FALLing for Love: Autumn Date Ideas

Fall is a unique time of year. Oh how I adore the colors, the weather, and the smells of the season. I love the leaves falling – the brown, orange, and golden colors unlike any other time. Oh, and the smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin. Yes, yes, yes!

Maybe I love it because I recall as a kid how my mom made my homemade halloween costumes. They were the best. Or that my mom always made the yummiest and most delicious smelling baked goods at this time. (My mouth is salivating at the memory.) I just love the fall and have fun celebrating it. As I have gotten older, I love celebrating it with my family and my man. 

There are a ton of ways to make the most of autumn. We enjoy the traditional autumn activities like taking hayrides, visiting a pumpkin patch, and decorating for fall. (Of course, I have a Pinterest board of fall decor ideas…who doesn’t???) But there are so many great ideas beyond that to make memories and to grow closer to your special loved one.

Consider These Fall Date Ideas 

No need to break the bank or sell a kidney to create a memorable fall date or experience. October has 31 days, so here are 31 fun ideas to kick off the season and spend some time with your sweet pumpkin. (Okay, forgive the cheesy pet name attempt.)

1. Stargaze with a cup of warm apple cider. The warm drink in the cool, crisp air will be cozy. Take it up a notch by cuddling in the same blanket as you stargaze.

    

2. Visit a haunted house – if you aren’t too scared. Our local elementary school has a fall harvest festival and makes a haunted house. We always attend and play the games and get our face painted.

    

3. Do a cemetery tour. There are lots of places that offer guided cemetery tours in October – especially historic areas. But, don’t wait too long to book one as they often fill up fast.

    

4. Get lost in a corn maze … together. Make a game of it and every time you say a certain word, you kiss. Or every time you make a wrong time, you kiss. Who knows? You may start taking wrong turns on purpose 😉

   

5. Tour a local brewery and taste the fall beers and ciders. Seasonal beverages are for a limited time so go enjoy them while you can.

    

6. Go camping. It can get a little chilly, but camping in the fall is a very different experience than summer camping. Plus the mosquitos aren’t as bothersome (Hallelujah!)

    

7. Go to a high school football game. Few things compare to the camaraderie and excitement of a local, hometown fall game. You can even wear the team colors as you cheer them on.

    

8. Go wine tasting…wineries are beautiful in the fall. Do a quick google search for vineyards in your area. Take a tour and learn about how your favorite wine is made.

    

9. Watch a sunrise/sunset together. Find a local quiet place like a park or even your back deck. Snuggle up together in a blanket and enjoy the beauty of the moment.

    

10. Cuddle up and watch Halloween movies. Holding your loved one close during those scary scenes makes them not so scary anymore.

     

11. Visit an escape room. These are becoming quite popular and many offer multiple theme options to add a fun flare.

     

12. Visit a nearby small town that you’ve not been to before. This adds a little adventure in exploring a new town. Look for the most hole-in-the-wall local joint to eat at too.

     

13. Go geocaching. This is like an outdoor treasure hunting game and can be pretty exciting.

     

14. Have a picnic in the park and notice all things fall – the air, smells, colors, and even how people are dressed. There are sights, sounds, and sensations of autumn to embrace.

     

15. Go fly a kite. The same gentle fall freeze that helps those multi-colored leaves fall to the ground also makes for a perfect day flying kites. You’ll feel like a kid again.

     

16. Have a coffee date in a cozy café. I challenge you to even leave the phones at home or in the car and have some good old fashioned face to face conversation.

    

17. Visit a pumpkin patch (or just go the store and get a pumpkin) and then carve it. Post it on Instagram and whoever gets the most votes owes the other a back rub.

     

18. Invite family, friends and kids in the neighborhood to come over. One year when the kids were in middle school, we invited the neighbor kids over for a pumpkin carving day. We made pumpkin seeds that I had pre-prepared and even had pumpkin cookies for kids to decorate and take home. This could easily be done with adults too.

     

19. Make an apple pie together. Work together in the kitchen slicing, measuring, etc. If you’re not an apple person, do something pumpkin related.

     

20. Rake up leaves and then run through then like a kid. I guarantee you’ll get a good laugh. And a workout. Win win.

     

21. Make a gratitude board as a couple or a family. You’ll be more bonded as you share all you’re thankful for (including each other).

     

22. Go to a chili cook off. Or better yet, host one.

     

23. Make a memory by going for a drive to admire all the colors of the changing leaves. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.

     

24. Attend a mystery dinner or host a mystery date night. There are scripts available online for such an event.

     

    

25. Finish strong. Use the fall to complete an end of the year recap and finish strong in the last quarter of the year. What goals can you each help your partner accomplish?

     

26. Make caramel or candied apples. If you want to be extra festive, go to an orchard and pick your own apples first. Or at least visit the local farmer’s market to buy the apples.

     

27. Have a romantic warm soup or chili night served in pumpkin bread bowls. Yummmm.

     

28. Attend an Octoberfest event. Even if you don’t drink the food is reason enough to attend.

     

29. Go antiquing. You don’t have to buy anything. Just walking and talking can be fun and bonding. My husband and I love reminiscing in these stores about items. We catch ourselves saying, “My mom used to have one of these.”

     

30. Donate decorations and costumes to the local children’s home. Call ahead and ask if the kids will be trick or treating. Our nearby children’s home didn’t, but we donated several bags of candy for a fall game night the facility had for the kids.

     

31. If you celebrate Halloween, make it a block party for trick or treating. Gather neighbors for handing out candy. (I handout pencils, play dough and stickers.) Start a new tradition and have a Halloween potluck with your neighbors.

Whatever you do, be present with your mate and/or family while you do. Memories are made with other people and these are the things that warm our hearts when the cool autumn air sets in. 

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What would you add to this list? How do you celebrate fall?

Celebrating the Season,