"Summer was always my favorite season, but fall has become magical in recent years. Seeing the leaves change colors and gather in neighbors’ yards is comforting. Maybe it’s nostalgia from my childhood or perhaps knowing that Halloween and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it.
My partner knows it’s mandatory to bring home pumpkin muffins during the fall. We started this tradition last year to be more intentional about dating each other after our son was born. Since fall is just around the corner, we’ve been making date night plans that feel perfect for the season.
Maybe spending quality time together after the kids go to bed is all you can muster the energy for right now. And that’s OK. But if you’re extra excited about fall and are looking to be intentional about date night, here are 20 fall date ideas to spark a little connection.
1. Visit a Local Fair
The best part about a fair is that there’s something for everyone. Remember when you used to get excited about the local fair that only came to town during the fall? If you can’t remember the last time you rode the Ferris wheel or indulged in funnel cake covered with powdered sugar, try going on a date to your local fair.
While exhibits at fairs vary by state, you may find that your local fair has an array of entertainment options. These can include BMX stunt shows, concerts, carnival rides, and food trucks. The best part about it is that no matter what you choose, you’ll create new memories with your partner.
2. Visit the Pumpkin Patch (Without the Kids)
If you love pumpkins because they remind you of Halloween or because you can make delicious treats out of them, visit a pumpkin patch with your partner. Depending on where you live, various businesses, farms, or local churches will host pumpkin patches. Feel like teenagers again by heading to a pumpkin patch without the kids.
3. Pick and Bake Your Harvest
Maybe it’s a southern thing, but home-baked apple pies are something I look forward to during the fall. Apple-picking is a classic autumn date. It’s a great time to walk hand-in-hand as you search for apples to put in your basket. After picking apples, you and your partner can take them home and make tasty treats. Aside from apple pie, there are many recipes to make with apples—like apple turnovers and salted caramel apple bars.
4. Visit a Corn Maze
Fall classics, like pumpkin patches and corn mazes, often make for the perfect date. The corn maze date is all about allowing your inner child to run free—literally. Some of our local corn mazes in Georgia have mini petting zoos, hay rides, wagon rides, and more (so the kids could come, too).
5. Have a Campfire Night
If you don’t have time to go camping together, you can opt to have a campfire. You can choose classic campfire food, like hot dogs or corn on the cob. Or you can add s’mores to get the full camping effect. This is also the best time to drink something warm and soothing, like homemade hot chocolate, apple cider, or pumpkin spice lattes.
6. Sample Local Ciders or Brews
Instead of going to a wine-tasting event, take a trip to your local cidery or brewery for a tour. See how beers or ciders are made, and sample different flavors. Perhaps this is something a little different for you and your partner, and its oh-so festive.
7. Enjoy a Drive-In Movie
Drive-ins made a bit of a comeback during the pandemic when we had to social distance. In the spirit of Grease, you and your partner can enjoy a night under the stars while watching a film on a big screen from your car—and as they said back in the 1950s, maybe do some necking too.
8. Attend a Costume Party
If you and your partner are up for it, dressing up and attending a costume party can be a memorable date. You can coordinate a matching Halloween costume or create your own if you’re feeling crafty. You and your partner can dance the night away, drink some adult beverages, and enjoy the other guests’ costumes. Think of it as a fun way to celebrate Halloween with your partner that isn’t all about your kids. Grown-ups should enjoy Halloween too!
9. Game Night After the Kids Go to Bed
When was the last time you and your partner played games without the kids? Don’t worry if you can’t remember! A late-night game night gives you and your partner a chance to unwind while stirring up a bit of healthy competition. I’m not sure about you, but the endorphins released during our game nights have led to amazing sex in my household.
Since there are many games, you and your partner can decide on a few that suit your interests. Scrabble, Payday, or Monopoly are sure to ignite some positive memories if you’re into board games. Or, if either of you is a gamer, enjoy some friendly video game competition.
10. Volunteer Together
Date night is supposed to be about you and your partner, but there’s something special about volunteering together that can make you feel closer. Not only will you be able to give back to your community, but it can lead to conversations about gratitude. Considering Thanksgiving is a few months away, this is an excellent time for the two of you to start thinking about what you’re grateful for. Not sure where to begin? Volunteer Match is a great resource that allows you to search for volunteer opportunities in your area.
11. Go for a Long Walk
Some of the best parts of fall are taking in the cooler temps and watching the changing of the seasons. Find a new park or walking path and take in all of the beauty of autumn with a long stroll with your partner. Make the experience even more meaningful by preparing some deep conversation topics or check-in style questions to reconnect.
12. Visit a Haunted House
If you have little kids, visiting a haunted house may not be on the family fall bucket list just yet. That doesn’t mean you and your partner can’t experience the thrill. Maybe it’s been years since you’ve gone through one. Some areas even do extra special experiences like haunted hay rides or forests. Now’s the time grab your partner’s hand and squeeze it extra tight.
13. Have a Scary Movie Night
Each time my partner and I sit down for a movie night to try to decide something to watch I hear from him, “We should watch something like Zodiac!” While I’m partial to a sweet rom-com, fall may be the perfect time to indulge in something spookier. Whether it’s an old favorite or the latest release, turn on something that will make you hold each other a little closer.
14. Take a Ghost Tour
Speaking of spooky, odds are your town or one close to you offers haunted tours. Get in the spooky spirit by signing up for one of these experiences that are thrilling, fun, and out of the ordinary.
15. Go to a Football Game
Looking for the perfect group date activity? Grabbing tickets to a football game will not disappoint. The quintessential fall sport is sure to be an exciting and potentially new activity you won’t want to miss. Pick out a cute outfit to spend the afternoon tailgating before cheering on the home team.
16. Get a Couples’ Massage
Whether massages are in your rotation of gifts for each other or this would be the first time, it’s the ultimate relaxing date. Get a babysitter and spend some much needed time truly unwinding. Request the experience be by candlelight and have music playing in the background for an extra romantic endeavor.
17. Attend an Oktoberfest
Either book some tickets to Munich for an extra-long date or simply visit your local celebration. Oktoberfests are an extra special activity that only come around in the fall. You’ll experience some authentic German culture, get dressed up, maybe drink a beer or two, and spend the day out of the house for a unique date. Make it an annual tradition and head back year after year.
18. Go Axe Throwing
If you haven’t gotten on the axe throwing train yet now’s the time. My partner planned this date experience for us and it was even more fun than it sounds (and way less scary!). You’ll be surprised as how easy it is to pick up on—you’ll be a pro by the end of the first experience. Many places offer fun games you can play, like Tic-Tac-Toe, so there’s a fun added challenge. Let your competitive side ring free and have a blast while doing it.
19. Go Horseback Riding
Fall is arguably the best time of year to get outside. If you want to do something a little different while soaking up the cooler temps, book a horseback riding experience. Find a local stable and saddle up for a relaxing trail ride. This is one of my favorite activities because it’s a unique way to get into nature. And don’t worry, your guides will tell you everything you need to know to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
20. Visit a New Small Town
Small towns get extra charming in the fall with tons of decor and fun events. This idea is super fun if you live in a big city. Even if your town is fairly small though, heading to a neighboring community to experience something new is never a bad idea. Grab coffee at a local shop, browse the shops downtown, grab lunch, and see what there is to be found.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor
As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!