Nyack holds a very special place in my heart. As a child I remember hunting for the treasure rumored to be buried along the river on the way to Hook Mountain and playing on the shores of the Hudson River. I hunted for arrowheads among the rocks, skipped stones across the river and looked for glowing fish (the river wasn’t nearly as clean then as it is now!). Later, as teenager growing up in Rockland County, it was where I hung out in coffee shops for hours on end, hopped from rock to rock to find beaches that only exist at low tide and went for dessert and cappuccinos with my future spouse the night before leaving for college.

Just across from Westchester's Rivertowns, across the Tappan Zee Bridge, Nyack is an artistic hot spot that draws in families from all around the Metro Area for long days or weekends of small-town culture. Steeped in American historical significance as far back as the 1600s (and of Native American importance way before that!), Nyack has been making its mark on the arts and culture scene for more than a century. It is well known for its small galleries, cutting edge theatre and a very live-and-let-live mindset that retains flavors of the 1960s and 70s. Families will love the walkable downtown, the frequent street fairs, the diversity of children’s music and theatre options, the opportunities for outdoor exploration and the restaurants and cafes that cater to all tastes.

In October, we will take a closer look at Nyack and everything it has to offer residents and visitors. We'll explore where to eat, play and have fun, starting with a look at 25 things to do with kids in the area. 

The Haunted Pumpkin Garden isn't happening in 2015.

The Halloween season is filled with family-friendly fun all over the tri-state area, and a favorite fall destination is our sponsor, the New York Botanical Garden. NYBG is famous for its art installations throughout the grounds, and its annual Halloween exhibit of pumpkins and gourds in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden is particularly awesome. In addition to tons of kids' activities to enjoy, you can check out unbelievable pumpkin carving creations the weekend of October 18 and 19, followed by a display of North America's largest pumpkins on October 25 and 26.

My son and I are frequent visitors to the New York Botanical Garden, and we decided to mark the changing season by checking out the Haunted Pumpkin Garden on its opening day back in 2011. He kept squealing, "Hey Mom, look over here!" and "Dad, you have to see this!" as he came across caterpillar, black widow and giant scorpion pumpkin statues, and grinning gourds perched on fence posts and the Discovery Center's roof. He loved it so much that visiting the Haunted Pumpkin Garden has now become an annual fall family tradition.

In addition to the display, which is on view now through Friday, October 31, NYBG has scheduled a slew of related programing, like a special pumpkin carving weekend (October 18 and 19) when visitors can watch Master Carver Ray Villafane create intricate pumpkin sculptures. You can even learn how to make your own pumpkin masterpieces during a one-day workshop with Villafane on Thursday, October 16, where participants learn his signature carving techniques. Then on the weekend of October 25 and 26, the largest pumpkins in North America will once again call NYBG home (pose your little ones next to these giant pumpkins for great photos).

Much like a squirrel, my toddler loves to wander outdoors and collect twigs, acorns, chestnuts, and anything else that has landed on the forest floor. Since the weather is still nice, we decided to go on a nature walk and collect leaves of all shapes, sizes, and colors. In the eyes of a toddler, autumn is nothing short of spectacular.

These leaf crowns can be the beginning of all kinds of imaginative play for boys and girls. Feel free to glam them up, or keep them as au naturale as you wish. Where will your imaginations take you?