Photo TR: Williamsburg's New Ripley's Museum

[cfc]

Well, it's Labor Day Weekend, and I've survived the Burg's brush with Tropical Depression Ernesto. The town's a bit messy in spots, but intact, so I decided to check out my fair community's newest tourist trap . . . er . . . attraction: The Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum on Richmond Road.

 

I haven't been to one of these joints since I visited the one on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco back in 8th grade. All I remember from that day was a log cabin constructed from shiny pennies and a stuffed, two-headed dog. Has Ripley's changed much since then?

 

Not really, but this museum of oddities and odd balls does include a "4D" theatre with seats that give you a periodic butt massage and squirt you with water in time to some rather lame 3D flicks ("Deep Sea 3D" and "Escape from Dino Island").

 

So, how much fun does $20.95 buy you these days? Let's go in and find out.

I escaped Ripley's via this hole in time and space.

You know, it cost me fifty cents to find out what the whole world already knows, right? Er, right? Right? Hello-o-o-o . . .

You know, I think I'll pass on the health spa. Thanks, anyway.

Bleah! You like the paintings on my wings? Then let me suck your blood!

You know, I really feel quite svelte today. (I'm the one on the right, wise guy.)

And what young man couldn't use a hand-tooled penis sheath?

And now, some gifts for that "special someone" on your Christmas list. What young lady wouldn't want a camel-scrotum powder horn?

Why, yes, I'd love to purchase a used car. Just don't step on me, please!

The ghost of Ripley appears and tells me to quit groping the sculptures.

This is the only credit I could get at Ripley's, sorry to say.

OK, now on to what we all came to see--hot, naked robots! (Well, a sculpture made from household items, actually.)

How about taking a chomp from a president made totally out of popcorn? Looks more like boogers, if you ask me.

First, a tenuous connecton with our colonial heritage--a famous painting of George Washington done in needlepoint.

Here it is, in all its glory--a museum installed in a building that housed three failed restaurants (Bob Evans, Yukon Steakhouse, and Dakota Bay Grill).

[cfc]

And now, a special bonus set of pics: Williamsburg's Yankee Candle Factory (or, as I like to call it, "Bizarro World").

If you said "Carrabbas Italian Grill," get yourself a cookie. Thanks for stopping by.

Hmm--can you guess what's going up next to the Candle Factory, kids?

And nothing says "New England" like singing robot rodents. You know, I think I've had enough . . .

Touch yon trees, and I'll lop off thy hands, varlet!

You know, we're actually native to the South Pole, so what we're doing here is a mystery to me. Just thought I'd mention it.

. . . where it's Christmas all year round!

Yes, I feel as though I've been transported to New England . . .

Yes, the Yankee Candle Factory, just down the road from Ripley's--and it's every bit as bizarre (and admission is free).

[alpengeist04]

Robb and Elissa are probably more excited about Carrabbas now, than Griffon.

[mforce79]

What a great Trip Report... Believe it or not, I've never been to a Ripley's museum and now I know why. I love your captions, thanks for sharing.

[MollyG]

Once again you have created a bizarro, hilarious trip report! Thanks for the laughs.

 

MollyG

[Token Yankee Guy]

. . . where it's Christmas all year round!

 

yeah, New England is so cool, we're always celebrating christmas...