New York Botanical Gardens: Holiday Train Show
SHARED By: Hilarie Zimbicki, Yoga and Movement Instructor at Gymtime and York Avenue Preschool
The holiday season is often a time of year for families to participate in special traditions. Baking cookies, visiting the tree farm, watching the Rockettes and looking at the lights are all great holiday rituals. This year I have another (dare I say, greater?) activity to add to your list: The New York Botanical Holiday Train Show.
The Botanical Gardens are amazing year-round, but their Holiday Train Show is nothing short of phenomenal. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory turns into a wonderland of landmark replicas and model train tracks that stretch for more than a quarter-mile. With the entire exhibit inside, you will stay dry and warm!
A friendly staff decked out in train conductor suits greets guests as they enter. The lines are long, but the replicas and trains are interesting enough to make you forget the crowds exist at all. There are also some interesting facts posted on the walk to entertain the readers in the family.
All of the replicas are made from only natural materials such as bark, twigs, stems, fruits, seeds and pine cones. Everyone, especially New Yorkers, will have fun finding the familiar landmarks while walking through the exhibit. Have fun guessing and discovering who knows their landmarks best!
The replicas are unbelievably constructed, but the constant running model trains are endlessly entertaining. You will find late-1800’s American steam engines, modern freight trains, passenger trains and trolleys chugging along the tracks and through each scene. You will likely hear little boys discussing their own trains and even grown men talking about the thrill of it all. It’s magical for everyone.
Beyond the Holiday Train show are the Gingerbread Adventures! Once you leave the conservatory, pick up a hot chocolate from the café and head over to the Children’s Adventure Garden.
The Gingerbread Adventures program is hands-on, educational, child-centered and lots of fun! Your child will get to grind and examine gingerbread ingredients, plant and take home their own seeds, and decorate and eat their own gingerbread cookie. When they finish take some time to look at the gingerbread house displays and even play in a life-sized one.
Both of these family friendly exhibits are open until Sunday, January 13th. For tickets and prices click here. For easy directions click here. Have fun and enjoy your new family holiday tradition!