12 Things You Can´t Miss at Madame Tussauds NYC Wax Museum
At Madame Tussauds in New York you will meet the most acclaimed celebrities of the moment. Take note of the people and film sets you'll be immersed in.
Entrance to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York City | ©Ajay Suresh
If you feel like visiting one of the best museums in New York while having a good afternoon of laughter with family or friends, the New York Wax Museum (Madame Tussauds) is the perfect choice.
8,000 square metres, five floors and more than 200 personalities will make you become the star of your own film. If you already have your tickets to Madame Tussauds in New York, take note of everything you're going to see there.
1. New York Wax Museum celebrities highlights
At Madame Tussauds New York you'll be able to see the most acclaimed celebrities in history and today in real size: Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, Brad Pitt, The Beatles, Einstein, Picasso, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Willis, Jennifer Aniston, Sofia Vergara and Michael Jackson are just some of the characters you'll have the chance to meet and have your photo taken with.
The tour starts with the Opening Night Party, a party like any other where drinks are served and music plays.
2. The world of film and movie sets at Madame Tussauds New York
Cinema plays a prominent role at the New York Wax Museum. Films such as E.T., Ghostbusters and Phantom of the Opera, actresses such as Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and numerous actors such as Kate Winslet, George Clooney, Anne Hathaway, Scarlett Johansson, Johnny Depp and Sandra Bullock are just some of the celebrities you'll find at the Museum of Wax in New York.
There are also characters from acclaimed series such as Don Draper from Mad Men. As you can see, you'll feel like a Hollywood star during your visit.
Where?... The celebrities are on the fifth floor, while the film sets are on the fourth floor.
The Ghostbusters sneak into Madame Tussauds
The Wax Museum has brought Ghostbusters to life by taking inspiration from the 2016 film and creating an attraction that will immerse you in a scenario in which you will walk along the underground tracks of the New York underground, enter the basement of a haunted house and hunt down paranormal presences such as the ghost Slimer. A tour that includes the Ghostbusters.
In this film-like setting, you'll meet Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Mellissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig.
King Kong
In collaboration with Ledgendary Pictures and Warner Brothers Pictures, the New York Wax Museum has brought King Kong to life with a multi-sensory animatronic head that breathes, blinks, growls and roars.
A chilling experience that will take you and James Conrad on an adventure through the tropical Skull Island, the setting of the 2017 King Kong film. You'll have to escape the petrifying spiders and other traps you'll encounter.
3. Marvel's World of Superheroes at the Wax Museum in New York City
The New York Wax Museum has also paid tribute to the world of Marvel- did you ever think you'd meet your favourite superheroes? Now you have the opportunity to have your photo taken with Thor, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man and so many other superheroes.
Plus, if you pay a supplement at the entrance you can enjoy the 4D Marvel movie.
4. Broadway sets take over the Wax Museum in New York City
On your visit you'll also get to experience the magic of Broadway first-hand. You'll play music on a giant piano and join the cast of a musical, plus you'll enter a dressing room as if you were one of the stars.
This stage, which leaves no visitor indifferent, is located on the fourth floor of the New York Wax Museum.
Where?.... Fourth floor.
5. Walk the runway and immerse yourself in the world of fashion
At the New York Wax Museum you can also be the star of your own fashion show. Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio will accompany you in this experience in which you will meet other fashion icons such as Tyra Banks, Kendall Jenner, Heidi Klum or Anna Wintour.
The catwalk is on the first floor. What are you waiting for?
Where?.... First floor.
6. Best of TV: The Tonight Show at the Wax Museum in New York City
At the New York Wax Museum you can also step inside a television studio, MTNY Studios, and star in a typical American television show. Specifically, The Tonight Show alongside Jimmy Fallon, Al Roker and Michael Strahan.
This is another of the favourite sets for visitors to the New York Wax Museum.
Where?.... Third floor.
7. Meet the most famous royal houses and politicians at the New York Wax Museum
Enjoying tea with the Queen of England or visiting the White House are two other experiences that will not leave anyone who visits the New York Wax Museum indifferent. Yes, you can visit the Oval Office! and have your photo taken with Obama or Donald Trump.
You will also meet other political leaders such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Lady Di and even one of the latest additions, Pope Francis...
Where?.... Third floor.
8. Pose with singers, bands and rock stars.
Of course there are also the greats of music such as Jimmi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Lenny Kravitz, Elton John, or Lady Gaga.
But these are not the only celebrities of the music scene, you can also take a photo with Rihanna, Bob Marley, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Justin Timberlake, the Spice Girls, Rihanna or Selena Gomez. All of them can be found on the first floor.
Where?.... First floor.
9. Meet the most famous sportsmen and women
The world of sports is also present on the first floor of the Wax Museum in New York. Football player Lionel Messi, tennis player Serena Williams and boxer Muhammad Ali are just a few examples.
Where?.... First floor.
10. Other personalities not to be missed at the Wax Museum of New York
And along with all the celebrities mentioned above, there is also Ernest Hemingway, Einstein, Picasso and, of course, Madame Marie Tussaud, the promoter of all the wax museums in the world, among many others.
In fact, it would be impossible to list all the personalities housed in this fun museum. However, you have to bear in mind that sometimes they remove some statues and add others, so you can expect to find someone who is temporarily absent.
Where?.... Third floor.
11. The best immersive experiences at the Wax Museum of New York
At the New York Wax Museum you can also enjoy a number of other attractions for an extra charge with your ticket, such as the Ghostbusters 4D movie or Carnival Carnage 7D.
Ghostbusters 4D Movie
After rubbing shoulders with superheroes such as Captain America, Thor, Hulk and Spiderman, you'll have the chance to enjoy the special effects of Marvel's 4D movie. An immersive experience with more than 150 realistic figures.
Carnival Carnage 7D
Also for a supplemental admission fee, you can enter the world of Coney Island Carnival Carnage, a multi-sensory interactive gaming experience where you'll experience the thrill of riding a roller coaster or a laser gun fight. The enemy? A terrifying clown who seeks revenge and traps us in his sinister nightmare.
Traveller's tip
Our recommendation is to pay the admission supplement and enjoy the Ghostbusters 4D movie and the Carnival Carnage 7D experience. You won't be disappointed!
12. Don't miss the educational workshops at Madame Tussauds!
The New York Wax Museum organises educational workshops for student groups, including an interactive 4D cinema presentation.
The workshops have different types of educational programmes and are available for primary and secondary school students as well as university students.
Recommendations for seeing the most at the Wax Museum
For your visit to the Wax Museum in New York, here are two recommendations.
- Buy your ticket in advance: To avoid long queues and unnecessary time wasting at the ticket office, it is advisable to buy your ticket in advance.
- Go early: Madame Tussauds' opening hours are extensive and you can visit when it best suits your itinerary, but if you want to visit it comfortably and have the opportunity to take all the photos and selfies you want, I advise you to go in the morning on a weekday.
- Better accompanied: Unlike other museums where it may be more comfortable to go alone because everyone needs a certain amount of time to see the collection and enjoy the different works of art, in the case of the New York Wax Museum we recommend, without a doubt, to go accompanied, as it is a visit to share laughs and moments. And, in terms of photography, there's no doubt that it will be even better.
- Camera: This is one of the visits where it is essential that you bring a powerful camera or a mobile phone with a good resolution camera, so that you can take photos to remember.