The Holiday Train Show® at the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York is a spectacular experience for all ages and is even bigger for the 2018-2019 season! The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is gorgeous at any time of the year with its amazing collection of exotic plants, however when it transforms itself for The Holiday Train Show® held annually since 1992 from November until January, it takes on a magical quality. For the 2018-2019 show, Paul Busse and his team created a land of enchantment with more than 175 of iconic New York landmarks with model trains running throughout. The show runs until January 21, 2019.
Bridges and Trains
On Saturday, December 1, 2018 we started the holiday season on a very festive note with our annual tradition of visiting the New York Botanical Garden for The Holiday Train Show®. It was a beautiful, sunny day with only a slight nip in the air that leant itself to a leisurely stroll through the gardens where decorated pine trees excited the senses and were perfect for visitors to pose for holiday photos. We also stopped to enjoy the poetry in the garden by New York poet Billy Collins.
Conservatory
Inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, attendants dressed in railroad striped overalls, caps,and red scarves jauntily tied around their necks warmly greeted visitors as we made our way through more decorated trees that lead to the train show.
George Washington Bridge
Once inside the show, it took our eyes a few minutes to settle in so that we could absorb all the magic as trains ran overhead on bridges made from twigs and branches and imaginatively created famous New York landmarks came to life. Not only were the miniature landmarks of New York stunning, when one considers that Paul Busse and his creative team created them using ingredients from nature, namely leaves, stems, seeds, twigs, tree branches, logs, moss, fungus, pods, pine cones, acorns, and such, it was almost unbelievable.
The Magic of the New York Botanical Garden Train Show
The creation of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory was stunning, as was Grand Central Terminal (1903-1913 located at the corner of 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan) and the once beautiful Pennsylvania Station (built in 1910 and demolished in 1964, Eighth Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets in Manhattan).
Grand Central Station
As always, there were a few creations that stood out and were our favorites for the exhibit, and this year, the Coney Island buildings and Elephantine Colossus, a giant elephant that once stood at W. 12th Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn built in 1885 and destroyed in 1896, captivated our hearts and our imaginations. The Cyclone, a rollercoaster ride in 1927 at Coney Island, had miniature cars that raced over the track. The elephant was amazing with its ornate details created from lotus roots, seeds, and pods, and large pieces of fungus used for his ears.
Elephantine Colossus
A few of the spectacular Manhattan creations that caught our attention were the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Tower, Rockefeller Center comprised of the GE Building (RCA Building, built in 1933, Statue of Prometheus (1934) and Channel Gardens (1934), St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (built between 1895 – 1926) which stands at 1000 Fifth Avenue, and the New York Public Library complete with its two lions (Patience and Fortitude).
New York Public Library
If you grew up playing with Erector sets or Lincoln Logs, model trains, are a hobbyist or crafter, a child or a child at heart, the show will definitely captivate your imagination and put the spark of the magic of the holiday season in your heart. Happy Holidays!
Coney Island Cyclone
Luxury Experience Tips for Experiencing The Holiday Train Show®
Coney Island Ferris Wheel
| o | Allow a minium of 3 hours to fully experience the show, the gradens, tram ride, and the outdoor acappella groups |
| o | Be shure to look high as well as low, as trains glide by overhead on bridges, and also through tree trunk "tunnels" |
| o | Look at the small detials of the creations – seeds, twigs, etc. |
| o | Allow your inner child to be captivated by the magical creations |
| o | Wear a packable jacket and bring a tote bag to carry it in as the conservatory is warm |
| o | Make time to visit the gift shop for an amazing assortment of usual and practical gifts |
Chrysler Building
There are many exciting special holiday programs to coincide with The Holiday Train Show® including:
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All Aboard with Thomas & FriendsTM |
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Family Film Series |
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Billy Collins: A Reading with Young Poet Contest Winners |
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Annual Bird Count |
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Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony |
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Holiday A Cappella |
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Holiday Landmarks Tour |
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Winter Wonderland Tree Tour |
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Evergreen Express |
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Holiday Classes |
Merchant’s House
Please visit the website for additional information on current and upcoming programs: www.NYBG.org.
The New York Botanical Garden is a 250-acre oasis located in Bronx, New York. Founded in 1891, 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, New York where its nearby neighbors include Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo. Do allow aminimum of 4 – 5 hours to thoroughly experience the New York Botanical Garden and its many programs.
Montgomery Place
Admission: Advance reservations strongly recommended as tickets do sell out.
Please visit the website for admission pricing for The Holiday Tram Show: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show/tips-for-your-visit/
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/
See you at the Train Show
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 a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted). An ID must be left with Visitor Services. Visit the website for additional information: www.nybg.org/visit/accessibility.php
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NewYork 10458-5126
United States
Website: www.nybg.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NYBotanicalGarden
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