Come winter, a lot of animals like to hibernate. But the ones at the Bronx Zoo apparently like to party. From December 26 to 31, you can rejoice alongside them. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, ice-carving contests, and an ice play area, which includes a throne shaped like a polar bear, a marine-themed slide, walkways, caves, and a maze. Best of all, you can watch as the animals open their presents in a series of "holiday-themed animal-enrichment activities." Meanwhile, the Central Park Zoo celebrates Winterfest weekends in December, which involve holiday lighting, special performances, and stocking stuffers for the polar bears and penguins, including "fish-sicles" and fruits. k bronxzoo.com, centralparkzoo.com
Trains in the Bronx aren't typically a cause for jubilation. (Although a clean car and an absence of route malfunction is certainly a delight.) But there's joy in the borough during the Holiday Train Showat the New York Botanical Garden. Inside a conservatory, model trains race past intricate replicas of New York City landmarks created from garden materials. This year, the garden allows admittance to artist studios to show how nuts, bark, and branches create the miniature Brooklyn Bridge and Yankee Stadium. Associated events include a film festival, a classical music concert, a Little Engine That Could puppet show, cocktail nights, and a life-size gingerbread playhouse with cookies and frosting to nibble afterward. k nybg.org
Find everything you're looking for in your city
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
