Discover the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Orlando

Do you have an interest in the uncanny or a bent for the bizarre? If so you will want to discover the weird and wonderful things on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Originally a newspaper panel, the Ripley’s feature, which showcases odd occurrences and seemingly unbelievable facts, grew over the years to include books, radio and TV shows, as well as film shorts and museums of curiosities such as that found in Orlando.

For a limited time you can enjoy the Ripley’s Ghost Tours – which are held in the evenings (10pm – midnight) Fridays – Sundays from now until 28th April. Here you will have the chance to check out some strange exhibits (the museum also includes a two-headed calf and a vampire-killing kit!) and enjoy a creepy night out! Tickets for this event are only available to buy at Ripley’s.

There are four Ripley’s museums in Florida alone, with the Odditorium on International Drive being the first major attraction to appear on the road back in 1992, and its success led to the relocation of the company’s HQ to the state. With its architecture designed to embrace the unusual – they are called Odditoriums after all – the museum on International Drive has the appearance of a building that is falling into a Florida sinkhole, a sight that is popular with tourists taking memorable holiday snaps!

“What a fun place to go in Orlando. It's a great museum but also very interactive for children which I was pleasantly surprised to see. They have done a great job for adults and kids alike.”

It isn’t just the outside of the building which is wacky – step inside the 10,000sqft showcase to discover an intriguing range of artefacts – including a number of interactive exhibits that the entire family will be fascinated by. Ripley’s is accessible to wheelchair users too, so no one need miss out on the visit! Make your way through the 16 galleries that showcase exhibits, including a Jivaro shrunken head, which came from a German private collection, and two fertility statues – the original statues that were on display have proved so popular that they have been touring the Ripley’s museums around the world since 1996; check the website to see where they are now! If you are interested in world history there is also a part of the Berlin Wall, as well as real dinosaur eggs. You can even see how you measure up to the world’s tallest-ever man!

If you are inspired to be creative, there are certainly some unusual and amazing artworks at Ripley’s! With some zany artistic exhibits on display, including a mural made from playing cards, a 14ft replica of Leonardo’s masterpiece The Last Supper recreated in dryer lint, as well as a collection of stunning micro-sculptures from world-renowned British micro sculptor Willard Wigan that are nearly invisible to the naked eye, you certainly won’t find yourself bored as you make your way around! In the Wigan gallery you can even try your hand at his artistic techniques – how many threads can you put in the eye of a needle?

Tip: Feel free to take photos and videos of your visit – Ripley’s encourage you to, and you might even want to share your pictures with them online!

With the self-guided tour you can explore the exhibits at your own pace. It is expected that it will take around an hour to an hour and a half to explore all of the exhibits. If you buy tickets with us before you go, there is no need to queue – proceed directly to the turnstile and scan in your tickets. Please give us a call on 01892 836822 for more information and ticket prices.

“There was so much to see here! It’s a fun way of doing something touristy in Orlando without the large crowds you'll get at the theme parks.”

Don’t forget to make your own wax hands to take home with you for a keepsake with a difference! If you want more regular souvenirs, there is also a shop as you exit the museum where you can pick up some mementos of your trip.

Have you been to Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Orlando? We’d love to see your photos and discover which exhibit you found the most interesting, so get in touch!

Opening hours: 9.00am – midnight (last entry 11.00pm)

Address: International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819

Free on-site parking