New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Magical, especially by the night. Price is a bit steep at 35 $ but totally worth a trip to see miniature version of New York landmarks. Bar car nights is a good date night fur adults.

Bar Car Night w/​Holiday Train Show was a beautiful, entertaining, and magical date night out of the city.
Tickets:
Purchased online same day through Goldstar app for a discount off regular bar car night specials– still includes free drink tickets. The earliest time available to visit the train show on the day of was 8:45. Get tickets further in advance to get an earlier time so you have maximum time to wander the exhibit… or do what we did and make the most of the early evening entertainment and food before the exhibit… which was equally pleasant.
Transportation:
Previously I’d taken Metro-​North Rail, which was a much more pleasant date-​night experience leaving from Grand Central ($ 17pp off-​peak round trip) and exiting right in front of the garden rather than hopping on the D train and then walking or waiting in the Bronx at night.
Food:
The Hudson Grill appeared to be open when we arrived, but I wasn’t sure if it really was– that would be the nicest dining experience in the park. The Pine Tree Café served food cafeteria style with prepared hot foods and salads easy to grab, but we found seating to be a bit crowded and hard to come by in the café where the lounge singer was performing. Luckily it wasn’t too cold outside, so we grabbed a burger from the NY Burger Truck and a spiked & spiced hot apple cider from the outdoor Schnapps house and ate outside where the was plenty of seating and visibility to watch the fire performers. The burgers were a bit dry and about a 4oz portion at $ 9. The juicy Lucy wasn’t juicy at all with no cheese inside and when it was taken back– they compensated by putting fake cheese sauce on top. The Freida burger with guacamole was better… but overall the burgers were a bit disappointing compared to how wonderful everything else was during the evening.
Drinks:
The bar car night drink tickets are good for any single drink. One guy ordered double shot of whisky on ice, one ordered a simple gingerale, one ordered a bailey’s latte, one ordered a spiked hot cider. There’s the schnapps house outside with hot cocoa, hot cider, and sodas (plus some alcohol mixers); there’s an espresso counter inside the pine tree café (also had some alcohol mixers), a small standard bar inside pine tree café, and small bar mixing tables inside the holiday train show itself. We were able to take drinks everywhere except the gift shop.
Bar Car Night Entertainment:
While not inside the train exhibit, there’s an ice carver outside, fire performers outside, and a lounge singer inside give plenty to wander around and see along with reading the poetry stationed along the lit path, looking at the items for sale in the gift shop, and wandering down other lit paths around the garden.
Holiday Train Show:
While there are trains, this show is definitely more about the mini architecture of amazing homes & buildings constructed from found garden materials. I had no idea from the photos I’d seen just how incredible it would be to see all of the details in person– it really is stunning and amazing. I could have spent hours in there photographing the intricate details. It was really special to see some of the homes and buildings that no longer exist in NYC recreated here from archival photographs.
Overall:
A gorgeous way to spend an evening getting lost in another world made possible by cold winter nights.

Snagged discount tix through
because my IDNYC membership to NYBG didn’t earn me cheaper admission. A PBS special on the craftsmanship behind the show (which is excerpted as you’d entry video) attracted me here, and it was worth the trip after work even it I spent more time on the MTA train than I did admiring the model train displays here. Fortunately you can also wander the rest of the observatory (which were all very eerily or not at all lit) before exiting for the day. A 5 strictly for the beauty of the exhibit, even if entry and security were a bit off.

We came to NYC specifically to visit the Train Show at the NYBG. What a treat. We arrived at 12:30 and parked right by the front entrance. Make sure you take the 30 minute tram tour to learn about the gardens — it’s free. Though in the winter you’ll have to use your imagination to envision what the gardens look like in the spring. However the train show as spectacular. They make it special with all the engineers who chat with you as you walk in. The conductor is in costume and walks of stilts, which makes everything feel magical. Inside the conservatory, you’ll be more interested in the 150 150 NYC landmarks — each re-​created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials — than in the G-​scale model trains.

Shame on us for not knowing this been running in New York Botanical Gardens Conservatory for past 24 years!
One man’s vision of what New York will look like built from sticks and stones is reality here, carried by team that takes care of the exhibition every year.
It’s wonderfully whimsical and magical place to visit for Holidays.
I cannot say it’s about trains — to me, trains were secondary to the replicas of New York famous landmarks.
Holiday lights and wonders of New York… Here stand all bridges — from Brooklyn Bridge to GWB, in all their glory, lights twinkling, and toy trains running across… Here is Manhattan and Statue of Liberty… Brooklyn Brownstones, and Alice Austin Staten Island’s Museum… Penn Station and New York Library… Queens World Fair grounds… Conservatory itself… And even Little Red Lighthouse! All carefully built from pine cones, twigs, plants, moss and everything else that grows.
Holidays spirits are alive and well here.
I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

I am utterly appalled by the treatment I received from the ticketing office at NYBG. I purchased tickets but needed to change the date of two of them because a family member of mine is in the military and his orders for his return home for the holidays were changed. I was given no courtesy even after explaining the situation. Again, I was not asking for a refund – I was merely asking to have two of the six tickets I purchased changed to another date. This situation has left a bitter taste in my mouth, negative enough to cancel out any of the beauty that NYBG offers. Treating patrons in such a way is incorrigible, and I will be sure never to support the Garden, just as they obviously do not support or regard our troops.

Amazing. I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up but it’s truly extraordinary the craftsmanship involved in constructing these huge displays.
So you pay $ 30 to get into the park in general. When you do this you mention you want to see the trains. They assign you a time but you can go anytime after that time. They don’t care. In the meantime you can walk around the grounds or take a little 30 minutes tram tour.
The train display starts with an entrance that has a woman walking on stilts but portrayed to look like a tall ballerina. There is also a Christmas tree like thing for pictures. The next step is a movie that lets you know that all the displays are built from natural plant products. This I felt was the most amazing part. I thought I was going to see the trains. But it’s actually a display of all the major sites of New York, built from plant parts.
From the huge Brooklyn bridge and other bridges to the Statue of Liberty to the former Penn station, this display that spans 4 large rooms will blow your mind. They even have a setup of the New York World Fair in the last room.
Make sure to look at the displays in detail because they are exquisite, especially the gargoyles along the roofs of many of the building.
One building that was noticeably absent was the Metropolitan museum of art. Strange omission but the basically had everyone else. It’s enjoyable probably even more for adults than for kids but it’s a good time for all!

After hearing about this train show for years, I finally made it. It was so far beyond my expectations.
The train show is set up in a huge gorgeous glass atrium, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. I was already snapping pictures like crazy before we even entered because the atrium itself is remarkable.
When we got inside there was no line (bonus for weekday visits).
The adventure began with a 10 minute movie which described how these enchanting displays were created throughout the year. I had no idea the miniature mansions were made from bark, leaves and other bits of natures offerings. I was also surprised to learn the models created are based on real landmarks, most in NYC. We walked through a wonderland of beautifully crafted models surrounded by lush vegetation, providing ambiance, mystery and a magical sensory experience.
The trains themselves are G-​scale locomotives, these are the largest model trains available and so awesome to watch. We spent over an hour walking through the show watching the trains chug along nearly a half-​mile of track. My four year old and her three year old friend were mesmerized, as was I. I was worried they’d be too young and it wouldn’t hold their attention, I was wrong, very wrong. They adored wandering through the exhibit and were tickled when they spotted Thomas.
You definitely get your money’s worth with this experience. It’s such a huge, impressive, rambling display that seems to go on and on. I was quite satisfied by the exquisiteness of it all.
When the train show section ends you’re still in the conservatory and can walk through rain forests, then deserts. The girls loved exploring these impressive gardens.
Afterwards we rode the tram which drives you through the whole grounds of the botanical gardens in a 25 minute, narrated, open air tour. Most of what we saw was already dead for the winter, but I got bit by the botanical garden bug and will definitely be visiting again this spring.
NY Botanical Garden Enid Haupt Conservatory
Tips:
If you can visit during a weekday, do it. It’s a reduced admission and much less chaotic.

It’s warm inside the train show, we carried our coats, but had a backpack to stuff our hats and gloves.

You can check your strollers.

I found a promo code and saved 30% off admission, try discount code 9095 at checkout online.

You can bring in food and drinks.

Tickets are sold in timed slots, you can enter anytime after your slot if you miss it, but have to wait if you’re early.

Parking is $ 15.
For more family fun outings check out:

I love model trains. Loved them since I was 4 years old so when I went on line to book tickets to this annual event, I was excited. I have to be honest, it’s a huge disappointment. If you think you’re coming to fight hoards of tourists to see amazing model trains, nope. Not the case. It’s an exhibit in their conservatory which mostly showcases models built from actual foliage, twigs and pine cones of famous New York City landmarks. The models of the landmarks themselves are amazing so I’ll give them credit for that. But, I wouldn’t go as far as calling it a train show. Kids will love it, tourists will love it, model train enthusiasts, meh. If you must come, expect to shell out $ 25 to get in plus $ 15 to park.

I wanted to check this out last year and didn’t make it, so I was excited to go this year! I bought discount tickets from Gilt City for my boyfriend and I. We went on the first Bar Car night of the season, which I would recommend for those who want an adult only experience. (We would have had a much different experience if there had been children running around!) Each person gets a complimentary drink as well. We chose from wine, beer, and spiked hot cocoa or apple cider. We each got apple cider with bourbon, and it was a full sized cup with a good amount of bourbon in it. (Don’t mind the reviews saying the drinks are tiny and bad; ours were great!)
I have to admit, I was wary about this event due to the negative reviews that I read about it, but the NYBG must have stepped up their game this year. From the moment we entered the garden, everything was beautiful and festive. The trees at the entrance to the garden were decorated with lights and there were stars hanging everywhere. The staff who greeted us was friendly and inviting. Those working in the train show wore train conductor outfits and were all smiles! There was no line to get in and we got our drinks right away. There was tinsel and Christmas ornaments everywhere, and fun holiday music playing in the tent. There was a bit of a line to get into the actual show, but it didn’t even take 5 minutes. We had to watch a video of the history/​background of the show (a bit boring) and then went into the first stage of the displays. There were train shows up above us and amazing replicas of the old Penn Station, Grand Central, and other iconic NYC landmarks.
The second part was where it got really great, though. We entered the observatory, where the replicas (made entirely out of plant material) were nestled in the plants and trees. Train tracks were wound around everything and replicas of NYC bridges were up above us. It did get kind of crowded in here, but it wasn’t overly distracting or frustrating. I was able to take pictures and stand and admire the displays without being pushed around too much. The coolest replicas were ones of landmarks like Yankee Stadium, the Chrysler Building, the NY Public Library, etc. Most of them were of houses and mansions around NYC and New York State that I didn’t really know about. The train show was bigger than I imagined it would be, which was great!
There was a third part in the warm tropical section of the observatory with replicas of the World’s Fair globe and dance music going on, which wasn’t super exciting. After exiting, we walked over to the visitor’s center, where they had an ice sculptor and fire dancers! There was also a little café serving mulled wine, hot cocoa, and apple cider. Unfortunately, the sign here was misleading and I ended up paying $ 10.50 for a hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. :(Anyway, this section was really pretty, which lights everywhere and big Christmas trees that were lit up. It was a really fun evening and a nice change from our typical Saturday night in the city! I would recommend going early and exploring the garden before the train show, if only to make it worth the long commute up there. (The ticket includes garden admission.) It’s so fun to explore it after hours!

Nothing feels more like the Holidays then a train running around the tree, well what if it ran around many trees in a tropical jungle like setting. Well then it would have to be the
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show. Imagine a tiny NYC in the middle of a jungle seen through the eyes of a child. That is what it feels like as you go turn by turn through the conservatory watching the trains pass your favorite landmarks, over 100 NYC Landmarks in miniature form. Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center are just some. Buy your tickets online and don’t wait for the last tour of the day, it can get VERY, very crowded. They do a good job making sure you go in during your time slot but people take their time going through, they later you go the more delayed you can get. When you arrive you can take a family memorial photo that with the help of a green screen places you in front of the miniature trains. Just don’t wear blue or green that day, you’ll disappear. The event is stunning, but dress in layers it gets very hot and sticky in the conservatory! They change the exhibit every year, they add new things so you can keep going back. I wouldn’t recommend this for kids in strollers. I think the ideal age is 3+ so the kids can really appreciate it. My son loved spotting Thomas, Percy, Annie and Claribel from the famous Thomas and Friends Train collections. Enjoy!

This event sucks. We are members and always skip this one. Long lines, winey kids and cheap plastic looking electric trains.

I will edit my review after another visit later this summer but I attended the 2015 orchid show and it was PHENOMENAL!
The gardens are beautiful, the gift shop was large and well organized, and the show itself was amazing.
I went to Orchid Nights which included a free cocktail voucher and 3 hours of access to the show. They played reggaeton and salsa music throughout the venue, and each orchid chandelier was impeccably arranged and lighted. The selection of orchids was expansive and it was such a fun time.
This is definitely a perfect date spot and also great for Mother’s Day or birthdays! I’ve been to several smaller orchid shows and this one blew them out of the water. I can’t wait to go back next year!

A true labor of love. Anyone rating it less than a three certainly had an issue with either the lines or had allergies or misunderstood what they came to see. In all fairness, if you have environmental allergies or not comfortable in humid environments please note that this display is pretty much a giant green house in the Botanical Garden.
Trains were very pretty running about the tracks but the amazing buildings and huge bridges were really something to look at, these were the true champions of the show. This is one those NYC things that one must see at least one every few years… very special indeed. For those with families I strongly recommend becoming members since it will be free to visit the various institutions around NY.

The train show is nice for children to see with miniature replicas of NYC landmarks and toy trains running around these landmarks. The replicas are very similar to the real thing and have a lot of detail. It gets very crowded on the weekends with lots of children so be warned before you go. However, it is worth it to see at least once.

The replicas in the NYBG Train Show are really amazing. I can’t imagine the amount of detailed attention and time each one took. It’s a lot of fun to look at the buildings and see how well you know your NYC architecture. I went on a Monday afternoon during one of the peak weeks, and there was no line, or even much people inside. It was actually quite a relaxing way to spend the day.
Tickets are a bit pricey ($ 28 during peak and weekends, $ 20 on non-​peak weekdays), but the tickets aren’t just for the Train Show; they grant you access to the rest of the NYBG, including the tram. Also, there are little side areas inside the conservatory that most people didn’t bother seeing. If you have time, give them a look. It was near sunset time and made the whole atmosphere kind of creepy. (I actually liked that!)
Honestly, I am by no means a flower or botanical gardens type of gal. I wanted to do something that my mom would enjoy, and I think she had a nice time as well. I’m truly impressed. This place makes for a great photo op – it’s a NYC hidden gem! Look for Thomas the Train :)

This was my first time even hearing about this event so thought I would check it out this past weekend. My friend and I bought a Gilt City deal for Bar Car Night with our boyfriends, which includes a free ‘drink’. The drinks were teeny tiny and left a lot to be desired since we each paid $ 29 for the vouchers. When purchasing the vouchers, we were to choose a particular time in which we would go into the show and we chose 8:30PM. We showed up right on time and there were 3 separate lines and the line we were ushered in to was huge but we thought, «That’s okay, they’re probably just running a bit late.» NO. We ended up waiting almost an HOUR before actually getting let in. The other 2 lines were moving along but our line stayed put, so we were beyond frustrated. We asked a staff member what was happening and he said we would be let in next — but that didn’t happen. They started to let in the other line and when half of the line was in, they realized they let the wrong line in since they had 8:45PM tickets and stopped them and finally let us in. Even after being let in, there was more waiting. It was a mess, to say the least.
The exhibit itself was VERY cool. Everything was so intricate and extremely beautiful.
Overall, I don’t think I would go back, especially on a weekend. It was just not worth it in my opinion.

I liked this for what it was. It is a wonderful, intricate miniatures exhibit that reminds us that while the Christmas spirit is magical, it is not free.
I went in not having many expectations because I knew:
(1) the staff really was not going to give me the time of day before 10am (I started asking questions at the conservatory around 9:45am and they just ignored me);
(2) I needed to buy a ticket in advance because there would be a line out the door as these were timed tickets during the holiday season;
(3) I wanted to obtain the cheapest weekday ticket I could, an adult weekday LivingSocial ticket ($ 10.50 with a coupon code for tickets that can go up to $ 30 depending on the day);
(4) that at 10am on a Friday I would have to elbow my way through the throngs of families, school groups and random college students who wanted to experience a holiday tradition (I was the second person in line and by 10:05am there were at least 25 people behind me); and
(5) this was not per a show about trains, in fact the majority of the plastic trains that were choo-​chooing about were fairly craptacular.
The reality is that it is not a train show, it is more like an exhibit displaying stunning mini-​sculptures made of root, bark, petals and leaves meant to resemble both current and past New York attractions. The exhibit is divided into two sides such that the staff wished that an orderly line would promote efficiency within group movement. To hell with that, I was running around like a monkey with the ability to take pictures.
Seeing a flora, miniature replica of the original Pennsylvania station (which was torn down some decades ago) made me smile, if only to see how much things have changed. The pictures pretty much speak for themselves. The various botanical artisans constructed intricate replicas of architecturally significant monuments, landmarks and buildings constructed of plant life. If you love your children, they will worship you if you take them here. If you don’t love your children bring them here anyway, as it is a wonderful distraction and will make you feel like a kid yourself.

Heaven exists.
I finally went to see the holiday train show — and once you get past the long lines, screaming children and Metro North ride, it actually makes for a great day.
One tip? Skip the NYBG tram ride. It’s kind of funny that they even offer tram rides in December since everything is in a full-​on state of UNbloom. It’s probably a gorgeous ride in the nicer months, but take my word for it and skip it if you’re there for the train show. Oh! And an even better tip? Call in advance for tickets. Otherwise you’ll get there and you’ll have to wait around for a few hours, hence the brisk tram ride undertaking.
Everything designed in the train exhibit is breathtaking. The detail and effort that went into it all is insane and if you’ve ever had any kind of interest in miniatures, you will love this place to pieces. And the trains, my God the trains! I’ve often said that if I were to ever have a child, then I would do everything in my power to make his/​her room just like Casper’s (in the movie Casper, with Christina Ricci). Remember how at the top of the wall in that room, there was an elevated train track, with a train that traveled around the perimeter of the whole room? That. I want that. Such a great idea for a kid’s room.
Anyhow, this was definitely worth the trip to the Bronx. Go, damnit!
The exhibit runs until January 19^th, 2015.

We went during the last weekend of this exhibit and so glad that we did. The tickets are a little steep at $ 25 a pop. But children under 2yo is free so at least we didn’t have to pay for my 17 months old daughter, who is the main reason we went to see the train show in the first place.
The whole thing is set up inside the indoor tropical garden. It’s nice to be able to walk around without a coat while it’s cold and rainy outside. We arrived around 12:30PM and there was no line to purchase tickets. Waited for about 5 – 7 mins before getting inside the main train exhibit part of the garden. My daughter (as well as my father) were fascinated by the trains running above and below. There are lots of replicas of famous landmarks in New York as well as other wonders of the world used as backdrops for the train tracks. There are trains of various sizes and shapes running along their respective tracks through the plants and building structures. When they reach the end of their track, they just stop and reverse, very neat.
It wasn’t too crowded to enjoy the exhibits. We took our time around the garden, spent about an hour inside. Overall, a very nice experience.