What really made my trip so much fun at the Ripley’s Grand Opening was seeing the genuine artifacts. There are some parts of the museum that have stories and videos of people, pets and other odd things that are still out there today. And so some of them came out to the grand opening at Times Square. I got to meet the wolf man from Mexico and talked to him a little bit about Mexico since I had just got back from vacationing in Mexico City. I also met the lizard man, the sword swallower and saw the conjoined twins and the lady with the longest fingernails in the world. Now, I didn’t get to ask her how long her nails were, but it’s long enough to not be able to do anything with your hands. All of these extraordinary people may make other people think they are freaks, but to me, they were the most interesting people to have a conversation with at a party. I could have kept talking to them and I really didn’t want to leave. They are all good people in my book. And I will never forget them.
So now that the grand opening gala is over, no champagne or wine and appetizers to welcome people and no celebrities to converse with, then people must be asking, what exactly is Ripley’s? Well, it’s not a museum and it’s not a science hall or Guinness, and it’s definitely not a circus sideshow where people are displayed in inhumane cages. It is a fun-filled adventure that is waiting for you and your friends and families to experience a part of the world that not many people knew existed or even see what’s unbelievable to be believable. As a matter of fact, a drawing I have from the grand opening is proof of my survival from Ripley’s. I hope you too make it out of their black hole normal and intact. Believe it or not this is something you’ll have to visit and see for yourself.
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| The drawing that proves my survival at Ripley's Grand Opening. |
The ooo's and ahh's experience at Ripley's
By Dmitry Lisyanski & Andrea Zanchi
 Running into Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® you get a sense of oddity. While waiting on the line to get your tickets by the entrance, there are wax figures of an elderly man and a woman, both are wearing attire which looks southern farm like. The figures are singing a 21st century tune (a pop tune) and it brings about an air of carelessness and comedy.
The secondary entrance to the actual museum is more eye catching: an open mouthed Asian dragon with smoke being spewed out from its mouth. As I entered the museum I saw different objects some hoisted to the ceiling some grounded. The fattest woman in the world was attached hanging from the wall on a swing chair which was quite comical and would have made me afraid for my life if it were real. Also the exhibits are all labeled with notes about the object and its relevance. I noticed all the “ests” of the world are included in Ripley’s collection, for example as I walked from the entrance I could also see the tallest man as well as the shortest. I’m an automotive enthusiast and did come across a gull-wing Mercedes Benz SL-Roadster, which was quite memorable being that it was modeled entirely from wood and is able to float. I thought to myself finally a $million plus automobile that is affordable.
I’m confident ANYONE will find something interesting in this museum. Ripley’s had just recently opened their doors to the public in Times Square and it fits right in with the lively atmosphere. Times Square used to have a Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® until the 1970s when the Times Square neighborhood wasn’t too welcoming to the contemporary tourists. Ripley’s is back and better than ever. I had visited the Ripley’s in Atlantic City and Key West and surely this is by far the best one I’ve been to. TS Ripley’s is larger than the others (AC&KW) and has more technological assistance (video, audio, interactive devices).
As I proceeded down the halls I came across a real life albino giraffe (mind you these are real specimens), I was constantly being entertained by my surroundings. If you are infatuated by money you will see the million dollar Buddha which is actually worth $1 million. If you’re into bondage you will find the torture chambers and devices very worth while, with holograms filling the void of torture victims. Also watch out for the bogey man that will come out and scare you from under the ground! I’m joking but wouldn’t that add a high pitched note to the experience.
History buffs will find the presidential themed exhibit interesting with startling facts and figures as well as very personal belongings. Many of the exhibits took considerable time to create such as the stamp picture (years) and the ship assemblies showing the historical battle between the Spanish Grand Armada and the dwarfed British fleet. I found the black hole a memorable experience as a grand finale to the “odditorium”, and it made me feel odd inside my stomach. I recommend not holding your new born baby in this black hole.
The bottom line is kids don’t need video games to make their blood pressure surge, and adults don’t need sex, all you need is Ripley’s Believe It or Not!®. Furthermore, don’t forget to bring a camera to take home some of the ooo’s and ahh’s experience home from inside the museum.
Ripley's Believe it or Not!
234 West 42nd Street (Between 7th & 8th Ave.)
New York, NY 10036
212-398-3133
Hours: Open 365 days a year from 9am to 1am
Pricing: Adults - $24.95; children ages 4 – 12 years old - $18.95; students, seniors and military personnel - $21.95
www.ripleysnewyork.com
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