When you hear – The Bronx – what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A Bronx Tale? Gangs? Super hard gangsta rap? Definitely NOT kids holiday events, flowers and trains that’s for sure. We actually have a membership and go to the Bronx zoo at least a couple times a month – but I never thought to head up to the Botanical Garden until I read about the Holiday Train Show being pretty spectacular. Since Claudio LOVES the toy train sets too – I figured it would be a pretty cool family trip. Then I saw tickets were $25 a person! $50 to see some trains? Well I am here to tell you – IT IS WORTH EVERY DOLLAR. In fact, we might go A SECOND TIME.
Maximo was absolutely in LOVE with the trains. He is currently in the “cave man phase.” That transition period between baby and communicating toddler where they just point and yell and grunt at everything. Well let’s just say there was a LOT of grunting and pointing happening today.
Tips on Visiting the Holiday Train Show at the NY Botanical Garden (Kids Holiday Events)
1. Get Your Tickets Online. (You can actually get them cheaper, $17 instead of $25 online at Goldstar.com). Also, it will be less busy and cheaper if you can go during the week rather than a weekend. When we went up today, we go there about noon, but couldn’t see the trains until 2:15. As you would suspect, the botanical garden is all outside and we wandered around for 2 hours in 37 degree weather.
2. Park on the Street. Sorry Botanical Garden! But parking was $15!!! We found street parking a block away for free. It might be harder on weekends, but give it a once-over before coughing up the cash.
3. Bring the camera! You will NOT be disappointed in this show no matter what your age – the buildings are incredible. Photos really don’t do them justice.
4. Take Time to Visit the Entire Thing. This place is H-U-G-E! We definitely got a workout walking around waiting for the show. And we stumbled into the really cool Children’s Garden. It’s indoor-outdoor and probably fun as H-E double hockey sticks when it’s warmer (so we’ll be heading back in the spring!) Check out these awesome pics of their mini maze, train parade and multiple props along the way to the activity center (where you could do art projects and make trains, do an ‘edible’ art project and more!)
5. Wait to eat after on Arthur Avenue. There is a little cafe inside, but how often do you really travel to the Bronx?? You NEED to make a pit stop in the totally authentic Italian district of the Bronx called Arthur Ave which is literally only a few blocks away. There are tons a great places to eat but here are my two favorites:
– Zero Otto Nove– the newer, hipper brick oven pizza shop. This place has INSANE good food. Like – Travel Channel episode worthy. I could eat their sweet sausage with butternut squash ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Or the cream of truffle mushroom pizza. Die and go to heaven right now. While they DO have high chairs, I didn’t feel as welcome to have kids here during the lunch crowd. Also – check the hours before you go – we got there at 3:15 and it didn’t re-open until 4:30. (closed 2:30 – 4:30 daily!) #fail
-Marios – probably my favorite place on the Ave. It hasn’t changed in years – and you feel transported back in time just walking in. Immediately you feel welcomed – the staff is beyond accommodating for kids. Our server Blendy was the BEST! Ask for him or say hi if you stop in! Even though they don’t have a kids menu per say, he ordered Max a half-order of spaghetti with a meatball, which Maximo gladly slurped up noodle by noodle. Also – I had the BEST CAPPUCCINO I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE here. No lie. You don’t even have to add sugar. Boom.
Even though they’re ‘old-school’ they have a uni-sex bathroom with a changing table – so even DAD can get in on the action. 🙂
So don’t be afraid to venture into the Bronx. It has TONS of really amazing stuff that’s kid friendly!
Looking for more kids holiday events?
6 Reasons to Visit the Queens County Farm Museum
Holiday Photo Shoots at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Jane’s Carousel
Watch for more upcoming posts – or check out the Mommy Nearest App for my weekend events guides!
