One of the biggest attractions on the Gatlinburg strip in terms of pure spectacle, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium is a unique viewing experience with over 600 unique exhibits that’s sure to enchant both young and old. From intriguing visual experiences to informational tidbits, Ripley’s has curated a one-of-a-kind creative museum of odd facts.
Immediately walking up to the attraction, you will be met by a wonder of illusion as a half-ton stone sphere floats seemingly suspended on a cushion of water. Immediately from there (after purchasing tickets of course!) you’ll be welcomed into a self-guided walking tour through the exhibit. Following the path, you will ascend up several stories and back down before completing the ‘Odditorium’ through the Ripley’s candy shop.
Filled with interactives and interesting tidbits, you can plan on spending roughly 45-60 minutes as you traverse through the conglomeration of visual impressions that line the walls and floors of the interior. Some of our favorites include the 6,583-foot rope made completely out of bubble gum wrappers, Jimi Hendrix portrait made from Rubix cubes, space shuttle made from jelly beans, and the portrait of Christ made from words of the bible perfectly spaced.
While some visitors have complained the price seems a bit high for the attraction, the majority of guests who are looking to be intellectually delighted find the price to be on par with what one would expect to spend. If you aren’t sure this is the attraction for you, it’s best to save this for a rainy day as there are likely better experiences on a sunny day in the National Park you can have for free.
Insider Tip:
Ripley’s owns several attractions in the area. If you’re planning to visit more than one (or think you might) it’s a much better value to buy the combo tickets before going. Combo tickets will grant access to the array of Ripley’s area attractions at an overall discounted price.