50+ Fall Date Ideas for a Romantic and Cozy Adventure (2023)

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Are you ready to have an amazingly romantic season? We’ve got 50 cozy, fun, and adventurous fall date ideas to choose from.

Personally, I don’t think spring is when love is most in the air. I think it’s fall. Without a doubt, fall has to be the most romantic season. The chilly air makes lovers want to spend time together, snuggling under blankets, walking hand-in-hand clad in flannel, and cozying up to a fire. Plus, the scenery is beautiful and the seasonal food is delicious.

What better season is there to fall in love–or to rekindle your passion? Whether you’re casually dating, in a serious relationship, engaged, or married, fall is the perfect time to grab someone special and go on an adventure.

From apple picking and visiting a haunted house to getting lost in the corn maze and exploring the pumpkin patch, here are the 50+ best fall dates for the 2023 season:

Table of Contents

Fall Date Ideas

Go apple picking in an orchard

Do you want to go apple picking? Apple picking is so much fun for a date idea, because it’s old fashioned and sweet.

Pick a whole bushel or peck of apples and you can bake for days. In September, visit your nearest orchard and go apple picking. Apple orchards usually offer an array of pies, fresh cider, and cider donuts, too. Apple picking is truly the perfect fall date!

Have a coffee date in the coziest cafe you know

While this might not be the most adventurous date, it’s one of our absolute top choices! Now is the time to unashamedly choose the pumpkin spice latte. Or a maple latte and hot chocolate–our personal faves.

A coffee date is a great chance to sit together and have a deep conversation. Or you can dig into a couple of good books, side-by-side. Sometimes the best dates (especially for long-term couples) are ones where you can simply sit and be completely comfortable together.

Enjoy a movie marathon under soft, warm blankets

A movie marathon makes for an awesome fall date. It feels like a good time to watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, doesn’t it? The Harry Potter films are also fitting for the fall season. If scary films are more your thing, Halloween offers plenty of opportunities to watch these, perhaps with a horror movie marathon date idea. Don’t forget a cozy blanket to snuggle under together.

Want to watch a romantic movie? Check out our list of the most romantic films of all time.

Nothing wrong with staying in! Our friends Bassam and Lena have some more ideas for stay-at-home date ideas 🙂

Get lost together in a corn maze

Corn mazes are super fall. If you can visit a haunted corn maze, even better. This is perhaps the ultimate in fall date ideas for couples, and it’s pretty easy to find a corn maze in most places!

A couple laying down next to each other laying forehead to forehead.
Chilling after the corn maze

Pick pumpkins at the pumpkin patch

Go find the great pumpkin, growing in the wild. Visit a local pumpkin patch if possible, or make a stop at a market if necessary. When you get home from the pumpkin patch, try another date idea: carve a jack-o-lantern together, or take one pumpkin each and make it a carving contest.

Eat too many cider donuts

Why is fall food soooo good? Cider donuts are one of our absolute favorite fall treats. It’s best if you get them fresh at an apple orchard or farm. Otherwise, you could try to make your own at home–a real challenge, but a great date idea for an autumn afternoon.

Go on a fall hike

One of the go-to fall date ideas for couples is hiking. A hiking date is always something fun, in all seasons.

In the fall, you can work off all of those cider donuts and pie with a challenging walk or climb. This is the ideal time of year to go hiking as the temperatures are typically perfect for working up a sweat. And the leaves looks beautiful both along the trail and when you reach the top.

Read Next: 50+ Very Best Date Ideas for Couples

Get spooked together in a haunted house

Nothing brings people closer like shared fear. October should begin with a trip to visit the local haunted house! On this fall date idea, you will hold hands and scream together. (We recommend Busch Gardens Howl o’ Scream for a night of fright! They have dozens of  haunted attractions that go beyond your average haunted house!. Laugh and scream at the same time!)

Create a new apple cider cocktail, play music, and dance around the kitchen

Get classy for this fall date idea. Grab all your favorite spirits and brew up something new and amazing. Hint: apple cider is a great mixer to use to make fall cocktails. Together, you can toast to a wonderful fall, and slow dance to some lovely music.

Bake a seasonal pie together

What about baking date ideas? Perfect for a fall date, especially. Apple or pumpkin are the clear winners, and to really get in the fall spirit, use apples you’ve picked yourselves. Here’s a delicious recipe for apple pie that we made together. 

Pro tip: Also brew up some hot apple cider to enjoy as you bake. 

READ NEXT:  35 Magical, Romantic Christmas Date Ideas for Couples
Colorful fall trees line an empty paved road.
Roads like this are made for fall date cruisin’

Go on a road trip somewhere with amazing fall foliage

Adventurous fall date ideas? Yes, please! We love a good road trip. Hopefully, you can drive a few hours and watch the vibrant leaves go by.

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Create a cozy nook in the bed of a truck and go stargazing

If you don’t have your own truck, borrow a friend’s. Your partner will love this creative and cozy fall date idea. 

Cover the bed of the truck with pillows and blankets, fill a thermos with hot cider, and drive out to a dark spot where you can park and look up at the stars. Keep watch for a shooting star. For a romantic fall date idea, stargazing is an epic choice.


 

Take turns cooking a romantic fall dinner for each other

There are so many yummy fall recipes. Take turns crafting a gorgeous meal for one another. Need some fall date recipe ideas? How about Pumpkin Risotto, Maple Salmon, or Rosemary Cream Pork Chops? Check out more romantic recipes for two.

Enjoy a bike ride on a crisp, sunny day

You can take a ride and see some of the gorgeous fall leaves. Not only are you getting good exercise together, but you’re enjoying nature during the best time of year. Consider riding through a nearby park, or investigate the trails in your area. 

READ NEXT:  25 Cute Outdoor Date Ideas for a Fabulously Fun Date

Share stories of your favorite childhood Halloween memories

Sometimes, the simplest fall date is one of the most fun. Spend a little time this season talking about Halloweens of Octobers past. Tell each other about your favorite costumes or your first haunted house visit.

Attend a fall festival

There are so many fun fall harvest events. For an easy go-to fall date, pick a couple and explore them with your partner. You can check out huge, award-winning pumpkins at the county fair, or sample pies in a baking contest. There’s also plenty of opportunity to play a game, and maybe win a little something special for your sweetheart.

A couple holds each other while admiring fall foliage on trees.
Fall romance isn’t hard to find when the leaves are putting on such a pretty show!

Have a bonfire with friends

Bonfires are such a fun thing to do with friends. Being around a crackling fire always reminds me of being a teenager and feeling young and free. Perhaps you can capture that same feeling on your next fall date night. If you can’t find a bonfire, cozy up to a fireplace at home. S’mores optional, but they definitely cap off a lovely fall date. 

PS: Make sure to practice fire safety! Love, Your Mom

Go camping: one last trip before the weather turns too cold

Summer may be high time to go camping, but early fall is a perfect time, too. While the weather is at its most beautiful, head into the wilderness for a day or two. Make sure you have a warm sleeping bag when you go camping together–a double sleeping bag is ideal for a romantic camping trip.

READ NEXT:  Camping for Couples: Essential Gear Guide & Tips for Two

Read Next: 10 Best Places to See Northern Lights in the USA

 

Make homemade caramel apples

Want to do something that’s crafty, delicious, and romantic? Make your own caramel or candy apples together. This is a great stay-at-home date idea, and you can easily combine it with one of the other fall date options, like a movie marathon. You could also make the caramel apples following a visit to the local apple orchard. 

A couple smiles at each other while sitting on the ground.
Just some cozy fall date fun 😉

Watch a scary movie (or a few!) 

What says Halloween and autumn mystery better than this? As you watch a scary movie together, you can scream and hide your eyes under a cozy blanket.

READ NEXT:  17 Halloween Date Ideas for Spooky Fun (2023)

Go shopping for Halloween costumes–bonus points for a couple’s costume

Go explore the Halloween costumes, try on some masks, and make each other laugh. If you’re up for it, consider going as a famous duo or pair. Salt and pepper? A pair of dice? Bonnie and Clyde? There are soooo many fun options, and a lot of them you can even make on your own.

READ NEXT:  The Best Couples Halloween Costumes for 2020

Build an indoor blanket fort

I don’t care if you’re 9 or 49…building an indoor blanket fort is as much fun for adults as for children. You can use the cozy blankets you bought for cuddle time. Feel free to create an Instagram-worthy fort with hanging fairy lights and beautiful touches of decor.

Rake the leaves…like adults. Then jump in the leaf piles…like kids!

Speaking of being a grownup…tackle a fall chore together for a date idea, such as raking the leaves. Then make the most of those piles!

Go on a romantic fall getaway 

Traveling as a couple is always a good date idea, and there are so many options.

If you have some extra $$$ to splurge with, consider a visit to a classy bed and breakfast. This type of accommodation is simply made for couples. During your drive, you can pass the time by asking each other some of these fun questions for couples

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Vibrant fall leaves are laying on a wooden table.
Fall leaves are a great aesthetic for romance, don’t you think?

Step back in time (and visit a fantasy world) at a renaissance festival

For cute fall dates, look no further! Fall is the season of renaissance faires and festivals. Grab your lord or lady, put on some medieval garb, and toast with a cup of mead. This is one of our favorite romantic date ideas.

Sample the tasty offerings at a local cidery

Hard cider is so popular these days. It shouldn’t be hard to find a local cidery to visit, most of which offer free or cheap tastings. And in the fall season, flavors of pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, and other spice are prevalent. Yum!

Have a pumpkin beer taste test

Speaking of a boozy date idea, if you’re not into cider, beer is an ideal fallback. After all, fall is the season of pumpkin beer!

Don’t have a local brewery? Try all the varieties in the store. We’re partial to Shipyard Pumpkinhead ourselves.

Watch Hocus Pocus…the best Halloween movie ever

This is a date idea for those children of the 80’s and 90’s. I mean, is it truly Halloween if you haven’t watched Hocus Pocus? I think not. You two can relive your childhood (or experience something new together) by watching this great 1990’s Halloween classic.

Read Next: Hocus Pocus Filming Locations in Salem, MA: A Comprehensive Guide

Saddle up and go horseback riding

Horseback riding is one of the best date ideas for couples, especially in autumn! Riding your trusty steed is best when the leaves are at their most colorful. And what could be more sweet and romantic than to go horseback riding through the woods side-by-side? A lovely fall date idea, indeed. 

Stay in bed all weekend long

Sometimes the greatest date ideas involve doing absolutely nothing at all. Make your weekend bed date even better with your favorite movies, a stash of snacks, and plenty of wine.  

This is a great opportunity to order in for dinner, too. Go ahead and be lazy; you’ll love it. Add this to the top of your list of November date ideas, for when the weather really starts to get chilly and cuddling is a necessity. Who’s up for a fall staycation?

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A couple cuddles in bed in their pajamas.
A fall staycation sounds like the perfect way to stay cozy as the weather cools off

Go to a football game

For this fall date, attend a football game! Cheer on the local high school, or spring for a pro game. This is one of those cute date ideas you see in movies, but it’s just as wonderful in real life! 

Can’t find a football game in your area? You could host one with friends, tossing the football around together and then enjoying yummy seasonal snacks. 

Have a cute fall photo sesh (thanks, Instagram husband!)

If you’re significant other is up for it, take some adorable Instagram-worthy fall photos. So glad my husband doesn’t mind posing with me! You don’t have to think very hard to find great poses, either. Fall just lends itself naturally to the cutest photos ever. 

Go on a Thanksgiving Date

This way is for all you romantic couples out there looking for a way to make Turkey Day romantic. Well, it’s totally possible! Here are some ways to go on a romantic Thanksgiving Date.

Make some autumn crafts

Awaken your inner creativity by gluing, painting, building, and crafting together. Even if you’re terrible at DIY crafts, you can bond over your humorous shared attempts. Find ideas on Pinterest! 


Go on a hayride (a haunted one is best!)

Looking for a fun fall date idea? Hop on a hayride and enjoy the autumnal scenery. You might even be able to find a haunted hayride, perfect for that Halloween date night. Scarecrows, and pumpkins, and ghosts–oh my! Sometimes a hayride will end up at a corn maze, maybe even a haunted corn maze! 

Take a romantic train ride on a fall foliage route

Traveling by train is incredibly romantic, especially if you choose a beautiful destination. Put down your phones and settle in for an intimate conversation as you ride the train. 

You don’t have to take a big trip, either. In the fall season, there are often many options to take shorter, scenic train rides. Sometimes you can even find trains with a fancy dinner onboard. Such a great date idea, no? This clever idea may earn you an extra kiss or two goodnight.

Book a candlelit couple’s massage

Honestly, this is a great date in any season. It’s an especially nice date idea if you can surprise your partner with it. After your massage, treat your loved one to a relaxing dinner and a chilled-out evening at home.

Turn your home into a cozy fall cabin

Use twinkle lights and unique touches to make your abode feel like a fall fantasy. Not just for date night, but for the whole season! You can do this in any style of house or apartment. Get creative with the decor!

Go on a fall art/photography expedition

Got a creative streak? How about combining a fall hike or road trip with a chance to express yourself through drawing, painting, photo taking, or whatever your preferred artistic medium is? There is no prettier season than fall, so take advantage of its colors and scenery. We can think of few better ideas for a fall date. 

Take a hot air balloon ride

Speaking of fall colors, a balloon ride is a great way to take in massive amounts of scenery at once. Not only do you get a massive vista but you get to see it in the company of your honey. Unfortunately, this can be an expensive date idea. Definitely worth the splurge, though, for a once-in-a-lifetime romantic opportunity. 

Have breakfast for dinner

Breakfast foods are great at any time of the day, and at any time of the year! Having breakfast for dinner is a great fall date, in which you can munch on pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin spice lattes, and apple muffins! And the best part: you and your sweetie can make the food together.

Bounce around a trampoline park

Need to get in out of the cold? For your next fall date, go to a trampoline park to get some exercise and have some fun at the same time. These places are like giant playgrounds for all ages. We visited a trampoline park for our last anniversary and it was awesome!

Take a painting class

Art classes are a great way to get out of the house for some low-key, low-stress activity. Lots of painting classes offer step-by-step guidance in creating your piece and a glass of wine to make the creative process even more fun!

Sing your heart out at karaoke

Another source of indoor entertainment during chilly autumn days (and nights), karaoke is a cool way to relax and have goofy fun with friends and with the one you love. Maybe not the best fall date idea for introverts!

A couple in brightly colored sweaters and winter beanies rub noses outdoors in the late sun.
Date ideas for fall are just so cute!

Write your bucket lists

As we approach the end of each year, it is nice to think of all the things we have yet to look forward to. A couples bucket list can be a source of inspiration and hope for the future, and writing your bucket lists side by side with your partner can help you bond and find common interests. This is not just a great fall date, but one of our favorites for every season. 

Watch old home movies

Autumn is a time for nostalgia, and nothing brings out sweet memories like re-watching old home movies from years past and from your childhood. Not only can you and your loved one relive cherished moments from your life together, but you can see how cute and funny they were as a kid!

Rummage through an old bookstore

Speaking of nostalgia, browsing the shelves of an old used bookstore is like paging through the past. Discover new interests together, learn new things about your partner’s likes and dislikes, pick out books that you think each other will enjoy, and take your treasures home!

Read Next: 18 At Home Date Night Ideas

Take a ghost tour

If you want to get some fresh air on a moonlit night, consider taking a ghost tour. These tours are offered in many historic cities and offer a glimpse of the spooky side of a town. Keep your lover close so you can squeeze them if you get the chills!

Wine tasting at a local vineyard

What could be finer than a visit to a vineyard for some wine sampling! Tour the vineyard and make your selection from the drinks available to taste. Take home a bottle to enjoy by yourselves.

Go to an arcade

Return to your youth (or go back in history, depending on your age) with a visit to a video game arcade! These are often found combined with restaurants or bars. Compete with each other and try to beat each other’s scores!

Make a scarecrow

Build a cute scarecrow together using straw, a stake, and a set of clothing of your choice. When your creation is complete, use it to decorate your yard or garden!

Take a walk in the park

So simple, yet so lovely. A leisurely afternoon stroll holding hands is the epitome of autumn romance, and definitely one of our favorite date ideas for fall.


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