Madame Tussauds San Francisco offers you the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with celebrity wax figures in a Hollywood-themed setting where there’s always something new to see and do.
Whether it’s getting your picture taken with Gwen Stefani or posing for an iconic selfie in front of the Bellagio Fountain, Madame Tussauds San Francisco brings all the glitz, glamour, and excitement of Hollywood to Fisherman’s Wharf where you can interact with your favorite stars without having to travel across the country. What are you waiting for? Get your tickets today!
1) How old is Madame Tussauds San Francisco
Madame Tussauds is the namesake of the wax museum that bears her name, and she was an artist best known for her wax portraits.
Her life story is relatively unknown, but it is said that she was born Marie Grosholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, France.
She moved to England with her family when she was a young girl and married Francois Antoine Tussaud. It’s believed that while working as a nanny in London, she started creating wax figures of well-known people at the time, which became popular in high society.
2) What does it cost to visit Madame Tussauds San Francisco
Visiting Madame Tussauds San Francisco will cost you $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids 3-12. But, if you want to go in a group, there is a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more people.
If you visit the wax museum on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm and stay until 4:30 pm, the fee is reduced by another 10%.
The only way to beat is that with a student ID! Students pay $14.95 all day on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays when they present their current student ID at the ticket counter before entering the attraction.
3) The celebrities you can find at Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds San Francisco features over 200 life-size wax figures of stars past and present, including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Audrey Tatou, and many more.
These figures are so realistic that they look just like the celebrities they represent. In addition, several interactive experiences make your visit to these stars even more personal.
A favorite is The Virtual Reality Room: Encounter Your Favourite Celebrities in 360° Video & Audio! The latest attraction at Madame Tussauds San Francisco is the Stranger Things Experience where fans can step into a world inspired by Netflix’s hit series and explore an authentic recreation of Hawkins circa 1984.
4) The staff at Madame Tussauds San Francisco
Madame Tussauds San Francisco is a wax museum with three locations across the globe. The first, and most famous, is in London and was founded by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud in 1835.
The second location opened its doors in New York City in 1907. In 2009, the third location opened in Hong Kong. And now, Madame Tussauds has finally arrived on US soil!
5) Tips for touring Madame Tussauds San Francisco
There is an elevator that will take you up and down the various levels of the museum. The wax figures are organized by location: San Francisco, Hollywood, music, sports, etc.
The Hollywood section has several celebrities from today and yesteryear, including Angelina Jolie and George Clooney.
The museum also has replicas of historic San Franciscan personalities such as Howard Hughes and Emperor Norton who was a self-proclaimed emperor of America in the 1800s.
In addition, there are some models for children to play with in this area so parents can enjoy their time without worrying about small kids getting lost in the wax museum’s labyrinthian corridors.
6) Who should go to the museum?
Anyone with a curious mind and an art appreciation will find themselves in the perfect place at Madame Tussauds San Francisco. This museum is great for anyone from children to adults. The museum features life-like wax figures of celebrities, politicians, and public figures.
Visitors have the opportunity to take pictures with their favorite celebrities and even step inside replicas of historical events such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence or Marie Antoinette’s execution.
The closest location is located in Fisherman’s Wharf, but there are also locations in New York City and London. If you’re looking for something different on your vacation that will keep you intrigued for hours then a trip to Madame Tussauds San Francisco is just what you need!
7) What time is it open?
Madame Tussauds San Francisco is open 10 am-8 pm, seven days a week. They close at 8 pm on Mondays and 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. If you are visiting during the week, they close at 5:30 pm but stay until 8 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
Madame Tussauds San Francisco recommends that you plan your visit accordingly so you can enjoy the whole museum in one day. Visitors who have purchased a ticket online or have an Annual Pass will not need to wait in line for 45 minutes like those without.
There is also plenty of street parking near the building for visitors who do not want to take public transportation or walk over 15 minutes from BART station Embarcadero Station.
Lastly, each exhibit has its schedule where some exhibits may be closed at different times throughout the day while others may be only closed on select days of the year.
8) Is there anything else worth doing at Fisherman’s Wharf?
If you want a more local, less touristy experience, there are a few other things worth checking out. Nearby Pier 39 offers tons of activities and places to eat, like Ghirardelli Square for ice cream and Fisherman’s Wharf Joe’s for seafood.
Then walk through the Cannery which has shops and restaurants that sell fresh seafood. If you like shopping then check out Union Square with high-end stores like Louis Vuitton and Cartier, or head up Market Street for trendy boutiques like Kitson or American Apparel.
There’s also the Palace of Fine Arts which was once home to the 1915 World’s Fair as well as the Walt Disney Family Museum if you’re interested in art and history.
9) How often does the Madame Tussauds San Francisco wax museum change exhibits?
The Madame Tussauds San Francisco wax museum changes exhibit every six months with a new room added every year. The exhibit is typically about a topical event, person, or personality that has recently made headlines and reflects what’s happening in the world today.
The wax museum is open from 9 am-5 pm Tuesday through Sunday. The Madame Tussauds San Francisco museum offers group rates for both school and corporate visits, as well as discounts for children under 12 years of age.
There is also an upcharge for access to the Front Row Experience which provides a more immersive experience with close-up views of the figures and interactive elements within some displays.
10) Where can I buy tickets to visit Madame Tussauds San Francisco?
Tickets in Madame Tussauds San Francisco can be bought online, at the museum’s box office, or through an authorized ticketing service. All major credit cards are accepted for online and phone orders.
There is a $2 fee for tickets purchased by phone. The box office is open 10 am-6 pm, every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
All sales are final, so be sure to make your purchase carefully before you commit. If you want to avoid lines on weekends and peak times of the year like summer vacation and New Year’s Eve, buy your tickets in advance online or call ahead for an appointment.