Plan a Field Trip to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre!
There is no better place for a field trip than the heart of Central Park! If you are seeking a fun, unique experience for your students, visit the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre for a thrilling original production of a children’s marionette show.
In its picturesque setting in Central Park, the Cottage has been an integral part of the cultural life of New York City since 1939. Since its renovation in 1997 and its partnership with NYC Parks and City Parks Foundation, the Marionette Theatre’s shows have infused classic fairy tales with multicultural and multi-media elements.
- Discounted tickets for non-profit groups, schools, daycares, and camps are $8 for both children and adults (including teachers and chaperones).
- Our current showtimes are Tuesdays though Fridays at 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM; Saturdays and Sundays at 11 AM and 1 PM. Showings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays require a minimum of 45 people or more. (Showtimes are subject to change – our team will reach out if any changes occur.)
- Please note that our theater capacity is 90. Groups under 90 people will be sharing the theater with other ticketholders.
- For questions about school bookings please contact swedishcottage@cityparksfoundation.org or 646-670-7989
FIELD TRIP FAQ
Ready to plan for your trip to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre? Read on for frequently asked questions to prepare for your trip.
What are my payment options?
To book a field trip with the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre for schools, daycare centers, and non profit groups, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit within 10 business days of booking with the remaining balance due on the day of the show.
We accept credit card payments, cash, checks, or school purchase order. If paying by NYC Department of Education PO please use vendor code CIT047000.
If paying by check please send the check to:
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre c/o Shantel Bobbitt
830 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10065
If paying by credit card, payments can be made through a secure link found on your trip invoice.
How can I adjust my booking?
For ticket adjustments please contact swedishcottage@cityparksfoundation.org ten business days prior to your scheduled trip. Additional tickets are not guaranteed due to our capacity limits.
If you need to cancel a trip, we will try to reschedule based on availability.
How do I arrive at the theatre?
Travel: School Buses
Please share the following information with your school bus driver to ensure a punctual arrival at our theatre.
THERE IS NO STREET ADDRESS FOR THE THEATER IN CENTRAL PARK. The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre is located inside Central Park closest to 81st Street and Central Park West. Bus drivers must drop off and pick up students between 81st & 82nd Street on the uptown side of Central Park West, on the park’s side of the street. Our theatre is not located at our official mailing address of 830 5th Avenue.
Walking Directions from Central Park West: Enter Central Park on the north side of 81st Street near the Diana Ross Playground. Make sure to enter on the pedestrian path. Stay to your right and walk south. On your right will be the Central Park Conservancy Street Yard. Cross the street, and you will see the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre on your left. A map diagram is provided below:
Travel: Public Transportation
From the West Side:
B,C to 81st Street Museum Of Natural History
M10 or M79 crosstown bus to 81st and Central Park West
Walking Directions From W81st Street:
Enter Central Park on the north side of W81st Street near the Diana Ross playground. Make sure to enter on the pedestrian path. Stay to your right and walk south in the downtown direction. On your right is the 79th Street yard. Cross the street (called the West Drive, the main road where cars can drive), turning right and you will see the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre on your left-hand side. (Walking time: approximately 5 minutes)
Walking Directions From W79th Street across form National History Museum:
Enter Central Park in front of the Museum of Natural History near W79th. Walk along the path to your left until you reach the West Drive (the main road where cars can drive). Cross the West Drive and make a left (heading north). Walk a few feet and you will see the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre on your right. (Walking time: approximately 5 minutes)
From the East Side:
Take any 5th or Madison Ave. bus to 79th Street.
Take the M79 crosstown bus to 5th Ave. and 79st Street or take theM79 to Central Park West and follow Westside directions.
Walking Directions from the East side:
Enter Central Park at 5th Avenue and 79th Street on the pedestrian path on the south side of the MET museum. Walk straight ahead and underneath a small tunnel. After the tunnel, keep walking straight. On your right will be the Great Lawn. On your left, you will pass Turtle Pond, the Delacorte Theatre, and a gray stone building which is a public restroom. In between the Delacorte Theatre and the public restroom is a path that heads south. Walk down the path, past the Shakespeare Garden on your left, and straight ahead you will see the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre. (Walking time: approximately 15-20 minutes)
Can our students eat lunch at your facility?
Unfortunately, we do not have the space to accommodate lunch to be eaten at our theatres. During the warm weather months there are several areas within Central Park, with grass areas and benches where groups often enjoy eating lunch.
What is the max capacity of your theater?
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre has a maximum capacity of 90 seats. If your group is larger than 90 we recommend booking for multiple days.
Do you offer accessible seating?
For patrons using wheelchairs, the Theatre has a ramp for wheelchair access. The theatre also has an accessible restroom. Please let us know in advance if you’re in need of accessible seating or accommodations by emailing swedishcottage@cityparksfoundation.org.
What should I expect during a show?
We ask that when seating your students to follow the instructions of our ushers. Adults remain on the sides with children seated in the center in order not to obstruct the view of children.
There is no food or drinks allowed in our theatre. Closed bottled water is acceptable.
There is no video recording or photography allowed during the performance.
We offer two bathrooms with multiple stalls and an accessible bathroom within the facility.
We have limited storage at the theatre, so ask that all students and chaperones keep their bags with them under their seats.
When should I plan to arrive and depart?
To ensure that your group can be seated as a group, we require school groups to arrive no later than 15 minutes before your scheduled show. We cannot guarantee that parties that arrive late will be seated together or will see the entire show.
Due to our show schedule we ask groups to leave after their performance, in order to have a smooth transition to our next performance .
What should I do if my group arrives late?
If arriving late please contact our theatre at 646-670-7989. We start our shows promptly, with a 5-10 minute grace period if notified in advance. Please follow the directions of our box office attendant for late seating.
If you anticipate arriving 30 minutes late or more please contact us. Due to the length of our show we recommend rescheduling for a different performance.
