This post covers Madame Tussauds New York tickets, including tips for finding discounts, what you will see, as well as how to plan your visit.
TICKET PRICES
The prices listed below are for online purchases. Tickets at the box office on the day of the visit are approximately $7 more.
ADMISSION:
- $40.28 + tax per person (children under 3 free)
- Skip the Line
- More info or to purchase.
Add Marvel Universe 4D Experience.
- $47.89 + tax per person (children under 3 free)
- Skip the Line
- Access all galleries and Marvel Super Heroes 4D Film & Experience
- More info or to purchase
11 TICKET DISCOUNTS
There are so many ways to save money on Madame Tussauds tickets.
This section will cover some of the best discounts and how to take advantage of each deal.
We will also include information about common discounts that aren't currently available.
These details are included primarily for the benefit of anyone who might be curious about them.
1. Use a Tourist Pass
The following tourist passes include tickets for Madame Tussauds.
Holders of this pass get free Silver Level admission to Madame Tussauds. Also, you get to arrive 1 hour before the general public! (Mission Undead is available for an added fee).
Holders of this pass get free Silver Level admission to Madame Tussauds which includes VIP skip-the-line entry.
This pass includes Madame Tussauds (Silver Level) as one of the attractions you can choose in your pass.
2. Combo Tickets
In addition to all of the other typical deals, you can also get a deal on Madame Tussauds tickets when you purchase them at the same time that you're getting tickets for other attractions and activities.
Here are a few of the best combo deals currently available:
- Madame Tussauds + Hard Rock Cafe Meal
- $68.49 per person
- Madame Tussauds + Times Square Tour
- $79.95/Adults | $74.95/Kids (3-12) | $54.95/Toddlers (0-2)
- Madame Tussauds + City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- $64/Adults | $54/Children
3. Use Your Subway MetroCard
If you have a metro card for the subway, they'll actually give you $10 off a ticket just for presenting the card at their box office.
This offer is not valid with advance purchases.
4. Show Your AAA Card
If you're a AAA member, all you have to do is show your card at the box office and they'll give you a 15% discount on your tickets.
5. Use a Discount Site like Groupon
Services such as Groupon and Living Social might sometimes offer discounts on Madame Tussauds tickets.
They also frequently have additional coupon codes you can use on local activities. These bonus discounts are usually around 10% - 25% off.
6. Group Rates
Groups of 10 or more can get discounted rates of $27.99 +tax per person.
This is a great way to save money on Madame Tussauds tickets if you're coming with a large group of friends or family.
7. Student Discount
Madame Tussauds technically offers a student discount which includes a free ticket for every 20 tickets booked.
Standard group rates apply once you've purchased at least 10 tickets in advance.
They also offer discounts specifically for school field trips, but these services must be established by the school, so most people won't be able to use them.
8. Senior Discount
Madame Tussauds does not currently offer a senior discount, but this could change in the near future.
Just to make sure, we recommend asking them about this before purchasing a ticket.
9. Family Discount
There is also no family discount at Madame Tussauds right now, but if your family is big enough (10 or more), you could take advantage of group rates.
As with the senior discounts, we suggest calling ahead to make sure they haven't made any updates to this policy before purchasing your tickets.
10. Military Discount
Yes, Madame Tussauds does offer a deal for members of the military.
All you have to do is present your valid military ID at the box office to get $10 off your tickets!
11. Follow Their Social Media Accounts
Madame Tussauds will sometimes offer discounts and promotions that aren't advertised everywhere.
Make sure you don't miss out on any good deals by following them on Facebook and Twitter.
TIP: For more ideas on saving money in NYC, read our posts about:
- Discounts for other NYC attractions
- Taking a free walking tour
- How a tourist discount pass can save you money
The below information includes hours, ticket prices, directions, and other helpful tips to make your visit a smooth and enjoyable one.
GETTING HERE
Madame Tussauds is located at 234 W 42nd St between 7th and 8th Aves.
By Subway
- 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S (at 42nd Street-Times Square)
- A, C, E (at 42nd St & 8th Ave)
- , D, F, M (at 42nd St & 6th Ave)
By Bus
Take the M57, M16, M11, M27, M42 or M104 buses. They all stop within a few blocks from Madame Tussauds.
Click on this Google map link to get exact directions from your departure point to Madame Tussauds.
Be sure to read our post on choosing the best MetroCard and tips on riding the NYC subway system.
WHEN TO GO
Madame Tussauds is open 365 days a year. See their calendar for dates when hours are expanded, such as the holiday season in December.
- Regular Hours: Sunday - Thursday (11 am - 5 pm)
- Weekend Hours: Friday & Saturday (11 am - 7 pm)
What is the best time to go?
Madame Tussauds tends to be the least crowded on Mondays and Tuesdays in the morning. It is busiest every day between 1 pm and 5 pm. Weekends are especially busy.
To avoid crowds the best times to go are, ironically, on a sunny day, since most tourists would rather be outside and save indoor attractions as rainy day backups.
You can also go late in the evening making for a fun night out in NYC!
In fact, Madame Tussauds is one of our picks for things to do in NYC at night.
How long can I expect to wait in line?
During busy seasons (i.e. holidays and summer), the wait can be up to an hour. Again, try to go early in the day to avoid the wait.
How much time will I need to see everything?
It will take you about an hour or two, depending on your own pace and how many famous figures you want to say hello to and pose with for a photo.
Add on a bit of extra time if you are taking the Marvel 4D Experience or the Coney Island: Carnival Carnage Experience.
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION
Can I take photographs or videos?
Yes (except for special exhibits). You may want to have a flash handy since some of the exhibits are dim with the figures in the spotlight.
If you are using a selfie stick aim your camera in line with the model's eyes. Your pictures will be much more realistic.
Will children enjoy this attraction?
Elementary school-age kids, tweens, and teens will love Madame Tussauds. It is fun, exciting, lively, and interactive.
However, chances are toddlers may be a bit overwhelmed or even scared.
Food and Gift Shops
They do have a food and snack shop called Dylan's Candy, but it is quite overpriced. Eat before you go!
There are two gift shops, one in the middle of the museum, and one at the end.
Can I take large bags or luggage to Madame Tussauds?
No. For security reasons, large bags or luggage are not permitted to be left with Madame Tussauds's staff.
Smaller bags are permitted and are subject to search upon entry.
TIP: To find a place where you can temporarily store your larger bags, see our post Where to Store Luggage in New York City.
REVIEWS
Madame Tussauds has a solid 4-star rating on TripAdvisor based on over 5,800 reviews.
Approximately 75% of guests rated Madame Tussauds as "Excellent" or "Very Good."
Words like "amazing", "awesome", "fantastic" and "fun" appear hundreds of times in reviews. Guests were amazed by how "realistic" and "lifelike" the wax figures looked.
Many guests loved the fact that you could pose for photos with the figures - and pose in pretty much any way you wanted.
Numerous reviews state how wonderful the staff was, going so far as to mention them by name!
Reviewers rave about the Marvel 4D Experience.
There aren't many reviews for the Coney Island: Carnival Carnage 7D Game just yet, but judging from other 7D games they've had in the past, it's almost certainly a lot of fun.
Negative comments are generally about the same issues: fewer wax figures than expected and figures did not look realistic.
Some reviewers didn't like the pressured 'sales pitch' by staff to have a professional photo taken with certain figures that are then made available for you to purchase.
Overall, it appears that a visit to Madame Tussauds is likely worth it if you are interested in celebrities and love taking goofy photos!
THINGS TO DO NEARBY
Since you will only need a few hours for your visit to Madame Tussauds, take the time to discover more about the area.
Consider joining us for a pay-what-you-wish tour of the Midtown Manhattan Tour or Grand Central Terminal.
If you prefer to explore on your own, take a look at our GPS audio tours of Midtown Manhattan and Grand Central Station.
We also have a printable self-guided tour of Midtown Manhattan and a self-guided Grand Central Station Tour.
The Empire State Building is also fairly close to this attraction, so you might want to consider heading there next.
Since Madame Tussauds is located in the heart of Times Square, you might also want to spend a bit more time in this area.
Our post, Things to do in Times Square, has dozens of things to do nearby as well as suggestions for shopping, eating, and kid-friendly activities.
Some of the most popular theaters on Broadway are just a short walk from this area, so you might also want to consider grabbing tickets for a Broadway musical!
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR VISIT
You can expect to have a great time! That's because it's not just a museum with wax figures simply standing there in a row for you to walk by and look at.
The figures are displayed in their 'natural habitat' lending an additional sense of realism.
Madame Tussauds isn't for everyone though. If you aren't interested in seeing lifelike replicas of celebrities, then don't go.
But if you've ever dreamed of standing next to Justin Timberlake or Eli Manning, this is probably as close as you will get in your lifetime.
You'll also find a variety of notable musicians such as:
- Madonna
- Lady Gaga
- Alicia Keys
There are also a number of actors such as:
- Brad Pitt
- Audrey Hepburn
- Marilyn Monroe
Can you touch the wax figures at Madame Tussauds?
There are several sets where you can get up close and interact with the figure.
For example, hop on a bike with ET, the Extraterrestrial, or be a guest on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon".
TIP: If you want to see the real Jimmy Fallon, attend a live taping! See our post The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to find out how.
What are the queues like at Madame Tussauds?
If you're wondering whether or not you should get tickets ahead of time, it is generally a good idea, but it's worth noting that most times the queue is only 15-20 minutes.
EXHIBIT GALLERIES
Upon entry, an elevator takes you up to the 5th floor where King Kong greets you with an open hand...or should we say paw?
Either way, hop on and take a photo with the big guy! Afterward, make your way into the main exhibit space starting with an A-List party!
Opening Night Party
Join the party of the century in a glamorous hall where stars are standing throughout the room, waiting for you to come up and say hi.
Rub shoulders with award winners like Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johannsson, Brad Pitt & Johnny Depp. Get the latest gossip and mix and mingle with the world’s most famous A-listers.
History and Leaders Gallery
This stately circular hall contains political leaders and influential figures of the past few centuries. You’ll see Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, George Washington, the Dalai Lama, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. and dozens more.
Culture
This hall showcases pop culture icons in chronological order. Start off with film stars from the early days of Hollywood like Charlie Chaplin and Boris Karloff.
Move onto modern times with John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean. Of course, Elvis is there!
Music Zone
Now’s your chance to dance the night away under the bright lights with some of the most iconic musical icons!
Film and TV
This space features great movie stars on sets of one of their best-known movies. You'll also meet some of TV’s biggest stars!
Dressed in character you’ll see Whoopi Goldberg as she was in Sister Act, Daniel Craig as James Bond, Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones, and more.
Sports Zone
Challenge Carmelo Anthony on the court, box it out with Evander Holyfield, pitch a curveball to Derek Jeter and call a play with Eli Manning. See how you measure up to some of the biggest legends in sports history.
Kong: Skull Island
Head off on a journey into the tropical and infamous Skull Island. There you must evade the traps of colossal petrifying spiders and find artifacts from the film.
Then join Captain James Conrad (aka Tom Hiddleston) before coming face to face with the enormous, multi-sensory animatronic KONG!
Ghostbusters Experience
As you make your way through an elaborate set from a subway track to the Ghostbusters Headquarters, virtual simulation allows you to experience elements of the movie firsthand.
This is a fun multi-sensory, all-immersive experience and you’ll have lots of opportunities to pose with your favorite Ghostbusters and play with props as well.
Note: It will take approximately 10-20 minutes to walk through.
Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience
Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience brings some of Marvel's most beloved superheroes to life in multi-sensory fun in a specially-themed area with wax figures of your favorite Marvel heroes.
The “Avengers” 3-D show in a 4D state-of-the-art surround sound 120-seating theater is one of the most popular features of Madame Tussauds.
Visitors can expect a variety of special effects including wind, water, and more.
Hang from the ceiling with Spider-Man and feel the Incredible Hulk's mighty squeeze. You'll also have experiences with Marvel superheroes like Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Thor, Rocket Raccoon, and many others!
Inside Marvel’s Secret Command Center, you’ll have a chance to feel what it's like to have superpowers.
TIP: If you like superheroes, check out our Self-guided Super Hero tour of NYC.
Coney Island Carnival Carnage 7D Game
This is the newest attraction in Madame Tussauds, and it's a multi-sensory experience that makes you feel like you're really in the game.
In addition to shooting lasers at enemies, you'll also ride a roller coaster, discover the Wheel of Misfortune, and much more.
The goal is to save the carnival, and considering that Coney Island is pretty close by, this is the perfect theme for Madame Tussauds New York!
Speaking of which, if you're interested in visiting the area this game is based upon, make sure to read our post covering things to see and do at Coney Island.
