Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Holiday Train Show

Changing Seasons in the Conservatory

Posted in Around the Garden, Holiday Train Show on November 7 2011, by Matt Newman

Holiday Train Show

Honey bees still clung to the last of the chrysanthemums in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as workers hurried about the business of change this past Friday. The shuffling of displays marks the end of our successful Fall Flowers of Japan exhibition, and while it was saddening to see the carefully-trained beauty of the ‘Thousand Bloom’ ozukuri exit stage left, the transition from ancient gardening artistry to a beloved family tradition can only mean the beginning of one of our most anticipated yearly events.

Production began on our 20th Holiday Train Show over the weekend, an undertaking that’s a bit like watching a Norman Rockwell painting as it first meets the canvas. The Conservatory space was only vacant for a moment before the sights of New York began appearing in miniature, springing up along the walkways and setting the stage for a quarter-mile of tracks, well-known bridges, and over 140 familiar city landmarks. And this busy activity continues as we speak!

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Our Trains are Still Running!

Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 29 2010, by Plant Talk

The Holiday Train Show
Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content.

MetroNorth is back on schedule which means it’s easy to get to Botanical Garden Station to visit the Holiday Train Show, where our trains never stopped running on schedule inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (despite the Boxing Day Blizzard).

To get you excited to come visit one of New York City’s most beloved holiday traditions, take a look at this exclusive, behind the scenes look at the making of the Holiday Train Show.

Holiday week is always a hot ticket, so beat the rush and buy your tickets in advance. For more tips, see our insider’s guide to the Train Show.

The Holiday Train Show During the Holidays

Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 21 2010, by Plant Talk

Christmas is days away. The kids are out of school, the shopping is (maybe) done, the presents are (mostly) wrapped, and it’s time to concentrate on kicking back and reveling in the joys of the season. For many families in the New York City area, a visit to the Holiday Train Show is as much a part of the holiday season as seeing a performance of The Nutcracker or the Rockettes, gawking at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, ice skating in Bryant Park, and watching the animals open “presents” at the Prospect Park Zoo.

The Conservatory at Night

And as any seasoned New Yorker can tell you, Christmas in the city can be immensely enjoyable. It’s easy to feel in the spirit of the season when surrounded by so much joy. But, for every jolly Christmas elf, there’s a Grinch whose heart is made several sizes too small by overlong lines, overwhelming crowds, and overheated offices. Escape the lines and hullabaloo of Midtown and come experience the wonder of the Holiday Train Show at the Garden. In an effort to spread the holiday cheer, we’re offering a few tips for maximizing your Train Show enjoyment during these jolly peak weeks (December 21, 2010-January 2, 2011).

See all of our top Holiday Train Show tips below.

The Train Show–From the Kid’s Point of View

Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 14 2010, by Plant Talk

Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content.

On Sunday, as promised a month ago, I was finally able to bring my nephews, ages 2 and 5, up to the Holiday Train Show. They were blown away by the experience and were predictably thrilled to see their good buddy Thomas in attendance.

The Train Show - Shot by Jasper, Age 5

What surprised me was when my older nephew, Jasper, grabbed my hand while I was snapping a picture.  Jasper pulled me down to his level and said “Annie, you’re not taking the right pictures. Can I try?” And so, with a slight hesitation, I turned over my trusty G9 to the tiny hands of my nephew.

More photos from Jasper, age 5, below.

Little Trains, Big Trains

Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 10 2010, by Plant Talk

There’s no denying it. Here at The New York Botanical Garden, we love trains.  There’s our amazing Holiday Train Show, of course.  There’s Tootle the Train™, who made his world debut on the stage right here in the Bronx. We’ve got the Little Engine that Could™, and  we hear that Thomas™ will be stopping by for a visit, too. So why not take the train to come see the trains?Holiday Train Show in the Conservatory

To help you do just that, we’ve teamed up with New York City’s MTA New York City Transit! Through December 17, 2010, and then again January 4 – 7, 2011, show your MetroCard you’ll save 30% on weekday tickets to the Train Show!  There’s some fine print, of course, so head over to the MTA’s site and check out all the details, and be sure to plan your trip using Trip Planner–it’ll provide you with step-by-step directions to the Garden, while factoring in any planned service changes.

The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden is an entire day of fun for the whole family … especially when you take the train to see the trains!