Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: New York’s most bizarre museum!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! was a museum dedicated to world records, oddities and curiosities of all kinds... It closed its doors on November 28, 2021.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has been closed since November 28, 2021. The owners wanted to reopen it at a different location in New York, but no details are available yet. Check out the list of museums currently open in New York!
What to Know About Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
- Located in the heart of Times Square, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a fascinating museum that invites you to discover things that are “incredible but true.” It’s quite an experience.
- The museum was founded on the work of Robert Ripley, a cartoonist who became famous in the United States in the early 20th century for his drawings featuring curious facts and oddities. This collector, adventurer, and businessman loved traveling the world in search of strange objects and unusual stories.
- The success of his drawings, followed by radio and television shows, led to exhibitions opening across the United States in the 1930s. A museum franchise followed, and today there are 32 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums around the world, mostly in the United States.
- The world’s largest Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum is located in New York. The New York museum opened in 2007 and houses more than 1,000 objects.
What to See at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
- Step through Ripley’s doors and prepare for the unexpected. “Believe it or not,” as the museum’s name proclaims. Right after the ticket counter, you’ll come face-to-face with a life-size wax statue of Robert Wadlow, who remains the tallest man in recorded history at 2.72 m (8 ft 11 in).
- Among the other curiosities, you’ll see an authentic section of the Berlin Wall, a lock of Napoleon Bonaparte’s hair, fossilized dinosaur eggs, genuine Jivaro shrunken heads, and a full-size locomotive made entirely of matchsticks.
- You’ll also experience the torture chamber, which includes an authentic electric chair. Don’t miss the restroom either—it’s part of the exhibition.
- At the end of your tour, challenge the “black hole,” a mind-bending tunnel that will throw off your sense of balance. Hold on tight and try not to believe what your eyes are telling you.
- Overall, Ripley’s is a fun museum that appeals to visitors of all ages. When you leave, you’ll have seen things that are incredible—and true.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Photos
Visiting Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
- Address: 234 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues.
- Subway: Times Square – 42nd Street.
- Hours: Open daily, 365 days a year, from 9 am to 1 am.
- Admission: $32 for adults and $24 for children. You can purchase tickets now through the ticket reservation module for Ripley’s Believe It or Not!