Instead of falling down a rabbit hole to get to Wonderland, just travel across the street from Fordham University’s main entrance and explore the New York Botanical Garden’s “Wonderland: Curious Nature” exhibition. The diverting atmosphere pulls people out of the real world and into an unordinary, dreamlike escape made up of lovely nonsense.

You will begin to grow “curiouser and curiouser” as you follow the White Rabbit’s footprints through the multiple sites paying homage to Lewis Carroll’s legendary tale. The exhibit contains numerous displays and features that are inspired by the story, and there are even a couple of instances where Alice pops up. The displays and features include different artistic practices including architecture, metalworks, gardening and more.

As I walked through the entrance of the Botanical Gardens, I was met with a 12-foot-tall White Rabbit made of plants. The pocket watch belonging to the iconic rabbit told me it was time for him to lead me farther into the Wonderland-themed exhibit. 

Following my sense of curiosity, I turned left toward the Conservatory, where I stumbled upon the rabbit hole. While I did mention that falling down the rabbit hole was not needed to get to Wonderland for this particular visit, I recommend doing so. The act of tentatively going through the large tree stump with the potent smell of the earth in your nose and moss tickling your hair helps pique the imagination and transport you into another world. 

Strolling through the Conservatory was the highlight of my trip; I was able to get a close look at all the peculiar plants inside that I learned left the people of the Victorian era fascinated. In fact, many of the plants inside the Conservatory right now are inspired by the plants that were in the Oxford Botanical Garden, a place visited often by Victorians, including Lewis Carroll himself. The curators also formed connections between the plants and the story through creative wordplay. The ones that stood out to me the most were Alice’s pool of tears as the fountain with water lilies and the Elephant Ears planted in an area where I was meant to have felt shrunken down like Alice. 

Another instance in which you get the feeling of growing in size is just outside the Conservatory. Two towering mushrooms (that apparently come alive at night with pulsing color) give you a distorted feeling by standing next to the sheer size of them.

Traveling farther, I found the most innovative section of the exhibit — the White Rabbit’s cottage that Alice destroyed by growing bigger. The architect, Andre Kong, made this inspiration clear by giving the cottage a curved and twisted shape. The cottage also appears to be made of white bricks. However, they are not your typical bricks, but rather made of mushrooms — a nod to the story’s illusionary nature. This location is perfect for a photo opportunity if you are looking for something that creatively embodies a quirky feel with the cottage’s strangely textured bricks and bright yellow door.  

Other Wonderland sites can be found near the rose gardens, currently claimed by the Queen of Hearts. There you will find Alice and the Queen’s Cards flurrying about. If you continue to venture a little farther to the Rose Court, you will see the Queen of Hearts’ personal flower collection of white roses painted red. 

If by the end of your trip your curiosity is still alive, and learning about art and illustrations, manuscripts, the Victorian era and scientific facts piques your interest, travel over to the Mertz Library Building. Here, you can study the inspiration and impact surrounding “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “Through the Looking Glass” and “What Alice Found There.” 

Reflecting back on my trip, I find that the New York Botanical Garden does a wonderful job of creating an exciting exhibit without being overstimulating. Whether you want to wander through Wonderland or the gardens like usual, you have the option to choose what world you are in. If you choose Wonderland, you have the White Rabbit’s footprints and signs from other characters, such as the Cheshire Cat, as well as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, to guide you. I loved taking my time exploring the art and nature inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” for the nostalgic feel. While I enjoy the Botanical Garden as it is, seeing something different every once in a while is fun, and the diverse Wonderland displays are definitely enticing.

Now be on your way, best not to be late!