Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square

We put the wild in Wild Florida at our Gator and Wildlife Park. Get up close and personal with more than 200 animals in the Middle of Nowhere! Take your time exploring the interesting habitats and heritage of our animals. Talk to our experts about what it’s like to care for these amazing animals and how our population of lemurs, zebra, watusi, bobcat, sloth, and other exotic animals has grown over the past year. There’s something for every member of your family at our Gator and Wildlife Park. Kids will love feeding and learning more about baby animals in our Petting Zoo. Moms and Dads can rest easy knowing that there is a covered playground for kids to run around when they need to let off some energy. Grandma, Grandpa, and the whole extended family will love exploring our Hawk Swamp where owls often roost in the coolness of the cypress tree-canopied boardwalk. Admission to the Gator and Wildlife Park is free with the purchase of an Airboat Tour, but the Gator and Wildlife Park admission can be purchased separately if you want to spend as much time as you can exploring the animals up close. A visit to Florida would not be complete without a #GatorHug! You can see and hold one of our gators during our Gator Handling Show. We also offer interactive programs ranging from becoming an animal keeper for a day to taking a #slothie (a selfie with a sloth, of course!). Whether you are a visitor from across the globe or you live in our neighborhood, you owe it to yourself to experience the Wild side of Florida at our Gator and Wildlife Park.  

The Queen's Gallery was built in the shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The buildings were constructed in the 1840s with funds from the Duchess of Gordon, but fell into disuse in the late 19th century. Benjamin Tindall Architects were appointed project architects for the new Queen’s Gallery in October 1999. Their central visual theme was a celebration of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, expressed through a series of arches and screens that lead visitors from the Gallery entrance to the exhibition spaces beyond. Their design complements the original 19th-century architecture, elements of which were incorporated into the new spaces. Unsympathetic later internal alterations were removed, and a new exposed steel and concrete floor inserted to reflect the original ‘gallery’ of the Church.   A new stone arched entrance was created at the centre of the Horse Wynd frontage, opposite the new Scottish Parliament building. The use of a stone archway, with a courtyard beyond, is a traditional entrance device in Scottish architecture. The main walling is of Catcastle stone, the dressed work and lettering is of Stainton stone and the base is of Kenmay granite. ‘THE QUEEN’S GALLERY’ lettering above the entrance is the work of John Neilson, a calligrapher and carver. The letters were cut from single pieces of stone. Above sits Scotland’s heraldic lion, designed by Jill Watson. The lion sedant is based on a small red lion that sits at the feet of Mary, Queen of Scots on her tomb in Westminster Abbey. (The Palace of Holyroodhouse was once home to Mary, Queen of Scots.)   The monumental entrance doors of oak have gilded bronze hinges by Jill Watson. Continuing the heraldic theme, the main hinges are decorated with the Scottish lion and unicorn. The beasts are set against the adjacent urban scene of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and the rural scene of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags. The upper hinges are made as golden boughs of flowering native trees – chestnut and laburnum, oak, rowan and hawthorn. The stone archway is decorated with a carved and gilded garland of Scottish flowers, including daisies and thistles, created by Graciela Ainsworth, an Edinburgh-based sculptor, carver and conservator. Over the old entrance to the former church is a stained-glass window by Christian Shaw.  The design shows a perspective drawing of the interior of a gallery. At night, the shape of the archway is reflected by the glass lights by Keiko Mukaide set into the paving. The artist has given the tiles a water flow pattern, mirroring the stream of visitors walking in and out of the Gallery. Inside, the reception desk by Hamid van Koten is made from curved pieces of Scottish elm with kilned glass and patinated copper. The pendant lights were designed and made in Edinburgh by Ingrid Phillips. Dividing the reception from the main Gallery area is a patterned glass screen by Jacqueline Poncelet. The screen’s bronze handles by Jill Watson incorporate figures looking at art in a gallery.   The dramatic central stair of native timber leads to the Gallery spaces above. The complex shape was designed by the architects with Charles Taylor Woodwork, who were responsible for the construction. Lights set into the first floor illuminate the curved balustrading.  

Must be booked 24 hours in advance. For ages 12 and up. Maximum 4 people per party. As a keeper for a day you will help with everything from preparing diets, feeding our animals, as well as training and enrichment with our exotic animals. If you were ever interested in a career working with animals this is your chance to experience it!

To prepare for the journey you are about to embark on, begin your day with a nice and warm continental breakfast including coffee, juice and bread. On the luxury bus that takes you to the mythical site, you will receive all kinds of pampering including blankets and drinks on board.  The first stop of your trip is Valladolid, an exuberant and lively colonial city. Here is where the delicious Yucatecan gastronomy was born and one of the few sites where Mayan culture is alive even to this day. After that, enter the marvellous archaeological site of Chichen Itza to contemplate how stunningly well preserved these constructions remain, unperturbed by the pass of time. This tour will also take you to Chichen Itza’s haunting and Cenote, a huge round natural pool that used to be considered sacred by the ancient Mayan peoples. It is widely agreed upon that they used to cast live people into it as sacrifices to the gods. Wrap up your day with a scrumptious buffet meal at the restaurant Hubiku. 

What you can expect? Do it like “Zorbas the Greek” in the famous film and follow us to a memorable evening full of music and rhythm. Get in the mood and warm up your legs with a short walk through the scenic Areopagitou Street to finally end up to the beautiful theatre where your Greek folk dance class will take place. Our fun and professional dance teacher will take you in a journey to the culture and history behind the Greek folk dances, introducing you smoothly to the energy you need to feel in every step of each dance. Join the dancing circle and hold each other’s hands to follow the steps of the most popular Greek folk dances like “kalamatianos”, “syrtos” and –of course- the very famous “syrtaki”. Having worked your legs off, your dancing adventure will lead you to a traditional place where you will have fun the way Greeks do. With an amazing view of the illuminated Acropolis, you get the chance to experience an original Greek feast or “glendi” in Greek: delicious dinner, punchy wine, Greek music and great company of warmhearted locals will fill up your evening with lots of laughter and dance. Are you ready to have fun like the Greeks do?

Kew Gardens, is a World Heritage Site located in 121 hectares of stunning vistas with six magnificent glasshouses set in a beautiful landscape beside the River Thames between Richmond and KEW in south-west London. Kew Gardens represents more than 250 years of historical gardens. It is home to a remarkable collection of over 30,000 types of plants from all over the world that range from the decorative to the peculiar. Kew Gardens provide opportunities for public enjoyment and enrichment and the behind-the-scenes scientific work helps ensure a sustainable future for plants and people. In the summer of 2004, Kew's determination to make serious botany great fun for children was demonstrated with the opening of 'Climbers and Creepers'. Bringing a new use to an old cycad house by White Peaks, Climbers and Creepers engages children from around 3-9 years in the pleasures of learning more about plants and their relationships with animals and people. Apart from the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the garden's landscapes Kew offers a wonderful day out for all, whether horticulturally, historically or botanically inclined. Botanical Highlights The dates below are approximate, and flowering can vary by three to four weeks, depending on the weather. Spring: Mid-February - early March: A million-and-a-half crocuses below the Temple of Bellona between Victoria Gate and King William's Temple - one of Kew's most spectacular displays (typically late Feb - early March). Camellias between Victoria Gate and the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanic Art. Spring bedding and spring flowers in the open woodland around the Azalea Garden. Daffodils, forsythia and cherry blossom.  Orchids, bromeliads and anthuriums in Kew’s Tropical Extravaganza, an annual display of exotic blooms in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. April - May: Lilacs near Kew Palace and White Peaks. Spring bedding in front of the Palm House. Scillas in the Woodland Garden.  Flowering cherries, crab apples, magnolias and tulips throughout the gardens. May - June: Bluebells in the Queen's Cottage Grounds. Lilacs, azaleas, rhododendrons and magnolias, Brentford Gate area. The tiny but beautiful alpine flowers in the Davies Alpine House and the Rock Garden. Himalayan blue poppies and rhododendrons in the Woodland Garden. Native plants in long grass areas. Horse chestnut blossom. Summer: June - July: Summer flowers in the walled Duke's Garden and in the Woodland Garden. Giant water lilies growing rapidly in the Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Waterlily House. The Mediterranean Garden near King William's Temple. The Rose Pergola, the Rose Garden and the Order Beds. The Rock Garden. Tulip trees, opposite the Palm House, Philadelphus near the Pagoda. July - September: Themed summer bedding in front of the Palm House. The Order Beds. Giant water lilies flowering in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Water lilies flowering in the Aquatic Garden and Waterlily House. The herbasceous borders of the Duke's Garden, fascinating medincinal herbs in the Queen's Garden, Grass Garden, Rose Garden. Hibiscus, hydrangeas and Indian bean trees. Autumn: September - October: Autumn crocus in September in the Woodland Glade - Kew's first burst of autumn colour. Belladonna lilies. Trees in autumn colour. October - November: Last of the autumn colours. Grass Garden. Autumn-flowering crocuses, colchicums and hardy cyclamen. Strawberry trees west of King William's Temple and between the Princess of Wales Conservatory and Rock Garden. Winter: November - December: Fruiting trees and shrubs, winter bark. Winter-flowering cherry. January - February: Snowdrops in the Rock Garden and Conservation Area, crocuses along the Princess Walk. Witch hazels by King William's Temple. Cornelian cherry in the winter border in the Duke's Garden. Duchess border along wall outside the Duke's Garden. Camellias between Victoria Gate and the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanic Art. Clematis cirrhosa on the Rock Garden Wall. Rhododendrons in the Rhododendron Dell and, if the winter is mild, the carmine blooms of Magnolia campbellii might appear early. Shrubs in the Winter Border near the Ice House. The Davies Alpine House. Heathers, hellebores, viburnums and cornelian cherry.