24 Fall Date Ideas

Fall is my favorite time of year. All the pumpkin things, changing leaves, and sweaters – it’s the best! There are also tons of fun fall-ish activities that can be done with your significant other (or a new guy). If you’re looking to get your relationship out of a dinner-and-drinks rut, this Fall Date Ideas list is full of things for you to try!

Before I get into my list of 24 date ideas, I have a few words of advice to get the most out of dating this season.

Dates don’t have to be expensive.

Your plans don’t need to include a fancy dinner or football tickets to be a great time! My list includes completely free ideas and many that won’t break the bank.

Get playful.

Lots of popular fall activities bring nostalgia and childhood memories. Being goofy and flirty while doing these can bring some playfulness to your relationship. Friendly competition can also spice things up! Let go of the idea that Halloween or playing in an apple orchard is for kids and have fun!

Lean into the season.

Embrace all things fall! This can mean leaning into change and transitions. Or doing lots of fall-themed activities wearing flannel and documenting it all on Instagram. Basic AF things like apples and colorful leaves and bean boots are abundant this time of year! Nothing wrong with that!

Those are the three elements I think are important for dating in the fall. Now let’s get to the specific activities!

My List of 24 Fall Date Ideas

• Get cider and donuts at a cider mill.
• Watch a scary movie such as Friday the 13th.
• Go to a local high school football game.
• Carve (or paint) pumpkins together.

• Watch nostalgic Halloween movies like Hocus Pocus or Halloweentown.
• Take on a haunted house (hold hands to stay safe!).
• Pick apples at a U-Pick orchard or pumpkins at a pumpkin patch.
• Trick-or-treating competition: each of you picks the costume you think will be most popular and keep tally of who (or what) comes to the door. (My guess would be Toy Story 4 or Frozen 2 characters!)
• Play catch with a football and have a picnic in the park.

• Take a hike or walk through some picturesque foliage.
• Mix fall-themed cocktails like this one.
• Have a two-person chili cook-off. Freeze or eat the leftovers as lunches for the week.
• Check out the Farmers Market for seasonal produce and goodies.
• Go to Oktoberfest or another beer festival.

• Get lost in a corn maze.
• Get an early start on Christmas shopping together before malls are insanely busy. Take your time and get a pretzel or CPK while you’re there.
• Mull wine and drink it by the fire.
• Go to a sports bar to watch college or NFL games (bonus if you’re in a fantasy league together).
• Run a 5K together. Pick a themed race with zombies chasing you or with beer at the finish line.

• Play games at the county fair. Get competitive or let him show off.
• Go camping (or stay in a cabin) and have a bonfire. Make s’mores and tell scary stories.
• Volunteer for a Trunk-or-Treat event. Choose a theme for your costumes and trunk decorations.
• Watch all the Thanksgiving episodes of FRIENDS.
• Tour a brewery or winery.

What fall date ideas do YOU have?

I’d love to hear about any fall activities you did with your S.O. this season! Leave a comment with more ideas. It’s getting colder, but it’s not winter yet!