Happy new year my dearest friends!
I hope all of you have started the year with the right foot.
What if I tell you I want to kick off things in the blog with magic? What about that? Are you in?
Well, as many of you may know, I spent the holidays in New York City. Travel connoisseurs agree this is one of the best places in the world to enjoy the season.
Yes, I walked past the window displays on 5th Avenue, saw the giant tree placed in front of the Rockefeller Center and strolled around the Christmas market stalls at Bryant Park.
All that was great, but today, I want to share the place that gave me the maximum amount of goosebumps per minute, the place where I felt like a kid again.
For 25 years, the Holiday Train Show, presented inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Gardens, has been enchanting families and individuals. This exhibition consists of model trains moving around 150 landmarks of the city.
Now, get this, all the structures have been created with natural materials such as bark, stone, leaves, flowers, twigs and so on. I admit that doesn’t sound that exiting but wait till you see the final product. I am warning you, it will blow your mind.
As I mentioned, the show presents more than 150 structures. That means I went crazy taking photos and ended up with about three hundred. To summarize things, I have decided to present the most iconic structures of New York City. In that way, you will be able to get the wow factor since you have some sort of familiarity with the actual structure.
Here we go!
We’ll start will New York’s most famous train station and architectural marvel, the Grand Central Terminal (located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue).
Sport lovers will recognize the Yankee Stadium. The model on the exhibition corresponds to the old stadium which was demolished in 2010. A new stadium has been constructed.
Most of us can recognize Manhattan’s most iconic skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the Rockefeller Center.
In the pictures, you can also see Saks Fifth Avenue, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower and the Radio City Hall.
They even recreated the Prometheus Statue in front of the Rockefeller Center and the Channel Gardens (where the seasonal displays are planted).
Another landmark located close to the Rockefeller Center is the St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
And, this will not be an exhibition about New York without having the Statue of Liberty.
Or, the main structure at Ellis Island.
Another highlight of the exhibition is the New York Public Library.
The minds in charge of building all the models got very creative when designing the main museums of the city. Here we have the Guggenheim.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
and, The American Museum of Natural History
You may recognize the Washington Arch located in Washington Square.
There were lesser known structures such as the Vanderbilt Mansion…
The Park Avenue Armory …
And tons of Manhattan’s Row Houses.
Manhattan’s landmarks were heavily represented for obvious reasons but structures from the other 4 boroughs were present. Hudson River mansions (upstate New York) recreations were on display too.
It was beautiful to see the main structures of Coney Island forming part of the exhibition.
The city’s most famous connector, the Brooklyn Bridge was present.
The George Washington and the Manhattan Bridges were there too.
Loved the way the John F. Kennedy airport was created.
The jewel of the exhibition was the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (or the building we were, they modeled that too). Not sure how they achieve that level of transparency and shine with natural materials.
I really want to continue talking about the Train Show but I will stop. I am sure at this point you get the idea of why this exhibition is so special.
In the words of an attendant: “It is too much to take in.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. My jaw dropped like 20 times. And, the thing is that I am not even a New York native or resident. However, I was able to savor the details of the reproductions and tour one of the world’s largest cities in 250 acres.
If you are in New York City for the holidays, make sure you stop by the Holiday Train Show at the Botanical Gardens. It is an experience you will cherish for a long time.
Once again, happy new year! I hope I have injected some magic to your day!
What do you think about the Holiday Train Show?
Ready to pin? Let’s do this!
Rajesh says
Great shots from exhibition.
Wish you Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Ruth says
Thanks Rajesh! Same good wishes to you.
Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me) says
This is astonishing! It’s incredible to believe it’s all made from natural materials. So much skill and energy must have gone into these contructions. #MondayEscapes
Ruth says
I am with you. I was amazed at the structures but was 10 times more amazed when saw an introductory video showing how everything was made.
image-in-ing: weekly photo linky says
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/01/church-of-primacy-of-peter.html
Ruth says
Thanks a lot!
Lisa (Travel Loving Family) says
I am seriously impressed! It must have taken hours to create these sculptures of NYC. Thanks for linking to #MondayEscapes
Ruth says
The structures can last years. Therefore, they do not have to recreate everything each year. They create new things thought since they want each show to be different. And once in a while, they create a new model of a structure that already exists.
Photo cache says
Wow, those are awesome! Happy New Year!
Ruth says
Thanks! Best wished for the new year!
Rhonda says
The train show looks awesome. The detail on the scenery is incredible.
Ruth says
So true! I was surprised by the amount of plants and flowers. It was a magical experience without a doubt.
Trish @ Mum's Gone To says
How extraordinary! I do love miniatures so I think I would be as fascinated as you were – quite incredible they create them from natural materials too.
#MondayEscapes
Ruth says
You would like this show for sure. The other thing is that the attention to detail is seen in every reproduction.
Mandy says
I’ve been to NYC for the holidays but never seen the train show. It looks like a lot of fun. Those building statues made with natural materials are amazing! So intricately detailed! I guess I know where to go next time I’m in NYC during the holiday season… 🙂
Ruth says
I think it is the perfect show to see during the holidays. You get all those warm and fuzzy feeling related to the season plus, everything is indoors. In that way, you can escape the cold!
A Creative Harbor says
Oh how delightful, creative and magical ~ lovely photos ~ thanks for the train ride ~
Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year ~ ^_^
Ruth says
Thanks lot! I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Natalie says
Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this before! Recently I was in New Orleans and saw many wonderful gingerbread representations of buildings in New Orleans. It was so much fun to see the small details created in sugar.
This set up is just amazing! I am adding it to the things I so want to see in NYC during the holiday time. Sometimes hubby has meetings there and I tag along…I’m already hoping there will be a need to go to New York next holiday season!! Thanks for the info!
Ruth says
Those gingerbread representations you are referring to sound very interesting. Creativity has no limits! The shows runs from mid-November to mid-January. There is plenty of time to stop by.
Christine @afamilyday says
Wow, that must have taken some amount of hard work. I wonder how many people were involved inbuilding the models? #Mondayescapes
Ruth says
I am not sure how many people are involved. I got the book about the show but have not started to read it yet.
Cathy (Mummytravels) says
Happy New Year- love this last taste of the holidays though, the detail is incredible. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Ruth says
I am glad you liked it! We need a lot of good vibes to start the year on the right track.
Notmyyearoff says
The detail looks amazing and they’ve put so much attention to it all. It’s no wonder you took over 300 photos, I think I’d do the same! #citytripping
Ruth says
I couldn’t stop shooting. It was one amazing building after another. And, the thing is that there wasn’t a repetition in patterns and forms. Each reproduction was unique in terms of materials used or design.
Photo(Geo)grapher says
Great and creative photos 🙂
I wish you a Happy New Year!
Ruth says
Thanks much! Best wishes for the new year!
Sarah Christie says
Oh wow the detail is just incredible, I love how they have managed to recreate New York in such a way, we keep thinking we may spend Christmas in NY but just cant decided. Thanks so much for linking up and have a great 2017 #MondayEscapes xxx
Ruth says
Spending the holidays in New York is great! It is the second time I go during the season and there are tons of things to see and do. The drawbacks are the cold weather and the crowds. I think I would prefer the city during warmer months.
ladyfi says
Wow – that is amazing!
Ruth says
Thanks!
Sharon says
What a great train show — amazing detail! We are booked for a trip to NYC in April so we will miss this show but should find plenty to keep us busy and happy! I would love to visit NYC for the holidays sometime.
Ruth says
I am sure April is an excellent month to visit New York. The city is always booming with activity.
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) says
What a fascinating exhibition. An incredible amount of work must gone into it. I had no idea about it so thanks for detailing with such fab photos. #citytripping
Ruth says
Elizabeth, I am glad you enjoyed the photos. I loved the show, so, I had to share!
Allison says
This looks similar to the Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Garden. We went for the first time this Christmas season and like you, I was blown away. We’ll have to go to this one if we’re ever in New York during the holiday season. #farawayfiles
Ruth says
Thanks for letting me know about the show in Chicago. It would be nice to attend that one.
Erin Gustafson says
We took our young boys there about 13 years ago! Too many people to really appreciate all the details, but I remember being terribly impressed! Thanks for the memory jog – what a cool exhibit. Cheers from Copenhagen and happy new year, thanks for linking with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Ruth says
Whoaaa! That is a long time ago! I am glad you still have warm memories about the show. I was lucky since it wasn’t that crowded when I went.
Jesh StG says
Hello Ruth, You are right the Tamales show is amazing!! (And my schedule for tomorrow was to make tamales, one of the few Mexican food I make decently). No idea you lived in California!
Did not know you had this meme, so I’ll link up here, and I’ll be back next week to ask a few questions about the meme/challenge
Ruth says
I do not get what you are saying about the tamales (?). Thanks for linking up!
Dan says
Absolutely amazing recreations of some iconic places! Great photos! Cheers to a 2017 the best travel year yet!
Ruth says
Thanks a lot Dan! Glad you enjoy the recap from the show.
shere says
our toddler (and my husband) would love this show!! we have a model train at home and we also visit a model train museum from time to time 🙂
Ruth says
I am sure your toddler wold enjoy the show. They had some characters from Thomas (the train) and kids were going nuts because of them.
Jill says
I’ve heard of many New York City Christmas events but I didn’t even know the train show existed. Looks fantastic – and I am sure kids and train enthusiasts would love it!
Ruth says
I found about this show at a blog called Peaches and Salt. Like you, I have not heard about it in other medium.
Trekking with Becky says
WOW! I am stunned!
Ruth says
Thanks Becky!
Anisa says
I went a few years ago and just loved it. I couldn’t believe how many miniature building and structures there were. I would definitely go again. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Ruth says
Cool! Glad you were able to go and got impressed by all the little buildings.
Katy says
The holiday train show IS really magical Ruth. I so appreciate the time and effort taken to create such unique little structures from natural materials. My son would absolutely adore this place and I think I’d have a lot of trouble getting him to leave. Thanks for sharing this piece of magic with us on #FarawayFiles
Ruth says
In general, I think kids will have trouble leaving. I now I had problems trying to get out. I kept walking and walking around.
Tracy McConnachie Collins says
Wow this is fantastic – both me and my husband would love it! The buildings look amazing and having lots of trains wizzing around just makes it perfect! Would loved to have seen this! #weeklypostcard #weekendwanderlust
Ruth says
It is so big and complete! And, like you mentioned, tons of trains are moving around. It is just a beautiful place.
Arnie Jacobsen says
This is really quite an amazing display! Amazing stuff.
Ruth says
Thanks Arnie!
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields says
I love the way the plants grow up and around the ‘buildings’. It makes them look post-apocalyptic. What a shame it isn’t a permanent exhbition.
Ruth says
I like how you describe it! It is funny! It would be nice for this to be permanent but I understand why they have it for this specific season.
Paula McInerney says
How cute, and I had not heard of this. Love that the structures are all naturally made. Next time we are in NYC we will visit.
Ruth says
Yes, you have to visit one day. I am sure you will enjoy every bit of this show.
Nancie says
Hi, Ruth. I knew nothing about this until I read your post and scrolled through your gorgeous photos. It’s easy to see why you were so enchanted. NYC for the holidays would be memorable, and if I get there, this will be on my list of sites to see. Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday
Ruth says
For some reason, a lot of people do not know about the show. Even some locals do not know about. My sister have lived in the Bronx for years and she didn’t know about it. I am glad I learned about it in a blog.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
I’ll admit that the name “Holiday Train Show” alone may not have convinced me to go to this. But now that I’ve seen your pics… wow! That is amazing. I like how they created the Guggenheim and the airport. Good call on featuring familiar landmarks. I would have taken a ton of photos, too.
Ruth says
I get what you say. Looks like the show used to emphasize the trains. With time, things changed but the name remained.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute says
Happy New year Ruth! This is something I’ll definitely keep in mind for visiting NYC during the holiday season. Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration
Ruth says
Jim, happy new year to you too! Glad I gave you an idea for New York City.
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) says
This looks so fantastic, Ruth, and something I’d love to see. The detail in the buildings are amazing. I’m not surprised it gave you goosebumps. What a wonderful Christmas tradition in New York. Definitely adding it to my list 🙂 Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Ruth says
So glad you liked it! Like you mentioned, I think it is a nice tradition to a lot of people. I noticed that a lot of visitors were members of the Botanical Garden. That means they can visit whenever they feel like or when there are special exhibitions.
Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe says
Wow, I guess its not just little boys who play with trains who would enjoy this train show. How clever and such detail.
Ruth says
That is right! I would not mind playing with trains around here.
Ahila says
Interesting that the miniatures have all been made of natural materials. Sounds like a unique show.
Ruth says
Ahila, that is hard to believe when you see certain features of the show. There are a lot of creative people behind this.
eileeng says
I’m glad you got to see the Train Show. I’m not sure how many tourists drag themselves away from away Times Square and Rockefeller at all much less venture all the way up to the Bronx. But it really is spectucular and in unique. And it’a chance to see a part of the city that is unique and stories in its own way.
Ruth says
Eileen, my sister lives in the Bronx, so, it was not difficult to drag myself from the “main attractions.” I found the Bronx very interesting. I would like to discover more of it.
Anda says
I’ve never been in New York for the Holidays. The train show looks awesome, so much detail! This is why I love big cities: you’ll never find something like this in a small provincial town. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Ruth says
That is true Anda. New York is the perfect city since it has something for everybody. I only saw about a quarter of what I wanted to see.
Ruth Daly says
This is such an interesting post – love all the pictures!
Ruth says
Thanks a lot!
Sallie (FullTime-Life) says
Wonderful; something I’ve never heard about in my life. Glad you were able to take pictures at this interesting exhibit.
Ruth says
Thanks Sallie! I am happy I was able to take pictures too. You know some exhibitions prohibit photos.
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) says
Those models are amazing! The level of detail is just stunning, especially when you consider they’re made of all natural materials. Truly fantastic. Thanks for sharing, Ruth, and Happy New Year!
Ruth says
Happy New Year Rob! Thanks for stopping by!
Nathalie says
I’m a sucker for dioramas and tiny towns, the New York holiday train show looks like my kind of fun! I wish I had known about it when I lived there.
Angie (FeetDoTravel) says
Wow, what amazing value for money it would be to visit here, I can see how you could lose hours! Absolutely fascinating that these structures are made from natural materials, thank you so much for sharing this post. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Corey with fifi + hop says
We love the Holiday Train Show! The art behind it is amazing. We usually go every year but took a year off this year. I have a post on it too :). #farawayfiles
Mary - the boondocks blog says
Ruth I had taken my kids to the Gardens back in 1995 before they rebuilt the conservatory. They had a train show back then too. But of course now it is much better and bigger. Your photos are fantastic.