Exciting Fall Date Ideas You'll Love
Fall expresses warmth, coziness, and romance, making it the absolute best season for cute and romantic dates. On that note, here are some perfect fall-o-ween activities for you and your significant other. Whether you are dating, newlyweds, or have been married for many years, these tried-and-true fall date ideas are guaranteed to create some fun memories for you both!
Importance of Dates
As they always say, you should never stop dating your spouse! This is so important for maintaining a strong and healthy relationship. Participating in activities together creates a great atmosphere for you to truly engage with each other, allowing for quality time and shared experiences. These dates can release happy endorphins (such as oxytocin and serotonin) to boost your mood and deepen your connection. Let’s get you out of those routines this fall and keep that relationship spark going strong!
Fall Date Ideas:
Communication Skills
The following activities are ones that help you to work on your communication skills in a fun way. These types of dates are where you work to achieve a common goal. Problem-solving together makes for a combined sense of satisfaction when something is accomplished, leaving you feeling both pleased with yourself and your partner.
Navigate a Corn Maze
It’s time put your navigational skills to the test. I love how corn mazes aren’t just a kid’s activity! Many local farms and pumpkin patches offer corn mazes during this season. You’ll soon see how good your spouse’s sense of direction really is…
Escape Room
A fun activity any time of year, escape rooms are especially fitting during the fall. They offer an unlimited amount of themes and you can easily find a spooky or non-scary option to fit your preferences. Any escape room will feel somewhat intense, your senses heightened as you work to find your way out and race against the timer. This can be fun just the two of you but can be an even more exciting double date (while taking some of the pressure off of us non-puzzle solvers).
We have participated in a number of these, including western, voodoo, pirate, prison, and haunting themes. Each one has been so different from the next it’s been a whole new experience each time!
Cook Together
Far less intense than an escape room, this couples activity still helps you to work together as a team. Tie on those aprons, pour some wine, and try out a new recipe this fall. Pick what fits your level of cooking, or bake a fall treat instead. Then enjoy your hard work together under candlelight. Need some ideas? Check out these fall recipes from the Food Network or this list of top fall desserts from Allrecipes to get you started.
Fall Date Ideas:
Connection & Bonding
As we all know, being out in nature is essential to good health. When making these outings an activity with your spouse, you’ll see even more benefits. For starters, the fresh air, engaging scenery, and some light exercise can help to release those endorphins for increased happiness, a sense of bonding, and feeling more connected.
These fall outings can also promote more meaningful conversations. By taking time in nature, you are promoting relaxation and helping to clear your mind. With fewer distractions, you can more easily engage in the present moment, helping the flow of conversation to come more easily.
Go Leaf Peeping
Take a scenic drive and stroll or hike through the fall colors. You won’t find a better season to be out in nature than that crisp fall air, it’s perfect sweater weather. Be sure to pick up some hot cocoa to enjoy during your trip.
Pack a Fall Picnic
What is a fall drive or stroll without a picnic to accompany it? Whether you are stopping along a trail or finding a quiet spot at a local park, this is the perfect autumn couples’ date. Any meal is a fitting time for a picnic.
Make a Bonfire
Whether camping or just relaxing in the backyard, a bonfire is a perfect way to add some warmth to these cooler nights. There’s something about the change in the air during this season, so enjoy these nights before the snow comes. Just don’t forget the s’mores!
Go Stargazing
Go out somewhere away from those city lights. There are many dark sky parks where you can escape that light pollution and enjoy the autumn night sky. Many state and national parks provide great areas to see the sky, as well as most campsites. With that in mind, you can always turn your stargazing night into camping trip under the night sky.
Fall Date Ideas:
Sharing New Experiences
Another way to deepen a bond between a couple is by creating more shared experiences. Engaging in a new activity together brings in an element of the unknown and added excitement. New activities are also the perfect way to engage our minds and make more lasting memories.
Take a Scenic Train Ride
While these trains may not be as common as finding a local pumpkin patch, they sure make for a unique experience. If you are looking for some of the most scenic rides in the US, check out this article by Attractions of America. I can personally attest to the beauty of the Durango and Silverton train ride, it’s quite breathtaking scenery, especially with all of the yellow aspens in the fall!
Go Horseback Riding
Another romantic movie moment can be experienced with this fall activity. If you have yet to go horseback riding together, I highly recommend it! Even if you have little to no experience around equestrians, these places are always new-rider friendly. A trail ride in the crisp mountain air is guaranteed to get you in the romantic autumn mood.
Apple Picking
When I think of fall activities, this is always the first thing that comes to mind. There is just something so charming and picturesque about walking through an orchard, holding hands, and stopping to pick apples. Some orchards even allow you to picnic on the grounds.
Here is a list of apple picking sites in all 50 states (except Florida) or search this Orchard Directory by state. I would like to add Rowley’s Red Barn as a great option in Utah, we apple-solutely love this spot!
Fall Date Ideas:
Childhood Memories
Participating in activities you use to do as a child re-connects you to your past and to each other. You can share stories from when you were younger while also feeling that sense of childhood excitement rekindled as you experience these same activities together as adults.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
I can guarantee there is a pumpkin patch near you, no matter what state you reside in. The best ones offer hay rides out to a u-pick patch. Look for spots that offer additional activities such as a corn maze, haunted field, zip lines, or pig races.
Carve Pumpkins
Whether you prefer to carve, punch, or paint your pumpkin, you’ll be bringing out your artistic side with this activity. If you need a little assistance, however, you can find tons of free printable stencils at pumpkinlady.com.
Make Your Own Costumes
Forget the pre-made ones from Spirit Halloween and hit up the thrift shops to make your own costumes this year. It’s great to have an idea of what you want to dress up as walking into it, but if you’re super creative and can wing it, then go for it. Check out these couples’ costume ideas from Inspiredbythis and Hitched for some fun DIY ideas to get you started.
Fairs & Festivals
Festivals and fairs are popping up all over this time of year. Many local farms and ranches will host entire harvest festivals with a variety of activities. County fairs are common in the fall and often have concerts in the evenings. Rodeos, monster trucks, and demolition derbies can run into the fall season as well. Be sure to be on the lookout for other types of festivals, such as Octoberfest, pub crawls, food, music, hot air balloon, or lantern festivals.
Fall Date Ideas:
Excitement & Adrenaline
Feeling that adrenaline thrill while still knowing that you are safe makes for an exciting yet fun fall activity together. This “safe” fright, where you know there is no real danger, allows you to embrace the thrill and rush of adrenaline you get from these activities. Along with a feeling of relief and accomplishment once it’s over! As a bonus, you have an excuse to be close and hold on to each other.
Visit a Haunted Attraction
There are so many options for haunted attractions. You can go to a haunted house, walk through a haunted trail, or take a haunted hay ride. The best part is there are always levels of scare available. (For me, I prefer the kiddie level of scary…) Haunted walking tours or ghost tours are also an option while adding in that sense of history. Find a local haunt near you at Hauntworld.com.
Watch a Scary Movie
Cuddling on the couch is always a win, although depending on what you select you might be gripping each other a bit tighter tonight! For those non-scary movie people out there (I’m one of those myself) there are always the classics such as Hocus Pocus or an autumn-themed Hallmark movie for an alternative.
Quality Time
I hope you enjoyed these fun fall date ideas! No matter what activities you choose to participate in this fall, enjoy the quality time you get together. Have fun creating new memories, trying new things, and being a little adventurous this season.
