One of London's busiest sights, this is nothing more and nothing less than the world's premier exhibition of lifelike waxwork models of celebrities. Madame T. learned her craft while making death masks of French Revolution victims, and in 1835 set up her first show of the famous ones near this spot. Nowadays, Superstars of Entertainment, in their own hall of the same name, outrank any aristocrat in popularity, along with a segment called the Spirit of London, and a Time Taxi Ride that visits every notable Londoner from Shakespeare to Benny Hill. But top billing still goes to the murderers in the Chamber of Horrors, who stare glassy-eyed at visitors -- one from an electric chair, one sitting next to the tin bath where he dissolved several wives in quicklime. What, aside from ghoulish prurience, makes people stand in line to invest in London's most expensive museum ticket? It is the thrill of rubbing shoulders with Shakespeare, Martin Luther King Jr., the queen, and the Beatles -- most of them dressed in their very own outfits -- in a single day.

The domed London Planetarium building stands right next to Madame Tussaud's, but it could hardly provide greater contrast with the waxworks. Inside the dome, exact simulations of the night sky are projected by the Digistar Mark 2 and accompanied by wow-imagine-that narration. The shows, which change daily, are good enough to get kids addicted to astronomy. There are also regular laser shows and rock music extravaganzas. Beat the crowds by calling in advance for timed entry tickets to both Madame Tussaud's and the Planetarium. COST: From £14.99, combined ticket with planetarium £16.99; prices vary according to day and season, call for details, or check the Web site. Tube: Baker St.