Let's Talk IT Disasters and CrowdStrike

 

We all heard about it, but I'm not the one who normally is stuck in the middle of a travel issue.  However, this time I was, and you all should hear what I have to say.

The world pretty much came to a halt for a bit.  It happens.  We foolishly put all our trust in technology and sometimes we're reminded that we shouldn't do that so much.  July 19th 2024 will resonate for a while, especially for travelers.  Do I understand that companies had to deal with fallout?  Yes.  Do I understand that customers were inconvenienced? Yes.  Did everything that went on have to do with the IT crash?  I don't think so.

Let me explain.

I had a flight to catch on July 23rd, in the afternoon, to go from Bradley in CT to Chicago O'Hare to help my son move.  I was going two days early to help him finish packing before his move from Joliet, IL to Indianapolis, IN on July 25th.  Seems perfectly doable, right?

Wrong.  I went to Bradley International.  Everything went perfectly.  Everything was on time.  My first flight with Frontier was lovely.  We landed for an about three hour layover at Raleigh, NC.  I wandered the terminal, did some shopping, had something to eat.  The idea was for my son to pick me up at O'Hare, because the next day he had to work the last day at his old job.  Perfect.

The flight was delayed once, twice, three times.  I kept in contact with my son for hours so that he didn't have to wait long at O'Hare for me.  We boarded the plane.  The crew boarded the plane.  The preflight check was done.  The safety speeches were done.  We were all buckled in and began to move.  Then, the plane pulled back up to the jetway and they told us we had to get off because we'd been delayed again.  They said it was weather in Chicago.  The weather in Raleigh was visibly fine.

So, we sat in the terminal again, waiting for a call is what I was told about the weather in Chicago.  My son didn't understand what they were talking about because the weather where he was was fine.  He even talked to a friend of his that lived close to O'Hare and his friend said the weather was fine.  It had been fine the whole time.  I began to wonder.  

The pilot exited the plane, visibly angry and went to get a cup of coffee, because he was getting tired.  That's not what he said, I'm being polite.  Then, a United flight going to O'Hare from the gate next to us boarded and left on time.  No weather problems over there.  I didn't like what was happening.

Almost an hour later, they announced that our flight was cancelled and we needed to go to baggage and collect our bags.  The sad part was that people I'd been chatting with who flew this airline regularly didn't seem surprised.  They'd told me many crazy stories while we waited and this stuff happens all the time.  That's never a good sign.

I got my bag and got to the enormous line at the ticket counter.  I heard the staff telling people they could fly the following night, maybe; maybe Thursday morning, which was almost two entire days away.  I had to be in Joliet by Wednesday evening at the latest.  I'd made a promise to my son.  

The staff I heard speaking with customers in front of me were rude, short spoken, and didn't interact with most of the customers.  I didn't have time to wait until Thursday, so I got on my reliable Expedia App and booked a Tru by Hilton close by for the night and a flight out with United in the morning.  It seemed like a good idea, because it seemed as though United knew how to get to Chicago.

I reached the counter long after I made my own arrangements.  The agent told me I could leave on Thursday.  I said that was unacceptable.  She handed me a QR code on a green piece of cardboard and told me to scan that and follow instructions to apply for a possible refund.  Then she walked away.

That was my experience of flying with Frontier.  I scanned the QR code and followed the instructions, but there wasn't much information and no guarantees.  

Tru by Hilton of Raleigh Airport area; you are my heroes!  I booked a room with them on my app while waiting in line.  After my ridiculous interaction with the agent, I called and asked for a shuttle.  They said they'd be right there and they were!  They took me to the hotel, got me checked in and gave me a very comfortable room.  The desk associate even gave me a gift bag with bottled water and chips to tide me over until the included breakfast in the morning.  She made a reservation for the shuttle for the morning for me to take me back to the airport.  They were so nice and wonderful!  I don't know what I would have done without them.

There were some issues to iron out because of the delay.  My son was supposed to work his last day on Wednesday, leaving me figuring out how to get from Chicago O'Hare to Joliet.  He said he'd just come and get me.  I didn't really want him to call out on his last day at a job.  I told him I'd figure something out.

The breakfast was delicious the next morning.  Once again, great job Tru by Hilton.  The shuttle took me to the airport for round 2 at exactly when promised.  The driver was pleasant and helpful with my bags.  Love those people from Hilton.

Round 2 was flying with United from Raleigh to Chicago O'Hare.  Check in.  Easy.  Already knew the terminal by heart.  No problem there.  The flight went on time with no problem.  I did notice that Frontier had no problems that morning either.  Seemed odd.  They had several morning flights that all went on time.  Hmm.

The United flight was easy, pleasant and on time.  I got my bag easily at O'Hare.  The way life should be.  

The next step was actually easy and I should have thought of it before.  Trains.  Can't stress how much I love to take trains.  They make life so much easier most of the time.  As you leave the baggage area at O'Hare, you can go down to the Blue Line and take the Metra train into the city.  That's what I did.  It was a nice ride, passing all the traffic along the way.  Pleasant, direct, easy.  

Once at the Clinton stop, I exited.  I walked a couple blocks to Union Station.  There I caught the Metra Train to Joliet.  My son was able to pick me up right in Joliet close to where he lived after he finished his last day.  Simple.  Done.  What Frontier couldn't manage, I took care of myself.

It was a lovely ride, and for $6 to $8 dollars per train; you can't beat it.  I enjoyed the view in comfort and arrived in time for dinner.  I got to finally see my son, which was one of the biggest complaints I had about the inconvenience.  I don't get to see him often and Frontier was messing with that and I still didn't really understand why.

I'll discuss the rest of the trip later.  It was great.  I love spending time with my son.  He was moving to Indianapolis, IN to start a new job and a whole new life.  He was excited.  I was excited for him.  The move went great.  We got to spend some quality time together.  Loved it. 

But, then it was time to fly home from Indianapolis on Delta.  I had an evening flight on July 28th.  We were over a week from the Crowdstrike IT crash at that point.  Over a week.

  

So, after an odd experience at TSA, I was through and ready to catch my evening flight home on Delta through Atlanta.  Then it was delayed.  Then it was delayed again.  I called Delta, because they have customer service, and asked what was going on and was I going to be able to make my connection.  She said it would be fine, but offered me an option to take a later flight connecting through Detroit.  I made the decision to stay with my current flight.

Then it was delayed again.  Then, they changed my flight to the Detroit flight without my knowledge.  I noticed it on my app.  I looked and it was already delayed.  That option wasn't looking good either.  I returned to the ticket counter outside TSA as there were no agents at any Delta gate and there were several Delta gates.  All delayed except one.  A flight to LaGuardia in NYC that the phone agent and I had talked about but it was fully booked.

The agent at the ticket counter told me that she didn't know what to do, so I asked her to get someone who did.  When her boss came over, she told me the agent had quit.  I told her that maybe agenting wasn't for her, because I was nothing compared to most customers who had no idea what was going on with their flight.  She told me that I wasn't going to make the Detroit connection either, because it had been delayed more.

At that point, I opted to ask my poor son to let me stay the night and drop me off again early the next morning on his way to his first day at his new job, so that I could have a place to sleep for the night, because I had no flight that would get me home.  He had no problem with that, because my son is awesome.  The ticketing agent booked me on an early morning flight with no issue, and called to have my bag returned to me so I could check it when I came in the morning.  She said it would take about 20 minutes.

My son arrived about 25 minutes later.  No one could find my bag.  I asked how hard it could be to find a bag that hadn't traveled anywhere.  I was told I didn't understand and to wait.  I had to send my son to the parking garage so he didn't get in trouble for waiting in the drive.  We kept in contact for the next 2 hours.

What happened?  There were two men in the baggage office.  One of them kept approaching me and not listening to me.  They were looking for my bag in the bags going to Atlanta.  I was trying to tell him that maybe they weren't finding it because it was waiting to go on the flight to Detroit, but he told me I didn't understand.

The plane I originally was supposed to fly to Atlanta on three hours earlier came in and the rude baggage guy told me that they were trying to turn the flight around quickly and I had to wait until they were done.  It was the flight that was delayed so much I wouldn't make my connection!  Then, they couldn't find it.  Finally, the annoying male ego went away and I got to talk to the other guy.  When I told him about all the different flights, he called someone and almost immediately, my bag showed up.  It was waiting for the Detroit flight, which was delayed even more by then.  Kudos to the person who listened.

Finally, my son and I went back to his apartment, finished his laundry, grabbed something to eat and went to bed.

But, I had another odd experience during the baggage incident.  The passengers who came in on the flight that was delayed so much I wouldn't make my connection in Atlanta had stories to tell.  I spoke with a man who told me that the reason they were so late was that they spent over an hour trying to latch the door.  Not joking.  He was in the front of the plane and said he watched it all.  Then, they were out of rotation at a very large airport and took another hour or so waiting to take off.  Once again, not IT and not weather.

I enjoyed another night with my son, although I felt bad invading him the night before his first day at a new job, but he assured me it was fine.  He's a great son.  

I went back to the airport in the morning to check my bag and get a seat assignment, and the agent told me that I'd better hurry, because the flight was running early.  I explained how that's not how that works, and she let it go.  They did give me a seat assignment for one flight.  I had to work the second flight's seating out during my brief layover in Atlanta which was sticky, but I managed it.  They did check my bag.  They didn't try to charge me any extra.  That was good.

I made my flight.  In natural form for Atlanta, I had to run across almost the entire airport in 20 minutes to make my connection, but I made it.  They gave me a seat.  I went to Bradley.  It did happen that day.

Bradley International Airport of Hartford/Springfield.  I don't say this about many airports, but they all should be like Bradley.  They have amenities.  They have customer service.  They have convenient TSA.  They have Dunkin Donuts.  They take care of the passengers and I like that.  Home sweet home.

From there on out the trip was easy.  I got a coffee.  I got my bag.  The Parking Spot ran right over to pick me up and had my car ready.  Life was good.  They didn't even mind that I was almost a whole day late.

When I got home the battle started and it isn't over yet.  Frontier isn't honoring my account on their app, and they won't accept my confirmation number in their system.  They have no way to talk to a person unless it's 24 hours or less before or after your scheduled flight.  I found my information on Expedia, but it had been changed to look as though I didn't show up for a flight I booked.  Expedia has no way to contact them that I didn't already know about.

I am being contacted by email and X (twitter).  They are insisting that they won't call me unless it's done on WhatsApp.  They are shifty and they lie.  They did refund for my flight, but nothing for any of the other fuss.  They offered me a voucher, but I explained to them that didn't help me, because I'm never flying with them again.  We're still discussing the matter through social media and email, because even their corporate office phone is unreachable.

I filed complaints with the Department of Transportation and the Better Business Bureau.  I also left horrifying reviews all over the place and am doing anything else I can to alert people.  It's all you can do.  

What I seemed to find, as I spent so much time at airports during this (at least a total of 16 hours), and I saw a trend.  It seemed as though airlines were having most of their delays and cancellations in the evenings.  They were easily booking people onto the next morning's flights if they flew the following day, which Frontier said they weren't.  Are they using the IT crash as an excuse to consolidate flights and save some money?  Food for thought.

In the meantime, make sure you don't use Frontier.  At least Delta made arrangements, although I didn't like it when they changed my flight without my consent.  Maybe we should all take morning flights.  I don't know, but something has to change.  

For me, I'm taking United; the one airline that just got me where I needed to go.  I do acknowledge that I only got stuck with Delta, who seemed to have legitimate problems, and the horrible Frontier, so there are several good airlines out there to fly with.  So pack your bags, choose wisely and enjoy!

https://www.flyfrontier.com/about-us/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Airline_Review-d8729213-Reviews-Frontier-Airlines

https://www.delta.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Airline_Review-d8729060-Reviews-Delta-Air-Lines

https://www.united.com/en/us/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Airline_Review-d8729177-Reviews-United-Airlines

https://www.expedia.com/

https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/tru-by-hilton/?WT.mc_id=zlada0ww1ru2psh3ggl4advcrb5dkt6multibr7_153675512_1003528&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwae1BhC_ARIsAK4JfrwGHpyi5Db_fnQm7ETRU14iw1fTefwbARj-MAmgsHWN5OlBpY4sD6gaAv3kEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://nypost.com/2024/07/31/business/delta-suffered-500m-loss-from-crowdstrike-debacle-ed-bastian/

https://metra.com/

https://www.transitchicago.com/blueline/

https://www.bbb.org/

https://www.transportation.gov/about

https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/refunds

https://www.peopleclerk.com/post/how-to-file-a-complaint-against-an-airline

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/fly-rights

https://www.theparkingspot.com/

https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/

Public Transportation and a Day Trip to Port Jeff!

 

I've spent a lot of time this summer running around the region on public transportation, and this week was a real adventure.  I will start by saying that I once again, for $3 one way took the Metro North Train from Waterbury to Bridgeport Connecticut.  However, this week there were no other trains.  Sound weird?  It kinda was.

Once I reached Bridgeport, I exited the train and left the station.  In Bridgeport, the train station sits directly between the bus station and the walkway to the Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Ferry.  I opted to take the ferry that day, because it was hot, and riding on top of the ferry across Long Island Sound is a great way to get out on a hot day with a great breeze, a great view, and normally, great company.

From the train station, you walk under the tracks, down the harbor walk (which is still under construction, but navigable) and to the ferry terminal.  A ticket for a round trip ride with no vehicle will cost $39 for adults with different fares for different groups.  It's a bit pricey, but it's a great ride for those of you who, like me, refuse to spend a fortune on a boat.

The ferry is huge, and holds many vehicles on two different levels of the beast's belly.  There's a passenger area above that with a snack bar, tables and seating, bathrooms and even a lounge.  On the top level is outdoor seating for people like me who come for the ride and love the view.

The harbor in Bridgeport is industrial.  If it's business, it comes in and leaves from here.  The view is still interesting and the ride is still nice.  Before you know it, you've left the harbor and are on Long Island Sound with views of open water.  There are a couple of lighthouses along the way and there are boats all over the sound, especially in the summer.

The ferry is a great boat ride and takes about an hour and fifteen minutes each way between Bridgeport and Port Jefferson, New York.  There are other ferries across Long Island Sound.  There are both a regular and high speed ferry that go from New London, CT to Orient Point, Long Island, New York.  The ride is longer on the traditional ferry and the fees are larger for both.  Also, there is no town precisely at the terminal, so if you don't drive, you'll have to take a bus to the nearest town.

Once I arrived in Port Jefferson, I took to walking.  Port Jefferson is a village, and the section around the port is one of the most walkable neighborhoods on Earth.  There's something for every tourist in the village.  On a hot day, visiting this village can be a real pleasure.  There are a lot of air conditioned places to visit to break up your time in the heat.  That's why I go there on hot days.

I stopped at what might be the biggest sweet shop I've ever been to.  They have all kinds of sweets.  I got a little ice cream, because it was hot and gave me a great excuse.  This place also has ice cream for your dog, made special to not upset Rover's belly.  They have cakes and pastries, drinks, candy cookies and on and on.  If it's sweet; you'll find it there.

After, I walked past Danford's.  Danford's is the marina with a great old fashioned resort attached.  If you need a place to park your super yacht, they can help you.  If you'd like to sleep in an old fashioned traditional room or suite they can do that for you too.  I'm not sure how many buildings they have in the neighborhood, but they are all gorgeous.  They also have event facilities, restaurants and other amenities.  It's not my style and not my budget, but it is very nice.

Past Danford's immense complex is a children's museum, Centennial Park, the yacht club, the city pier, and the beach.  On your way, you'll encounter the Village Center.  This is always my first air conditioning stop.  It's three floors high, has beautiful views of the shore around and there's normally something going on.  This time it was a local artist exhibit.  The works were lovely and I enjoyed hanging out in the comfy chairs and watching the view after I perused the paintings.  There were children's activities going on on the first floor as well as outside in designated areas.

Once I left the Village Center, I walked along the shore and out onto the city pier.  The views are excellent and they can't be beat.  I walked to the beach as well.  You can rent kayaks and other water sport items at the beach for a reasonable price.  

The beach in Port Jefferson is interesting.  It goes for two to three miles from the town out along the harbor onto a sand bar area that's part of the harbor entrance and beyond.  It's a narrow beach that follows the shore and appears to be partially privately owned, but I assure you, as long as you don't use people's stairs and docks, you can walk all you want.  It's a beautiful stretch of sand with great views.

After leaving the beach and that area, I took a side street instead of the main street which I normally walk.  The upper neighborhood was full of what I would call hipster shops.  There were art shops, crystals, thrift stores, boutiques and there was this great place called Tiger Lily. 

Tiger Lily appeared as an old fashioned hang out style coffee shop, but it was so much more.  You could get positively anything to drink, most things you could dream of to eat, and a great place to hang out and work remotely.  Most people who were hanging out were working remotely on laptops.  It was a great laid back atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating.  I got a great smoothie and enjoyed hanging out for a bit myself.  Can't miss it.  It's awesome.

After leaving the upper neighborhood, I returned to the main drag.  Remember, this village is set up for visitors.  I made the rounds of the shops, stopped in at the local brewery, walked the alleyways, and stopped in for a snack at Tommy's Place, my favorite pub in town.  It's a charming place to spend your time.  Be sure you come prepared to walk.  If you don't, you'll miss out.  There's also a tiny charming historic park and waterway just off of downtown and there is an official visitor's center by the ferry terminal.  

There isn't anything in particular to see or do in Port Jeff.  It's just a great place to hang out and spend some time.  It's a great way to get away from it all.  I will make note that in December, the whole village goes Victorian during their Charles Dickens Festival.  We went last winter, and I had a lot of fun.  

By late afternoon, it was time to board the ferry again and make my way back home.  It was a great hangout with a great ride on the boat.  It was just what I needed for a great day trip.  Another hour and fifteen minutes and we were back in Bridgeport.

On the ride back, there were two tour buses in the ferry and they belonged to a boys camp from New York City.  The kids ranged from 8 to around 12 and they joined those of us on the top of the ferry for the ride.  They were curious about everything, and it was a pleasure to answer all their questions.  They were excited, polite, and it made for one of the best ferry crossings I think I've ever had.  

Once back in Bridgeport, I made my way back to the train station to catch the little Waterbury train that could back to Waterbury.  Well, apparently it couldn't because there was a Peter Pan Bus waiting to take us to Waterbury and all the other train stops along that route.

The ride from Bridgeport to Waterbury was different than normal, but the bus was posh and comfortable, the price was the same as the train, and the driver was a delight.  The trip took about the same amount of time, and I was home earlier than I expected to be.

So there you have it.  Train, ferry and bus; all in one day.  It was an adventure and a trip I'd taken many times, but never in that way.  I advocate public transportation.  It's inexpensive, relaxing and even when it breaks down; they find a way to get you where you're going.  So, take the train, take the ferry and take the bus.  It's a great way to travel.  You can park that car and enjoy!

https://portjeff.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g48430-Port_Jefferson_Long_Island_New_York-Vacations.html

https://portjeff.com/visitor/

https://www.88844ferry.com/

https://www.facebook.com/portjeffny/

https://portjeffchamber.com/

https://www.longisland.com/guide-to-port-jefferson.html

https://www.danfords.com/

https://www.tigerlilycafe.com/

https://portjeff.com/village-center-2/

https://tommysplace.com/

https://www.portjeffbrewing.com/

https://portjeffersonfrigate.com/

https://new.mta.info/agency/metro-north-railroad

I Finally Did It! The New York Botanical Gardens!

 

I've been doing some traveling by train this summer, and there's somewhere I've always wanted to go.  The New York Botanical Gardens are 250 acres of natural bliss in the north section of one of the biggest cities in the country.  This wonderful place has entrances devoted to both subway and train stops, as well as parking and general entrance for those who arrive by vehicle.  

I left from my usual train station at Waterbury, CT on Metro North Railroad.  I transferred at Bridgeport, CT for the Grand Central Metro North train bound for the city.  This is where it gets a little tricky.  There are several train lines sprouting out of New York City.  I had to transfer from one general line to another.  There are two ways this can be done.  I could take that Bridgeport train, known as the New Haven Line, into Grand Central and then catch what is known as a White Plains line back to the Botanical Garden stop.  That seemed like overkill.  I chose to switch trains again at Stamford, CT, to board a local train to Grand Central rather than the express trains from New Haven and Bridgeport.  This way, I could exit the train at the Fordham stop in New York, transfer to a White Plains at that station and go one stop north to the Botanical Garden stop.  That saves over an hour in ridiculous train hopping and costs less.

So, that's what I did.  Four trains, but not a lot of money.  Less time than it would have taken to drive at just about 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Not to mention, parking for the Botanical Garden if you drive is around $22 for the day on average.  Add the price of gas and lack of frustration, and once again; take the train.

When you exit from the train at the Botanical Garden stop, you walk out of the station and there's a sign pointing you right to the gate of the Botanical Garden which is right across the street.  You can't miss it.  The entrance is designed for people riding the train to visit.  It's probably the most convenient attraction I've ever visited on the train.  Admission is $35 for adults for the day with other pricing for different groups.  That price is fixed, so it doesn't matter how you arrive.

 

During my visit and for the next few months, there's an Alice in Wonderland vibe about the gardens.  The theme comes from the classic Lewis Carroll novel and the Victorian Era in a broader spectrum.  The Victorians were fascinated with nature and a lot of the things that they became known for in history are nature based.  Charles Darwin came from Victorian times.  Alice in Wonderland was really no exception.  There are many references to the novel around the gardens and a full display in the Mertz Library Building.  

The Mertz Library is also home to thousands of books on plants, horticulture and so much more.  It's a great place to study and the Botanical Garden has plenty of cause to study.  They have numerous education programs for children and adults from children's programs to a School of Horticulture.  The garden has been in existence since the late 1800's and offers so much more than just plants on display.

In addition to the Library, there are many other buildings in the park.  Some are accessible and some not.  The Nolen Greenhouses in the back are normally not accessible and are a work facility.  The Goldman Stone Mill is only for events, so if you want to see it; plan something there.  

All of the facilities at the Levy Visitor Center are open to the public.  There's food options and the gift shop there.  The Haupt Conservatory is open to the public as well.  I must confess, after all the years of waiting to visit the Conservatory, I got so wrapped up in everything else that I didn't have time to visit it.  I guess I'll have to go back another time.  I won't mind though.  It's  a great place to visit, and I'll happily go back so that I don't miss the Conservatory.

One of my favorite spots was the Native Plant Garden.  There were so many beautiful views in the garden.  All of the plants are native to the northeast and a lot of them were in bloom.  The pond and rock garden were gorgeous and I spent way more time than I thought I would there.  I was sad that the Rhododendron Trail wasn't blooming, but to be fair, I didn't know it was there when they were blooming.  I'm already planning my next visit.

Another of my favorite parts was the Rockefeller Rose Garden.  It isn't blooming at this time; well it is a little, but it's mostly done for the season.  Once again, there will be other visits.

There're several areas that are just wonderful to spend time in.  There's a wetlands, a conifer garden, a forest, a rock garden and so much more.   I simply ran out of time to see the one thing that made me want to visit in the first place.

So much to see, so little time.  I could have spent hours longer, but the weather was really hot and I could only spend so much time outside.

Then there's the tram.  They have a tram that circles around the center portion of the park, and allows you to hop on and off as you gravitate outwards from the circle to explore other sections of the park.  It does circle through the conifer garden, and stops at the Edible Academy where you can try juices and other edible products made from the plants that grow in the gardens.  I tried a Hibiscus drink that was delicious.

There's so much to see.  There was a wetlands trail that was just lovely and came with a boardwalk and viewing stations so you could take a good look.  I'm kind of used to trails like this in Connecticut, but in New York City, it's probably a treat.

Then there was the thing that truly surprised me.  I grew up with Crabapple trees.  This was something that was a nuisance plant when I was growing up, and for anyone who ever tried to eat a Crabapple, you know what I'm talking about and why they were a nuisance.  At the Botanical Garden, they have a Crabapple Grove and I'd never seen that before.  It was beautiful however, and it shares it's space with Daffodil Hill.  Daffodils aren't in season either, but I will be back.

There are a lot of things going on at The New York Botanical Garden.  I need another visit just to catch up.  It was well worth the money.  It was more than worth the time.  On Wednesday's in season they even have a farmer's market.  There's a lot.

I recommend that everyone on Earth takes time to visit.  I also recommend that you take enough time to do it justice.  I loved the day I spent there and intend to visit again; maybe more then one more visit even.  If you love beauty, a relaxing way to spend a day, and nature; it's the best spot around.

So, park those cars.  Take those trains.  Spend a day outdoors in one of the largest cities in the country and enjoy!

https://www.nybg.org/

https://nybgevents.com/

https://www.instagram.com/nybg/?hl=en

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g47369-d103513-Reviews-New_York_Botanical_Garden-Bronx_New_York.html

https://www.nyctourism.com/attractions-tours/new-york-botanical-garden/

https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Bronx_Botanical_Garden-NYCNJ-site_30033993-121

https://www.newyorkbyrail.com/local-guide/new-york-botanical-garden/

https://new.mta.info/stations/botanical-garden

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Manhattan/New-York-Botanical-Garden