Museums are oddly attractive, be it for their historical value or the inherent uniqueness of the story they tell. Madame Tussauds is one such Museum which is known for its odd quality. The Tussauds museum tells a vivid tale of fame that has left its mark on history.
This fame is depicted through wax statues in the form of historical figures, celebrities, and other important people from the past. Every year, New York’s citizens flock to this popular hub to witness the realistic statues that have sealed many personalities in time.
Including the Museum’s rich history in your trip to Madame Tussauds is essential. This guide will take you through the Museum’s popular attractions, guide you on how to get there, and outline some of the nearby attractions you may want to visit.
The Museum
Madame Tussauds museum is one of New York’s best attractions all year round. It displays beautifully realistic statues of famous people, allowing you to get a picture with your favorite celebrity without waiting for a special event.
If you haven’t visited the Museum yet, you are missing out big time! Located within the Times Square Neighborhood, this Museum isn’t that far away. All you need to do is to plan your trip. If you plan to visit the Statue of Liberty and other places nearby, this should be at the top of your list.
The Museum includes more than 200 wax figures within an area spread out over 80,000 square feet. It is divided into different sections with various exhibitions at each turn.
New York City’s Times Square is worth visiting, but your trip will remain incomplete without a stop at the Tussauds Museum. Follow us as we guide you through some well-known facts about and activities at Madame Tussauds.
The History
The famous wax museum owes much of its visitation to Marie Tussaud, the creator of the wax statues we see today. She was born in France in the late 18th century. Marie learned her art from Dr. Philippe Curtius, her mother’s employer.
Curtius was known for his wax models, and his teachings inspired Marie’s first creation, a wax sculpture of the famous Voltaire. As the years passed, she improved and began taking up special projects. After Curtius’ passing, Marie inherited his wax collection.
Marie’s wedding to Francois Tussaud brought her work to Britain. Following her wedding, she opened the first Madame Tussaud’s, a small setup in London.
Most of the earlier Tussaud sculptures were destroyed in 1925 and 1941, and the Museum lost popularity after Marie’s death. It was revived by her grandson Joseph Randall. This was the first tiny step toward most of the subsequent Tussaud museums inaugurated worldwide.
The New York Tussauds was opened in 2000, on 15th November, and it is one of the six museums across the USA. The museums are currently owned and maintained by Merlin Entertainments.
How to Visit Madame Tussauds
You can take a trip to Madame Tussauds by car, bus, or subway. To get there by car, you must look for 42nd street in New York City. You can also take the subway to 42nd street, Times Square, and follow the map to reach the Museum.
Alternatively, you can opt for the many bus routes that are available to you. Times Square is easy to access through public transport. Look for one of the many buses that will take you to the Square.
You must book your tickets beforehand. An entry ticket will cost you around $37, although the Museum offers yearly discounts. Study the schedule before your visit, as the closing time might depend on the day of the week.
This Museum is a great place to go no matter the season, as the indoor exhibits keep you away from the outdoor temperature.
Activities For You
Madame Tussauds is divided into sections, and you will get to experience the exhibits accordingly. This doesn’t mean you can’t skip to an exhibit you like. However, we do recommend going through all the zones at least once!
Don’t forget to visit the Carnaval Carnage 7D experience before moving on to the exhibits!
Zone 1: Glow Gala
Inspired by New York’s famous galas, this Glow Gala features some of the most popular and trending celebrities. This exhibit, like all others, changes with time.
Zone 2: Marvel Hall of Heroes
This zone is dedicated to the Marvel heroes. Here you can spot Iron Man, your friendly neighborhood Spiderman, the rest of the Avengers, and more! You also get to experience the Marvel Universe in 4D.
Zone 3: Sit in The Oval Office – A Presidential Experience!
This is the place to be if you are particularly interested in US history. Here you can meet your current president in the Oval Office. The exhibit does change depending on the President in Office at the time. The experience is one you cannot miss!
Zone 4: Join the Ghostbusters
Many zones within the Museum tend to change as the years go by in cohesion with the current trends. This zone was added to the mix in 2016 as the Ghostbuster tale was revived.
Zone 5: Face off with King-Kong
The Museum allows you to visit Skull Island and take a few pictures with the King himself, King Kong. Since it’s quite hard to get a 148-feet gorilla to sign up for a meet-up, this is your best option!
Zone 6: Guest Star on the Tonight Show
Get in a few pictures with Jimmy Fallon as you laugh at his jokes. This is your opportunity to be a guest on the Tonight Show!
Zone 7: Star on Broadway
We will leave this to your imagination! Memorize your dialogues, get your makeup done, and break a leg!
Zone 8: Walk the Runway
Have you always wanted to walk the famous runways of New York? Who’s to say you can’t? Get coached by the famous Alessandra Ambrosio and nail that walk!
Before leaving, don’t forget the recent additions to the Museum. This includes Anitta, Bad Bunny, the Rock, Kamala Harris in the Oval Office, and the ever-famous Stan Lee around New York.
Final Thoughts
A trip to Madame Tussauds is a must if you have New York on your bucket list. Check the website for the new exhibits before purchasing your tickets, and don’t forget to get the full experience. Make sure you get into some protein before visiting Tussauds, as you will need your energy!