5 Fall Date Ideas

Image by Pepper Mint from Pixabay

Fall is for bonfires, hoodies, cozy socks, hot cocoa, crunchy leaves, football, Halloween and everything pumpkin-spiced. But fall is especially for “falling” in love…

So whether you’ve been cozying it up with your significant other for a few autumn seasons and want to spice things up, or you’re thinking of asking someone out and want to do something special, here are a few fun fall date ideas!

Go to a fall festival

What could be more perfect than a warm cider in one hand and your date’s hand in the other as you walk around a pumpkin field discussing what is truly a perfect pumpkin? At fall festivals you can go on hayrides, go apple picking and get lost in a corn maze.

Senior plant biology major Ashley Hutchinson said, “I just like being outside, and I think [going to a fall festival] is a really good way to enjoy the fall weather. And, you know, do cute things with your significant other.”

Fall festival admission average: $10-$15

Just a quick google search can show you the various fall festivals that will be happening nearby, but here’s a list of Maryland’s most popular fall festivals to help get you started.

Get scared at a haunted house

“So I’m not like a traditional guy when it comes to dates,” said Roman Grigoryev, a senior computer science and math major. “You know, dinners and all are fun, but you know, they’re very generic. I think something a lot more interesting would be going to a haunted house.”

With Halloween just around the corner, you might want to have a spooky time with your date (or just want an excuse to cling to each other). In that case, Laurel’s House of Horror is definitely for you. It is a two-room venue that is built inside of an old movie theater, and according to its website, it’s Washington, D.C. and Maryland’s largest indoor haunted house!

But get this; not only is it a haunted house, they also do escape room experiences. In these, you and your partner (and any other participants) will have to face challenges that are similar to iconic horror movie scenes.

Haunted house general admission: $30

Escape room: $65

Watch a drive-in movie

Technically, there’s only one drive-in theater in Maryland, and that’s Bengies in Baltimore. It’s a little under an hour away, however, with a little planning this could be a very special weekend excursion for two.

You can get a car where the seats in the back fold down and the trunk door opens up. And with the chilly nights settling in, bring a lot of blankets and pillows for comfort. Also, bring your own sandwiches/snacks and drinks because it shows that you thought of every detail for this date.

It is such a good excuse to cuddle and just talk while also having a very unique experience. And maybe you both can make wishes upon the stars as they come out during the feature.

Currently, Bengies is showing “IT” and “IT Chapter 2” on Friday and Saturday nights– in honor of Halloween, of course.

Drive-in movie admission: $10

Purchasing your tickets online does not guarantee you a parking space. Parking is first come first serve whether you buy your tickets online or at the box office.

Hike to a scenic area

For senior plant biology major Adam Schoen and his fiance, hiking in the fall brings back “the best pieces of nostalgia...”

“You get to be in nature, like being a little kid again walking through [the forest] and watching all the colors change,” Schoen said.

Make it a whole day where you both will take time to enjoy the beautiful changing foliage and breathe in the crisp air. You can even pack a picnic to enjoy at the summit or at the end of your trail, before heading back.

The best part is that it doesn’t cost you all that much (if anything at all) to create this ideal outdoor date! Take advantage and appreciate the panoramic beauty and romantic setting that nature offers you as summer slowly fades to winter.

Hiking admission: free

Schoen’s trail recommendation is Savage Historic Mill Trail near Laurel. It has a great forest setting with a river and is good for all skill levels!

Get tickets to a football game

‘Tis the season for cheering on our Terps! There’s nothing like watching a game live and just feeling that energy. Especially at the University of Maryland home games!

Just imagine you and your date being part of the crowd’s roar, eating funnel cake together and waiting to pounce on the off-chance there’s a t-shirt toss. Considering all of this and the excitement of the game, you’ll have one heck of a date. Remember to take pictures and videos (especially if you both are shown on the jumbo screen!). Whatever the case, create memorable moments at that stadium.

And, even if you’re not that into football, there’s always fun in winning.

To add a little kindle to the spark, you can make a romantic wager with your date. Place a little bet with your significant other on the outcome of the game. Decide what the winner gets or what the loser must do (plan a romantic date, make dinner, belt out Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker” in your honor). Just think of the opportunities.

Tickets to UMD football games are free for students. To request a ticket, click here.

With all the craziness of school and life, it’d be good to just take some time out together to step on some crunchy leaves and laugh. As the saying goes, sweater weather is better together. Happy fall y’all!