As a parent of two teenagers, I've long battled their attachment to screens. But Ripley's Believe It or Not in Amsterdam changed that—delivering an educational and thrilling outing that kept them hooked from start to finish.
Like many families, we've faced museum boredom. During our 2014 trips to Munich's Deutsches Museum and Dutch sites, our kids quickly lost interest. Fast-forward to London, where we stumbled upon Ripley's Believe It or Not. Despite the hefty entrance fee for four, it was a game-changer—our teens were genuinely engaged for hours.
Founded by Robert LeRoy Ripley (1890–1949), an American cartoonist, entrepreneur, and amateur anthropologist, Ripley's Odditorium showcases global curiosities. His newspaper cartoons featured reader-submitted oddities like deformed vegetables or unusual animals, gaining massive popularity without the internet—reaching over 80 million readers worldwide.
Ripley's 1922 world travels inspired comics on bizarre customs, syndicated in the New York Post. He became a radio host and starred in Warner Bros.' Believe It or Not! TV episodes. He collected artifacts and even people with rare traits, opening the first Odditorium in Chicago in 1933 to prove his stories were real. Exhibits like Chinese lotus feet or African lip plates shocked early visitors, though many now recognize them from history.
Ripley's London spans five floors of mind-bending rarities: shrunken heads (1/5 original size), torture devices, and more. It's less traditional museum, more immersive collection—perfect for history from an unconventional angle. We spent over three hours there; the kids raved and begged to return.
Winning free tickets sparked excitement. Though initially for dad and son (using free weekday student travel and dad's annual pass), our daughter insisted. Deadlines loomed, so the whole family headed to Amsterdam on Christmas Day, adding two more tickets and discounted train fares.
Just a 10-minute walk from Central Station, it's an easy visit—even in chilly weather (our teen son was less impressed by the sights, typical at his age). Inside, the energy exploded. Splitting up, we explored torture devices, optical illusions, abnormal artifacts, and interactive displays. Photos everywhere (selfie spots galore), and much is touchable.
Routes guide you from floor one upward, with a narrow 'extreme' path option on levels two or three—guess which our kids picked. Amsterdam's exhibits include Berlin Wall fragments, Cold War barbed wire, and Trabant parts, blending fun with learning that sticks.
We spent over two hours (smaller than London), with a cafe on top. Combo tickets add popcorn and drinks; upgrade for 5D cinema or VR (we skipped, but it sounds epic).
Address:
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Dam 21
Amsterdam
Phone: 020-3697120
Email: info@ripleysamsterdam.com
Website: https://www.ripleys.com/amsterdam/
Hours:
Daily 9:00 AM–10:00 PM (varies on holidays)
Tickets:
€17.95 adults
€13.95 children (up to 15)
(Check Groupon for deals)
Have you visited Ripley's Amsterdam? Planning a trip? Share your thoughts below.
