My first trip to the gorgeous New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx and it is a cold day on December 6.
We head to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, which is definitely warmer inside. The structure is breathtaking in and of itself, and stunning in this garden.
Striking architecture of glass and steel,
and a visual feast of tropical plants,
Sabal Palmetto |
interesting trees, exotic blooms like anthurium
and orchids with bursts of brilliant color
that illicit oohs and aahs as visitors walk through.
And, on this day, charming model trains bound to warm the heart and soul. Like kids, my husband and I oohed and aahed at the Holiday Train Show currently on display at the conservatory through January 13, 2013. Toy trains and Christmas--it's a classic combo that always seems to appeal to everyone.
Who doesn't love model trains, especially with famous cityscapes and scaled buildings made only of natural items such as bark, twigs and seeds. Some buildings in the display are lesser known
while others are famous icons of the Big Apple that is New York City.
The first images seen as you enter the conservatory, appropriately enough, are the Statute of Liberty and the
Ellis Island Immigration Center.
Following that, the display is a virtual tour of about 140 New York landmarks.
Locomotives of all sorts run through it--even Thomas The Tank makes an appearance--
motoring past skyscrapers, historical homes and choo-chooing
across the George Washington and Brooklyn bridges, complete with tiny lights.
Landscapes are decorated with plants, colorful foliage and blooms such as ivy, spathiphyllum, kalanchoe, bromeliads, cyclamens and moss. There are ferns, Norfolk pines and palms of all sorts.
Trains chug past St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Empire State, Radio City Hall and Rockefeller Center.
There's a replica of the Haupt Conservatory and a working waterfall.
And let's not forget Yankee Stadium, home of serious American baseball. This replica even features a brief audio broadcast of a game for special effects. Adorable.
It is a popular exhibit, so don't forget your timed and dated ticket to get on board.
The next stop is Washington, D.C.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas from the New York Botanical Garden!
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Copyright 2012 by Jeannine. All Rights Reserved.
You have such a beautiful and interesting site. I have to add the New York Botanical Garden in winter to my very optimistic bucket list. Plants and trains and all so cleverly done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visit and your kind remarks. The NYBG is definitely worth a visit! Jeannine
ReplyDeleteWow Janine, what a lovely looking greenhouse and I also like those scale models of various landmarks. I can imagine how fun it must have been whilst there. Would love to visit this garden and glasshouse in the very near future I hope!
ReplyDeleteThis garden is a must see when you are in New York!
DeleteOooh, Jeannine, we have to take the grandchildren before it's over. Have a lovely holiday! P. x
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you! Enjoy the train show, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWow! The child in me loves the trains! I have always admired the train sets designed to go through a garden. The conservatory itself is magnificent. Thanks for the views! Have a Merry christmas, and may your garden prosper in 2013!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit! This is a beautiful exhibit and greenhouse.
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