Get an eye-full of spring when you head to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. The Orchid Show: Thailand pays homage to the rich cultural traditions and 1,200 varieties of native orchid species in this Southeast Asian nation.
Housed in the stunning Victorian-style glasshouse Enid A Haupt Conservatory, the exhibit dazzles with spirit houses, hanging lanterns, ponds, pools and playful elephant-shaped topiaries festooned with colorful blooms. Thousands of spectacular specimens of every size and color are on display. The colors, fragrance and highly artistic displays of these elegant flowers are just the ticket to lift you out of the winter doldrums.
Thailand has an international reputation as a center for orchid horticulture. Traditional Thai methods of clipping and pruning form whimsical shapes that add playful flair and make this year’s show a treat for all ages. Rare Vanda orchids, prized for their large patterned blooms, are sure to captivate.
This floral fantasy runs until April 9. A rich array of multimedia programming complements the exhibit. Enjoy dance performances, film screenings and orchid care demos. Evenings at the garden entertain with music, dance and specialty cocktails, so consider a date night visit.
If you feel like challenging your green thumb, thousands of elegant orchids are on sale at the NYBG Shop. They offer diminutive varieties just right for cramped NYC apartments that are a breeze to tote home on the subway.
Get Here:
B, D or 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd. Station. Walk eight blocks down the hill on Bedford Park Blvd. to the Mosholu Gate entrance. An alternative is Metro-North to Botanical Garden Station.
Photo credit: New York Botanical Garden
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
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