Madame Tussauds opened in NYC in 2000 on 42nd Street in the heart of Times Square. The wax-figure collection covers entertainment, sports, politics, and historical icons. The figures are extremely realistic and you can pose with them freely — which is the point. Touristy, kid-friendly, photo-heavy.
Madame Tussauds traces back to Marie Tussaud, who began modeling wax figures of public figures in 18th-century Paris and brought her collection to London in 1802. The NYC branch opened in 2000 on 42nd Street, in the densest cluster of Times Square tourism.
The figures are the experience. The wax sculptors at Madame Tussauds are remarkably skilled — most figures are convincingly lifelike, and the experience is built around interaction (visitors can pose freely with the figures, touch them, take photos). Recent NYC installations have included Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, multiple US Presidents, sports stars across major leagues, and rotating media tie-ins.
The museum is divided into themed rooms: A-List Party (celebrities), Marvel: 4D experience, Music, Sports, World Leaders, and historical figures. Allow 90 minutes. The Marvel 4D experience is family-friendly but skippable for adults who don't care for Marvel.
Madame Tussauds is touristy in the way Times Square is touristy. That's not a knock — kids love it, the photo ops are unmatched in NYC, and the wax craftsmanship is genuinely impressive. Pair with another Times Square activity if you're in the area.
What to expect
The experience
Self-paced through themed rooms. Free with admission. Touch and pose with figures allowed.
Best time
Weekday mornings. Weekends and evenings are family-busy.
How long
90 minutes typical. Add 30 min if you do the Marvel 4D experience.
Tips
Bring a real camera or use flash — the indoor lighting makes phone photos tricky. The gift shop is aggressive; budget if you're with kids.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with kids age 6 and up, fans of pop culture, photo enthusiasts.
- Families
- One of NYC's strongest experiences for kids who like celebrities. Strollers welcome.
- Couples
- Best for fans of specific figures — not a deep-content museum.
- Pair with
- Times Square itself, a Broadway show, or another Times Square attraction.
- Time needed
- 90 minutes.
Good questions
Can I touch the figures?+
Yes — that's the point. Pose with them, touch them, take photos freely.
Is the Marvel 4D experience worth it?+
Family-friendly with kids who like Marvel. Skippable for adults who don't.
How long should I plan?+
90 minutes typical. Add 30 min if you do all the experiences.
Is it kid-friendly?+
Very. One of the strongest NYC experiences for kids age 6 and up.
Are the wax figures updated?+
Yes, figures are added and refreshed over time to reflect current celebrities, athletes and public figures.
