New York Botanical Garden

“We had the most wonderful time visiting the New York Botanical Garden for their annual Holiday Train Show! 🚂✨ ​It’s truly an incredible, magical experience. The centerpiece is this sprawling miniature New York City landscape, where model trains zip past nearly 200 landmarks. What makes it so special is that every single building—from Rockefeller Center to the iconic skyscrapers—is meticulously crafted entirely out of natural materials like bark, seeds, vines, and twigs. ​My favorite part was seeing the detailed models of historic, and sometimes long-gone, architectural treasures, like the original Penn Station. It’s a beautiful tribute to the city’s past and present. If you're looking for an inspiring and detailed holiday outing, I highly recommend checking out the sheer artistry on display here.”

“I've been coming here since I was a child and am enjoying it even more now as an adult. This is a place of calm, a place of education and experience. I've seen many different events here, from their wonderful and very beautiful Vincent van Gogh exhibit to their railroad train exhibition which is a favorite of mine. This is a place of joy, especially in the winter time with their light shows. You can enjoy coming alone, or bringing the family or even enjoying a first date, this place offers it all. I highly recommend buying tickets in advance as well as the parking to hurry the process. I also recommend getting the membership as it's more than worth it for the price.”

“I visit the gardens at least once a year to enjoy the flowers and special exhibitions. The trees and outdoor gardens are well maintained and labeled so we can identify them. There are the annual exhibitions such as orchids and the trains that are enjoyable. Everyone there are mostly courteous to others allowing people to linger and take photographs of themselves the flowers and the exhibitions. A worthwhile way to spend a morning or afternoon.”

“The New York Botanical Garden was such a wonderful surprise! We visited on a chilly day when most of the flowers had already fallen, so we didn’t expect much — but it turned out to be a beautiful experience. The grounds were peaceful, pleasant, and still very much full of life. The Conservatory was especially impressive. They were hosting the Van Gogh exhibit, and I loved how art and nature were seamlessly woven together. It felt inspiring to see the colors, light, and creativity of Van Gogh come alive among the plants. A truly enjoyable and refreshing visit — we’ll definitely be back in another season!”