On Saturday, December 2, 2023, we went to the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) to experience the Holiday Train Show® and as always, we were impressed with the creativity that began outside in the garden where visitors had a glimpse of what to expect once they entered the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Bridges and tunnels created from twigs, branches, and hollowed out logs transported G-scale model trains that passed by the miniature landmarks to the delight of visitors of all ages.
Since 2017, Luxury Experience has made the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show® part of our annual holiday tradition, and each year the show keeps getting better! This year the show is extra spectacular as it has expanded to include nearly 200 iconic New York landmarks.
Architects and crafters alike with delight with the team at Applied Imaginations replicating iconic New York landmarks in miniature that transport visitors across time lines, with their vision of the Empire State Building located at 350 Fifth Avenue (built between 1929-1931), the Metropolitan Insurance Tower located at 1 Madison Avenue( built between 1907-1909), the Chrysler Building located at 405 Lexington Avenue (built in 1930), One World Trade Center located at 285 Fulton Street (built between 2006-2013), the Flatiron Building located at 175 Fifth Avenue (built between 1901-1903), The Plaza Hotel located at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South (built between 1905-1907), and the Statue of Liberty located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor (built between 1871-1886), to name but a few of the impressive designs.
Penn Station
Imagine seeing Macy’s “The World’s Largest Store” located at Herald Square in New York City (built in 1902) comprised of twigs, bark, pinecones, and other forest material. Other impressive large-scale landmarks to look for at the show include Pennsylvania Station (built between 1910-1963), The Metropolitan Museum of Art located at 1000 Fifth Avenue in New York City (built between 1895-1926), The New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in New York City complete with its famous lions, Patience and Fortitude, (built in 1911), and of course, The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York (built between 1901-1902), and the LuEsther T. Mertz Library (1901), John J. Hoffee Tulip Tree Allée (1903) with the Lillian Goldman Fountain of Life (1905) at the New York Botanical Garden.
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Other spectacular creations include the Frick Collection, originally the Henry Clay Frick House at 1 East 70th Street in New York City (built between 1913-1914), the Park Avenue Armory at Park Avenue between 66th and 67th Street (built in 1881), City Hall located at Park Row and Centre Street (built between 1802-1812), as well as Lyndhurst Mansion located in Tarrytown, New York (built in 1865), and Bascobel located in Garrison, New York (built between 1804-1808).
Park Avenue Armory
Children as well as adults will be delighted with the miniature houses as well as with the G-scale model trains that run overhead on twig and branch bridges, and in front of, and behind, the buildings. It is a magical world where hollowed out logs become tunnels that will enchant with the excitement of the season.
Frick Collection
There is so much to experience as you make your way through the various rooms in the conservatory, so do allow yourself a minimum of 2 hours to enjoy the show, make a visit to the gift shop, enjoy a hot chocolate, stroll the gardens, take a tram ride to fully immerse yourself in the holiday festivities, and of course, snap a few photos to commemorate your visit.
City Hall
Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed our annual tradition of experiencing the Holiday Train Show® at the New York Botanical Garden. The show is always different and always wonderful, which is why it has become a tradition for many families who return each year as a special way to celebrate the holiday season.
Bascobel
Before making our way home, we visited the gift shop for another of our holiday traditions, purchasing paperwhites to give to our family so that they can put them in a vase with water in January and get a jump start on the Spring season indoors! The Holiday Train Show® runs until January 15, 2024, and is too good to miss!
NY Public Library
Until next time, keep enjoying travel with Luxury Experience. Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays!
In addition to the Holiday Train Show®, the NYBG also has corresponding evening programs, NYBG GLOW, and Bar Car Nights for adults 21 and over.
Lyndhurst Mansion
Holiday Train Show (November 17 – January 15, 2024) Admission: Adult: $35 Senior (65+): $31, Student (with valid ID): $31, Child (2-12) $20, Child Under 2: Free, Patron/Member: Free
NYBG GLOW (November 17, 24, 25, December 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23. 26-30, January 6 and 13, 2024) Admission: Adult: $54, Child (2-12): $39, Child Under 2: Free, Patron/Member: Free
LuEsther T. Mertz Library
Bar Car Nights (Adults 21+) (December 7, 14, January 5, 2024) Admission to the Holiday Train Show and NYBG GLOW: $54, Patron/Member: $34
Additional Upcoming Programs: 24th Annual Winter Lecture Series From Skyline to Shoreline: Imaginative Waterfronts of NYC: January 25, February 22, and March 28, 2024
For more information on the Holiday Train Show® tickets and pricing, as well as other upcoming programs, please visit the NYBG website at: www.nybg.org/visit/admission/
Edward F. Nesta and Debra C. Argen
About the NYBG
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. It is a National Historic Landmark located in Bronx, New York where its nearby neighbors include Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo. Do allow a minimum of 3 hours to thoroughly experience the New York Botanical Garden and its many programs.
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 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
Please visit the website for additional information on the NYBG, The Holiday Train Show, upcoming programs and events, and admission: www.nybg.com
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10458
United States
Telephone: +1-718-817-8700
Website: www.nybg.org
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NYBotanicalGarden
Twitter: @nybg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nybg/
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