60 fall date ideas to embrace the cozy season
As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, love is most certainly in the air.
Whether you're outdoor enthusiasts, homebodies, or somewhere in between, we’ve gathered some of the best fall date ideas for you and your loved one to enjoy! While we can’t guarantee a When Harry Met Sally landscape, we’ve sprinkled a bit of extra autumn magic on these romantic outings, so you never know what could happen…
Get ready to fall for each other all over again with these fall date ideas, pun intended.
Are there fun dates to do in the fall?
The autumn season brings in a whirlwind of change, serving up buckets of nostalgia and romance in the process.
While the weather might not be as bright as the summer months, the chill in the air is the perfect excuse to snuggle up… Even if the rain is hammering down on the windows, there are also so many rainy-day date ideas to keep you occupied. If venturing outside isn’t your style, there are no rules against staying indoors.
Or, if you’re a long-distance couple, it doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the fun, with plenty of LDR date ideas to keep that spark alive.
What are some romantic fall date ideas to enjoy with your partner?
As one of the coziest seasons (without that winter chill), there are so many autumn adventures for you and your loved one to explore.
From coffee dates to pumpkin carving, there are so many romantic dates to choose from—each with a sprinkle of seasonal cheer for good measure!
Cute fall date ideas
Paint and sip: Channel your inner Bob Ross while sipping on autumn-spiced wine. Create a masterpiece (or a hilarious mess) together as you laugh, paint, and toast to your artistic talents. Who knows, you might discover the next Picasso in your partner!
Pottery class: Get your hands dirty and your creative juices flowing. Mold clay into wonky mugs or lopsided vases while trying not to reenact that scene from "Ghost".
Farmers market: Fall is when farmers markets are really at their prime! Stroll hand-in-hand through stalls of colorful produce, artisanal cheeses, and freshly baked goods. Challenge each other to find the weirdest vegetable or taste-test every apple variety, before taking home your spoils to create a fall-themed meal!
Baking day: I sense a theme here! Whip up pumpkin pies, apple crisps, or cinnamon rolls while playfully dusting each other with flour. The sweet aroma will make your home smell amazing—even if your creations don't quite match the Pinterest photos.
Home spa day: After the hustle and bustle of a hot and heavy summer, you deserve some pampering as the seasons change! Light the candles, turn up the relaxing tunes, and source a seasonally appropriate orange face mask. Take turns giving each other massages and trying not to laugh when your partner's cucumber eye patches keep sliding off!
Wine tasting: As things cool down, it’s the perfect excuse to warm up with your chosen bottle of wine—red is the favorite! Pretend to be sophisticated sommeliers, swirling glasses and making up ridiculous tasting notes like "hints of autumn leaves and your granny’s attic".
Craft candy apples: Get sticky and sweet as you dip, drizzle, and decorate apples with an array of toppings. This seasonal favorite makes for the perfect fall date night, with a sweet treat awaiting you at the end…
Plan a getaway: Snuggle up with hot cocoa and travel brochures, plotting your dream autumn escape. Whether it's a cozy cabin in the woods or a bustling city break, half the fun is in the planning!
Memory lane: The fall season has a habit of triggering some nostalgia in us all. Lean into it by digging out your old photo albums. Share embarrassing childhood stories, laugh at questionable fashion choices, and discover new things about each other's past. It's like time travel, but with more bad haircuts.
Build a fort: Channel your inner child and construct the ultimate blanket fortress in your living room. Once you’ve erected your dream castle, sneak inside for a snuggle session!
Fun fall date ideas
Photography class: Fall is the perfect time to embrace the golden hour, and become a master at capturing it! Challenge each other to themed photo shoots like "hidden fall colors" or "strangest leaf shape". Who knows, you might end up with a gallery-worthy shot or at least some hilarious outtakes for your album.
Kayaking: Paddle your way through crisp autumn air and stunning fall foliage reflected in calm waters. Whether you want to take in the sights, or to challenge each other to a race—try to keep your balance as you avoid your partner’s splashes!
Horseback riding: Are you ready for your Hannah Montana-esque movie moment? Feel like you're starring in your own romantic movie as you explore scenic trails on horseback, but beware, it’s not as easy as it looks in the movies!
Game night: Dust off those board games and prepare for an evening of friendly (or fierce) competition as you shelter from those chilly fall winds! Don't forget to include some silly party games for laughs—nothing says romance like trying to keep a straight face during Charades.
Day trip: It’s amazing what adventures you can have only a few hours from home! This is your sign to hop in the car and let your romantic whims guide you through the roads. Stop at all those silly signs, those cute lunch spots, and all those touristy spots that you’ve always been ‘too busy’ to explore.
Attend a football game: Bundle up in team colors and join the roaring crowd at a local football game. Even if you don't know a touchdown from a touchback, the electric atmosphere is infectious!
Arcade visit: Go back in time with a visit to the arcade! Challenge each other to Pacman tournaments, dance-off on retro machines, or team up to defeat alien invaders. Make sure to pick out the cheesiest prize possible on your way out!
Drive-in movie: Another nostalgic treat, live out your 50’s fantasies with a trip to your local drive-in movie theater. Pack enough snacks to feed an army, plenty of pillows, and your cheeky movie commentary.
Attend a fall festival: Immerse yourselves in all things autumn at a local fall festival. Get lost in corn mazes, bob for apples, guess the weight of giant pumpkins, and indulge in every pumpkin-flavored treat imaginable.
Cook a fall-themed dinner: Transform your kitchen into a cozy autumn bistro, embracing all the flavors that the harvest season serves up! From pumpkin pie to butternut squash soup, the smell alone should get you in the fall mood.
Fall first date ideas
Picnic: Pack a basket full of autumn goodies and head to a scenic spot awash in fall colors. Spread out a cozy blanket and enjoy finger sandwiches, apple slices with caramel dip, and thermoses of hot cider for a first date to remember.
Coffee date: It may sound simple, but fall is the perfect season to enjoy a coffee with your romantic interest! Chat, share stories, and get to know one another with a comforting coffee in your hand.
Stargazing: This is one of our favorite fall date ideas—it’s just so darn romantic! Pick a clear night, share your dreams, swap space facts, or simply enjoy the peaceful silence under the vast night sky as you feel your spark blossom!
Cooking class: Did they boast about their cooking skills in their dating profile? Put them to the test with a cooking class! No matter how your cooking endeavors turn out, this is a great date to break the ice and get to know each other better!
Diner date: Step into a retro diner for a dose of nostalgia with your getting-to-know-you conversation. This is the perfect time of year to live out your Riverdale dreams, and we give you full permission to share a milkshake with two straws for that quintessential first-date moment.
Comedy night: Laughter is the best icebreaker! Attend a comedy night together to gauge your significant other’s sense of humor, and bond over the shared embarrassment of getting picked on by the comedian.
Romantic dinner: Light those scented candles and set the mood for an intimate autumn dinner. Whether you're cooking together or ordering in, it’s a step up from a classic Netflix and Chill excursion!
Coffee shop hopping: Are you a bit of a coffee fiend? Turn your caffeine craving into an adventure by visiting multiple coffee shops in a row. Just prepare yourself for the caffeine rush!
Art gallery visit: Weather not playing ball? Take shelter in your local art gallery, strolling together through the creations as a couple. Plus, you can always fall back on the classic "But what do you think it means?" if there's a lull in the chat.
Hot chocolate date: Meet up at a cozy café known for its decadent hot chocolate. Compare notes on your favorite toppings (extra whipped cream? marshmallows? a dash of cinnamon?), and see who can create the most outrageous custom order even if the barista gives you and your loved one a funny look!
Cheap fall date ideas
Scenic drive: Hop in the car and hit the road for a budget-friendly leaf-peeping adventure. Create a playlist of your favorite autumn-themed songs, pack some snacks, and let the colorful landscapes be your sat-nav!
Free museum: Many museums offer free admission days, so take advantage and soak up some culture on a budget. Brush up on your history, or play games to see who can find the oldest/weirdest exhibit on offer!
Reading date: Fall offers the perfect cozy setting for diving into your favorite books. Who said it has to be a solo activity? Pick out books for each other based on covers alone, read favorite passages aloud, or simply read side by side (hand-holding optional).
Window shopping: Stroll through a charming downtown area or mall, creating imaginary wish lists as you go. Try on outrageous outfits you'd never actually buy, imagine furnishing your dream home, or take notes for your partner’s next birthday!
Library/bookstore date: While it may not be Notting Hill bookstore, you can still live out your Julia Roberts/Hugh Grant dreams in your local bookshop. It's a literary adventure that costs nothing but who knows, you might spark those feelings of love in the stacks.
TV marathon: There are so many TV shows that are must-watches during the fall season, from Grey's Anatomy to Gilmore Girls! Create the perfect movie night setting and dive into your favorite shows, with your window view matching the fall vibes on screen.
Cuddle night: Sometimes the best dates are the simplest. Grab all the soft blankets and pillows you can find, put on some gentle background music, and spend the evening cuddling and talking. Not only is it intimate and cozy, but it’s also completely free!
Watching the sunset: While often seen as a summer activity, some of the most colorful and magical sunsets happen in the fall season! Bring a thermos of hot tea, and some comfy blankets, and watch as the sky transforms into a canvas of warm hues.
DIY outdoor cinema: Transform your backyard or balcony into a personal movie theater. Hang a white sheet, borrow a projector, and voila! The perfect budget alternative to your regular drive-in movie, you also have the freedom to pick your own movie!
Day at your local park: Whether you want to feed the ducks, find a romantic perch among the foliage, or play park games—a day out the park can be a lot more fun than you give it credit!
September date ideas
Go on a hike: Often September weather and be some of the best! Lace up your boots and hit the trails to soak in the early fall colors with your partner by your side.
Puzzle night: As the evenings start to cool, stay in and tackle a jigsaw puzzle together. Build up to the more challenging puzzles (we’re talking the 5000 pieces), whether it’s a New York scene or a fall landscape, the options are endless.
Fall foliage: Leaf-peeping isn't just for retirees! Grab a fall foliage map and plan a day trip to catch the changing colors at their peak. Don’t forget to pack a camera to capture the best colors on offer.
Escape room: Test your problem-solving skills and teamwork in a themed escape room of your choice! Will you be able to work together under pressure, or will you be laughingly stuck in room one?
Bike ride: Feel the crisp September air on your face as you pedal past changing leaves, stopping to shelter from any seasonal rain showers along the way!
Camping: Embrace the great outdoors before it gets too chilly. Set up a tent, build a campfire, and spend the evening stargazing and sharing stories. If the great outdoors isn’t usually your thing, there are no rules against backyard (or even bedroom) camping!
Apple cider tasting: Whether you’re usually a cider fan or not, now is the season to try it out! Sample different types, from sweet to tart, still to sparkling—trying not to hiccup along the way.
Pumpkin spice latte season: Embrace (or lovingly mock) the unofficial flavor of fall by going on a pumpkin spice latte crawl. Visit different coffee shops and cafes, sampling their versions of this iconic autumn drink.
Scavenger hunt: Create a fall-themed scavenger hunt for each other around your home, or even around your garden. Make each clue cuter than the last, using the season to express your love for one another!
Cinema date: As the summer draws to a close, the cozy allure of the cinema begins again! Cozy up in the back row with some popcorn with your loved one, as you struggle to keep your commentary (or your kissing) to a minimum.
October date ideas
Pumpkin patch: Wander through rows of orange globes in search of the perfect pumpkin. Whether you’re looking for a sweet decor for the mantelpiece or a massive jack-o'-lantern canvas, half the fun is in the hunt. Don’t forget to get an Instagram pic amongst the pumpkins, it’s practically mandatory!
Apple picking: Visiting an apple orchard is the quintessential fall activity. Spend a sunny afternoon reaching for the perfect apples, sampling different varieties, and debating the merits of each! (Candy apple is officially an acceptable answer!)
Scary movie marathon: Dim the lights, grab some popcorn, and snuggle up for a night of spooky cinema with your loved one tucked up by your side! Even if horror isn’t your thing, there are plenty of funny and comforting variations to keep the screams to a minimum.
Haunted house: Get into the spooky spirit with a visit to your local haunted house! As you cling to each other as you navigate dark corridors and jump at every sudden noise, remind yourself that it’s just a few scary Halloween costumes.
Oktoberfest: Don your lederhosen or dirndl and head to a local Oktoberfest celebration. Sample a variety of beers, munch on pretzels the size of your head, and attempt to polka without spilling your drink.
Halloween party: Matching couple's costume anyone? Whether you want to go as Bonnie and Clyde or Beetlejuice and Lydia, get into the Halloween spirit at a festive party. Bob for apples, tell ghost stories, and indulge in as many trick-or-treat sweets as possible.
Hayride: It might seem cheesy, but if you have a hayride festival in your area, it would be rude not to take part! Snuggle up under a warm blanket as you listen to the guide's corny jokes and local lore. For an extra thrill, try a nighttime "haunted" hayride—just be prepared for some theatrical scares and a lot of nervous laughter.
Pumpkin carving: It’s time to get crafty! Set up a carving station outside to minimize the mess, put on some spooky tunes, and let your creativity flow.
S’mores: Bring the campfire experience to your backyard or even your kitchen. Munch on the perfect S’more (with extra chocolate sauce) as you swap childhood stories under the autumn light.
Road trip: While you can set off on a road trip at any time of year, fall is the perfect backdrop for your adventures. Pack up your car with cozy blankets, your favorite fall playlist, and a map of your destination!
