Life
Summer is gone (good riddance, honestly — you can keep your sweat and bugs) which means fall is finally, officially here. And with the sweater weather, shorter days, and turning leaves comes a whole series of fall-specific activities we can enjoy before winter comes and we are forced to retreat indoors and start putting up holiday decorations. Another thing that fall also brings? Cuffing season. The practice of hunkering down with a new boo for the colder months starts now, and you may find yourself in need of fall date ideas to make it happen.
Critics of fall have called it the most basic of all the seasons. And let's be honest — with all of its flannel, and rain boots, and Instagrams of people artfully curling up to a warm Pumpkin Spice Latte in a cozy oversized sweater — they're not entirely wrong. But there's nothing wrong with being basic. There's a reason so many "basic" things are so popular — because they're great! Have we as a nation pushed the concept of Pumpkin Spice Latte to its outermost limit? Definitely. Does that make it any less enjoyable? Nope.
One of the greatest strengths of the "basic" is having a seemingly unending list of fun, charming, Instagrammable activities in which to partake. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a quick meet-up after work, basic fall activities are a great way to enjoy the season, and then post all about it on Instagram with a simple fall leaf emoji.
And if you want to spice up your enjoyment of basic fall pleasures even more, what's more, they also make for excellent date ideas. So instead for drinks after work again, why not try something new? Or, take yourself on a little fall date. Regardless of who you go with, here are some fall date ideas that are super basic, but definitely worth doing anyway.
Go on a hay ride
Hayrides are a great excuse to cuddle up to someone you're vibing with under a warm blanket. Throw some apple cider in the mix and you won't even notice that hay is incredibly itchy and sticks to all of your clothes.
Go to a bookstore
Bookstores are always fun, but there's something about fall that makes them feel extra cozy. Plus, bringing a date to a bookstore is a great way to get to know them, because you can glean a lot about a person by learning what books they read. And if for some reason the date goes badly, you still get a chance to buy new books, so it's a win-win!
Go apple-picking
Apple picking is the quintessential fall activity. Sure, there are risks involved. Sometimes it's only exciting for the first ten minutes and then you're like "Shoot, what on earth am I going to do with all these apples?" and sometimes you might be tempted to playfully toss an apple at your date only to have it smash them in the face and give them a bloody nose. I don't know! But it can also be a really fun way to spend an afternoon together, and give you something to do with your hands while you talk. And, if it goes well, you can invite them back for the next activity...
Bake a pie
You thought I was going to say make out, didn't you? You can do that as well, but in between, you and your date can also try to bake a pie together. Pies are fairly easy, and once you've put them together, you just pop them in the oven and you can go back to chatting with your date, or making out. Up to you!
Take a hike
While a hike is not a great first date idea ("Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but let's hang out in the woods alone together for an afternoon."), it's can be a fun, romantic date with someone you've gotten to know a little better, and it's a great way to take in the beautiful fall foliage.
Decorate pumpkins
Decorating pumpkins is a fun, messy fall date idea. It gives you a chance to figure out how creative your date is, and, if it's going well, there's a chance one of you will be like "Oh, I can't cut through this part, can you help?" and the other one will be like "I got it," and then the two of you get super close and gaze deeply into each other's eyes. Again, I don't know! It's your date!
Take a scenic fall foliage drive
Much like hiking, driving away alone, with a stranger, is probably not a great first date idea. But for the fourth, or fifth, or five-hundredth date, driving along winding highways, listening to music, and admiring the turning leaves can be incredibly romantic.
Go to a football game
Listen, I'm not a connoisseur of any form of sports ball, but I recognize a lot of people are. Plus, going to games can be really fun, even if you don't know what's going on. There's beer, cheering, and if there's ever a lull in the conversation, you can both just pay attention to the game.
Wander around a museum
Although fall is beautiful, its weather can often be unpredictable. Museums are a great date option for rainy and gloomy days. You can walk around and get to know each other, and the art will always give you something to talk about.
Visit a haunted house
As someone who has sobbed in three separate haunted houses in my life, let me say this might not be a great date idea for everyone. But for those of you who enjoy getting scared around Halloween season, walking through a creepy haunted house together can (I guess) be a fun and vulnerable activity, and it gives you an excuse to grab each other whenever something jumps out at you.
Watch a scary movie
If you like the idea of scaring yourselves a bit, but don't want strangers with knives jumping out at you, watching a scary movie together can be a great night, with so many opportunities for cuddling.
Enjoy some beers at a local brewery
Sure, breweries are open all year round, but there's something so satisfying about a yummy, hoppy beer in the fall. You can discuss which beers you like best, and after a cup or three, conversation will probably flow pretty easily.
Go costume shopping
Are you and your partner ready to bust out the couple's costume? Are you not ready yet, but you do want to spend time trying on scary masks together? Going costume shopping is a hilarious date idea. And if you're partner is still attracted to you after seeing you model that adult baby costume, you know you have a keeper.
Have a picnic
Finally, a classic. There's a reason picnics are such great dates — you get to enjoy your partner, and the outdoors, and ideally, some wine and cheese. What better way to spend a day?
