Fall Activities for Couples

Cook Together

One of my favorite ways to pass a rainy fall day with a partner is to stay in and do some cooking or baking together. Hearty soups and apple desserts make two excellent seasonal choices. These also have the advantage (in this case) of being time-consuming and labor-intensive recipes, meaning that there will be plenty to keep both of you busy for hours, and you’ll get to share the reward of eating what you cooked when you’re done. Target the first day of sweater weather and you’ll have a great way to welcome fall.

Recommended by Roland Foss, Senior Operations Manager of Bellhop Phoenix Movers

Volunteer

I work closely with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which has a network of more than 500 community feeding partners that stretch across Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Brevard and Volusia counties. Summer and the holidays tend to be a busy volunteer season with dips in participation right after school begins and again after the new year starts. Thought this might serve as a great reminder that there’s a need for volunteers year-round… especially as more families may be experiencing food insecurity as a result of record inflation. Volunteering together as a couple provides a sense of teamwork and accomplishment, while also helping fill a need in the local community.

Another suggestion for couples: Look into whether the local food bank hosts what Second Harvest calls “Food for Thought” tours. Each month, the food bank sets aside specific days (and/or night) to provide a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to distribute enough food for 250,000 meals a day and spotlights specific programs designed to meet people where they are in their need.

Recommended by Kate Quinones for Second Harvest Food Bank

Activities That Couples Like to Do Together In Fall

If you’re searching for a way to spice up your dating life, there are plenty of fall date suggestions that combine coziness with a hint of suspense. Of course, some activities, like a long weekend getaway, might be more pleasurable when you and your partner are more intimate, while others were created to ease the awkwardness of a first date.

Try some pumpkin spice

In the autumn, pumpkin spice can be found in virtually anything, from lattes and beers to sweets and breakfast. It only makes sense to set aside a date night to indulge in the most anticipated flavor of the season.

Can Summer Produce Together

There’s no need to allow the cooler weather to cause your favorite summer produce to perish. Learn how to can the produce of your favorite summer fruit while spending time with your loved ones.

Go Camping Together

Weekend outdoors in the woods amid the stunning fall scenery. Spending time together outdoors, whether you go riding, hiking, or just sitting outside, can help you two bond.

Travel to a Nearby Town or City

To enjoy a day vacation or weekend retreat, you don’t need to travel very far. Choose a location that neither of you has been to before, and enjoy exploring. The itinerary can even be used to create a road trip by connecting a few cities.

Go Trekking

Focus on the transforming leaves and take a deep breath in the brisk air. Even better, you can prepare a few sandwiches fit for a picnic to eat there before returning down.

Recommended by Jenny Ly, Founder of Go Wanderly

Try a Fall Taste-Testing Date

Test random foods and turn it into a fall theme!

First, buy 2-4 different varieties of the same fall food. Then taste them and vote on your favorites! Here are a few ideas for things to taste test:

Fall flavored beer

pumpkin/apple/pecan pie

mashed potatoes

pumpkin lattes

pumpkin pancakes

chili

Soup

Not only does this make for a memorable fall activity together, but you’ll discover new favorites!

Recommended by Jenn Kropf, Chief Blogger of healthy happy impactful

Craft Brewery Hopping

My wife and I are both travel writers/bloggers and one of our favorite autumn activities is craft brewery hopping. When the weather cools a bit, it is a great time to try stouts and porters, pumpkin brews, and other seasonal brews.

Recommended by Charles McCool, Founder of McCool Travel

Local Pumpkin Patch

As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, I know that fall has arrived. And there is no better way to celebrate the season than by taking part in some of my favorite fall activities. One of my favorites is visiting a local pumpkin patch. I love walking through the rows of pumpkins, searching for the perfect one to take home. Another favorite activity is making homemade apple cider. I simmer fresh apples with cinnamon and cloves, and then enjoy a cup of the warm, fragrant beverage on a cool autumn day. Whether I’m enjoying a leisurely stroll through a pumpkin patch or sipping on homemade apple cider, fall is my favorite time of year. These are just a few of the reasons why.

Recommended by Bennett Heyn of parker-marker

Local Farmers Market

This fall, head out to your local farmer’s market with your sweetie. Here, you can pick up seasonal fruits and veggies, cheese, bread, and pasta– then when you get home you can make an entire meal using just the items you picked up while you were out.

Recommended by Grace Baena, Director of Brand at Kaiyo

Bonfire

A bonfire is one of the most perfect activities for fall. They’re super fun to do with friends or just the two of you. Grab graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows to make smores. If you can’t find a bonfire, you can simply cozy up to a fireplace at home.

Recommended by Shirlene Kyin, Director of Operations at Soylent

Travel:

Visit Vancouver

Fall is a great time for couples to visit Vancouver, Washington – located just north of Portland, Oregon. The new waterfront development brings several restaurants, six wine tasting rooms within a few blocks of one another, and is a walkable distance from downtown and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Some fall activities include:

• October is Vancouver’s annual dining month, Dine the Couve, offering discounts on special 3 for $25 and 3 for $35 menus showcasing what restaurants do best

• The Clark County Historical Museum hosts Haunted Walking Tours highlighting the rich history of our city throughout the month of October

• The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad offers a Fall Leaves Special and Headless Horseman Halloween ride through the trees of Yacolt, Washinton

• The fall foliage in and around the city sparks romance for an evening stroll or adventurous hike. 

Recommended by Erica Lindemann, Director of Marketing at Visit Vancouver WA

Visit Hampton

Hampton, Virginia is a romantic and charming destination in Coastal Virginia. Couples can bask in a scenic, fall, weekend trip in this historic town by booking a stay at our locally-and-black-owned bed & breakfast, The Magnolia House Inn. This breathtaking, Victorian-style B&B is located in our waterfront, downtown district. It’s nestled close by many of Hampton’s exciting attractions and tasty restaurants. Sweethearts can take a leisurely stroll through Queens Way and enjoy bars, shops, as well as the Hampton harbor. Couples will fall in love with the new memories they create in downtown Hampton! I think Hampton’s downtown area would be perfect for your article as our storybook town is filled with history, culture, great fall foliage and things to do all season long.

Recommended by Mahogany Waldon, Media Relations Manager of  Visit Hampton

Visit Delaware

Fall’s the perfect time for a hiking adventure in Delaware’s state parks, which are so soothing and serene this time of year. A favorite is Cape Henlopen State Park, which miles of seaside trails and sandy beaches, but don’t miss hiking through Brandywine Creek State Park. It’s in the state’s “Chateau Country,” so you can finish your visit with a trip to one of the amazing DuPont family mansions:Winterthur or Nemours are simply spectacular.

Couples get a big dose of thrills and leave with some lessons in teamwork and trust at the Go Ape! Treetop adventure course at Lums Pond State Parkhere in Delaware. First they’re hooked up to safety harnesses, then spend the afternoon climbing, swinging and scrambling their way through trees. It all gets capped with a zipline ride over the pond, surrounded by the hues of fall leaves.

There’s plenty of time for sweet moments together on the DE on Tap trail, a roundup of Delaware’s top breweries, wineries, distilleries and meaderies. Dew Point Brewing Company is an especially amazing location – it’s set in an old factory sitting in scenic woodlands, with lots of entertainment. Down at the beaches,couples love Thompson Island Brewing Co. — they have a great “backyard” with a firepit, games and great food.

Recommended by Eric Ruth of Visit Delaware

Visit Belize

What better way to spend Fall together than exploring a new country? I’d like to suggest Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America and the Caribbean, for a quick and easy Fall getaway for any adventure (or relaxation!) seeking couple.

Second Largest Barrier Reef in the World — Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is an excellent option for travelers who want to combine a trip enjoying remote beaches with snorkeling or diving, clear-as-gin waters and welcomed seclusion.

200+ Offshore Islands — Beach-starved souls, rejoice! Forget about crowds and enjoy the wide open spaces of 200+ offshore islands that dot Belize’s coastline.

Thrill seekers galore— Belize has the world’s only jaguar preserve in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, spectacular jungle vistas, hiking, ziplining or waterfall rappelling in the Mayflower 

Bocawina National Park– this is where unparalleled adventures await.

Remote Respites in the Belizean Rainforest — Agritourism chic comes into focus with lush acres of rainforest preserve that dots the Deep South of Belize. Blend sustainability with luxury or choose to go “off-grid” completely; there’s a resort for all adventure seekers.

Recommended by Ewa Susi for Travel Belize

Hot Springs

The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado is a unique, romantic Fall getaway for couples looking for a sense of place, an opportunity to connect, and a focus on enhanced well-being. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Pagosa Springs is a sleepy mountain town surrounded by aspen and pine forests, rolling rivers, and an abundance of wildlife. As the weather gets cooler and the leaves change color, Fall is an excellent time to visit the town. The energy of the town is relaxed and peaceful, and the town is surrounded by the vibrant colors of Fall.

Recommended by Lauren Hawksworth of Pagosa Hot Springs

Camping

A crackling fire, starry skies above, and that fresh fall scent in the air…there’s no better way to truly connect as a couple than to get outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Campspot, a modern booking platform for campers, found that demand for fall getaways has increased 25% compared to last year, and it’s no surprise. With choices of campgrounds that feature stunning fall foliage views, easy hiking access, and even nearby wineries, breweries, and apple orchards, more Americans are discovering the joys of camping outside of the busy summer season.

So where are couples heading this fall for some romantic quality time?

WILDerness: Couples are looking for a taste of the true wild, with spots including Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming seeing high demand.

Reverse Snowbird: The North is calling! Top destinations include Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Quebec where couples are flocking before winter hits.

Head to the Hills: Or the Appalachian Mountains, to be more specific, with Massachusetts, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee all ranking as popular camping spots for fall.

Recommended by Carolin Fuller, Director of PR at Campspot

The List

As a New England nativefall is my absolute FAVORITE season! I wish this season lasted longer, and I would never run out of activities. Anything that can be enjoyed as a single can become a romantic or cute couples date, and it is hard to get through the list.But here is a list anyways.

• Haunted houses or trails
• Shopping for and planning Halloween Costumes
• Apple picking
• Sampling hard ciders at bars pubs and restaurants
• Corn mazes
• Walks in a forest during peak ‘leaf peeking’ season in October
• Bonfires at night when the chill has set in but is not yet COLD with a hot spiked beverage
• Decorating for Halloween

And many more, but these were always my (and my partners) favorites 

Recommended by Elena Zimmerman, Content Writer of Love & Lavender

Create Activities

Maintaining communication with your relationship is crucial. When you initially start dating someone, you spend valuable time getting to know them by going out and chatting with them. That is how you start dating someone and develop a love for them. That appears to go away rather rapidly as the year’s pass. Couples thus have a sense of disconnection. Create activities to relive the dating experience. Try some of these fall activities suggestions for a memorable season. Take a horseback ride, Prepare for Halloween, Plan a night of bowling, Attend an autumn festival and celebrate, Picking apples, go on a trek, camping, have a picnic in the park, zip through the changing trees, etc. invite a chef to your home, Look for some flowers, Get active, Bring your creative side outdoors, At a concert outside, dance.

Recommended by Shakzod Khabibov, Co-Founder of Natura Market

Westgate Getaways

Whether you are seeking to relax and rejuvenate your love with a spa-centric stay, party nonstop at trendy nightclubs, explore eclectic attractions or simply hike your way through spectacular mountain ranges, pack your bags today and prepare for a fascinating journey to the best fall vacation spots for couples withWestgate Resorts:

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa | Ideal Getaway in the “Gateway to the Smokies”

Fall is the perfect time for couples to beat the heat and head to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains – whether you wish to explore lively downtown Gatlinburg and its myriad of attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and nearby Dollywood theme park, or embark on a peaceful hiking excursion in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Take a scenic drive up to Clingmans Dome, which at 6,643 feet is the highest point in the park. Take a half-mile stroll up to the observation tower at the summit of Clingmans Dome and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Smokies. If you want to enjoy spectacular views without even leaving downtown Gatlinburg, simply ride a glass elevator up the 400-foot Gatlinburg Space Needle. Seeking a more rustic adventure? Guided horseback rides through Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be arranged at Sugarlands Riding Stables, Smoky Mountain Riding Stables, and Cades Cove Riding Stables.

Whichever activity you choose, Westgate Resorts has your Gatlinburg getaway covered with three distinct accommodation choices throughout the Smokies: Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa just outside downtown Gatlinburg and home to Wild Bear Falls Water Park, River Terrace Resort & Convention Center in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and Wild Bear Inn in Pigeon Forge.

Westgate New York Grand Central | The Tudor City Neighborhood From a Bygone Era

The historic Tudor City Neighborhood, one of New York City’s most unique neighborhoods, provides a great locale for you to embark on your couples’ getaway in the Big Apple.

In addition to its distinctive architecture and a prime location near Manhattan attractions, Tudor City is known for its relaxed pace, as well as beautiful parks and open spaces such as the Tudor City Greens, which was named one of the best pocket parks in NYC by The New York Times. While exploring, couples can enhance their experience by using NYC slangs, a fun way to immerse in the local vibe and connect more deeply with the city’s culture. The Tudor City area offers a variety of outstanding eateries to choose from such as the Tudor City Steakhouse, Patsy’s Pizzeria, Sachi Asian Bistro, Calico’s NYC, and McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon, among others.

A historic landmark opened in 1931 and recognized by Historic Hotels of America, the 300-room Westgate New York Grand Central (formerly the Hilton Midtown) lies in the heart of Tudor City (which was designated a New York City Historic District in 1988) and just a few blocks from Times Square, United Nations Plaza, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station (home to 65 shops and 35 eateries!) and other attractions.

Dinner and Sunset

One of our favorite fall activities as a couple is grabbing some takeout and driving up the canyon to see the fall leaves. We like to sit on the tailgate of our truck and eat our dinner as we watch the sunset. Affordable, romantic and beautiful all at the same time.

Marie Loveless of mysillysquirts.com

ATV Riding

Favorite fall activity is definitely ATV Riding. It’s the best time to go riding not just because of the activity, but also because the weather is usually very accommodating. ATV riding requires a lot of safety gear, like long sleeve shirts, helmets, long pants, and usually heavy duty boots. This can get warm really quick. But with cooler weather rolling in, it can really help balance out the discomfort of the heat from the outfit, with the cool breeze of the fall. Besides, going fast is more fun with dryer trails, and less worry about getting stuck!

Gregory Faucher of rockonrr.com

Visit a Nearby Town or City

To enjoy a day vacation or weekend retreat, you don’t need to travel very far. Choose a location that neither of you have been to before, and enjoy exploring. The itinerary can even be used to create a road trip by connecting a few destinations.

Enjoy a Picnic (and Jump in Some Leaves)

Although you probably picture summer picnics when you think of picnics, fall picnics are really where it’s at. Place yourselves close to some beautiful fallen leaves and open your thermos-contained refreshments, such as hot apple cider and marshmallow-topped chocolate, hearty soup, and crusty bread. Afterward, for a touch of youthful nostalgia, you can burn off your dinner by jumping in a pile of leaves.

Jay Soni of yorkshirefabricshop.com

Pumpkin Patch

Fall is the season of pumpkin spice, comfy sweaters, spooky fun, and… camping! That’s right, there’s no better time to pack up your RV and take a trip than when the weather gets chilly and the leaves start to change. Here are a few fun, RV friendly Fall activities to help couples make memories on the road that will last a lifetime.

A corn maze is another exciting Fall activity that will give you and your significant other hours of entertainment! A lot of corn mazes feature different paths, with varying levels of difficulty.

Between Oktoberfest, Renaissance Fairs and Halloween festivities, Fall is FULL of great festivals. They are easy to stop in while you’re traveling. Often offering food, music and family fun, you and your significant other can get a good feel for the area you are traveling through.

Would it really be Fall without a Pumpkin Patch? Easy to come by and stop through on an RV trip, you and your partner will have a blast walking through a pumpkin patch. And not to mention, you can take the perfect Fall photos! You might even want to take some pumpkins with you to carve a classic Fall Jack-O-Lantern!

Madison White of Campers Inn RV

Try New Recipes

When the weather is bad and you’re stuck at home after the warmth of summer disappears and the fall wind chill starts to kick in, there is no better time to try out new recipes! 

The great thing about cooking/baking is that it can be ok to do on your own, but it is much more fun to do with your partner, and it can be quicker – unless you get into a mini food fight, which can be fun too!

Plus, the fall and winter months are seemingly the best months to make comfort food – meatloaf, cookies, soup, pie and more. The extra layers of clothes you will be wearing will help you pack away some more calories guilt free

Chad Price, CEO of Chad Price

Festivals

There are a number of fantastic festivals happening annually around the world, but some of the most vibrant and fascinating happen during the fall season. For example, some of the most iconic worldwide festivals during fall include the floating lantern festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which is celebrated across India.

Julia Carter of Craft Travel

Visiting a Vineyard

Visiting a vineyard is undoubtedly one of the best activities to do during the fall season. As this is the period in which most vineyards begin their grape harvest, you’ll be making your visit during one of the most exciting times of the year for these establishments.

Harvey Downard of Cycling for Softies

Apple Picking

Something my girlfriend and I love to do in the fall is go apple picking with friends.

There are plenty of orchards all around the country where you can go and pick the biggest and juiciest apples. Bonus points if you know your way around the kitchen as you can use them in delicious fall-themed recipes – and apple bobbing at Halloween.

If you do go, always try and go early to have the best pick of the apples. It’s fun to see who can find the biggest ones and even joint chef any apple recipes in the kitchen afterwards. A full day and evening of fun.

Renton Fenley of The Broke Backpacker

Bike Rides

Bike rides are one of the most perfect fall activities. It’s not so hot that you’ll get overheated while riding but it’s still warm enough to enjoy. You’ll be able to bike around and enjoy all of the beautiful autumn scenery with your spouse! Riding through the leaves is my favourite thing to do, and if you ever fall it’s a reasonably soft landing.

Ana Codallo of keyopinionleaders.com

Camping

Camping is a great activity to save for the Fall, and it can be fun and romantic when it is just couples. Better to go in the Fall when the weather is slightly more agreeable. Forget camping during the hot months and save it for the first few cool weeks of the Fall when you can really appreciate the warmth of a nighttime campfire. Just make sure you pack warm enough clothes, if not you can snuggle and keep each other warm through bodyheat.

Michael Cummins of insurancegeek.com