Center for Puppetry Arts
Center for Puppetry Arts
4.5
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Center for Puppetry Arts is a unique cultural treasure - a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops and the hands-on Museum, as well as Distance Learning and Outreach Programs. The Jim Henson Collection This interactive exhibition follows Jim Henson’s prolific imagination chronologically, transporting visitors through environments that typifed the master puppeteer’s world. In addition to learning how Henson’s characters came to life and are still performed, visitors can view iconic puppets such as Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Global Collection The Global Collection celebrates puppetry traditions in major cultures from around the world. Highlighting the history of puppetry in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Midtown
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,417 within 5 kms
Attractions
428 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Anton KSeattle, Washington4 contributionsFantastic placeI grew up watching Fraggle Rock, the Muppet Show and then Sesame Street with my kids. This place has an absolutely fantastic exhibit for people like me. The exhibit displays muppets and tells about the story behind those shows and movies, and also talks about Jim Henson and how he worked. I enjoyed it very much.Visited July 2023Travelled soloWritten 16 July 2023
- abroadwithashleyMinneapolis, Minnesota1,444 contributionsFun & InformativeA wonderful center. There were two sides when we visited. On one was space dedicated to Jim Henson and company’s work. This was mine and so many other's introduction to puppetry and it’s fantastic to see. You can see the puppets and the process. The other side is dedicated to the art of puppetry itself around the world. This is an excellent exhibit that places the art form in its proper global complex. The center hosts other events and performances, but we were only able to see the exhibits - still a great stop if in Atlanta.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 October 2023
- Kimberly A2 contributionsOne of the highlights of our trip!My husband is interested in the arts, and I thought this would be a perfect surprise on our trip to Atlanta. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The Jim Henson exhibits knocked it out of the park. It transported me back to my childhood and definitely felt all the feels! The museum was very clean, informative, and just an all-around cozy feel. We were there for the annual Rudolph, the red nose, reindeer, puppet show. It was top-notch!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 November 2023
- Tesa KayAntioch, Illinois45 contributionsAll the feelsTook my 18 month old nephew to see the center’s production of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. What an absolutely wonderful experience. The production, interpretation (so close to the tv movie), and performance were outstanding. The puppeteers were incredible, the vocals were beautiful. What a surprising gem. Young and old alike will adore this. My nephew was less interested in the puppet museum after the show, but kids 3+ would probably love.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 27 December 2023
- Rebecca MHell, Michigan74 contributionsHalf world history. Half Henson history.A cute little museum, it’s a stretch to say you need 2 hours to see everything. I chose to go through the world history section first. It offered a variety of puppets from Vietnamese water puppets, to shadow, to authentic Punch and Judy dolls. Some more modern dolls included Chucky and Gumby. Across the hall is the Jim Henson display, and it is DELIGHTFUL. It travels through his home life, into Sesame Street, onto the Muppet show, and out through displays on Fraggle Rock, the Dark Crystal, and the Labrynth. I really enjoyed seeing Bert and Ernie, Rolfe and Sprocket, and many other childhood friends up close and in real life. While I wish there was a bit more for the 16$, they do a lot with the space they have.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 10 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
494 reviews
Excellent
315
Very good
132
Average
34
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Rebecca M
Hell, MI74 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
A cute little museum, it’s a stretch to say you need 2 hours to see everything. I chose to go through the world history section first. It offered a variety of puppets from Vietnamese water puppets, to shadow, to authentic Punch and Judy dolls. Some more modern dolls included Chucky and Gumby. Across the hall is the Jim Henson display, and it is DELIGHTFUL. It travels through his home life, into Sesame Street, onto the Muppet show, and out through displays on Fraggle Rock, the Dark Crystal, and the Labrynth. I really enjoyed seeing Bert and Ernie, Rolfe and Sprocket, and many other childhood friends up close and in real life. While I wish there was a bit more for the 16$, they do a lot with the space they have.
Written 10 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tesa Kay
Antioch, IL45 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Took my 18 month old nephew to see the center’s production of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. What an absolutely wonderful experience. The production, interpretation (so close to the tv movie), and performance were outstanding. The puppeteers were incredible, the vocals were beautiful. What a surprising gem. Young and old alike will adore this.
My nephew was less interested in the puppet museum after the show, but kids 3+ would probably love.
My nephew was less interested in the puppet museum after the show, but kids 3+ would probably love.
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly A
Omaha, United States2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
My husband is interested in the arts, and I thought this would be a perfect surprise on our trip to Atlanta. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The Jim Henson exhibits knocked it out of the park. It transported me back to my childhood and definitely felt all the feels! The museum was very clean, informative, and just an all-around cozy feel. We were there for the annual Rudolph, the red nose, reindeer, puppet show. It was top-notch!
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abroadwithashley
Minneapolis, MN1,444 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
A wonderful center. There were two sides when we visited. On one was space dedicated to Jim Henson and company’s work. This was mine and so many other's introduction to puppetry and it’s fantastic to see. You can see the puppets and the process. The other side is dedicated to the art of puppetry itself around the world. This is an excellent exhibit that places the art form in its proper global complex. The center hosts other events and performances, but we were only able to see the exhibits - still a great stop if in Atlanta.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeeWeGo
Austin, TX61 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
We just LUCKED into finding this little theater. We were on our way back to our hotel when we saw a small sign for The Center for Puppetry Arts, my oldest LOVES the world of puppetry so we decided to try it! The place is not HUGE, but packed with so much information on the history of puppetry and puppets from my childhood, Fraggle Rock, Mr. Rogers, PIGS IN SPACE!, Dark Crystal, the Muppet Show and a whole BUNCH of Sesame Street characters! So much fun! We even got to take a picture in Big Bird’s Nest! It took us about an hour to see all the things!
The gift shop is well stocked and the cashier told me that loads of guests just happen upon the place, they definitely need better PR because this place was wonderful!
The gift shop is well stocked and the cashier told me that loads of guests just happen upon the place, they definitely need better PR because this place was wonderful!
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan K
Silver Spring, MD6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We didn't do any of the shows, but the museum was a treasure trove of information -- featuring information on puppetry through the world, along with a good history of Jim Henson and the muppets. It posed questions that made us think and was arranged very well; we had no problem following the narrative thread. A very minor and geeky complaint -- we could have used more on Farscape, but well we're geeks...
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miscalane
Philadelphia, PA818 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The Jim Henson gallery was wonderful. The generic puppet gallery was not, nor was the visiting exhibit. We did not watch the live puppet farm show which was potentially entertaining for children. Although, i can’t imagine children who enjoy the show would enjoy the museum displays.
It is small, and it is expensive. Unfortunately not worth the admission price. I would’ve appreciated a lower ticket price to only visit Jim Henson. 30 mins tops.
It is small, and it is expensive. Unfortunately not worth the admission price. I would’ve appreciated a lower ticket price to only visit Jim Henson. 30 mins tops.
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renee Y
Baton Rouge, LA199 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Great museum, especially for Henson fans (which who isn't?). Good interactive things for children to keep them interested.
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anton K
Seattle, WA4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
I grew up watching Fraggle Rock, the Muppet Show and then Sesame Street with my kids. This place has an absolutely fantastic exhibit for people like me. The exhibit displays muppets and tells about the story behind those shows and movies, and also talks about Jim Henson and how he worked.
I enjoyed it very much.
I enjoyed it very much.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GBE_in_NC
Southern Pines, NC158 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
This was such an interesting set of exhibits. If you grew up watching The Muppets and Sesame Street, especially if you were really a fan of Jim Henson, this is the best look at that legacy that I have ever seen. It is more of an adult except it but there were a few interactive displays. And my 9-year-old hung with us while we read all of the different exhibits. It was fascinating!
Written 17 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peaceandchaos
Fort Wayne, IN4 contributions
How much time should we allow to visit this museum?
KAPAtl
Atlanta, GA207 contributions
This totally depends on you, and your group. We had two toddlers, and I think we spent about 1.5 hours. They have short attention spans, and we did not take in the show, which is wonderful, but an extra fee, and better for older children. If your group has kids especially interested in Muppets, or in puppetry in general, you could spend a few hours.
Karen K
Norwood1 contribution
How much are tickets?
Heatherina
Atlanta, GA114 contributions
Depends on the event it's a set price for the museam, see the website but you get in free with the purchase of a ticket to a puppet show. And you can sometimes find deals on those.
Alexandro Moschella
Lecheria, Venezuela2 contributions
Cuánto tiempo dura la visita al museo con los shows incluidos?
Katea9tails
Birmingham, AL479 contributions
The tour length depends on how much or how little you want to see or do. If you are really interested in how puppetry began or is enjoyed around the world then you will want to take longer and read all of the information and look closely at the items displayed. If you would just like to see puppets from around the world and only get a little information then you can just walk around and look and you could finish that side in 20-30 minutes but if you take the time to read it all it could take over an hour. For the Jim Henson side - if you read about everything and do some of the hands on things you could spend over an hour just enjoying everything there but you could walk thru just looking at them in 20 mins ---- I would say between one to three hours depending on your interest.
Christine T
Cleveland, OH59 contributions
Do you have to purchase tickets in advance for the museum or can you get them when you go to the museum that day?
Izzy333
Bartlett, TN378 contributions
no just walk up to the window inside the door. you can save a couple of dollars purchasing thru their website but it is not necessary and not refundable. make sure to visit all three big rooms. I would not have known about the third, if my step son had not researched it before we went. one ticket gets you everywhere in on building. no extra charges in less you make a gift shop purchase.
Christine T
Cleveland, OH59 contributions
Is the airport fairly close to the museum? What airport would it be? Can you get by using a taxi or an Uber?
oceanquest33
Atlanta, GA200 contributions
Getting from the Atlanta airport to Puppetry is very easy. MARTA train departs from the Airport. Take the train to MIDTOWN STATION. You can walk fifteen minutes to the Puppetry from MIDTOWN STATION or call UBER for a few dollars.
OatmealCabbagePeel
Peachtree City, GA
Do you have wheelchairs? My husband has a herniated disc and a torn disc and can't walk right now, but wants to joins us.
ssatl1948
Atlanta, GA46 contributions
Sorry, they don't have any on site
Is this for age 2?
JBV Films
Chattanooga, TN77 contributions
My daughter is 6 and is terrified of the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth... which were basically the only reasons my son and I went. She stayed home with mom. Realize how small the museum was, and how even smaller the Labyrinth exhibit was, I kind of wish I stayed home too... but, we got Gelatto afterwards which was amazing :)
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingCenter for Puppetry Arts - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Center for Puppetry Arts
- Center for Puppetry Arts is open:
- Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Tue - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Center for Puppetry Arts:
- (0.14 km) Canopy by Hilton Atlanta Midtown
- (0.15 km) (S1BE) Spacious 1-BR w/ Pool, Fitness Center, and Dog Park
- (0.23 km) Kimpton Shane Hotel
- (0.53 km) Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Midtown
- (0.25 km) (S1BD) Serviced 1-BR w/ Full Kitchen in Walkable Neighborhood
- Restaurants near Center for Puppetry Arts:
- (0.12 km) Nan Thai Fine Dining
- (0.25 km) Aveline
- (0.25 km) Hartley Kitchen & Cocktails
- (0.44 km) DaVinci's Pizzeria
- (0.91 km) South City Kitchen Midtown