This post was originally published in October 2020. It has been revised and republished with an updated list of the best fall dates.
Fall dates are the best dates, if you ask me.
The second that the temperatures drop, you can find me and my husband outdoors as much as humanly possible. If we’re not physically outside, we at least try to keep our windows open to bring a little bit of the outdoors in. It’s our favorite time of year to enjoy going on dates, and we have a bunch that can be easily enjoyed without spending an arm and a leg!
Keep in mind that some of the activities might look a little different because of COVID-19. Be prepared to bring masks, maintain distance between you and those around you, and stay aware of any rules and regulations no matter where you go. To be safe rather than sorry, check ahead before you hit up an event or new location!
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men’s black pants | men’s green henley | taupe cardigan | taupe tee | blue skinny jeans | cognac ankle boots | striped blanket | mini hibachi grill | marshmallow roasting sticks | vodka mule c/o Devil’s Backbone | orange smash c/o Devil’s Backbone
Fantastic Fall Dates That You Will Both Enjoy
S’MORES – We’re pretty big fans of s’mores around here. So much so that we actually had a s’mores bar at our wedding! We recently got a small marshmallow roasting set so that we can easily create s’mores at home. One of our favorite things to do is try different chocolate and cookie combinations. (Ex: smoosh marshmallows between Chips Ahoy with Reeses)! Supreme s’mores!
PUMPKIN PICKING – This is a two-in-one, because going to the farm or patch and picking out a pumpkin is a great activity all on its own, but you can also bring the goods home and carve them too! It’s been a long time since we’ve carved pumpkins rather than leaving them whole, but this year we might switch things up! It’s such a fun thing to do with your significant other.
WINERY TOURS – We love winery hopping so much! We try to take trips to Charlottesville a few times each autumn to do tastings at our favorite spot. You might not see this as a budget activity, but you’d be surprised at how affordable it can be. Share tastings (cheaper and safer), bring your own snacks, and only purchase a glass to sit and sip if you really love the wine. We might go to 2-3 wineries in a day and only spend $30-45 total. It’s such a wonderful experience to share together.
PICNICS – Pack up sandwiches, or cheese and crackers, grab a bottle of bubbly, and hit up a local park. Press play on your favorite jazz or lo-fi playlist and just sit together. Bring a card game and enjoy a romantic picnic during golden hour. It’s such a relaxing way to spend an autumn evening.
WEEKEND ROAD TRIPS – Find somewhere to safely travel for the weekend together. Pick out an audiobook to listen to and you’ll find the hours on the road passing much more quickly. You’ll also have a plethora of conversation topics when you stop for gas or snacks. This is the “priciest” option on this list, but you can still find budget AirBnbs or lesser-known locations to visit. Discover somewhere you’ve never been before and create new memories in the cool and beautiful weather. I recommend the mountains!
BINGE SESSIONS – Some couples might reach for scary movies during the fall, but because I’m a total wimp, we tend to watch cheesy/kids movies or action shows instead! Our recent binges? Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience, Naruto, and Loki! It’s so fun to laugh at the cheesiness, bond over sweet moments, and end up with inside-jokes.
BREWERIES – We’re lucky to live in such a brewery-friendly state. Richmond is full of great local pubs and we’re also close to some more popular names like Devil’s Backbone (peep their yummy canned cocktails in our photos), Ballast Point, and Three Notch’d! Make a day to just brewery-hop and maybe find a new favorite beer!
SPOOKY TOURS – Okay, I just got done telling you how I’m a total weenie, but sometimes these spooky tours aren’t really all that spooky – they’re just historic. You might come across some eerie facts, for sure, but you can usually choose your level of scare, depending on which tour you pick. Have fun getting “spooked” together!
RECIPE TESTING – Cooking, baking, cocktail-making, or even attempting a new cozy beverage to go with those s’mores.. these are all much more enjoyable to do with your loved one! We have “fancy dates” where we make a nice meal together at-home and dress up to eat it. Put on some Frank Sinatra and dance around the kitchen while you concoct something yummy together!
DRIVE-IN MOVIES – This is one of our favorites no matter which season it is, but there’s something extra relaxing about going to a drive-in during the autumn. It’s cool and crisp and you aren’t sweating while watching the film. Find out if there’s a throwback movie playing near you, and go enjoy a romantic date night together under the stars.
related posts
Spiced Mocha Recipe // Best Wineries in Charlottesville // 15 Audiobooks You’ll Love
What are some of your favorite fall dates?
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Nancy says
Pumpkin picking has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I love the Jarvis sticker btw.
http://www.NancyUgo.com
Stephanie Whitman says
It’s definitely one that we enjoy doing a lot together! We didn’t get to go last year, so I’m hopeful we’ll make it happen this year π And if you like that sticker, you’d love the rest of our very Iron Man/JARVIS-decorated car haha!
Anika says
Such cute photos and I love the ideas! A road trip and drive-in movie sound so cosy. Also, I never realised I wanted a “JARVIS is my co-pilot” bumper stick until now π
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Stephanie Whitman says
Thanks so much! We looove road trips and drive-in movies. They’re two of our favorites! π Hehe – and our entire Prius is decked out in Iron Man/Stark Industries/JARVIS gear! It’s so fun!
Lisa | Mind and Body Intertwined says
These ideas are super cute! I love cooking and baking together all year around but even more in the fall with all the warm tastes and cozy smells! And visits a winery or brewery goes perfectly with that I think.
Stephanie Whitman says
We definitely enjoy being in the kitchen together at any time too, but it’s extra fun to experiment in the autumn! And YES to any kind of winery or brewery. Grab those goods and bring them back to pair with a yummy dinner π
Lizzie says
These ideas are so much fun!! I would love to do some of these this season. Picnicking, s’mores and a road trip are definitely high up on my list!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh yes, they’re high on my list too! I love everything that autumn has to offer!
Mariah says
Such a great list! We love going to breweries, and I’m a big fan of apple picking and the pumpkin patch. Also a corn maze!
XO
https://www.moosmusing.com
Stephanie Whitman says
I wish I could do the apple picking, but I’m super allergic to apples so that wouldn’t be much fun haha! Pumpkin patches it is π
Lee says
Ummm okay, could you guys be ANY FREAKING CUTER in these pictues?!?! Love! Also, these are great ideas and are making me so excited for fall!!
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh my gosh, you’re too sweet!! Thank you! We actually had so much fun taking these photos π It’s so nice to be spending time outdoors when it’s this pleasant out!
Jennifer Prince says
Love all of these ideas!! My husband and I currently head to a town within an hour range. I get to antique shop and he gets to go to a brewery. We both do everything together, yet we both get to do what we love (that the other doesn’t necessarily like, lol!).
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh, that sounds so nice! We definitely haven’t been doing much “in-town” in the last few months, but I’m looking forward to more of that in the future!
Rach says
These are the cutest Fall date ideas! For sure need to do pumpkin picking and wine tasting. Something about outdoor wine tasting during the Fall sounds so perfect!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Stephanie Whitman says
If you haven’t done an autumn winery tour, you’re in for a real treat! It’s the best season to enjoy that!
Kileen says
These are all wonderful date ideas! I’m a huge lover of binge dates of watching netflix and drinking cocoa! I would love to try a spooky tour this season as wel!
Kileen
cute & little
Stephanie Whitman says
I don’t do much cocoa, but I love a good spiced mocha and a fun movie marathon, that’s for sure! π
Venus says
These ideas are so adorable its looks like it could be fun. By the way, you took some really good pictures.
Stephanie Whitman says
We love our autumn dates, that’s for sure. Everything is better in autumn! π
Dasynka says
These pictures are so lovely! I love this idea, I’d love to to pumpkin picking and picnics! Being together is the most important thing after all π
xx Dasynka
http://dasynka.com
Rachel says
How cute are you two?!!?! I love this time of year and try to get outside as much as possible, too, even though this fall is lookin’ a little different! Chris and I are trying to support our local restaurants as much as possible and love getting take out and bringing it to the park!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Adaleta Avdic says
As you know, wineries and breweries are my fave but I love the other ideas. So cute and romantic. I wish we had more drive-ins!
Sarah Lindner says
Love all of these ideas, so many great options. And you guys look too cute! π xoxo, Sarah
Ro // A Cup of Kims says
Let me start by acknowledging how freaking cute these photos are! Giving me cozy vibes for sure <3 I love these fall date ideas! I'll have to try a these – especially the s'mores one! My husband loves s'mores and has been talking about wanting to have a s'mores night soon where we make them.
Deborah says
Fall is my favorite season too! These are all such great date ideas. My fiance and I are actually planning on going to a drive-in movie this weekend!
rebecca says
these are SUCH great ideas! We have done a lot of these and I think we are lucky to live in a state where we have so many great options for fall activities. I know you are just loving this weather and this month.
xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com
Kelly Chen says
Absolutely love all these ideas! It still gets pretty hot during the day here, but when it cools off, I love leaving our balcony door open. Going to add a bunch of these ideas to our to-do list. xo
Machelle says
These are all great ideas! I especially like going to a pumpkin patch/corn maize. And I absolutely love having my windows open whenever possible (I live in Texas).
Beth says
These are great date ideas! Even though my husband and I have been married for 36 years, we still enjoy each other’s company. We love having a fire in our backyard and making s’ mores. My family loves Halloween, so we visit the pumpkin patch every year and pick a lot of pumpkins.
Bennett Flaherty says
Oh my gosh, these are all such perfect date ideas! Fall is our absolute favorite time of year in Western Pa…Although we usually have our kid in tow, we enjoy doing most of these activities as a fam.
Taylor says
I love binge watching shows with my husband! We need to pick a new show for this fall!
Greta says
These are such fun date ideas! We’ve done a few breweries and a pumpkin patch. I see a road trip in our future!
Taylor says
So many great ideas!! I definitely want to go on a ghost tour this Fall!
Becky says
Love these ideas! We also have a s’mores maker and have a great time with that. Something we did recently too for a date night was fondue at home. We have a fondue pot so that was really delicious and fun. I really like the idea of weekend trips too. Over the summer we went up to the Pocono mountains because my in laws have a house up there they let us use. It might be time to head up again especially now that the leaves are changing!
Christa says
You two are so cute! These are such fun ideas. I haven’t been on a picnic in such a long time. That sounds like a perfect date for this weekend!
Genesis says
I love these ideas! I didn’t realize that wineries could be so inexpensive! Also, I love that Chuck is on your list of binge-worthy shows. I feel like so many people haven’t even heard of it, but it’s SO GOOD! Thanks for the awesome list!
Sarah Althouse says
I LOVE historical spooky tours! we did one in Key West that was awesome.
Carrington | Chaos and Coffee says
These are such fun ideas for fall dates! I love dates in the fall time too, they’re so much fun and I always love the fall weather than goes along with it! Xx.
Anna English says
Okay, this entire list is GOALS. Now I just need to find me a man to take me on said listed dates! haha
Lauryn Hock says
WE haven’t been pumpkin picking yet this year, but I am so ready! We also added an apple orchard to our date night bucketlist.
Melissa says
These ideas are adorable! Fall dates are my favorite. The weather is nice and there are so many activities available. Can’t wait to do some of these with my boyfriend!
Em says
So many cute & fun date ideas! We plan to go to a pumpkin patch soon & I can’t wait!
Linda says
It’s been said, but totally worth repeating — could you two be any more gorgeous and adorable?! I’m loving this list and being reminded that I need a date night…like yesterday. We’ve actually done a few of these (as a family) just in the last couple weeks. BTW, love Devil’s Backbone (Vienna Lager is my fav) and Charlottesville wine country…we’re heading down there later this month for apple picking + wineries!! Happy Fall!
Caitlin says
This is such a fun post – I love going to breweries and wineries as a date!
Alyssa says
So many great ideas! How cute! Thanks for sharing!
Kait says
These all sound like so much fun! Fall is one of my favorite times of year to spend time with my husband, and although we don’t call our activities “dates,” they totally are. We really love going apple picking, driving and around and looking at the leaves, visiting some of our favorite local parks, and cooking together. We really need to get out to some local breweries and cideries this year though, since we haven’t done much of that.
Robbi says
Such fun ideas! We’ve carved pumpkins before, but it has been a long time!
Marlene says
You guys are adorable. These photos are so cute! Loving these ideas as well, thanks for sharing.
Candace Hampton says
Absolutely precious ideas! Those vodka mules look super delicious. Also, a winery sounds right up my alley for a fall date! You and your husband are adorable as well π
Ruth says
I love the idea of a relaxing binge session or a lovely picnic! So adorable π
Rachael Hawksworth says
CUTEST Ideas ever!!
Neely Moldovan says
A cool drive in movie place opened here during Covid and we haven’t gone yet. Perfect fall date! Love all these ideas!
Alicia from Nourishing Foods.Tasty Meals says
Okay, I admit, all sounds pretty amazing to go by but I would just enjoy, enjoy and enjoy a picnic, a road trip and a spooky tour. These are all fantastic ideas. π Love it.
Megan Elliott says
I seriously love all of these ideas! Fall is just the best. One thing I haven’t done in FOREVER is go to a drive-in movie!! I’ll have to see if there’s one in my area. Sounds like such a perfect fall date!
Corinne says
These photos are so cute! I’ve never been to a drive in movie before, it sounds like fun!
Corinne x
Rosie Ireland says
Ahhh I love your autumn date ideas. They are soo cute and so simple to do. I love nothing more than a good date night!
Rosie
Jenny in Neverland says
How cute are these photos! These sound like great Fall date ideas. I’d love to go on some sort of spooky tour with my boyfriend – he’d definitely be more scared than me!