The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is an annual tradition that features model trains and over 150 replicas of New York landmarks. The model train show features a stunning display of trains that travel through a miniature landscape of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, all made entirely out of natural materials like bark, leaves, and seeds. I love to visit on nights when the NYBG Train Show and NYBG GLOW are combinable on select nights.
For the 2023 holiday season, the show runs from November 17, 2023 through January 15, 2024, and features more trains and an all-new outdoor display on the Conservatory Lawn. In addition to the train display, the Holiday Train Show also offers a range of programs and events for visitors of all ages.
The entrance to the NYBG Model Train Show is always very festive and bright, and very obviously child friendly with the row of strollers parked outside.
Stepping inside is like entering a miniature New York with over 200 landmarks recreated using natural materials, with 25 trains crisscrossing over half a mile of track through these landmarks, including overhead bridges.
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NYC Landmarks at the NYBG Model Train Show
A visit to the NYBG Train Show is a whimsical journey through the New York City, with trains winding their way past miniature replicas of famous landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. The attention to detail in each of these models is truly impressive, with every building and landmark recreated in stunning detail.
The NYBG Holiday Show goes beyond the trains and the landmarks to be a celebration of the natural world, with the models made entirely out of natural materials that are carefully selected and arranged to create a truly magical display.
Here are some of the notable landmarks at the NYBG Holiday Train Show.
Major New York Landmarks
My favorite part of the Train Show is the New York Landmarks which are not exhibited within the plants inside the Conservatory. It is amazing to see all the NYC landmarks such as St Patrick’s Cathedral, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, World Trade Center etc, and to learn about so many other landmarks that are not as well known. Here are some of the ones that are very familiar and recognizable. The level of detail is just astonishing. And don’t miss the Occulus at the base of the WTC.
The New York landscape would not be complete without Lady Liberty, and here she is in all her glory.
The trains don’t translate as well in the pictures, so here is a video compilation of some of them at the Holiday Train Show –
Grand Central and Penn Station
The Grand Central and Penn Station replicas are just amazing to experience. The detailing on each is amazingly accurate, and where better to see trains than running through these two NYC landmarks. The model of Penn Station is one of the largest buildings in the Holiday Train Show at 20 sq ft.
Kykuit Estate
Kykuit is the Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills from 1913. This actually gives a peek behind the curtain on the materials used in its making, and illustrates the painstaking detail that goes into the replicas with two versions , one with just the base and the second with all the final details.
Macy’s Store
The Holiday Train Show has a replica of the Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square with a train running around it.
Coney Island
Coney Island is featured on a long table with model trains circling the landmarks, and then a train running on the bridge above.
Historical New York Houses
The path inside the Conservatory is lined on both sides with houses stacked one after the other, some better lit than others, each one worthy of attention both with and without the trains crossing them.
Yankee Stadium
The Yankee Stadium Replica is true to the original landmark.
Met Museum
Central Park
Central Park has a whole section dedicated to its many landmarks, including Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace. Each of these places is one that I like to visit often, and to see them represented in the Holiday Train Show is always special.
TWA Hotel
Even the TWA Hotel at JFK has its own corner at the Model Train Show!
New York Bridges
The Bridges are all set up to have trains running overhead throughout the show –
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
The grand finale of the Model Train Show is a model of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the NYBG which was absolutely stunning. While the original dome is about 90 ft tall to accommodate all the palms that it houses, the replica is made up of resin and reeds to create the window panes, and comes in at just under three feet.
Model Train Scales
The Model Train Show educates visitors on model train scales. I learnt that model railroads are available in a range of scales, and all the models in this exhibition are G-scale, which is large and durable enough to run outdoors.
Getting to the New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden is located in the Bronx and is easily accessible by a variety of transportation options.
By subway – The B, D, and 4 subway lines go to the Bedford Park Boulevard station, which is a short walk from the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance. Another option is to take the Bx26 bus from the Bedford Park Boulevard station to the Mosholu Gate entrance.
By Metro North – The Metro-North Harlem local line goes from Grand Central to the Botanical Garden station, which is located directly across the street from the Garden’s Mosholu Entrance.
Driving – There is ample parking available at the Garden for a fee.
Biking – NYBG has free bike racks at all the entrances. Biking is not permitted within the Garden.
Closing Thoughts
The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a much beloved holiday tradition that celebrates all things NYC, and is a popular activity for New Yorkers and visitors of all ages in New York City during the holiday season. Its stunning display of model trains, iconic landmarks, and celebration of the natural world, it’s a true feast for the senses that inspires and fills everyone with holiday cheer.
