Confession: I spent four years at Fordham University and I never went to the Botanical Garden. Another confession? I have spent practically my whole life in NYC and had never gone! That changed earlier this year, when I took my son and his friend to the Holiday Train Show. I had heard so much about it, and I finally made it over.
The New York Botanical Garden is in the Bronx, across from the Bronx Zoo. It is a great place for the whole family, and I’m really glad I got the family membership back in January.
If you’re a New Yorker, here are five reasons why having the NYBG Family Membership totally makes sense:
COST
If you plan to go to the Holiday Train Show (and this should be on your “must-do” holiday list every year), the membership pretty much pays for itself.
I did the math and if you take into consideration ticket prices and you go just twice — let’s say, two holiday train shows, for example, without even going for anything else, you pretty much already get your money’s worth. It is $135 for the family membership (as of the date this went live).
A regular adult ticket costs $28 – times two, $56. Kids under 16 are free! And you can take up to five kids! (Hello play dates!) The family membership includes entrance to the Holiday Train Show as well. For more information on memberships and what is included, click here.
NATURE!
It’s a great place for your kids (and you!) to connect with nature. The hustle and bustle of NYC can get to us, amirite? Inside the Botanical Garden, there are no cars, and kids can walk, climb, get their hands dirty, tumble down a hill… it is quite magical!
PROGRAMMING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
The children’s programming is out of this world. There is a whole section especially for kids at NYBG, the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. The day we visited, there was a special one-hour class on reptiles. It was educational, and the kids got to pet reptiles, including lizards and even a boa constrictor!
On any given day there are many activities: planting seeds, arts and crafts, and more. In addition of course, there’s the maze, climbing rocks, a greenhouse (where kids can water the plants) and a room where they can play with puzzles or read books.
Stuff for adults as well!
PHOTO OPPS!
Plenty of photo opportunities: During Halloween, for about a month before, NYBG is decorated with beautiful pumpkins and there are plenty of photo op stations. Perfect for your fall pics!
After Halloween, the Christmas decorations go up, and those are also quite spectacular.
IT’S EASY TO GET TO!
NYBG is easily accessible by public transportation – we love taking the MetroNorth that leaves you across the street. (for $4.25 each way using a City Ticket). It only takes 15 minutes from Harlem-125th Street. (If you live in Astoria, you can take the M60 bus into Harlem!) If you become a member, you also get some parking passes. If you want more info on NYBG, you can visit nybg.org
Note: This is NOT a sponsored post. I am a member, and I purchased my membership earlier this year.
