Ripley's Believe It or Not! Gatlinburg
88 River Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Billed as an “Odditorium,” this three-story museum—one of 28 “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!” collections worldwide—is dedicated to all things wacky and weird. From a replica of Hogwarts constructed from 6,000 matchsticks to a shark-shaped sculpture crafted from a salvaged jet fuel tank (and most controversially, over 100 Jivaroan shrunken heads, known as tsantsas), you’ll find hundreds of artifacts related to history, art, travel, and pop culture across more than a dozen themed galleries.
The “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!” collections were founded by the American cartoonist and hobbyist collector Robert Ripley in 1933. Designed to be interactive, they appeal to families with children or anyone with a taste for the offbeat. The Gatlinburg branch has an Odditorium and eight other nearby Ripley’s attractions, including a 5D “moving” theater, a haunted house, an LED-outfitted mirror maze, and mini-golf, laser tag, and even an aquarium with its own “shark lagoon.” Each attraction has separate admission tickets, but combo packages are available at a reduced rate.
- To avoid waiting in line, you can buy tickets online. Combo packages include bundled entry to anywhere from three to eight Ripley’s attractions, while you can also get single passes if you’d prefer not to combine activities.
- If you plan to visit with friends or family, discounts are available for groups of 10 people or more.
- Visits to the Odditorium are self-guided, letting you wander and interact with the exhibits at your own pace. Plan on spending anywhere from an hour to two touring the collections.
- All Ripley’s attractions are accessible to people in wheelchairs.
The Ripley’s Odditorium is located at 800 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, right after traffic light eight. Most people come with their own private or rental transportation, although ride-sharing apps are also an option. Paid parking lots are available just in front of the museum. The other Ripley’s attractions are spread throughout Gatlinburg and the nearby towns of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
All Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg are open 365 days a year, although the outdoor mini-golf course’s opening hours may depend on the weather. There’s no one time to visit, and you can’t go wrong coming any time of year. Many people plan to visit the Smokies in the fall when the surrounding foliage is most colorful.
Gatlinburg is not just a hub for Ripley’s oddities—it’s also the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re looking to drive, bike, hike, camp, or even explore by horseback, you’ll find plenty of ways to soak up the pristine mountain landscapes. Catch sight of local flora and fauna along the way, from purple aster blossoms to black bears and elk.
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