It’s officially spooky season, so it only makes sense to dive into the more frightening side of Ripley's oddities. From eerie artifacts to spine-tingling sights, we’ve rounded up five of the creepiest and most curious oddities to make your Halloween one to remember.
1. Vampire Killing Kit
Sink your teeth into this chilling 19th-century artifact made for one purpose... to ward off vampires!
Complete with wooden stakes, a crucifix, and vials of holy water, this kit shows just how real vampire fears once were. Whether or not it ever worked… well, that’s the scary part.
2. Shrunken Heads
Talk about a small ! These rare ceremonial artifacts from the Amazon rainforest are both fascinating and a little frightful.
Once believed to trap the spirit of an enemy, each head was carefully crafted and preserved, and yes, they’re 100% real.
3. The Nkondi Power Figure
One look at this spiked statue and you’ll understand why it commands attention and fear. Originating from Central Africa, the Nkondi (or “nail figure”) was believed to hold powerful spirits capable of punishing wrongdoers and sealing oaths.
Each nail driven into its body represented a vow, a plea, or a curse. Standing before it, you can almost feel its supernatural energy watching you back.
4. Voodoo Baby
At Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in St. Augustine , there’s an artifact once owned by Haiti’s President, Papa Doc Duvalier, that gives off some serious chills. Known as Voodoo Baby, this doll has a spooky reputation and a few strange stories to match.
Staff have noticed mysterious moisture appear on the inside of his display case, and odd things seem to happen whenever he’s moved or left alone. Some say his presence is impossible to ignore. Dare to pay him a visit? Just one warning: whatever you do, don’t look him in the eye!
5. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
Looking for a scare that’s alive? Step into Ripley’s Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg or Myrtle Beach , where the darkness hides more than shadows. Around every unknown corner, experience a chilling journey through your worst nightmares and your favorite Halloween memories. With live actors, eerie effects, and endless screams, this is one fright you won’t forget.
Dare to Discover More
Whether you’re chasing creepy curiosities or braving full-on frights, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is the place to be this Halloween. Visit one of our attractions this October and uncover the strange, the spooky, and the downright unbelievable... if you dare.