Even if you've been to one of Ripley's dozens of other locations around the Globe, you will be astounded at how different they can all feel depending on what area or building they've been inserted into. The exterior of the Saint Augustine location is so grand that the short-lived Ripley's TV show filmed the exterior and pretended each show was taped inside, and actually filmed most of their outdoor stunts at this castle-like home, called Castle Warden, built during the Flagler era, and once inhabited by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of the Yearling. It's worth a visit for its historical significance. Portions of the tour include small bits of history, such as when Castle Warden was a hotel and had a fire on the second floor, which killed one woman. A gimmicky mirror reveals her ghost to you, but you know that the experience is unique to this location. The usual ephemera mixed with actual fascinating artifacts line the tour inside, but the architecture of the home is well-utilized to display such beautiful items as a 1/12th scale replica of the Ferris Wheel from Chicago, made of toothpicks, of course. It's a nice date idea. A considerable discount for locals makes it even more fun, but it would be worth the full admission price for this historical fun house/museum/theater/gallery.
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