New York Botanical Garden - The Holiday Train Show 2017

All aboard! We loved The Holiday Train ShowÂ® at the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York! The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory donned its holiday finery to transport visitors to the magical and enchanting world created by Paul Busse featuring more than 150 of iconic New York landmarks and model trains; outside, the gardens were resplendent with holiday decorated trees, and carolers to enchant and engage the festive spirit. The show runs until January 15, 2018.

All Aboard!
New York Botanical Garden – The Holiday Train Show

Since its inception in 1992, artist Paul Busse has charmed holiday visitors to the New York Botanical Garden with his imaginative and inspired designs for The Holiday Train ShowÂ®. On Saturday, November 25, 2017, we traveled to the New York Botanical Garden and were amazed and delighted with the magnificence of the show.

Pennsylvania Station - New York Botanical Garden - The Holiday Train Show - photo by Luxury Experience
Pennsylvania Station

Paul Busse and his team of artists at Applied Imagination created a world of miniature New York landmarks using materials found in nature: milk pods, leaves, tiny acorns, seeds, pinecones, berries, twigs, basket reed, moss, red willow, and flower stems, and created bridges using branches found in forests. The overall result in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory was one of imaginative splendor with G-size trains, which are the largest size model trains, running on tracks through the exhibition taking visitors on a fantasy journey of the spirit.

Debra C. Argen & Train Conductor

Kykuit

One of the many landmark highlights of the show was Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills, built in 1913, with its opulent details captured in miniscule. Other highlights included the New York Botanical Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Jordan L. Mott House built in 1880 at 2122 Fifth Avenue in New York City, as well as the spectacular Chrysler Building and its stunning contemporaries set against a lush tropical landscape.

NY Botanical Garden Conservatory - New York Botanical Garden - The Holiday Train Show - photo by Luxury Experience
New York Botanical Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

The sheer magnitude and intricacies of the designs completely captivated us and kept us enthralled as trains ran along the tracks going through log tunnels and overhead on the twig and branch bridges. We also loved the exquisite detail on the Eden Musee, built in 1883 at 55 West 23^rd Street in New York City, the William K. Vanderbilt Mansion built between 1878-1882, the former Trans World Airlines (TWA) building, and the Charles Ward Thorpe Mansion.

Jordan L. Mott House

Chrysler Building

After immersing ourselves completely in The Holiday Train ShowÂ® experience we strolled through the rest of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, which is a fine example of a Victorian-style glasshouse to feast our eyes on the beauty of the permanent collections.

William K Vanderbilt Mansion

Trans World Airlines (TWA)

Outside, we enjoyed taking time to listen to the Holiday A Cappella performance by Treble, New York City’s Premier Women’s A Cappella Group who engaged the audience with new and old holiday favorite songs continuing the festive holiday spirit at the New York Botanical Garden.

Treble – New Yorks City’s Premier Women’s A Cappella Group

Holiday song sung by Treble at the New York Botanical Garden’s The Holiday Train Show – https://youtu.be/Vgimnq-JrGI

We relaxed with steaming cups of hot chocolate and cookies in the Pine Tree Café, and then as it was a gloriously bright and sunny day, we strolled through the gardens with their attractively decorated holiday trees, and read train-inspired poetry by U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins located throughout the Garden Way and the Perennial Garden Way.

Edward F. Nesta & Debra C. Argen – The Holiday Spirit!

The New York Botanical Garden consists of 250-acres and the best way to experience it is by riding their tram to get an overview of the diverse gardens, then taking a stroll and discovering it on foot. We did both, and although we have been t othe NYBG many times, we made a few new discoveries on this late autumn visit including the Reflecting Pool where we were rewarded with a stunning view of sun drenched birch trees reflected in the water, and the Everett Children’s Adventure Center, with its creativity of activities and exhibits.

Riding The Tram

Reflecting Pool

After our stroll, we visited the NYBG Shop where we purchased great holiday gifts, then listened to a few more holiday songs by Treble before making our departure. If you are looking for a perfect way to celebrate the holidays, The Holiday Train ShowÂ® at the New York Botanical Garden is sure to delight children as well as adults. Be sure to allow enough time to fully enjoy all that the New York Botanical Garden has to offer – we spent over 4 hours there.

Everett Children’s Adventure Center

Edward Garden Stroll

There are many exciting special holiday programs to coincide with The Holiday Train ShowÂ® including:

11/18/2017 – 1/21/2018	Evergreen Express
11/21/2017 – 1/16/ 2018	Poetry for Every Season: Holiday Train Show
11/24 – 11/26/2017	Holiday A Cappella
11/24 – 11/25/2017	Bar Car Nights
11/25/2017 – 1/14/2017	Winter Wonderland Tree Tour
11/26/2017 – 1/14/2018	Holiday Landmarks Tour
12/1, 2, 8, 9, 22 – 23, 29, 30, 2017, 1/6/2018, 1/13/2018	Bar Car Nights
12/2 – 12/24/2017	Holiday A Cappella
12/3/2017	Holiday Tree Lighting
12/10/2017	Highlights from The Nutcracker
12/17/2017	Poetry Reading with Billy Collins
12/17/2017	Annual Bird Count
12/23, 12/24, 26 – 28/2017	Holiday Film Screenings
12/26/2017 – 1/1/2018	Holiday A Cappella
12/30/2017 – 1/7/2018	All Aboard with Thomas & Friends^TM
January 13 – 15, 2018	All Aboard with Thomas & Friends^TM
January 20 – 21, 2018	All Aboard with Thomas & Friends^TM

Please visit the website for additional information on current and upcoming programs: www.NYBG.org.

Garden Gazebo

The New York Botanical Garden is a 250-acre oasis located in Bronx, New York. Founded in1891, the garden attracts year-round visitors with its exquisite beauty, spectacular exhibitions, and interesting programs.

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a National Historic Landmark located in Bronx, NewYork where its nearby neighbors include Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo. Do allow a minimum of 4 – 5 hours to thoroughly experience the New York Botanical Garden and its many programs.

Edward F. Nesta – The Holiday Train Show

Admission: Please visit the website for special holiday pricing and programs: www.nybg.org/visit/admission/

Hours: The Garden is open year-round and holiday Mondays. Tuesday through Sunday: Hours are typically 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Winter Hours for mid-January and February are 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Other special exhibitions and events, such as Members-Only Previews, may cause early closing of Garden areas. Exceptions are also made for evening events, which may take place after normal Garden hours. For specific hours on the day of your visit, please see their calendar on the website: www.nybg.org/plan_your_visit/

The Garden, its buildings, and its tour vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities, except for a few areas where the terrain is naturally uneven. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at both Garden entrances, on afirst-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted). An ID must beleft with Visitor Services. Visit the website for additional information: www.nybg.org/visit/accessibility.php