Morning stroll through a Japanese garden; Evening danced among 5000 Jack O' Lanterns

The Japanese Stroll Garden serves as a model for teaching people about the value of the environment, horticultural design and Eastern traditions through lectures, walking tours, classes and workshops.http://www.hammondmuseum.org/   North Salem, NY 

 Historic Hudson Valley   http://visitsleepyhollow.com/things-to-do/great-jack-olantern-blaze/ 
See more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o' lanterns in this elaborate walkthrough experience. Meander through an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display — all made of jack o' lanterns!

The Irish brought the tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack O'Lantern to America. But, the original Jack O'Lantern was not a pumpkin. Pumpkins did not exist in Ireland. Ancient Celtic cultures in Ireland carved turnips on All Hallow's Eve, and placed an ember in them, to ward off evil spirits.

Only a three hour drive from New York City.