Explore Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Washington, D.C.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Washington, D.C., is an interactive attraction that brings historical figures and events to life through realistic wax figures that visitors can see and experience. Madame Tussauds offers a unique opportunity for families to engage with history in a captivating location in the historic Woodies Building in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The world-renowned wax museum features a diverse array of exhibits and interactive experiences.
Madame Tussauds is part of Merlin Entertainment, a global leader that operates 57 attractions worldwide, including LEGOLAND and the British Airways London Eye. Museums under the Madame Tussauds brand can be found in various cities such as London, Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Berlin, and Washington, D.C. Each location showcases unique figures that reflect the culture and history of that specific area.
Washington, D.C. Exhibit Highlights
- Presidential Gallery: The U.S. Presidential Gallery exhibits wax figures of all 44 U.S. presidents. This remarkable attraction is the only place where visitors can interact with each president, learning about Washington, D.C.’s rich history from the Founding Fathers to contemporary politics. The gallery also includes additional historical figures showcased chronologically with the presidents.
- Behind the Scenes at Madame Tussauds: Visitors can uncover the secrets behind the wax figures creation through experiences like the interactive “Feel Like a Sculptor” test. Both children and adults can marvel as they compare their body parts with lifelike wax figures of celebrities and notable leaders.
- Glamour, Sports, and Media: The museum extends beyond politics. In the Glamour section, mingle with stars like Will Smith, Julia Roberts, and Beyoncé. Sports enthusiasts can engage with legendary athletes such as Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali, while the Media section includes figures like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert.
Getting to the Museum
Madame Tussauds is conveniently located at 1001 F Street, NW in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, just a short walk from the Verizon Center and Chinatown. It’s also within walking distance of many other popular D.C. attractions. The nearest Metro stations include Metro Center and Gallery Place/Chinatown.
Tickets are available for advance purchase at a discount. To check their hours, refer to the website, but it’s advisable to call ahead to confirm due to occasional early closures for special events.