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For the first time ever, New Yorkers can step inside the workshop where some of the most beloved puppet characters in entertainment history are brought to life.
The legendary Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in Long Island City has opened its doors for weekly public tours, giving fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at the studio responsible for characters from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal and countless other productions. The 80-minute guided tours take place every Saturday and cost $150 per person.
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The experience goes far beyond a simple walk-through. Visitors can pose for photos with iconic characters and props, watch live puppetry demonstrations performed by Henson puppeteers, meet one of the shop’s professional puppet builders and explore portions of the working studio where artists continue to create characters for film, television and theater.
Founded by the late puppetry pioneer Jim Henson in the 1960s, the Creature Shop has spent decades building some of the world's most recognizable puppets and creatures. Today, its artists still work on projects ranging from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock to Five Nights at Freddy’s and even an all-puppet episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Recent visitors have described the experience as “magical,” with highlights including photo ops inside Oscar the Grouch’s trash can, a chance to sit on the Skeksis throne from The Dark Crystal and close-up views of active puppet-building workspaces packed with fabric, foam and half-finished creations.
The tours have proven popular since launching earlier this year, with dates selling out quickly and fans on social media eagerly snapping up newly released slots.
For anyone who grew up with Kermit, Cookie Monster or the Fraggles, this may be one of the most delightfully nerdy experiences in New York right now: a chance to see the craftsmanship behind the felt, fur and foam that have shaped generations of childhoods. Tickets and upcoming dates are available through Jim Henson Experiences by clicking here.