If you’ve already visited the Grévin Museum in Paris and enjoyed the experience, you’ll be delighted by Madame Tussauds in New York. This wax museum offers a unique opportunity to photograph yourself alongside your favourite celebrities, all represented in life-size. An ideal activity to do with the family or on a rainy day, with a 100% chance of bumping into stars during your stay in New York! With over 20 museums around the world, Madame Tussauds has become a world-renowned concept, but the one in New York has its own special features that make it a must-see.
Madame Tussauds in New York: Meet your favourite stars
The fascinating history of Madame Tussauds
Behind this world-famous museum lies the extraordinary story of a French woman. Marie Grosholtz, born in Strasbourg in 1761, spent her childhood in Switzerland, where her mother worked as a maid for Dr Philippe Curtius, an anatomist and wax sculptor. It was he who passed on to her his expertise in the art of wax sculpture.
In 1777, she produced her first work: a statue of Voltaire. Her talent took her all the way to the Court of Versailles, where she is said to have taught sculpture to the sister of King Louis XVI. But the story changed with the French Revolution. Marie and her mentor were accused of supporting the monarchy. Imprisoned in Paris, she narrowly avoided the guillotine. In exchange for her release, she had to sculpt the funeral masks of those guillotined, including those of her former employers, the King and Queen.
After Philippe Curtius died in 1794, she inherited his wax museums. The following year, she married François Tussaud, with whom she had two sons. In 1802, Marie Tussaud left her husband and went toEngland, where she exhibited her works. It wasn’t until 1835 that her collection was definitively installed at the Baker Street Bazaar in London.
Her crowning achievement came in 1837 when Queen Victoria agreed to be sculpted. The statue became the centrepiece of the exhibition. When he died in 1850, aged 88, his sons and grandchildren took over the family business. Global expansion began at the end of the 20th century, with the opening of the first American museum in Las Vegas in 1999, followed by the New York museum in 2000.
What can you see at Madame Tussauds, New York?
Covering an impressive 7,900 m² over 5 floors, the Madame Tussauds Museum in New York features more than 200 wax mannequins. All are 1:1 life-size, which accentuates the striking realism of these sculptures.
Celebrities not to be missed
The museum brings together a wide range of personalities from different worlds. When it comes to music, you can take a photo with Lady Gaga, Rihanna or Dua Lipa. Film fans will not be left out with Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and the Kardashians. Political and historical figures are also represented: all the American presidents, Martin Luther King Jr, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the Oval Office. Sportsmen and women also have their place, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Dwayne Johnson ‘The Rock’.
The unique settings are what make the New York museum so special. You can sit in the set of Jimmy Fallon‘s Tonight Show, have tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II or sit next toAudrey Hepburn.
The world of superheroes has not been forgotten, with Marvel and Spiderman characters. The statues are regularly rotated according to current events and trends, which means that two visits a few years apart will have different surprises in store for you.
Different statues in different museums
If you’ve already visited another Madame Tussauds in the world, don’t hesitate to push open the doors of the one in New York. The statues are not identical in every museum. Some iconic figures will be present everywhere, but always in different outfits and positions, while others are exclusive to New York.
Immersive experiences: much more than statues
While the wax statues are the main attraction, Madame Tussauds New York offers immersive experiences that transform the visit into a truly interactive adventure.
MARVEL Universe 4D
Fans of the superhero universe will love this experience. Watch a 4D film with impressive special effects (water, fire) and meet the Marvel superheroes. This is your chance to fight alongside Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and Spider-Man.
Coney Island Carnival Carnage 7D
Yes, you read that right: a 7D experience! It’s an immersive game where you take on your friends and family. Your mission: save the Coney Island Carnival by using laser guns to eliminate your enemies. Beware of the clowns, who will make your task difficult! A word of warning though: this attraction contains some violent scenes, not necessarily suitable for young children.
Join the Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters fans can relive cult scenes from the film in 4D and actively take part in the ghost hunt. It’s a fun way to immerse yourself in this iconic cinematic universe.
Face Off with King Kong
This attraction takes you to Skull Island for a fascinating encounter with the famous giant gorilla. Get ready for a thrilling encounter with King Kong!
Warner Bros. Icons of Horror
For thrill-seekers, this experience plunges you into scenes from the great Warner Bros. horror classics. An intense immersion in the world of films that have marked the history of horror cinema.
Practical information for your visit
Address and location
Madame Tussauds is located in the heart of Manhattan, a stone’s throw from Times Square. Its precise address is 234 West 42nd Street, New York NY 10036. Its central location makes it an easy stop on your sightseeing itinerary.
Opening times
The museum is open 365 days a year, including public holidays. Opening times are as follows
- 11am to 8pm Sunday to Thursday
- 11am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays
The last tickets are sold one hour before the museum closes. A practical detail to note when planning your visit.
Length of visit
You can stay as long as you like, with no time restrictions. On average, allow between 1h30 and 2h00 for a complete visit. If you’re a keen photographer and want to immortalise yourself with each celebrity, allow more time.
Prices
A guided tour ticket including the Marvel 4D experience costs around €42.17/€44.80. If you book online, you can save between $3 and $4 per ticket compared with the price on site, which can be a considerable sum for a family.
Children under 3 are free.
One important point: admission to the museum is included in most New York tourist passes. If you’re planning to visit several paid-for attractions, these passes can be very economical.
Save on the Madame Tussauds Museum entrance
Madame Tussauds is available in 4 Passes, book a pass to visit attractions at the best prices.
Tips for a successful visit
To make the most of your experience at Madame Tussauds New York, here are a few recommendations:
Book in advance
Booking in advance has a twofold advantage: it saves you money on the price of the ticket and avoids the queues, which can sometimes be long. This saves you time and money.
A perfect plan B in case of rain
The weather in New York can be capricious. Madame Tussauds is an ideal solution on a rainy day. Fully covered and air-conditioned, you can continue exploring the city without worrying about the weather.
Bring your camera
The main attraction of the visit is the selfies and photos with the celebrities. Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged to capture these moments. Don’t be afraid to take your time and take care with your poses for memorable souvenirs.
Consult the site before your visit
The statues are regularly updated to reflect current events. A quick look at the official website will tell you what’s new and avoid disappointment if a celebrity you were hoping to see is no longer on display.
Adapt your visit to children
Some experiences, such as Coney Island Carnival Carnage, contain scenes that can be frightening for young children. It’s best to direct younger visitors to the areas dedicated to superheroes or cartoon characters.
Madame Tussauds as part of your stay in New York
Madame Tussauds may not be considered an absolute must-see in New York in the same way as the Statue of Liberty or Central Park, but it is an entertaining activity that generally appeals to all audiences.
Particularly popular with families, the museum is a big hit with children and teenagers. If you’re travelling with young people, this is a visit you should include in your programme.
Its strategic location near Times Square makes it easy to combine with other attractions in the area. You can spend a few hours here before continuing your exploration of Midtown Manhattan.
Ultimately, Madame Tussauds New York offers one guarantee: that you’ll see stars in New York, even if they’re made of wax! It’s a fun experience, where you’ll have a great time and feel like you’ve rubbed shoulders with the glamorous world of celebrities.
Did you know?
All the wax figures on display at the 14 Tussauds museums around the world are made in London, although Madame Tussauds New York has a studio for touch-ups and minor repairs.
Some stars are so famous that Madame Tussauds keeps a duplicate! Keep your eyes peeled for Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna and Justin Timberlake.
