Holiday Train Shows in New York

Visiting the Holiday Train Shows are a favorite activity of Mommy Poppins readers (it's #52 in our list of 100 Things to Do with Your Kids in NYC Before They Grow Up). They usually open for Thanksgiving and are a great thing to do with your kids during the long Thanksgiving weekend through New Years. This year the big news is that CitiGroup has cut its funding for their wonderful holiday trains in their midtown office building. These trains will be sorely missed as it was a great set-up, but there are some new players stepping in to fill the gap.

Here are the best places to see Holiday Train Displays in New York City:  

New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show
The Christmas Train Exhibit is a true wonder. 140 New York landmarks are recreated entirely in plant parts from berries to branches. This year they've added a 20 sq ft reincarnation of the original Penn Station. Kids will marvel at the little Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium and much much more. The trains weave in and out of these wonderful city replicas, through tunnels. over bridges and even through waterfalls. It's a magical sight to see and adults will enjoy it as much as kids.

It's a great trip for a cold winter day since the whole thing is in the balmy warmth of a greenhouse. There's parking and you can go by car or there is also public transportation. Metro North from Grand Central is much easier than the subway and bus. Once there, the facilities are great including a stroller park, clean rest rooms and a cafe for wonderful hot chocolate.

And it's worth the trip because after you check out the Train Show there's lots more to do, like the Gingerbread Adventures with an outdoor maze and plenty of places to run and climb. There are replicas of very large gingerbread houses and in December you can also catch a performance of The Little Engine That Could puppet show by puppet master Ralph Lee. There will also be several evening hours along with caroling.

The NYBG train show is open on Thanksgiving Day and will be open through January 10, 2010. Adults are $20, kids are $15. During the Christmas Holiday week tickets cost $5 more. CHeck the website for hours, dates and details.

Grand Central Station Holiday Train Show
The New York City Transit Museum hosts it's free Holiday train show in Grand Central Station. Walk through the shuttle passageway and you'll discover an imaginary journey from a living room, through New York City, out through the suburbs and farmland to the ultimate destination, The North Pole.

While you're there check out the Holiday Gift Fair and, starting November 30th, you'll also want to watch the Free Kaleidescope Laser Light Show in the Main Concourse.

Lionel Trains Pop Up Shop in Rock Center
New this year is a special pop-up shop at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (at 50th St) where they have a complete holiday train set up on display. Whether you stop in as part of your Holiday Department Store Windows Walk, while visiting the tree or actually want to buy some trains to put under your own tree, this is an easy and free place to take in some Holiday cheer.

Get into the holiday train spirit or end your day out with The Polar Express book or DVD.