Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Bar Car Nights
Posted in Around the Garden on December 7 2012, by Matt Newman
That’s enough relaxing for one week! While last weekend’s schedule kept things simple and streamlined, we’re stepping up the pace this time around with a series of exclusive events running the gamut from seasonal to enlightening. And, of course, everything in the middle. Between the trundling trains buzzing about the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and the gingerbread frosting taking over the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, you’ll find winding Forest tours, wildlife exploration, and an opportunity to meet one of the NYBG‘s favorite photographers. I suppose I should also mention our “holiday happy hours,” which seems as apt a description as any.
Saturday morning begins with Debbie Becker’s weekly Bird Walk, though this particular session is both informative and proactive. Not only will you be scoping out the avian residents and visitors flitting about the Garden, but pipping each one off on a personal list. At the end of the walk, your bird counts will be submitted to Cornell for their database as an unofficial warm-up for the Christmas Bird Count. This annual, nationwide event goes a long way to helping researchers and conservationists understand the state of the bird world in the U.S., so you won’t just be putting your Saturday to good use–you’ll be contributing to a worthy cause, as well.
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Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 6 2012, by Matt Newman
Who says a picturesque evening under twinkling lights is the stuff of romantic comedies? For that matter, why let It’s a Wonderful Life horde all the holiday magic? This is New York! There are countless opportunities to hit the town this season, all of them at your fingertips, and Bar Car Nights are easily among the best of the lot. In fact, last year’s evenings were such a smash with our visitors that we’re stepping up our game this time around.
Saturday evenings throughout December, you’ll have the chance to experience the Holiday Train Show in a slightly different light: one without the kids tugging at your coat. Trust me, that’s a huge change of atmosphere for this holiday classic. While we’ll be the first to tell you that this event is a picture-perfect family affair, we’re also sensitive to the fact that most of you see the season as a new source of stress–through shopping lists, in-laws, and more than a few family feasts to plan out. Consider Bar Car Nights the antidote to what ails you.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Holiday Train Show on December 9 2011, by Matt Newman
You want to pay a visit to this year’s Holiday Train Show, but you’re not sure when you should stop by. We understand the dilemma! Seasonal events are popping up all over the city, and as we hurry toward the December holidays, more and more people are venturing out to see the sights and take in the lights. It seems like everyone is on the same schedule! And sooner or later, you find yourself stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on a Saturday night, wondering if you’ve actually been sucked back into the weekday commute. It can be hectic. But there’s a way to avoid the hassle.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Holiday Train Show on December 7 2011, by Matt Newman
Even with the chill of the coming winter, there’s a warmth to holiday decorations. Wind a string of soft white icicle lights over the hedge outside, hang a few glittering strands from the curtain rods–it’s the easiest way to forget mornings spent shoveling snow or scraping ice off the car windshield (they’ll be here soon enough). And with the smell of pine trees drifting on the breeze, the combination makes for picturesque evenings, especially here at The New York Botanical Garden.
Nights at the NYBG aren’t often open to the public, though, as it’s sort of challenging to see our spring flowers in the dark–trust me on that one. But come winter, with the Holiday Train Show’s model trains humming about the tracks and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory glowing like a beacon in the city, we throw open the doors to show you a Garden in rare form. The lights laced like garlands throughout the Train Show bring out the elegance of the miniature landmarks with a subtlety that sunlight just can’t match, lending a kind of fairytale charm to the display.
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Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 2 2011, by Matt Newman
The week is almost over, meaning the Garden is humming with anticipation for another beautiful Holiday Train Show weekend! What’s more is that the weather is finally acting like it should this time of year. After seeing frost clinging to the grass along Tulip Tree Allée as I walked in this morning, I think this may just be December’s way of making up for that downright awkward November “heat wave.” How can you really make the most of a northern Thanksgiving with temperatures above 60 degrees, anyway?
But that’s old news. We’re moving into this brisk and sunny weekend with smiles for the events to come, and looking forward as the season picks up momentum. Whether you’re hoping to catch sight of a rare bird with Debbie Becker, see the Holiday Train Show for the first or dozenth time, or just enjoy the sights we offer year round, there’s more than enough going on this weekend to warrant some time spent at the NYBG.
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That’s enough relaxing for one week! While last weekend’s schedule kept things simple and streamlined, we’re stepping up the pace this time around with a series of exclusive events running the gamut from seasonal to enlightening. And, of course, everything in the middle. Between the trundling trains buzzing about the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and the gingerbread frosting taking over the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, you’ll find winding Forest tours, wildlife exploration, and an opportunity to meet one of the NYBG‘s favorite photographers. I suppose I should also mention our “holiday happy hours,” which seems as apt a description as any.
