21 Cute and Cozy Fall Dates You Need to Go On This Weekend

As the weather cools and leaves change, fall is the perfect season to get cozy with your significant other (it’s called “cuffing season” for a reason!). From scenic leaf-peeping in your neighborhood to solving whodunits at murder mystery dinner parties and even revealing your competitive sides with pumpkin-carving contests, your itinerary will be packed with things to do this fall. Plan to impress your date, friend, or yourself (fall is the perfect time for a cozy solo date) with this list of unique fall date ideas. 

Every city has its history — both the good and the bad — but what you might not be privy to are the ghost stories hidden within. A historic walking or landmark tour this time of year can reveal some chilling lore. For an extra thrill, check if there’s a haunted nighttime tour in your city; it’s the perfect segue to cozying up with your date.

The harvest moon is a full moon that occurs around the fall equinox. Traditionally, the moon’s light allowed farmers to see at night to harvest, earning its name as the harvest moon. Ring in the season with a fall-inspired, late-night picnic under the moonlight, complete with tumblers of warm apple cider.

In wine country, harvest season lies between August and November, making it the ideal time for a visit to a winery. Many wineries offer behind-the-scenes vineyard tours, followed by a tasting of their latest varietals. The scenery of crisp fall leaves paired with a bold red — does it get cozier than that?

Gather your friends (and their dates) for a potluck, and partake in a riveting evening of murder solving. Challenge yourselves to stay in character all night long!

Get into the spirit of the season by taking a floral arranging class with your date, friend, or just yourself (or gather some bouquets from Trader Joe’s and have your own flower arranging workshop at home). This is one of those fall date ideas that will test your eye for design and will leave you with skills to create a gorgeous centerpiece for your next holiday gathering.

Take your date to the nearest showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a 1975 cult classic, for a one-of-a-kind, immersive movie experience that many local movie theaters screen around Halloween. With costumes, audience participation, and a rowdy atmosphere, it’s sure to be a night to remember.

Take your date to your local pumpkin patch (and perhaps get lost in a corn maze or two), select your gourd, and let the creativity flow with your carving skills. Winner gets bragging rights.

This time of year, many breweries release Oktoberfest-inspired brews in spirit of the celebration. Make a day of it and try to knock as many breweries as you can off your list during a self-guided brewery crawl in your city. Not a fan of beer? Gather the most delicious looking ciders from your local store (or make your own!) and have a taste test at home. 

Gilmore Girls is one of my all-time favorite shows, and it’s almost that time of year when I start my annual rewatch with my boyfriend. The popular TV show is synonymous with fall, so what better time than now to grab your pals for a feel-good Gilmore Girls marathon and lose yourself in idyllic Stars Hollow? Put on your comfiest sweats and settle into the couch for a rewatch of whatever your own go-to fall show or movie may be.

Sign up for a pottery class for a fun, hands-on fall date idea where you can laugh, learn, and create something special together. The best part? You’ll take home your handmade pieces as lasting mementos of the experience (might I suggest making a pie plate in which to bake your future apple pie?).

Crisp fall air, crunchy leaves, and ripe, juicy apples waiting to be picked. Going apple picking is a quintessential fall date idea just teeming with romance. Continue the date beyond the orchard by turning your harvest into a freshly baked apple pie to enjoy together.

Visiting a cemetery for a date may seem a bit eerie, but it’s also a unique and tranquil way to explore and share meaningful conversations. As you stroll around the gravestones, you’ll uncover pieces of history and connect in a peaceful environment.

Turn leaf-peeping, a budget-friendly outdoor activity, into a whole fall date by heading to a local scenic park or forest to admire the vibrant colors of the changing leaves together. Whether you take a leisurely drive through a tree-lined road, hike along a picturesque trail, or simply find a spot to cozy up with a blanket and some hot drinks, it’s a peaceful and romantic (or platonic!) way to enjoy the beauty of autumn. 

Elevate your next date with a visit to a tea house for high tea service. With tasty finger sandwiches, sweet pastries, and a variety of teas, it’s a fun way to enjoy each other’s company this fall.

Train travel is one of the more underrated modes of transportation, yet it can be one of the most peaceful and scenic (no need to worry about directions, running out of gas, or getting through the long TSA lines). Pack a weekend bag, pick a destination, and enjoy the epic, uninterrupted views with your date.

Snacking on popcorn and watching scary movies all night long with your partner? Say less. Pick your favorite horror films for a spine-tingling marathon. The films might not make you feel warm and fuzzy, but cuddling up to your date all night sure will.

A candlelit concert is such a relaxing, romantic fall date night idea. Enjoying live music by classical composers in an intimate, twinkle-lit setting is such a romantic alternative to your typical dinner and a movie date night. 

There’s nothing like a friendly cornhole competition to set the vibe for a fun evening with your date and other couple friends. Winning team gets a fun prize (of your group’s choosing) to keep the tournament interesting.

Don your finest kirtles and surcoats for a day spent at your nearest Renaissance Faire. Half the fun is dressing in costume, and the other half is spent admiring the different vendors and historic reenactments. Dull moments don’t stand a chance.

Bonding on wheels has never been more romantic: Imagine the brisk air hitting your faces, leaves crunching under the turning wheels, and laughter filling your lungs as you coordinate keeping the bicycle upright and on the right path.

This universal fall date idea is made for everyone from beginner bakers to seasoned cooks. Whether you’re starting from scratch or you picked up a premade bread mix from the grocery store, creating something together — be it caramel apples, pumpkin muffins, or pecan pie — is the moment that matters.