40 Cute and Cozy Fall Date Ideas to Try This Autumn
Go beyond leaf peepin' with this handy list.
Fall is easily overlooked when it comes to romance. Just take a look at popular culture and see the huge amount of attention the summer season and a certain late winter holiday receives. While Danny and Sandy may have had a lot to sing about summer lovin’ in Grease, and February steals the rest of the attention with Valentine’s Day, the true hero of dating season is fall.
Seriously, fall dates and romantic nights are unsung heros! And whether you’re in a new relationship or have been with your beau for more years than you can count, all couples can benefit from a fantastic list of fall date ideas to infuse a bit of new energy and memories to your union. What could be sweeter than cozying up with a cup of apple cider while watching the leaves turn from vibrant green to warm auburn hues?
From romantic movies and scrumptious pumpkin recipes that are great for stay-at-home fall dates to free and cheap fall date ideas such as browsing through a farmer’s market, walking along the charming streets of a quirky small town, or renting a scary Halloween movie to enjoy with a homemade meal! This list is full of ideas that go beyond apple picking (though of course we cover that, too). And because Halloween is a favorite fall holiday, we’ve compiled plenty of off-the-beaten path ways for you and your boo (see what we did there?) to enjoy the occasion together as well.
So if you’re been googling “fall date ideas near me” with no luck, you can officially step away from the keyboard. You can also stop asking “What should we do this weekend?” and instead prepare to *fall* in love with this stellar roster of autumn date ideas. Now get out there and celebrate the season—and don't forget to pair your social media posts with the perfect fall Instagram captions.
Grab some coffee.
This becomes a free fall date idea if you bring your java in a thermos from home! Link up in a nearby park and enjoy the fresh air while you sip.
Head to a small town.
Adventure makes the heart grow fonder (that's how the saying goes, right?), and there's nothing more charming than strolling the streets of a new-to-you small town—especially a small town that's known for leaf peeping.
Hit up a hot air balloon festival.
Fall is prime time for this totally romantic (and, okay, splurge-worthy) bucket list date idea, as hot air balloon festivals are happening in Mississippi, Tennessee, and more.
Roast a chicken.
If your relationship is ready to head to the next level it might just be time to cook up an "engagement chicken." (You know, what Meghan was roasting the night Harry proposed.) Want to put your own spin on the dish? Try one of our best chicken dinner recipes.
Book a cabin weekend.
Get off the grid and really reconnect with a low-key cabin weekend in the woods. Cook leisurely breakfasts, play board games, and just hang out!
RELATED: Charming Cabin Rentals in the U.S.
Peep some leaves.
Are you fortunate enough to live in a place where the leaves change color? Check out a fall foliage map to figure out when the trees in your area will be looking their most vibrant, then plan a romantic drive or foliage train ride to peep those leaves.
Cheer your hearts out at a football game.
From college games to professional ones, football games are always a thrill to watch, whether you do so from a bar, a stadium, or your living room. Make your game day date even more fun by making your best tailgate food recipes.
Make your own apple cider donuts.
It may be easier to just buy apple cider donuts, but it's way more fun (and satisfying) to make them yourself. Apple cider donuts are one of the best parts of fall, and there are plenty of apple cider donut recipes to help you and your date make some incredible treats of your own.
Ride bikes.
Autumn may just be the best time of year to go bike riding, and even if you don't own a bike, you can rent one pretty inexpensively from a local store. Use TrailLink to find the best bike trail near you and get pedaling!
Sip seasonal brews at a fall beer festival.
Craft beer season really peaks in the fall, and you can check out BeerFests.com to find a beer festival in your area. If you're feeling creative, you and your date can even create a craft beer crawl of your own to taste a variety of seasonal brews.
Visit a cidery.
If you and your date are more into hard cider than beer, then you should spend the day tasting different flavors at a cidery. Use CiderScene to find a cidery or cider bar near you and get ready to get your sip on.
Get spooked at a haunted house.
Whether you scare easily or not, a haunted house is still sure to get your heart racing. You can check out Fright Find to find the scariest haunted houses by state or simply visit one of the most haunted places in America, but make sure you and your date know what you're getting yourselves into before you step inside.
Play a round of Frisbee golf.
Unlike regular golf, Frisbee golf requires little skill and far less walking around, and there's no better time of year to do it than the fall. Visit Disc Golf Course Review to see where you and boo can test out your aim.
Sit through a scary double feature.
Nothing gets the heart pumping quite like a horror movie double feature. Look at drive-in and old-school theaters in your area to see who's offering a deal on back-to-back scary movies (and be sure to offer your date your hand if they get too freaked).
Have a scary movie marathon at home.
To save money (and to have the option of stopping the movie if it gets too scary), have a scary movie viewing party from the comfort of home. Check out all the scariest movies available on Netflix right now for a chilling night in.
Check out an open mic night.
Nothing's cozier on a chilly fall night than an open mic night at a bookstore or coffee shop. Find nearby events with the help of Eventbrite, and if you're feeling bold, you can even serenade your date with a song or a reading.
Go Halloween costume shopping.
Whether you and your date are planning a couples costume or doing your own thing, it's always more fun to get the job done together. Check out a thrift shop and add a competitive element by seeing who can put together the best costume for the least amount of money.
Plan a picnic.
Fall weather is fabulous for al fresco dining. Pack a blanket, a bottle of wine, and lots of cheeses and bread, and you and your date can spend a leisurely afternoon snacking and chilling in a park.
Attend a jack-o'-lantern festival.
Pumpkin patches are fun and all, but if you really want to impress your date, then you should take them to a jack-o'-lantern festival. If you can find an annual festival in your area (like New York's Great Jack-O'-Lantern Blaze), you and your date can marvel at tons of intricately carved pumpkins together.
Hang out on a hayride.
Who said hayrides are just for kids? You're never too old to go for a hayride around a farm, and for a spooky Halloween twist, you can search for the best haunted hayrides available near you.
The Best Fall Instagram Captions Ever
40 Delicious New Ways to Eat Apples for Dessert
When Is the First Day of Fall in 2023?
32 Fully Thought Out Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
