Oddities by the Ocean: My Wonderfully Weird Day at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Newport, Oregon
Right in the heart of historic Newport Bayfront, there’s something a little different—something a bit... strange.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the wonderfully bizarre attraction where the line between fact and fantasy blurs in the best way. You’ll find it sandwiched between seafood restaurants, taffy shops, and local galleries—and it’s instantly recognizable thanks to its carnival-like façade. This is the kind of place that draws your curiosity like a magnet. And believe me (or not), it's worth stepping inside.
What Exactly Is Ripley’s Believe It or Not!?
Ripley’s is a museum of the weird. It’s a collection of oddities gathered from around the world—some real, some artistic recreations, all fascinating. It’s part science museum, part sideshow, and part walk-through funhouse. Think shrunken heads, ancient torture devices, illusions, world records, tribal art, optical mind games, and the truly unexplained. You’re already in a town where sea lions bark in the harbor and you might spot a whale offshore. Adding a walk through a world of glowing skulls and levitating chairs just works. It adds a dash of surreal to your seaside escape.
First Impressions: Let the Weirdness Begin
I visited Ripley’s on a cloudy afternoon—perfect weather for something indoors and a bit offbeat. The entrance feels like stepping into a carnival: flickering signs, wacky décor, and a ticket counter flanked by life-sized wax figures.
The building itself is deceptively large. Once you enter, you’re immediately led through a maze of rooms, each one stranger than the last. The lighting is moody—low, with colorful spotlights—and odd music and sound effects play in the background. It’s immersive in a way that feels both playful and just eerie enough to give you goosebumps.
Highlights of the Odd
There’s so much to look at, but here are a few exhibits that stood out to me:
- The Shrunken Heads – Real ones. From the Amazon. I lingered here way longer than I expected. They're equal parts creepy and mesmerizing.
- The World’s Tallest Man – A full-size replica of Robert Wadlow, who stood nearly 9 feet tall. You can stand next to him and feel incredibly short.
- The Two-Headed Calf – A real taxidermy calf born with two heads. Morbid, yes—but also a marvel of biology.
- Illusions and Vortex Tunnel – Prepare to question reality. The vortex tunnel was my personal favorite: a rotating cylinder you walk through on a stable bridge. It messes with your senses so thoroughly, I stumbled like I’d had three beers.
- Strange People & Achievements – Stories of sword-swallowers, record-breakers, extreme body modifiers, and historical oddballs. Ripley’s does a great job of treating these figures with a sense of awe rather than mockery.
Interactive and Family-Friendly Fun
It’s surprisingly interactive! Kids (and curious adults like me) can press buttons, step into illusions, crawl through tunnels, and take goofy photos. There are sections that challenge your perceptions—like mirror rooms, trick art, and visual puzzles that make you question depth, size, and logic.
And while some parts are mildly spooky, it never crosses into horror territory. Younger kids might need a hand during darker exhibits, but overall it’s completely family-friendly. I saw everything from toddlers in strollers to teens Snapchatting the oddities to grandparents laughing in disbelief.
Check out the Near-By Wax Works
Right next door is the Wax Works, Combo tickets are available!
- Wax Works features life-size figures of celebrities, historical figures, and movie monsters. It’s not quite Madame Tussauds, but it’s charming in its own quirky way. Some are impressively lifelike. Others… well, they might give you nightmares (looking at you, wax Elvis).
The Gift Shop: Because You Need a Shrunken Head Mug
Every great roadside attraction ends in a gift shop, and Ripley’s does not disappoint. From glow-in-the-dark T-shirts to alien plushies and “Believe It or Not!” trivia books, it’s full of playful and strange souvenirs. I walked out with a Bigfoot air freshener and zero regrets.
Know Before You Go
- Location: 250 SW Bay Blvd, Newport, OR
- Hours: Open daily, but hours vary by season—check online before visiting.
- Prices: Reasonable for a tourist attraction. Discounts available for kids, seniors, and combo tickets.
- Parking: Free street parking nearby, but it gets crowded during summer weekends.
- Food Nearby: Try Mo’s for clam chowder or grab fresh seafood from Local Ocean just down the street.
Believe It, Because It’s Awesome
I expected Ripley’s Believe It or Not! to be cheesy fun, and yes—it was. But it was also genuinely fascinating, visually surprising, and even thought-provoking. In a world where so many attractions feel over-commercialized, Ripley’s is refreshingly weird in a way that’s heartfelt.
The weirdest stops make for the best memories.
