It’s Christmas time in New York City – one of my favorite seasons of year! And a new favorite annual tradition for my husband and I since having our son nearly two years ago is visiting the Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden. It’s an amazing display of 140 New York City landmarks that are recreated entirely out of natural materials – nuts, tree bark, fruits, pinecones and leaves – and enlivened by model trains. No doubt it delights adults and children alike! And if you have children as fascinated with trains as our son is, they are sure to be enchanted as they explore the sights and sounds. Favorite replicas include the original Yankee Stadium, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Belvedere Castle and New York City’s bridges. Each year there is always something new added to the display and this year it’s the Eero Saarinen-designed Trans World Airline Flight Center at John F. Kennedy Airport.

The Holiday Train Show is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM through January 9th, 2011. Don’t have a car? Take the train to the trains! The New York Botanical Garden is just 20 minutes from Grand Central on Metro-North.

Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance online and go as early as possible in the day to avoid crowds, especially on the weekend. However, I have also heard that an evening (after 4 PM) at the train show with twinkling lights is pure holiday magic!

Happy holidays,

Caryn