The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show: What's New for 2011

The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and as always it's one of NYC's top seasonal activities for families. Little electric trains go whizzing by more than 140 NYC landmarks made out of acorns, twigs, bark, berries and leaves. My family and I make it a point to go every single year and it's truly a quintessential New York experience. There's a reason it's No. 52 on our list of 100 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC).

The Holiday Train Show isn't the only seasonal attraction at NYBG. After you finish your tour, kids can play in a gingerbread playhouse, decorate gingerbread cookies and look at gingerbread houses in the Children’s Adventure Garden, catch holiday films and cartoons in Ross Hall, or enjoy special seasonal performances.

Check out our photos of the NYBG's Holiday Train show, find out what's new for 2011 and find out how you can save 30% on weekday tickets.

The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show is simply amazing. Yes it's pricey, but where else can families marvel at detailed miniature replicas of the Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium and other iconic NYC spots made entirely from natural materials? The trains weave in and out of these little landmarks, through tunnels, over bridges and even through waterfalls. It's a magical sight and adults will enjoy it as much as kids.

Although there are no new buildings for the 2011 edition of the Holiday Train Show, the NYBG has a new exhibit, The Artist’s Studio, which gives visitors a glimpse at how these incredible structures are created through photos, interpretive panels, tools and models.

Since the Holiday Train Show is located in the balmy warmth of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, it's a great destination, even once winter weather takes hold. Plus, the NYBG offers other holiday attractions just for families that are free with Holiday Train Show admission.

Gingerbread Adventures
Head to the Children’s Adventure Garden and Education Center for all things gingerbread. Kids can create a gingerbread garden journal, pot plants that are in used in gingerbread recipes and decorate gingersnaps. There also also fabulous gingerbread houses made by local pastry chefs on display.

Holiday Film Festival
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the NYBG will screen seasonal classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Babes in Toyland and It’s a Wonderful Life, along with Thomas the Tank Engine for little ones and the PBS documentary Holiday Train Show with David Hartman. Fridays-Sundays, November 19-January 1. Visit the website for the complete schedule.

The Little Engine That Could
Puppet master Ralph Lee brings the story of the spunky choo-choo who saves Christmas to life. Selected dates and times November 29-December 29. Visit the website for the complete schedule.

All Aboard with Thomas and Friends
Preschoolers' favorite cheeky blue engine and his pals star in this new mini-musical. After the show, kids can pose with the costumed characters. Visit the website for the complete schedule.

Upon entering the show, you're greeted by Lady Liberty and Ellis Island in the Harbor.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Brooklyn Bridge

The Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History

The Old Yankee Stadium

A Christmas tree

Some of NYC's famous skyscrapers

The United Nations

Grand Central Terminal

Oh yeah, there are trains, too.

Holiday Train Show Tips

The display is extremely popular and gets jammed during peak times. The NYBG combats the crowds by selling timed tickets. Still, if it all possible, try to go on off-peak days (weekdays or evenings in November, early December and January).

Since tickets are timed, it's best to buy them in advance. If you try to pay at the door, you may find your preferred time slot sold out.

Planning to go on a weekday? You can save 30% on select weekday tickets. Click here for the discount info.

The decked out NYBG is a great place to snap a photo for your holiday cards! Awesome photo ops include the Christmas trees and other decorated greenery. See out other ideas for unique holiday photo ops in NYC.

Strollers aren't allowed inside the Holiday Train Show but there's parking in the ante room.

There's on-site parking for $12 per vehicle, but it's also easy to get there via public transportation. Take Metro-North from Grand Central to the Botanical Garden station, which is directly across the street from the NYBG.

The garden has two cafes. The food is good but pricey so you may want to eat in Little Italy around Arthur Avenue, which is a short drive away.

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show is on view Saturday, November 19-Monday, January 16. $20 for adults, $10 for children 2-12. Monday, December 19-Monday, January 2 tickets cost an additional $5. Visit the website for hours, dates and additional details.
 

Other NYC Holiday Train Exhibits

The New York City Transit Museum's Annual Holiday Train Show in Grand Central Terminal is on view through Monday, January 16. This cute but modest display takes visitors on an imaginary journey from New York City to the suburbs and rural areas, to the ultimate destination: the North Pole. This year, the museum will also feature an exhibit of New Yorker magazine holiday covers. Visit the website for hours. FREE.

Unfortunately, the popular Station at CitiGroup Center is no longer running.

Check out our Holiday Guide for lots of other ways to celebrate the season in NYC, and find great gift ideas in our NYC Shopping Local Gift Guide.