Spring Break in NYC: A Tropical Oasis in the BX

Spring officially begins March 20th, but it'll be a while before the season really takes hold. That said there's one place in New York City where the flowers are already in full bloom and it feels like late May or early June.

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory has been transformed - once again - into a vibrant oasis for the New York Botanical Garden's 13th annual Orchid show. This year's theme: chandeliers.

At the heart of this balmy exhibition hangs a three tier masterpiece of cascading white orchids. The star-shaped living chandelier is surrounded by an array of exotic botanicals.  

The exhibit seduces the senses and transports guests to another place.

Bronx native Barbara Merling says it reminds her of a recent trip she took to Southeast Asia:

"When we were in Thailand, the orchids were so abundant. There was a profusion of them in every hotel and every place you went. And when you come here it really replicates that."

The opportunity to reconnect with nature and escape from lingering patches of snow put a big smile on Bob Stein's face. The Baskingridge, New Jersey resident says he prefers the 70 plus degree warmth of the exhibit over the weather of these past few months:

"This is like a quantum leap from ice and snow to a tropical environment. So I'll stick with this."

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid show runs until April 19th.