Revamp Your Fall Romance
November’s crisp air and colorful leaves are finally here. Though it’s a beautiful time of year, the change of warm weather to chillier temperatures makes it more difficult to find fun, romantic things to do with your significant other.
“Well, we tried to go to Maryland Dairy,” said freshman chemistry major, Emily Mast, “but it was closed, so we just got McFlurries instead.”
However, there is no need to resort to lame dates just yet! The fall season offers plenty of activities that are perfect for couples to do together without the struggle of summer’s hot sun.
Football Games
‘Tis the season of touchdowns and tailgates! Whether it’s here at UMD’s Capital One Field, or at nearby professional stadiums (like the Redskins’ or Ravens’), take your date to enjoy a blast of spirit and energy. Football can provide an exciting memory the two of you will be grateful to look back on. After all, there’s no bonding quite like screaming at referees together!
Hiking
With the cooler air and picture-perfect scenery, there is no better time than autumn to spend a day exploring the woods. It’s the perfect escape from the busy life of UMD and a great opportunity for you and your date to spend some quiet, stress-free time together. There are places not far off campus such as Paint Branch Stream Valley Park in College Park, Indian Creek Trail in Berwyn Heights and Greenbelt Park in Greenbelt that offer hiking trails to visitors.
Camping
If you like spending time outdoors, make your date a weekend trip! Pitch a tent, start a fire, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy some time hiding away with your loved one. Not only are the chilly autumn temperatures ideal for a bonfire, they give you an excuse to cuddle up in the tent together too. Greenbelt Park offers campgrounds to its visitors, and Cherry Hill Park in College Park is even closer offers beautiful scenery and space to campers.
Visit an Orchard
Fall is full of harvests, and there is plenty to go around! Apple and pumpkin picking are great fall-themed dates, and you can use your new purchases to make delicious pies and desserts. The closest areas to our campus are Waters Orchard in Silver Spring (a perfect place to go apple picking) and Butler’s Orchard in Woodbine (which offers fun fall activities like pumpkin harvesting and hay rides).
“My boyfriend took me to a pumpkin patch and we got baby pumpkins,” said freshman Shaye Montgomery, a public health major. “It was so cute!”
Go to a Farmers Market
Aside from their bountiful options of goods to buy, farmers markets are cute, community-based events that can make for a relaxed yet connecting date. From music, to food, to celebrations, these markets allow a break away from your everyday routine and give couples a new memory to share. Our school has its very own on campus, the Farmers Market at Maryland, on Wednesday afternoons. However, there are plenty more nearby, like the Hollywood Farmers Market in College Park, the Riverdale Farmers Market and the Greenbelt Farmers Market. Farmers markets can be found almost everywhere, so go out with your significant other and see what you can find!
Take a Trip to the Zoo
Now that the sweltering heat of summer has passed, take your date to enjoy a day with some furry friends you won’t find anywhere else. The Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. is close to College Park and has hundreds of exhibits of species from around the world- not to mention it’s FREE!
Spend a Day at an Amusement Park
If your date is a rollercoaster-junkie, getting tickets to an amusement park is the perfect opportunities for the two of you to share thrills and laughs. With rides, games, food and shops, theme parks provide their visitors with endless things to do. In fact, Six Flags America is in Woodmore, MD- not far from our campus.
As you can see, the fall season is full of opportunities for couples to find romantic activities to do together. Whether you are sports fans, outdoor lovers, or even thrill seekers, anyone can share a fall-themed memory with their significant other!
