The New York Botanical Garden: A Perfect Holiday Outing

This winter season the New York Botanical Garden has something for everyone! Even if you haven’t managed to find a gift from our fabulous gift guides, consider taking a special someone on an outing that celebrates the season and guarantees to be a memorable experience.

Enjoy some seasonal holiday films at the Botanical Garden’s Ross Hall for their 2nd annual Holiday Film Screenings. This weekend some of the classic favorites are showing, including, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol. Regardless of the weather, what a perfect way to celebrate the season with your family or friends! The weekend after Christmas also has some great family movies like Ice Age, The Holiday, and Frozen! Tickets to the film showings are included in an All Garden Pass.

Bundle up and consider joining one of the Garden’s winter tours! That’s right, even in the winter the New York Botanical Garden still offers guided tours of their amazing grounds every day. The two tours I would recommend are their Holiday Landmarks Tour and the Winter Wonderland Tree Tour. The Landmarks tour with give you a unique look into the history of the Botanical Garden and it’s importance as a cultural destination. On the Winter Wonderland Tree Tour enjoy a scenic tour of the Benenson Ornamental Conifers, learn about the wide range of trees we lovingly call evergreens.

For younger ones in your crew, check out the Evergreen Express activities at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Kids can get involved in various hands on activities, crafts and even join in a musical parade! Keep an eye out because in January the famous train, Thomas the Tank Engine, will be taking the stage at the New York Botanical Garden on weekends!

Of course no one could forgot their famous Holiday Train Show! This year there are more than 150 New York landmarks and 20 different model trains are featured in the train show. Did you know that all of the replicas at the show are completely made out of plant material?  How cool is that!

New York Botanical Garden

Holiday Train Show
Pic Credit: New York Botanical Garden Website

Looking for a date night that’s out of the ordinary, check out the Bar Car Nights at the Garden. On select evenings you will get after hours entry to the Holiday Train Show and explore the Haupt Conservatory. The Bar Car Nights also feature live music, ice sculptors, and fire poi performers. It’s a good idea to buy tickets beforehand; the tickets for this weekend are already sold out! The event is 21+ and tickets will also get you a complementary cocktail. I’ll be heading to the garden this weekend to check out the Bar Car Night so lookout for a full review next week!

Here’s a link to the full listing of Holiday Train Show Programs at the Garden LINK

On this page you’ll find all the details about the Bar Car Nights This Page

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Resident Tourist

Born here. Lives here and never leaving. The nicest person to ever not speak in public. Loves New York