Toasting the Moon at the New York Botanical Garden

As we approach the holidays, I can’t help but be sad that I won’t be seeing family this year. I’m sure that’s the same for most of you. My birthday is approaching, as is Thanksgiving. It’s my family’s tradition to travel during this time. We explore somewhere new every year for my birthday/Thanksgiving – always together – always thankful.

That’s not happening this year due to the ever expanding pandemic.

Instead, Noah and I are going it alone. We have some Burgundy and a nice catered dinner in the works for delivery in New York City. We’re doing our best to stay home and socially distance. Parks and gardens have become weekly staples to help curb our wanderlust.

One of the most underrated spots for this is the New York Botanical Garden. Plant lovers all know this spot and love it – as do those living nearby in the Bronx. But, for Manhattanites, it’s a bit of a trek and doesn’t hit many people’s must-see spots in New York City.

It’s definitely worth the trip! And, I’m going to have to go back each season, as the outdoor gardens are seasonally kept and ever-changing! We visited recently, and the jack-o-lanterns and fall foliage sights were stunning.

For only $15 for NYC residents (or FREE on Wednesdays) you can explore the grounds and all of the outdoor gardens. You could easily spend the day with a picnic lunch! It’s 250 acres and over a million different plants! From a designated rose garden, daffodil field, crabtree orchard, ornamental conifer corner, and so much more.

And, of course, we always have to make friends with furry animals. Meet our New York Botanical Garden friend – the chipmunk! (Okay…so…these guys are extremely fast and nervous…I honestly spent about 30 minutes trying to get a good photo of the many chipmunks in the park 😂🤷🏼‍♀️)

The crown jewel of the New York Botanical Garden is the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. This stunning building takes visitors through several different climates and showcases a stunning Victorian-era glass dome exhibiting plants from tropical rain forests, cactus-filled deserts, diverse displays of palms from around the world, aquatic and carnivorous plants, and much more. Access to the indoor exhibitions are slightly more expensive, with tickets for New Yorkers at $28. However, if you plan to frequent the gardens several times per year to get away from the crowds in the public parks, membership is certainly a good option! It’s a great way to have a space all your own, while supporting a great cause in our community.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers! We wish you health, love, and travel in late-2021! Until then, take care of yourselves, wear your masks, and socially distance in beautiful gardens!

Other NYC Ideas…

Check out our previous posts for other NYC neighborhoods to check-out!

• Long Island City, Queens
• North Fork, Long Island
• FiDi
• Red Hook
• Rockaway Beach
• Murray Hill and Midtown East
• Central Park
• Discover the Best NYC Landmark and Lookout – Just For You!
• Spookiest Spots in NYC
• Sleepy Hollow

More coming each week!

And…it’s 2020…So, here’s my weekly reminder. 

Should I Come to New York in 2020?

If you are living outside the Northeast, the answer is still, sadly, no. For more on this, check out our other posts on 3 Months of New York City, Riding the Second Wave, Wandering and Wondering in NYC, and New York: Awakening from COVID-19 Slumber. Although the numbers are starting to climb again, New York still seems to be under control (at this point). The government is doing its best to make sure it stays below a certain percentage. With so many people living in such a close proximity, pandemics are especially lethal here. 

***UPDATE*** Starting on November 4th, the mandatory 14-day quarantine has ended! New York is moving to a test-based travel restriction. You have to show a negative COVID-19 test result from the past 72 hours upon arrival, then, three days after arrival (and quarantine), you have to receive another test here. If it’s negative, you’re good to go. If it’s positive, you must continue to quarantine. So, this means shorter quarantines (yay!), but two tests… Stay home if you can…If you can’t, you’ve been warned!

Wait this one out…New York will still be here when the dust settles.

As always, don’t forget to Toast The Moon to all of your international travels by visiting our store, and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and the ‘gram to catch all of our latest posts and adventures!

Stay in your region this year, stay safe, stay distant, and be like the NYC statues – wear your masks! We’ll see you on the other side.

Cheers,

Noah and Majhon