is there a train show at GCT in december? what else is going on there and is it recommended?

There is a train show at the Botanical Garden in the Bronx and yes it's worth a trip up, and you can take a train there at GCT, the #5 train to the Bronx.

At GCT, there is a holiday fare but I don't know of any other "shows" there.

There is often a laser show on the ceiling of the main concourse and a holiday shopping fair.

No, there never has been a train show at Grand Central, so I'm not sure where that notion came from; in fact, they don't even do the holiday laser light show anymore.

There has been for several years and will again be a train show at the Transit Museum outpost in Grand Central
http://mta.info/mta/museum/pdf/trainexhibkiosk_sm.pdf

It's small, but it makes a nice stop along with the holiday fair and the light show (if it happens this year-- I haven't heard it mentioned)

so the transit museum outpost is in GCT? excellent

Ah ... so there you go. Thanks for pointing that out, nyer. That is the logical place.

But this isn't an elaborate train show. There used to be a large show in in the Citicorp Center, but that was many years ago.

The train show at the NY Botanical Gardens is definitely worth a visit. Check out the details on its website: www.nybg.org. When you get to the site, click on the word "Exhibitions" in the left-hand column.

The best train show by far is at the Botanical Gardens - but sine that is in the Brons it requires a significant expenditure of time - although IMHO well worrth it.

thank you Nyer, that's why i only post about things i'm sure about (see above posts)

You're welcome, Rxist1235
And credit to you for referring to the building as "Terminal"!

i don't understand Nyer....what else is it called?

Many people (including I) commonly call it "Grand Central Station" though it is formally a terminal, not a station. Maybe that's just a local variation and everyone else calls it by the proper name all the time!

ahh, i see. thank you. i love it there, great for photography. i could spend the day wandering....

The 5 train goes near the Botanical Garden, but is not as convenient as it could be--a mile walk or bus ride to the closest entrance. It's better to take a MetroNorth train from Grand Central Terminal to the Botanical Garden stop, which is right across the street from the entrance that is closest to the conservatory where the train show is held.

Ellenem advice is correct for getting to the Botanical Gardens. Afterwards you can go to Arthur for some Italian food and some of the best Italian provisions stores in NYC.

http://www.arthuravenuebronx.com/
http://www.arthuravenuebronx.com/directions.html

________

By the way as noted on other topic regarding Grand Central, the ceiling is a victim of the exuberance and romanticism of Beaux Arts. Not only are the stars out during the day, but the stars are backwards, as if seen by god.

Look for the small leftover nicotine dot on the ceiling.

To find the nicotine dot: On the ceiling, follow the ecliptic (the dashed line along which the signs of the zodiac are located) to the west side of the ceiling. At the spot where the ecliptic meets the stone cornice, you will see a blackish rectangle that overlaps both the ceiling and the stone. This rectangle was left uncleaned when the terminal received a massive renovation in the 1990s.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wvagent/5071052309/

Everyone I now says "Station" - but perhaps that's because we are locals. We also still call 6th Ave - 6th Ave. (The city finally gave up trying to make it Ave of the Americas - which it was named in the 1930's - and is not called 6th Ave of the Americas - and locals leave off the end.) We alos still say 59th St bridge (as in the Simon & Garfunkle song) even though the official name is Queensborough Bridge.)

Actually the 59th St bridge is now named after Ed Koch but to me it is still th S & G feel in groovy bridge.