New York Botanical Gardens Train Show

Last weekend Joe, Henry and I took the train north to the NY Botanical Gardens for the Holiday Train Show!  This was something I have wanted to do since we moved to New York, and we finally got there this year.

They re-create various buildings from NYC out of plant parts: sticks, wood, bark, seeds, pinecones and fruit. Between all the buildings are train tracks with about a dozen different toy trains running. It's pretty amazing!


Macy's - this was in the queue line just to get in the building


Upclose


With the train conductor

The first room is part of the queue - it's a little tropical paradise, which felt great because the day was a bit rainy and yucky! There are no trains here, but some really great buildings.


Ellis Island




The old TWA terminal (and planes) at JFK. Jet Blue now occupies part of this famous structure.


Almost time to go in!




Some of the buildings we recognized, but many we didn't. There were signs in front of them all, saying what they were and where they were.






Hell Gate Bridge - this one is really close to our house


Coney Island


The NY Public Library (the big famous building) is the structure in the back, the arch is from Washington Square Park.


A bit blurry, but they even recreated the lions in front of the library!


The old Penn Station (it was sadly destroyed)


If you've been to NYC, you might think this is the Post Office across from Madison Square Garden, but it's not - it's the old Penn Station, same architect. Very similar buildings!


I love the detail on the roof of this one.







There was a small exhibit on the side that showed how the artists created these buildings - and had a few non-NYC buildings as well.


First step


Second step and some materials


Viola! Easy, right???


Okay-that one is from NYC... :)

Coffee pot gas station (I cannot recall where it was from), and the cool train that was going around these buildings.


Sorry about it being rotated - I did fix it in my photo program...hmmm!  Anyway, I was excited to see this one! It's a replica of that hotel shaped like an elephant, which they also have a replica of in Boardwalk Inn lobby at Walt Disney World!


This is Nebraska, I've seen it! I think it might be "Dunn Bros" now though if I remember correctly


Another train going around














Pretty flowers....after all we were at the Botanical Gardens!


Henry in front of the skyline


Famous buildings of the skyline - Empire State, Chrysler, Rockefeller, NYSE...


Radio City


I love this - Rockefeller even has the angles and Christmas tree up!




Empire State


Thomas! In January they change out all the trains to be Thomas and friends.


The building we were in at the moment. Kinda cool!


Harlem - the Apollo


The old Yankee Stadium - the lights worked and it played music




Natural History Museum


Guggenheim


City Hall




Brooklyn Bridge














Amazing detail















Back outside we walked a bit over to an area they had set up for kids called Gingerbread Adventures






So pretty.


A little maze for the kids


Kid-size gingerbread house


There were a few of these cool guys around

Inside one of the buildings they had set up stations to learn about the spices that go into gingerbread. The first thing they got was a booklet they could design with glue and seeds.






Grinding spices

We then went to various stations where they would learn about a spice and glue some into the booklet.


At the end there were a few gingerbread creations by various bakeries




Planting wheat

It was a cute area, and maybe he learned something... :)

Back outside we went to the gift shop before we had to get on the train - just enough time for me to buy an ornament!


Pretty.


Inside the gift shop - yummy gingerbread cookies


Candy canes, my favorite


Ornaments - you might not be able to see if very well, but we got a little snow globe one with a train in it.


I thought these were cute.

Then it was back on the train and home. We really enjoyed the Train Show and I'm glad we went! I don't think we will go every year, but, it was something new and different!