During our recent trip to New York City, one of our favorite stops was Madame Tussauds NYC. Located just a short walk from our hotel, this iconic wax museum delivered a full on immersive experience that blended celebrity sightings, theatrical nostalgia, horror chills, and superhero thrills, all in one place. As someone who had visited the original Madame Tussauds in London with my grandfather years ago, I was curious to see how the NYC version compared. Spoiler: it’s come a long way. The experience is now fully interactive, far more modern, and every bit as entertaining.
Who Went
This wasn’t just a casual pop in. It was a full on family outing with me, my Grandpa John, Aunt Dawn, and my husband Stephen. Grandpa, Aunt Dawn, and I are lifelong theater nerds. It’s kind of our thing. Stephen, on the other hand, was experiencing Madame Tussauds for the first time ever.
Stephen was down for the Marvel, horror and pop culture parts, while the rest of us were giddy over the musical legends and old Hollywood icons. The range of exhibits truly had something for each of us, and we were constantly trading phones to snap each other’s pictures with our personal faves.
How We Got There
We walked from our hotel, Riu Plaza Times Square, to Madame Tussauds. It’s only about 0.3 miles or a quick 6 – 10 minute walk. For anyone staying nearby, it’s extremely accessible.
Buying Tickets
We purchased our tickets at a kiosk inside the front lobby of the museum. It was simple and convenient, but tickets are also available online and usually cheaper if you plan ahead. Our General Admission tickets were $43.99 each and included the Marvel Universe 4D experience. And no, you can’t skip it. That experience is part of the base ticket whether you want it or not. Higher tier tickets are available if you want to add things like a wax hand sculpture, fast track entry, or the 7D Clown Chaos ride. We stuck with general admission, and honestly, it was more than enough.
Marvel 4D Experience: Unexpected, Wet, and Worth It
The Marvel 4D experience caught us totally off guard, but it was funny. It’s about a 10 minute short film featuring characters like Spider Man, Ant Man, Captain Marvel, and Black Panther. We were given 4D glasses and ushered into a small theater mid way through the museum.
We thought it was going to be a standard 3D show. Nope. It comes with blasts of air, seat movement, flashing lights, and unexpected sprays of water right in your face. None of us were warned, and yes, we all jumped when the first spray hit. But it was hilarious and added a burst of energy to our day. If you’re wearing lashes or carefully done makeup, consider this fair warning.
Theater and Music Legends: A Core Memory
This section of the museum made me emotional. The three of us, (me, Grandpa, and Aunt Dawn), have bonded over musicals our whole lives. My very first musical ever was CATS, and seeing the wax set from CATS was incredibly special. Grandpa and I snapped a photo there, and I know it’s one we’ll both treasure.
I also got a long overdue moment at the piano with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alicia Keys, and when I say I was beaming, I mean it. Grandpa and I each posed with Michael Jackson, another big moment for us, since MJ has always been a shared favorite. I even got to snag a pic with The Duke himself, John Wayne, as a nod to my dad.
Pop Culture Paradise
Let’s talk about the full wax lineup because it’s packed:
In the Marvel zone, Aunt Dawn got the photo of a lifetime standing next to The Hulk. Stephen found his twin in Thor, and I went straight for Groot.
The horror section was full on creepy with Annabelle, The Exorcist girl, Pennywise, and others lurking around corners.
There was a beautiful nod to Old Hollywood, with perfect likenesses of Lucille Ball, Charlie Chaplin, and Marilyn Monroe and others. I loved how detailed and respectful the recreations were.
The modern celebrities lineup was wild. We saw Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lawrence (who, fun fact, is my Grandpa’s celeb crush), Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and so many others.
**Stephen had a blast and even got a pic with Stan Lee, a huge nod to our Marvel loving kiddos.
Grandpa got pictures with Mariah Carey and Rihanna, and I think I caught him blushing.
World Leaders and Cultural Icons
There’s an entire section dedicated to famous historical and political figures. We saw U.S. Presidents, Martin Luther King Jr., The Queen, and even Pope Francis. That part of the museum felt more formal, like stepping into a gallery. Still fascinating and worth walking through slowly.
Accessibility Notes
This is something we noticed right away: the experience starts on the sixth floor and moves downward. There are elevators, but the walking and stairs are no joke, especially if you’re traveling with older adults. Grandpa needed several breaks, and I was grateful the layout allowed us to take our time.
Bathrooms were not well marked and a little tough to find. If you’re going with anyone who needs regular breaks, ask staff for directions early on so you don’t lose time hunting.
Crowd levels were surprisingly light for such a big attraction. We never felt rushed or packed in, which made taking pictures a lot easier.
Final Thoughts
Madame Tussauds NYC has come a long way since my last visit in London. It’s sleek, interactive, and designed for making memories. You’re encouraged to engage, pose, laugh, and really have fun.
This wasn’t just a photo op. It was a full on bonding experience for four very different people, all finding moments that spoke to us.
If you’re planning a trip to NYC, I absolutely recommend setting aside a couple of hours for Madame Tussauds NYC. It’s walkable from most Midtown hotels, loaded with surprises, and offers a little something for every generation.
🫶🏼 – Ali
