vacation. If you prefer a less crowded experience, visiting on a weekday during the school year is usually quieter. Tourist season also affects crowds — beach locations like Myrtle Beach are busiest in summer, while mountain locations like Gatlinburg peak during fall foliage season.
How to find admission prices and hours for a specific location
Each Ripley's museum maintains its own website with current hours, admission prices, and information about special exhibits. The main Ripley's Entertainment website lists all locations and links to individual museum sites. Prices and hours change seasonally, so checking directly before you visit is necessary rather than relying on outdated information.
Many locations offer discounts for children, seniors, or military personnel. Some sell combination tickets bundling Ripley's with nearby attractions at a lower total price than buying separately. Online advance purchase sometimes offers a small discount compared to buying at the door.
If you're planning a trip to a tourist area, the local visitor bureau website often lists Ripley's along with other attractions and may have current information about hours and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ripley's Believe It Or Not the same as a wax museum?
No. Wax museums display sculptures of famous people. Ripley's displays real oddities and curiosities — shrunken heads, unusual taxidermy, mechanical oddities, and objects made from unexpected materials. The core appeal is that you're looking at actual strange things, not representations of people.
Are the exhibits the same at every Ripley's location?
No. Each Ripley's museum curates its own collection, though some famous artifacts appear in multiple locations. The San Francisco museum has different oddities than Myrtle Beach or Gatlinburg. Some exhibits rotate seasonally or are replaced with traveling collections.
Can you take photos inside Ripley's museums?
Photography policies vary by location. Some allow photos of most exhibits; others restrict or prohibit photography in certain areas. Check the specific museum's website or ask at the entrance before you start your visit.
How long does it take to go through a Ripley's museum?
Most visitors spend 1 to 3 hours inside, depending on how much you read and how crowded it is. The museums are self-guided, so you move through at your own pace. Busy times like summer vacation or school holidays can add time due to crowds.
What is the cheapest way to visit a Ripley's museum?
Admission typically ranges from $15 to $30 for adults, depending on location. Children and seniors often receive discounts. Some museums offer lower prices for online advance purchase. Combination tickets bundling Ripley's with nearby attractions sometimes cost less than buying each separately.