Until Next Season

Posted in Holiday Train Show on January 13 2012, by Matt Newman

There are three days between now and the end of the 20th Holiday Train Show. Hands in the Conservatory are already preparing to pull down the tracks and gently store away the trains and miniatures, and soon the space will host fresh events and exhibitions of a more tropical nature. It’s something of a bittersweet moment for those of us here at the NYBG; it wasn’t that long ago that Paul Busse’s team was rolling out the first of the city’s bridges.

Since we unveiled the display in early November, thousands of people–kids and adults, first-timers and yearly regulars–have passed through the glass doors of the dome to view our sparkling homage to the city and the season. And while we’re sad to see the delicate landmarks disappear until next fall, we’re making the most of the time we still have to show the holidays the proper bon voyage.

Visit the Garden tonight (Friday, January 13) between our extended hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. for a surprise evening of entertainment surrounded by holiday lights, friends, and family. We’ll even have a cash bar set up for those looking to top off the event with a casual drink or two. I’ve said it before–so very many times–but you really haven’t seen the Train Show until you’ve walked the paths under the dome after dark. There’s a fireplace glow to everything that tends to wipe the thought of miserable winter weather from your memory. And this weekend is aiming to be a frosty one (or cold in comparison, at the very least).

Between now and the closing of our gates on Monday you’ll have just a few more chances to see the Holiday Train Show, Gingerbread Adventures, and All Aboard with Thomas and Friends™ before they leave us for another year. But please be aware that tickets are a pretty finite resource right about now. Thomas™ spots in particular are flying out the door and many scheduled mini-performances have already sold out, so playing the early bird is your best bet for getting one of the remaining seats.

As an aside, I’d just like to thank all of our guests for coming out to support The New York Botanical Garden and celebrate this momentous anniversary with us. It’s only because of our gracious visitors that we have been able to keep this New York City tradition running for two amazing decades. But the year’s only just beginning–we hope you’ll come back for the many jaw-dropping exhibitions we still have up our sleeve.