Making the Most of the Holiday Season
Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 16 2011, by Matt Newman
You might be sitting at home right now, wondering if this will be the year you finally visit the Holiday Train Show. We know what you’re thinking, too: “It’s just for keeping the kids busy,” or “What’s the point in going if I don’t have relatives to bring along?” But we understand that not everyone’s out to snap family photos in matching holiday sweaters and Santa hats. Regardless of how old (or young) you are, or whether you’re a tourist (or a native), The New York Botanical Garden has something worth seeing this holiday season.
Our Holiday Train Show is the perfect chance for everyone to get out and make new memories.
Evenings for grown-ups to shrug off the stress of the day? Check!
If you’re looking for a night on the town, take our advice and skip the usual bar crawls. The NYBG has something much better in store! Bar Car Nights lets you take in all the sights of the Holiday Train Show with the added bonus of a little grown-up escapism. Dylan’s Candy Bar will be making one last showing this week to serve up their latest cocktail, adding a sweet twist to your evening out. And I’ll have you know I’m doing my best not to quote Willy Wonka on candy and liquor right now. You have no idea how difficult this is.
On Saturday, December 17, join us for the last of our Bar Car Nights events before the year rounds out (be sure to reserve tickets!) Sometimes it’s visiting without the kids in tow that really makes for the most memorable Train Show.
Exciting distractions for the kids? Check!
For most parents, trying to keep the kids entertained is like netting butterflies: it involves a lot of running back and forth and you look ridiculous in the process. But the Holiday Train Show makes it a cakewalk by offering more than just a train display. And, sure, the model trains and amazing miniatures will have most of our little visitors “oohing” and “ahhing” as soon as they make their way into our glasshouse, but there’s so much more than that!
If you can get them to leave the Conservatory for a bit, hop over to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden and see if your kids can guess where you’re going before you reach the Discovery Center. Some days you can just smell it on the air: holiday spices! Our Gingerbread Adventures returns this year with new (not to mention charming) gingerbread houses from several generous New York bakeries, along with a hands-on experiment in cookie ingredients the little ones won’t soon forget.
And for once someone else can take care of clean-up after a cookie-decorating escapade.
Family entertainment for all ages? Check!
We’re not about to sell ourselves short, here. The New York Botanical Garden really is a perfect destination for families big and small.
If you’re looking to make some memories together, or just keep up the nostalgia of a yearly tradition, the Holiday Train Show is your destination. And with the twinkling lights and zipping trains comes the Holiday Film Festival, the kind of tradition that seems more authentic when you can slip out of the house and enjoy it on a movie screen. George Bailey, Thomas the Tank Engine–you’ll find them here at the Garden this year.
Visit the Ross Hall on Holiday Train Show weekends for showings of It’s a Wonderful Life, Babes in Toyland, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and more timeless holiday classics.
Gifts for everyone on your shopping list (that just keeps getting longer, and longer)? Check!
Our Shop in the Garden is far from a humble souvenir stand. We have books of all sorts, seasonal decor, botanical artwork, gardening accessories and plenty of other great items. There’s no way you’ll come up empty-handed if you spend a few minutes perusing. And if you decide to join us as a Garden Member, we’ll even give you a discount on your purchase. (It doesn’t hurt to give the gift of membership on its own, either!)
Still thinking you’ll come up short if you join us for a day? There’s just no reason to! Stop by this weekend and you’ll get the best of what’s mentioned here, along with a handful of other engaging events that go on throughout the year–Bird Walks, guided tours, gardening classes and more.
Looking to join us for the Holiday Train Show? You’ll need a ticket. Keep in mind that certain events (such as Bar Car Nights) require a special pass. But don’t worry–a visit to the Train Show is included!
