In our most recent trip to Los Angeles a couple of months ago, one of the first stops my wife Tina and I made was at the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. As avid movie buffs, we just couldn’t pass up the chance to see our favorite celebrities up close and personal. Well, they’re not the real deal, of course; they’re wax replicas. But I’ve seen a lot of photos showing some of the wax figures on display there and I remember being thoroughly impressed by their striking resemblance to their respective celebrity counterparts.
Sitting right in the middle of Hollywood Blvd., Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is conveniently located next to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. With over 100 incredible lifelike wax replicas spread over three floors and 11 themes, Madame Tussauds delivers the complete Hollywood experience. Offering everything from movie stars (old and new) and cartoon characters to sports icons and famous musicians, the iconic wax museum is a veritable celebrity hot spot any celeb-loving tourist won’t want to miss. It goes without saying that you should bring with you your best camera.
Step out of the elevator on the 3rd floor and expect a greeting from “George Clooney” himself. This floor is called the “Now Generation” floor where you can see wax replicas featuring a host of current celebrities such as, JLo, Brad and Angelina, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Denzel Washington, and the recently-installed Taylor Swift The lower floors feature an extensive list of historic celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Grant, Elvis Presley as well as legendary film set ensembles where you can relive some of Hollywood’s greatest movie moments.
Here is a complete list of theme zones you can enjoy at Madame Tussauds:
- A-List Party
- Red Carpet Arrival
- Spirit of Hollywood
- Westerns
- Crime
- Modern Classics
- Making Movies
- Pop Icons
- Sports
- Action Heroes
- Behind the Scenes
One of the things I loved most about Madame Tussauds is how they’ve done away with museum-style ropes and poles one usually finds in a museum. The ads weren’t kidding when they said that you can actually “mingle” with their wax celebrities. With our trusty cameras in hand, Tina and I really let loose. Here are but some of my most memorable wax encounters: I got to play against the Los Angeles Lakers superstar (and my favorite NBA player of all time) Kobe Bryant, hang out with Leonardo DiCaprio, have a romantic date with Audrey Hepburn at the film set replica of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, do the moonwalk alongside Michael Jackson, sit behind President Obama’s desk as the President himself looks on, and many others. My wife just about lost her mind when she saw Johnny Depp in his trademark ‘The Tourist’ suit – a barrage of selfies followed thereafter.
Another attraction you won’t want to miss is the 4D Marvel Superheroes Theatre. This 74-seater features an interactive 4D experience that brings to life some of Marvel’s greatest superheroes. It’s a viewing experience bolstered by multisensory technology geared to make you feel as if you’re involved in the action alongside Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, and Spider-Man. I felt like a real superhero all throughout the experience, which was a stark contrast to my wife who screamed at almost every 4D effect (air blasts, water sprays, bomb blasts, etc.)
Awash with Hollywood nostalgia, my wife and I left with a big smile on our faces. Visiting Madame Tussauds Wax Museum has been an exciting experience for us and we sure wouldn’t mind coming back as soon as we get the opportunity to tour Hollywood again. If you’re planning on visiting Hollywood any time soon, make sure to include Madame Tussauds in your tour itinerary. You won’t regret it.