The newest Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium (in Manhattan, 42nd Street between 7th & 8th Ave.) in their roster of museums opened to the public on Friday, June 22. I arrived in the evening - about 9pm - surprised to find that the attraction was not crowded. I suspect this is because either (1) the word has not yet gotten out, or (2) the crowds had not yet dispersed from the nearby Broadway theaters. The exterior is a kind of crazy theater marquee, which fits its 42nd Street location. I paid my admission and spent the next hour or so wandering through the halls.

Having been to so many different Ripley’s attractions, it is becoming difficult for me to differentiate between them, so instead I’ll point out the highlights:

The holographic “skit” near the beginning seems very crowd-pleasing. Behind a pane of glass, a tiny holographic man welcomes visitors to the museum by singing a “Welcome to Ripley’s World” ditty that I still have stuck in my head. Very cute but not terribly informative.

A collection of Ripley’s masks dance to generic tribal music beind their glass showcases. I’m sure the masks themselves are genuine, but they sure put on a nice show. Similarly, a room full of shrunken heads (also behind glass) is a bit chilling.

The room filled with prison and/or items of torture is particularly interesting. Torture masks and contraptions line the brick-walled room, including a “working” electric chair. Photo opportunities abound here.

A nautical-themed room has a small Titanic exhibition, and a glass floor allows visitors to walk on top of a collection of oceanic vessels.

The theater (a small room with a rear-projection television showing clips from the Ripley’s television show), is filled with baseball uniforms that have the team name “The Believe It or Nots.” The video clip is short, but there are seats so it was a pleasant place for me to rest for a moment.

Many of the classic exhibits are there, such as the 2-way mirror, the 2-headed animals, headless chickens, etc. I was disappointed that their staple “bigfoot” illusion was nowhere to be found, but that cool “spinning room” was there.

This Ripley’s didn’t have the kind of envrionments that other Ripleys have; it reminded me more of a legitimate museum than of a theme park attraction. Overall, it wasn’t as dark or dreary as other similar attractions (Madam Tussaud’s next door has a cheesy haunted house.) This is very fitting to Times Square and the upscale ticket prices (about $25), which suggest - and delivered - a more upscale Odditorium.