25 Fall Date Ideas That’ll Make You Want to Cuddle Under a Giant Blanket Immediately
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Anyone who’s ever been on a dating app can tell you—summer might be known as a fun and flirty dating season, but fall is really when people buckle down and get serious about meeting IRL. If you’re single, it’s so much easier to find a great first date, and if you’re taken, there’s no shortage of things you can do during the cooler-weather season to (pumpkin) spice up your relationship.
What’s so great about fall, you ask? It’s the *perfect* time to get closer. It’s called cuffing season for a reason—Mother Nature is practically begging you to hold someone’s hand thanks to the chilly temps, plaid throw blankets just ~happen~ to appear extra inviting during your Netflix-and-chill date, and there are tons of apple orchards that have the cutest, Insta-worthy photo opps for you and your boo to squeeze into.
As the season changes and the leaves change color, now is the perfect time to take stock of what you want your love life to look like going into 2024. If you’re single and want to meet someone new, download a dating app that can land you the perfect fall first date of your dreams. If you’re taken, plan something extra sweet to get you and your IRL Luke Danes or Lorelai Gilmore even closer. No matter what stage of dating or life you’re in, these 25 romantic fall date ideas will help get you out of the house and into cozy season territory. You can thank us later.
Presenting: The Best Fall Dates of the Season
Recreate Harry and Sally’s Katz Deli date from When Harry Met Sally (the most iconic fall rom-com of all time). Not in New York? Find your nearest diner and order a roast beef sandwich.
Fall means football! Root for your hometown or college team and either buy tickets to see them IRL or tune in to watch on Sundays/game days. Super Bowl party anyone? 👀
Go to a pottery painting center and paint matching coffee mugs. You’ll need them for the season’s influx of pumpkin spice!
The beach can be an unexpectedly romantic fall date. On a day that’s not too windy or cold, pack a picnic and bundle up in blankets and cozy sweaters and sit by the shore.
Find a coffee tasting tour (the app Meetup has a bunch depending on your location!).
Have a fall movie marathon. (Must include Practical Magic and Halloweentown, sry I don’t make the rules.)
Find the nearest maple tree farm and stock up on some quality syrup.
Create your own version of Oktoberfest with a variety of craft beers and pretzels at home. (Or order everything from the nearest beer garden.)
Go on a ghost tour and/or visit a haunted house. Spooky!
Or if you want to really bring the Halloween vibes, take a weekend trip to a historically spooky city like Salem, Massachusetts or New Orleans, Louisiana. There’s no shortage of ghost tours and witchy activities to experience.
Another, much sexier Halloween-y option: Throw on some old costumes and have a night of roleplay.
Make sandwiches or wraps with your Thanksgiving leftovers, then feast while watching a fall rom-com and nursing your hangovers.
Have a bonfire and make roast s’mores together. Find a fall playlist on Youtube or Spotify to play in the background to really set the scene.
Go apple-picking and your nearest orchard and use the apples to make a homemade apple pie, or candy apples!
Go pumpkin-picking and paint or carve the ones you pick!
Take the pumpkin vibes to the next level and make a four-course dinner with pumpkin being the main ingredient (pumpkin soup, roasted pumpkin salad, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin pie—you're welc).
Find your nearest fall festival and go for a hayride and/or go through a corn maze.
Go for a long hike and watch the leaves change color. Pick a trail with great views at the top.
Visit a distillery or winery and indulge in a tasting!
Go ice skating at your nearest rink. Can’t find one? Check your local shopping mall.
Do karaoke! This is an especially good date idea for nights when it’s really cold and you can’t bear to be outside. Too cold to even leave the house? Buy yourself a karaoke microphone and find your favorite songs on Youtube.
Go to a farmers market and buy seasonal breads because the weather is perfect and you deserve it. Or stock up on seasonal squash and pumpkin to make delicious, cozy soups.
Go on a scavenger hunt for the craziest pumpkin-spice-themed goodies you can find. Hit up all the TJ Maxx’s/Marshalls/Targets in your area and buy one from each—the cheesier the better!
Take a knitting or crochet class and learn how to make your own scarves/mittens/beanies. You’ll need ‘em for when the temperatures turn cold!
Take advantage of the fall leaves and have a leaf fight, or pick your favorite ones and make cute crafts that can serve as home decor during the fall months for years to come. You’ll always have a memento of your idyllic fall date!
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