Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.......Come join the party!!
Written: Dec 16 '03 (Updated Mar 21 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great location in Times Square and a good layout inside.
Cons: Lines can be long.
The Bottom Line: This is a great wax museum. I'll even dare say the best.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Madame Tussaud's New York Wax Museum |
I don't know why but I have always been attracted to wax museums. From the first one I ever visited in Boston to the cross country San Fransisco to the even further distant London, England, I have always enjoyed them. Maybe I have a touch of the macabre, drawing me to death masks and detailed images of dead people.
BRIEF HISTORY
Madame Tussaud was a real person. She was born Maria Grosholtz in the late 1700's in France. She had an uncle who did wax and clay sculptures. She learned the business from him and happened to be very talented. She started making "portraits" in wax of famous people of the time. In fact she even did Benjamin Franklin who visited France often and was the Ambassador from the US to France.
Soon after the French Revolution started, Maria was forced to make "Death Masks" of those who were killed. Most were formed from heads that were, shall I say, separated from their bodies by means of a contraption called the guillotine. She did death masks of Marie Antionette and King Louis XVI among other "Heads" of state.
After Napoleon took power she continued doing her portraits and even did one of him. Maria married, took the name Tussaud, left her husband and France, and went to open her first museum in London. 200 years later I was fortunate enough to see it. It really is a good one.
Madame Tussaud was visited by PT Barnum who wanted to purchase her wax portraits and take them to the states. She had no interest in selling. Now, years later, she has her work in New York.
MADAME TUSSAUD'S NYC
Her museum dominates the Times Square landscape of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Ave. You cannot miss the huge unusual futuristic marque and elevator that is open to all to see.
It is open everyday of the year at 10AM and sells its last admission ticket at 8PM. This place does close some nights at about 4PM because of booked party functions. If you are to visit late call and be sure they don't close their doors on you. Here are some #s and prices.
For General Information,
call: 800.246.8872
For Groups and Tour Operators,
call: 888.923.0334
Admission
Adults (13-59) $25
Children (4-12) $19
Seniors Discount (60+) $22
Children under 3 Complimentary
They also give a AAA discount. Have your card and save 15% on admission, food, and store items.
The museum is accessible by wheelchair and strollers. Elevators can be used. Most people will be walking up and down stairs. There is nothing all that difficult.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We arrived to a line outside that took us about 45 minutes to get inside, paid, and stepping into the Party. But before that I just have to say the architecture of the building and the grand stair case inside are very cool.
They also have a coat check, a snack area, rest rooms and a museum store.
Opening Night Party
The first exhibit is the "Opening Night Party" hosted by my very favorite character, RuPaul. He, she, whatever is standing tall above a fountain eying all the guests.
Everybody is dressed to the hilt for this upscale affair in a Tuscan Palazzo. You are, at first, above the party about to enter via a grand staircase. You have to look around and see who is at the party. Most of the characters, the tourists, are moving about. There are many other quests that are staying in place. I remember saying hello to Elton John and Robin Williams. Nicholas Cage, Susan Sarandon, Whoopie Goldberg, Woody Allen, Bette Midler, Hugh Grant, Mayor Giuliani, and a host of others were there too. Hey, that's Al Roker over there. Mmm, doesn't look quite correct. I believe he has "melted away" a few pounds from when that wax portrait was first made.
What I really like about this place is that nothing is behind glass or roped off. Everybody is out in the open. The museum encourages photo taking with the characters and even suggests putting arms around them and posing.
The work is incredible. They look like they will just up and start dancing. Later in another part of the exhibit, where they show some of the artistic process that must be followed, I found out that it takes about half a year to make one of these portraits and costs anywhere between $50,000 and $75,000.
There is a section dedicated to Madame Tussaud and the work of making these portraits. It's all very interesting.
Did you know that they touch up every portrait every day, wash their hair every two weeks, and do the same for their cloths about once a month. No wonder the prices were so high to get in. These celebs are high maintenance.
The Gallery
Another major room was the Gallery. This is where many world movers are. President Bush and Colon Powel are there along with FDR and JFK and Jacky too! Ronald Reagan was close to the action. The gallery is an open area that holds an air of dignity with its Grecian and Roman columns around the perimeter of the room.
We said hello to Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Along one wall I remember seeing Pope John Paul and the Dalai Lama. Martin Luther King Jr was there too.
Some guy named Albert Einstein was having a bad hair day. He seemed to be checking out Princess Diana.
My wife, an artist and art educator had me take her picture with Salvatore Dali and Picasso. In the photos you can't tell the real from the wax.
Pop Culture Idols
We went into another area that was the real party room. All kinds of rock stars and music biggies and pop idols were there. I had my picture taken dancing with Tina Turner. We were a hot item that night.
The room had Beatle members, John, Paul, George, and Ringo hanging out on a couch. Oh man look ! It's Michael Jackson. I thought he was in hiding somewhere.
James Brown was there too. When I saw him he said, "I feel good, I knew that I would, I feel......"
Janis Joplin and so many more were partying the night away.
Big John Wayne was hanging around as were Marilyn Monroe, Babe Ruth, and Neil Armstrong.
I have just touched on all the characters that call this museum home. There are over two hundred of them. You'll be surprised by some of them. This place is great for people of all different ages.
IN CLOSING
The museum is a bit pricey. You'll be in there for an hour and a half or two hours. It's great time spent with some of my favorite friends. This place I recommend.
NYC reviews by Popsrocks
all in walking distance of Madame Tussaud's
Ripley's Believe It Or Not Next door
TIMES SQUARE
Times Square Visitors Center
The Empire State Building
Radio City Music Hall A Spectacular place to see a show!
The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM It's a good one!
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Thoroughly Modern Millie A 6 Tony award winner Broadway Play
Central Park
NYC eats within walking distance of Madame Tussaude's
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show.
ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, and MORE!
TGI Friday's Times Square Location.
Ollies, Broadway
Two other NY eats.
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in uptown Harlem
Fraunce's Tavern Lower Manhattan. GW ate here.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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