Even in the snow, the distinctive earthquake look of Ripley's makes it one of the most identifiable buildings in the world.
“Some people call Ripley’s Believe It or Not an “odditorium” and others a museum,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “One thing just about everyone agrees on however, is that, from its distinctive look to its unique selection of exhibits and activities it provides Branson visitors with a very different Branson attraction to have fun in while experiencing the unusual.”
The distinctive broken and cracked exterior the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum (Ripley’s), said to be one of the most photographed buildings in the world, reminds people of an oddity even before they enter the museum, a major earthquake in Missouri. The New Madrid, Missouri earthquake of 1812 measured more than 8.0 on the Richter Scale and hit with such force that it caused church bells to ring in Philadelphia and the Mississippi River to run backwards.
John Dixon Operations Manager of Ripley’s said, “We have a collection of the odd and interesting things that Robert Ripley collected throughout his life and a lot of other cool fun filled stuff such as the slanted room, vortex, optical illusions, unique collections and interactive activities.” He pointed out that the museum has over 400 exhibits, takes about an hour and a half to go through, opens at 9:30 a.m. 365 days a year and truly does have something for everyone.
Dixon said that his three personal favorite exhibits are the shrunken head because it’s “odd, creepy, cool and there’s not a lot of them around;” a large ship model carved out of pure jade, and a large Chinese camel bone carving “because of its intricacy and detail are so phenomenal.” His favorite interactive activity is also the museums newest, “The Spinning Vortex.” His description of it makes it seem benign enough, “You walk through on a ramp surrounded by spinning colored lights and loud music that gives the illusion that the ramp is moving. It will make you dizzy.” That is no understatement, this writer only took two steps into the Vortex before getting dizzy, retreating out and taking the “By Pass. Although he did not walk through it the Vortex seemed exciting and will appeal to the more agile and less balanced challenged visitors.
A 1982 Cadillac Limousine stretching over 30 feet with a Jacuzzi is just one of the over 400 unique exhibits and activities available in Ripley's
Some of this writers personal favorites were the 1982 Cadillac Limousine stretching over 30 feet in length that has just about everything in it including a Jacuzzi tub, the two-headed calf and the vanishing woman. As you walk by a window you see her in the next room, but by the time you get to the window of the next room she is gone. Just how does that happen?
The shrunken head from the Jivaro Indians of Ecuador, fierce warriors who claimed the heads of their enemies as symbols of war and put them through an intensive process to reduce them to the size on display for war trophies is certainly unique. Dixon was right; it was odd and kind of creepy, but cool at the same time especially because of another oddity associated with the display, probably the only video in the world showing and explaining how the Jivaro actually shrunk the heads.
There is a large model of the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Forrestal created by Patrick Acton of Gladbrook, Iowa that took over 600 hours to complete and “believe it or not” was constructed from over 40,000 common household matches and toothpicks. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine, made out of plastic twine, measures almost 42 feet in circumference, weighs in excess of six tons and is something you will see nowhere else. It was strung together byTexas millionaire J.C. Payne in 1992 as a project to wrest the record from Cawker City, KS and Darwin, MN. Although he achieved that record the other two cities dispute it because their twine balls are made out of the traditional sisal twine and not plastic.
On his tour through Ripley’s this writer experienced one exciting and interesting exhibit or activity after another from a unique collection of Wishbones and old Fire Extinguishers to a two headed calf, the tilted room, the mystery of the vanishing woman and so many more. Dixon was absolutely right when he said Ripley’s “truly does have something for everyone.” It is hard to imagine anyone going through the museum and not finding a number of items that will make the experience exciting and worthwhile. What an exciting attraction for families to experience together!
For additional information or tickets for the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.