Don't miss this place if you're traveling with the kids. In fact, you might not want to miss it even without kids in tow. The center is dedicated to expanding public awareness of puppetry as a fine art and to presenting all of its international and historic forms. Opened in 1978, with Kermit the Frog cutting the official ribbon (he had a little help from the late Jim Henson), it contains a 300-seat theater, one smaller theater, gallery space, and a permanent museum. The puppet shows are marvelous--sophisticated, riveting, full-stage productions with elaborate scenery. Some are family oriented; others, with nighttime showings, are geared to adults. Call ahead to find out what's on; reservations are essential. You can also call a week or so in advance to enroll yourself or your kids in a puppet-making workshop.

In its permanent exhibit, "Puppets, The Power of Wonder," visitors can use joysticks to manipulate interactive puppets on their own. A video hosted by the late Jim Henson provides an overview of puppetry and takes visitors around the world to meet masters of the art. There's also a huge display of puppets ranging from ritualistic African figures to Punch and Judy to Henson's Pigs in Space. It's an excellent collection, one of the largest in North America, and it includes turn-of-the-century Thai shadow puppets, Indonesian wayang golek puppets used to tell classic stories (a centuries-old tradition), Chinese hand puppets, rod-operated marionettes from all over Europe, original Muppets, pre-Colombian clay puppets that were used in religious ceremonies circa A.D. 1200, and Turkish shadow figures made of dried animal skins. Reservations are required for guided tours of "Puppets, The Power of Wonder"; the tour lasts about an hour. Another gallery features visiting exhibits from all over the world.

The gift shop is like no other, with oodles of marionettes, one-of-a-kind handmade puppets, masks, videos, and other related items.