In April 1994, a new attraction came to town that brought a mix of odd, weird, amazing and certainly interesting. Thousands of guests have enjoyed this popular collection. Welcome to Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Located at 3326 West 76 Country Blvd, guests will not only learn about the legendary Robert Ripley, but they'll also discover much more inside the two-level Odditorium.
Ripley, a native of Northern California was born in 1890. The struggles of life caused him to keep to himself, and this led to what would become a favorite hobby—drawing. At age 18 he was a serious artist and one of his drawings was featured in Life magazine. This led to a job in San Francisco at the Bulletin newspaper. Drawing sports topics and athletes, his talents took him to New York City where he introduced his "Champs and Chumps" cartoon and a year later
it would be retitled "Believe It Or Not."
All during the 1920s he was sent on numerous assignments around the world and was taken care of thanks to endorsements and sponsorships. His first book would be released in 1929, "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" During the Great Depression, Ripley was one of the few who was able to travel and give his readers a look at a world most could not afford to visit.
Ripley's first Odditorium was featured at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933. His evidence of odd and weird was now seen by the public for the first time instead of seeing topics in his drawings or hearing about it on his radio shows.
In 1949 Ripley began a television show where he told viewers about his discoveries over the past twenty-five years. While filming a show In May 1949, he suffered a heart attack and would pass away soon after at the age of 58. He was buried in his hometown of Santa Rosa,
California.
The Branson Ripley's Believe It Or Not attraction contains over 500 artifacts from around the world in eight themed galleries. The first gallery features a collection of talking paintings which give guests a look at some of the people Ripley met during his travels.
The second gallery, the interactive room, features a corner area with a mirror where you can attempt to roll your tongue. Or perhaps you would like to try your hand at the classic game of Operation. The room is also filled with other activities. My personal favorite must be
the Elvis Presley art made from bar codes.
The third gallery features some genuine amazement from the world's largest roll of toilet paper to a large dinosaur made entirely of Pop-tart foil wrappers!
Upstairs on the second level, guests will enjoy the Bodies in Motion feature, a chance to be in front of the cameras for dance moves as the television monitors show your moves in a unique visual experience. This area is very popular with young children.
One of the most talked about galleries in the Ripley's experience is the Primative Room, featuring a shrunken head exhibit. Really fascinating, this is a must-see.
A popular interactive area on the second floor is none other than the Ripley's Shooting Gallery. Loads of fun, the targets are challenging, and the various sound effects bring it to life. Another fascinating item, a full-size stagecoach built entirely from toothpicks—1.5 million of them!
Around the corner from there, guests will see a butterfly display and a military themed room. Outside next to the parking lot is an excellent display of vintage military vehicles and equipment, the Mobile Military Marvels collection.
While still on the second floor, the theater area and Human Oddities collection provide a great spotlight on several figures who became world known through Ripley's cartoons, including the famous Robert Wadlow from Alton, Illinois, the tallest man ever at eight feet, eleven
inches in height. His story is really something.
Once you're downstairs, a new feature, the Willard Wigan Micro-sculptures Art Gallery is so interesting, it's mind-blowing. This must-see was added last year in 2023.
A longtime Ripley's favorite remains on display today—the world's largest ball of twine. Standing at almost fourteen feet in height, this item was the first piece to arrive when the building was being constructed in late 1993.
This astounding collection is one of Branson's finest, and they truly mean it when they say, "where seeing is believing!" I also really enjoyed the various displays of Ripley's drawings through the years along with other art.
Longtime marketing manager John Dixon says, "It's been a great 30 years in Branson, and we are looking forward to the next 30." Dixon says they are continuously bringing in new interactives, artifacts and art.
Open year 'round, the current hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Easy to find, the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium is located across the street from the Branson Ferris Wheel at 3326 76 Country Blvd. Look for a broken looking house and a broken sign out front! Was there an earthquake? Call them at 417-337-5300 for more information.
Comments