Real Mom Review: Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C.

By Lacey Henry, CertifiKID Subscriber
Posted Nov 27, 2018 Real Mom Reviews Things to Do DC/MD/VA

We sent one of our MOM Squad ambassadors and her family to experience Madame Tussauds in Washington, D.C. She received free admission in exchange for providing an honest review of her experience.

Madame Tussauds is an interactive wax museum where guests are encouraged to take lots of pictures, shake hands, and pose with the figures. It is great for kids because there are not any DO NOT TOUCH signs!

The museum starts with a short video on how the wax figures are created (which is interesting, but you can skip if you want), then continues to a presidential section that includes figures and fact sheets on all 45 presidents. Very informative!

The Presidential section wraps up in the "Oval Office" where you can "meet" President Trump and former President Obama (and the first ladies), and take a picture sitting at the President's desk and at the White House Press Podium. Professional photographs are available for purchase in this area but we were also allowed to take our own photos without feeling rushed.

The Museum continues through "Cultural Icons" where you can dress up in red, white and blue props and take pictures with Uncle Sam, or sit next to Rosa Parks on the bus. Next, visit the Red Carpet area where you "meet" about a dozen celebrities. My niece, of course, was so excited to meet JUSTIN BIEBER. 

There are also sections for music, sports, and news/media where you can even pose with Oprah!

There is a station where you can make a wax mold of your hand for a fee of $12. There's also small gift shop near the exit.

Getting There and Getting In:
The location was very easy to find and in a nice part of Washington D.C. near other tourist attractions. Parking is available by meter out front (free on Sundays), or there are many nearby garages. We used the ParkWhiz app to find and reserve a spot on the same block for only $15 for the day.

When we arrived at 10:30 a.m. on a Sunday (museum opened at 10 a.m.) there was not a line to get in, and the attraction was not crowded, though it seemed to be picking up around 11 a.m.

Recommended Age Range:
We brought my 2.5-year-old son and my 6-year-old niece to Madame Tussauds. It is great for ages 5+. Little ones could be a bit scared of the wax figures (they look so life-like!), but older kids will love taking photos and posing with them! The Museum was equally enjoyable for the adults! 

Time Recommended to Enjoy Experience:
We spent 1.5 hours walking through the wax museum and taking pictures with a lot of the figures. Each figure had a sign with informative information about them, which could increase your length of time in the museum if you read each one.

Nearby Attractions:
There are so many other attractions in the area. We walked a few blocks to the National Mall and went to the Natural History and American History museums. We had a quick lunch on the way at a place called "& Pizza" where you can make your own pizza with unlimited toppings for under $10 (and this was easily shareable between an adult and a child). We also picked up a snack at one of the many food trucks that line the National Mall area. 

Would Your Family Visit Again?
We had a great time, but this is sort of a "once you see it" attraction, so I do not think we would return for a second time. I would, however, consider going to another location that has different figures. 

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