What: Brazilian Modern Orchid Show
Where: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx
When: This weekend-April 10
Why: February showers bring March flowers, right? After this week’s snowstorm, we could use a little bit of spring about now. At the seventh annual Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden, landscape architect Raymond Jungles has created a true living work of art, complete with vibrant mosaics, fountains, and cascading bromeliads, and of course, the 30,000 colorful species of orchids from every continent except Antarctica. It’s a mini back-to-school event with the “Chocolate and Vanilla Adventures” exhibit in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, where kids of all ages can learn about the vanilla orchid, cacao beans, and the unique recipe for ancient Mayan hot chocolate. Horticulture yourself.
Cost: Adults $20, Seniors/Students $18, Children $8
Photo: Courtesy of Ivo M. Vermeulen and NYBG
How to get there:
By Metro-North Railroad: Take the Metro-North Harlem local line to Botanical Garden Station. Walk across Kazimiroff Boulevard to the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance. Just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.
By Subway: Take the B, D, or 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd Station. From the station exit: Take the Bx 26 bus east to the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance, OR walk eight blocks down the hill on Bedford Park Blvd to the end (approximately 20 minutes). Turn left onto Kazimiroff Blvd and walk one block to Mosholu Gate entrance.
Admission: NYBG is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays except federal holidays: September 1, October 13). All-Garden Pass: Adults $20, Seniors and Students (with valid ID) $18, Children (2-12 years) $7, Children under 2 are free, and NYBG Members are free. The above pass includes entrance to the Conservatory, the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, the Rock and Native Plant Gardens, the Tram Tour, and all other gardens and exhibitions on the grounds. Grounds-only passes are free on Saturday mornings and all day Wednesday. (The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road, Bronx, 718.817.8700, nybg.org)
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram