"I have a strong case for proving that fall is the most romantic season of the year. Forget the cutesy cards in February and the mistletoe in December, you can’t convince me that there is a better time for couples than the fall—and no, it’s not because it’s traditionally considered the beginning of “cuffing season.” Warm blankets, cozy fires, and picturesque scenery are just the beginning of the elements that make fall dates better than any other season. With plenty of sweet and spooky activities to attend to and cuddles to be had all fall long, here are 13 fall date ideas that you don’t want to miss out on.
1. Carve pumpkins
Competition is the driving force behind all the very best dates, right? Have a pumpkin carving contest to see who can make the better Jack-O-Lantern or try to carve a Jack-O-Lantern that looks like the other. Unless you’re an incredibly skilled professional pumpkin carver (does that job exist?), it likely won’t look anything like your partner, but it’ll still be fun to see the outcome. Not into the mess that comes with carving? Head to the craft store for some paint supplies and create masterpieces on your pumpkins instead.
2. Go apple picking
Apple picking? In the fall? You saw this as one of the fall date ideas we’d suggest, didn’t you? Well, it’s for a good reason: apple picking is a bucket list must-do of the season, and it’s even better if you do it together. Picture this: the two of you on a crisp yet sunny day, holding hands through the orchard, sharing an apple cider donut with cider in hand, and stealing kisses in between the trees. I wouldn’t be mad about repeating this date 10x this season.
3. Enjoy a scary movie night in
I don’t typically enjoy anything scary (I can’t sleep at night whenever I see a burglar alarm commercial, so forget about a scary movie!). But an excuse to cuddle up next to your significant other and squeeze them a little tighter during all the scary parts? It just might be worth the nightmares. Make your scary movie night extra romantic by making a delicious fall dinner, pouring some wine or spiked cider, and comforting each other when the best friend inevitably dies (why do they always walk into the woods alone?). If you are newly dating and aren’t at the “come over to my place” stage yet, there are tons of scary movies that come to theatres this season!
4. Venture into a haunted house
See above (read: hold onto your date tighter during the scary parts. Enough said). If you’re more into scary adventures than scenes, check out the haunted houses in your area for a fun, unique date night idea. But beware, this is definitely not for the faint of heart. If you’re more in it for the laughs, opt for a local school’s haunted house or one meant for kids. Or if you’re both thrill seekers who love to be scared, search for the scariest in your area and make a competition out of who can last the longest without freaking TF out.
5. Go to a corn maze
If you don’t even like the sound of a kid’s haunted house (I don’t blame you), a corn maze is just as fun of an activity to do together in the fall! Whether you have a gigantic one in your town that you’ve been going to since you were a kid or you’ve never been through one at all, finding your way through a corn maze is a great way to bond and have fun. You will inevitably get lost a time or two (or ten!) and end up at dead ends, but along the way, you will laugh it off together and work as a team through the celebration at the very end.
6. Go cider, beer, or wine tasting
Even if you and your date have nothing in common (they prefer action movies while you watch nothing except rom-coms), odds are you both like cider, beer, or wine—or walking around beautiful orchards and cool breweries, testing out all the best flavors that the season has to offer. There’s just no way you can’t have fun on this cool, unique, and seasonally perfect date.
7. Have a bonfire
For this date, either host a bonfire for a group date idea or set up a bonfire for just the two of you. Either way, nothing will put you in the mood for love better than a crisp fall night, a starry sky, a warm fuzzy blanket, and a bonfire—except maybe all of those s’mores (because you can also be in love with a burnt marshmallow smooshed between chocolate and graham crackers).
8. Get tickets to a football game
Show off your sporty side with a fun and lighthearted football game. Rooting for the same team will bring you and your date together and help you bond. On the other hand, rooting for opposite teams will ignite some fun and flirtatious competition, so you basically can’t lose (even if your team does). Step it up a notch with a good old-fashioned tailgate, complete with chili, Bloody Marys, or your favorite tailgate food and drink. This will be one of those fall date ideas that both of you will want to come back to every year.
9. Find (or make) your Halloween costume
Whether you’ve been together for what feels like forever or it’s your first Halloween together, you’ll share lots of laughs trying to plan and put together a couples costume for a Halloween party or just an at-home Halloween night passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Go for funny (an old couple or PB&J sandwich), chic (Cruella De Vil and a Dalmatian or a mermaid and sailor), or culturally relevant (Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, or Emily Cooper and Gabriel).
10. Bake a pie (or another fall treat)
Remember those apples you picked on your aforementioned amazing fall date? Use those to bake a warm apple pie, or opt for another yummy treat with the ingredients of the season. It’ll be fun whether you’re both talented bakers who belong on The Great British Baking Show, only one of you knows what they’re doing (and gets to teach the other their baking secrets), or neither one of you knows the difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon (mistakes are funny!). Enjoy your well-earned baked goods when they’re fresh out of the oven and cozy up to watch yet another fall movie.
11. Make cocktails inspired by fall (or Halloween!)
Mulled wine, hot toddy, appletini, apple cider bourbon—need I say more?! Fall-inspired cocktails (or mocktails!) will make you feel warm and cozy (on the inside and out!), so why not try making a few at home together? Gather all the seasonal ingredients that you need, head to the store, order takeout or make a cozy fall meal, and become fall mixologists for the night. Even better, you could totally combine two ideas from this list by putting a Halloween twist on your fall cocktails and bringing them to an upcoming party in your matching costumes.
12. Take a fall-inspired cooking class
Nothing screams fall quite like a hot oven and the aroma of a warm dish wafting in the air. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a complete newbie to cooking, try out a cooking class with each other that’s making some iconic or new autumn-esque recipes. It’s a great bonding experience, and you’ll get some laughs out of it as well. Maybe your dish comes out perfect, or maybe it comes out charred and flavorless, but it’s the experience together that counts, right? Bonus points if you try to recreate it at home together later on.
13. Go stargazing
If your date plans come into motion before the temperatures cool off too much, grab your coziest blankets and head to your favorite park or hill for some stargazing. If you want to show off a little, brush up on your constellation knowledge, or let your imaginations run wild and point out shapes and images you see in the sky. You get the perfect mix of lighthearted banter, but also the ultra-romantic vibes of cuddling under the starry sky with your date. Win-win.
Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host
Josie has been an editor and writer for The Everygirl since 2017 and became a certified Holistic Health Coach in 2020. As the Senior Wellness Editor, she oversees, writes, and edits wellness content. She also reports on wellness trends (including trying many herself) and interviews leading experts to share the most research-backed information with readers. Listen to Josie on The Everygirl Podcast, where she interviews guests and hosts episodes on a variety of educational, inspirational, and entertaining topics.
Hailey Bouche, Associate Editor
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Bouche oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.