Photo: Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Photo: Smara Chakraborty
Photo: Jim H
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
★4.2(1,987 reviews)$Activity
🕑 1.5-2.5 hours👶 Best for ages 6-16. School-age kids and tweens particularly love the gross-out factor and interactive exhibits, while the unusual artifacts spark curiosity and conversation. Some displays may be intense for sensitive younger children, but most grade-schoolers find it thrillingly weird rather than scary.🧡 Saved by 200+ families
About
Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Hollywood is a wonderland of the weird that captivates curious kids with shrunken heads, optical illusions, and jaw-dropping oddities collected from around the globe. This interactive museum keeps children engaged and entertained as they explore galleries filled with the strange-but-true artifacts and exhibits that make learning about world cultures and bizarre phenomena incredibly fun.
Highlights
- ✓The interactive mirror maze that challenges perception and delights kids of all ages
- ✓Authentic shrunken heads and bizarre artifacts that spark endless questions
- ✓Optical illusion rooms including the tilted room where gravity seems to work sideways
- ✓Video displays of real-life record holders doing unbelievable feats
- ✓The tribute to Robert Ripley himself with fascinating stories from his world travels
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit on weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday around 10 AM) for the smallest crowds and best photo opportunities at popular exhibits like the mirror maze.
- 2.Park at nearby Hollywood & Highland parking structure which offers validation discounts and easy walking access to multiple attractions.
- 3.Allow kids to bring cameras or phones,this is one museum where taking pictures of almost everything is encouraged and creates lasting memories.
- 4.Combine your visit with a walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame right outside, making it easy to see multiple attractions in one trip.
- 5.Look for online combo tickets that bundle Ripley's with other nearby Hollywood attractions for significant savings.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (10 AM-noon) Tuesday through Thursday offer the lightest crowds. Avoid summer weekends and holiday periods when tourist traffic peaks. Late Friday and Saturday evenings are also busy with date-night crowds.
What to Know
Tickets are around $25-35 per person with family discounts often available online. The museum is fully indoor and climate-controlled, making it perfect for any weather. There's no food inside, but Hollywood Boulevard has countless dining options steps away.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with consistent hours. Special Halloween-themed exhibits occasionally appear in October. The indoor location makes it an excellent rainy day or extremely hot day escape any time of year.
Nearby Eats
Mel's Drive-In (classic American diner with burgers and shakes kids love, just steps away on Highland) or Yamashiro for families wanting panoramic views with their meal. For quick bites, the Hollywood & Highland complex has a food court with multiple kid-friendly options.
More Activities Near Anaheim
Amusement Park
Irvine Park Railroad
★4.7$❤️481
Irvine Park Railroad offers a delightful old-fashioned experience with a charming miniature train that chugs through 160 acres of beautiful Orange County parkland. Beyond the beloved train rides, families can enjoy a hands-on petting zoo, spacious playgrounds, paddle boat rentals, and special seasonal events like the famous Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Train that make this a year-round destination.
Park
Balboa Park
★4.8Free❤️189
Balboa Park is a world-class cultural destination spanning 1,200 acres in San Diego, offering families an incredible variety of museums, gardens, playgrounds, and open spaces to explore. With 17 museums including kid favorites like the Fleet Science Center and San Diego Natural History Museum, plus the renowned San Diego Zoo, beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture, and plenty of green space for picnics and play, it's an all-day adventure that appeals to curious minds of all ages.
Theater
Chance Theater
★4.8$$❤️25
Chance Theater offers a magical theatrical experience in Anaheim where professional productions meet family-friendly entertainment. This intimate non-profit theater is known for its high-quality shows that captivate both children and adults, featuring creative performances that spark imagination and introduce young audiences to the magic of live theater in an accessible, engaging way.
Amusement Park
Pixar Pier
★4.8$$$❤️48
Pixar Pier brings beloved animated characters to life at Disney California Adventure Park with whimsical rides, games, and attractions themed around Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Inside Out. This immersive land offers something for every family member, from gentle carnival rides for little ones to thrilling coasters for brave kids, all wrapped in the colorful, nostalgic charm of a Victorian-era seaside boardwalk reimagined through a Pixar lens.