4. Cigarette wrapper purses

If you’ve ever wondered how one might spend the long hours in prison, this exhibit offers some ideas. These purses are made from cigarette wrappers. They were constructed by California inmates. Though they began as a simple hobby to help pass the time, they later became a collectible phenomenon and some of the purses have been sold for hundreds of dollars. You may never look at a discarded pack of cigarettes the same way again.

5. Shrunken heads

Though you can see faux shrunken heads in the Diagon Alley expansion of Universal Studios, you need only head over to International Drive to see the real thing. The heads on display here are from Ecuador, South Africa.

Shrunken heads reduce a human head down to about the size of a fist. They are made by removing the skull and fat from the head. The eyelids are sewn shut and the mouth is closed with palm pins. The remaining skin is then boiled in a water containing herbs with tannins. The flesh is dried on a hot rock and carefully molded so it retains the original human shape. Finally, the skin is charred and rubbed with ash. Decorative beads are often added and the finished piece is worn around the neck to ward off vengeful spirits.

6. A vampire killing kit

In Eastern Europe around 1850, protecting oneself from vampires was a very real concern. Vampire killing kits were sold to protect travelers from these roaming blood drinkers. A vampire killing kit would typically contain:

• A pistol
• Silver bullets
• A cross
• A wooden stake
• Garlic powder

Each kit was unique, so you never knew what serums and concoctions you might find to help keep you safe.

This sampling of the oddities in Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Orlando only scratches the surface of what you’ll find. Be prepared to traverse dimly lit rooms and eerie galleries filled with the strange, fascinating, and often downright creepy. While the exhibits may fascinate older children, be very cautious about taking small ones into the museum as certain areas can be frightening.