A Parent’s Guide to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando – an Unforgettable Family Adventure
Calling all adventurous kids! There’s a weird and wonderful museum in Orlando that’s perfect for hands-on learning and exploration. At Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando Museum, families can explore everything from an actual sinkhole that opened on I-Drive in 1992 to shrunken heads collected by Robert Ripley himself.
It’s one of our favorite indoor places for kids in Orlando, and we’re sharing the must-see experiences inside the doors.
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Exploring the Wonders of Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando
The I-Drive location of Ripley’s Believe It or Not boasts 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, spread throughout 16 different display galleries. There’s also Ripley’s Mirror Maze right next door, where families can try to find their way into (and out of) a lighted hall of mirrors.
It’s a great family activity for kids of any age, but kids who are old enough to read and understand the unique and interesting exhibits will get the most educational value out of a visit.
Unforgettable Attractions and Exhibits at Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Not only will kids love the vibrant, bright, quirky atmosphere of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, but they’ll also learn a lot. Attractions within the museum teach children about everything from Ancient Egypt to outer space.
Here are some of the best things to see in the Odditorium.
Important note – While none of the exhibits are scary or grotesque, they are definitely bizarre. Older kids, around tween age and older may be better suited for this venue.
- Strange artifacts and curiosities: Inside Ripley’s, kids will discover shrunken heads, bizarre historical items, a 3,197-pound meteorite, and animal oddities like two-headed cows and sheep.
- Mind-bending illusions and optical puzzles: In many of the galleries, kids can experience optical illusions like a mind-bending vortex tunnel and solve puzzles to help them learn about topics like “weird Florida” and the oddities Ripley displayed in sideshows.
- Interactive exhibits: Hands-on learning is truly the name of the game at this museum, and in recent years, it’s received a full update to incorporate on-screen games and technology that will grab kids’ attention. Ripley’s is also committed to age-appropriate content, so even though kids will see artifacts like shrunken heads and two-headed animals, the museum is set up in a way that makes learning about these oddities fun and safe.
Among the exhibit galleries at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando are an outer space-themed room where kids can learn about see the historic Apollo 11 moonwalk reels and touch a real meteorite and a warehouse that stores many of Ripley’s art, animal oddities, and memorabilia.
Throughout the museum, lifelike wax figures help illustrate educational lessons or show off human oddities like a giant nose or a forked lizard tongue.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando for Young Explorers
There’s plenty for young (and older) kids to do inside the museum, where kids will find both placards and screens that explain what they’re seeing as well as hands-on zones where they can explore. From uncovering artifacts in Egypt to testing out how well they’d fit into a circus-style sideshow, there’s truly fun and learning around every corner.
Inside Ripley’s Mirror Maze, parents should keep young kids close, as navigating the maze of mirrors may feel overwhelming to small children.
Once you solve the maze and enter a room with a LED-lit dance party, however, kids of all ages will want to boogie down and celebrate their victory. Just remember … they also have to find their way back out.
Plan Your Visit
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando Museum
8201 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 345-0501
orlando@ripleys.com
RIPLEY’S ODDITORIUM HOURS
Sunday through Thursday 10:00 am through 10:00 pm
Fridays and Saturdays 10:00 am through 11 pm
RIPLEY’S MIRROR MAZE HOURS
Sunday through Thursday 10:45 am through 10:00 pm
Fridays and Saturdays 10:45 am through 11 pm
TICKETS
Odditorium + Mirror Maze: Adult (12+) $ 39.99
Odditorium + Mirror Maze: Child (3-11) $ 27.99
Odditorium on its own $27.99 Adult, $19.99 Child
Find affordable activities for kids in Orlando with our guide.
We hope you enjoy visiting this family-friendly destination to unveil the unbelievable. You can connect with us and other parents on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Feel free to share this blog post and plan a fun family outing together!
