Spend a day at the New York Botanical Garden (and see the trains)
250 acres in the Bronx, plus the Holiday Train Show. Bedford Park, The Bronx.
The short answer
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is at 2900 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, open 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday and on select Monday holidays. Pricing is layered, so read it twice. At the time of writing the All-Garden Pass is $35 for adults and $15 for children on weekdays ($39 and $17 at weekends). New York City residents can buy a Grounds Access Pass at $15 for adults and $4 for children 2 to 12.
What it is like
The cheat code is Wednesday: Grounds admission is free to NYC residents all day and to everyone else between 10am and 11am. Free covers the grounds, though, not the extras, so check what your ticket includes before you set off for the Everett Children's Adventure Garden or any special exhibition.
The Holiday Train Show is the season to know about. Last year it ran from Saturday, November 15, 2025 to Sunday, January 11, 2026, with daytime tickets starting at $25; I could not find the 2026 to 2027 dates on the pages I could load, so check nybg.org before planning. Honest advice for the rest of the year: it is a very large garden, and a four-year-old's stamina is not. Choose one or two areas and sit down.
Best time to go
A Wednesday for the free grounds window; November to January for the trains.
Tips before you go
- Wednesday is the free grounds day for NYC residents, and 10am to 11am for everyone else.
- Check which ticket includes the Everett Children's Adventure Garden.
- Take the Metro-North Harlem Line if the timetable suits; it is the easiest way in.
Where it is
2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗
What's on here
From The New York Almanac, the next 60 days.
Until Sun, Nov 1
Boo at the Zoo
Bronx Zoo, Fordham, The Bronx · Included with zoo admission
A daytime Halloween celebration with animal chats, magic shows, costume parades, a hay bale course, face painting and candy stations. Included with zoo admission. Organizer ↗
Until Mon, Nov 2
Dia de los Muertos
New York Botanical Garden, Bedford Park, The Bronx · Included with All-Garden Pass ($15 children, $35 adults weekdays; $17 and $39 weekends)
Marigold blooms and a community ofrenda, with weekend folk music, papel picado and silk flower crafts, Mexican folk dance, and activities in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. Included with the All-Garden Pass. Organizer ↗
Fri, Oct 9 to Sun, Jan 3
Beyond the Margins: Bronx Museum Teens Activate the Permanent Collection
Bronx Museum of the Arts, Concourse, The Bronx · Free
An exhibition made by museum teens working with the permanent collection, opening with a reception on October 9. Free admission. Organizer ↗
Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11:00
Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration with NAIC-NY
Mitsubishi River Walk, Bronx Zoo, Bronx Park, The Bronx · Free
NYC Parks lists this Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration with NAIC-NY at the Mitsubishi River Walk in Bronx Park, and flags it as a Must See event. Check the Parks page for the day's program. Organizer ↗
Saturday, October 10, 2026, 12:00
Boo Bash in the Bronx
St. James Park, Fordham, The Bronx · Free
A free Halloween afternoon in St. James Park. NYC Parks lists it as open to the public with no ticket. Organizer ↗
Fri, Oct 16 to Sat, Oct 17
Family Camping: Bronx
Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx · Free
The Urban Park Rangers lead an overnight family camping trip at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, 6pm to 7am. Check the Parks page for sign-up and what to bring. Organizer ↗
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 13:00
Community Joy/Justice Day
Bronx Museum of the Arts, Concourse, The Bronx · Free
An artist-led community day at the Bronx Museum, which has free admission for everyone. Organizer ↗
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 13:00
Dia de los Muertos Parade and Celebration
New York Botanical Garden, Bedford Park, The Bronx · Included with All-Garden Pass ($15 children, $35 adults weekdays; $17 and $39 weekends)
Larger-than-life puppets, live dance and crafts. The 2pm parade is cancelled in poor weather. Organizer ↗
Nearby on the Brood List
Eat your way around Arthur Avenue, the Bronx's Little Italy
Belmont · 0.7 mile away
Spend a day at the Bronx Zoo
Fordham Park, Bronx · 0.8 mile away
Questions people ask
When is the New York Botanical Garden free?
On Wednesdays, Grounds admission is free to NYC residents all day and to all other visitors between 10am and 11am.
How much is the All-Garden Pass for children?
At the time of writing, $15 on weekdays and $17 at weekends.
When is the Holiday Train Show?
The 2025 to 2026 show ran November 15 to January 11. Check nybg.org for the 2026 to 2027 dates.
How do I get to NYBG by train?
Take the Metro-North Harlem Line to Botanical Garden station, or the B/D subway to Bedford Park Blvd and walk or take a bus.
Which subway stop is nearest?
Metro-North Harlem Line to Botanical Garden station is the simplest route. By subway, B/D to Bedford Park Blvd (accessible station) or 4 to Bedford Park Blvd-Lehman College (not accessible) or Fordham Rd (accessible), then a walk or bus. Check nybg.org for current directions and the MTA elevator status.
Can you take a stroller?
Not confirmed on the pages I could read; check nybg.org. The grounds are large and hilly in places, so a stroller usually helps with under-5s.
How long do you need?
3 to 5 hours.
The whole list
All 40 on a map
Open the map →For the fridge
The printable list
Print it →The Bronx
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