12 Fall Date Ideas to Get You Through Cuffing Season
Written by Kathleen Bratton & Meredith Tabor, Photos via Unsplash, Media by Myranda Cumpian
Fall is officially upon us, and the excitement is contagious. The weather is cooler, the fashion is to die for, and pumpkin spice is everywhere. On top of it all, cuffing season is in full swing. In our modern world of social distancing and dating apps, dating can seem intimidating. No need to stress, these twelve date ideas are at your service. Say goodbye to your summer flings if you haven’t already—it’s time to fill up your fall roster and embark on all of the enjoyable and festive dates.
Visit a pumpkin patch: This date is one of the classics. Some may call it cliché, but it’s a cliché everyone loves—especially if you consider the photo opportunities! Throw on a cute ‘fit, grab your date, and head to the nearest patch. You and your date can breathe in some fresh air and bond in a comfortable setting. After all, you need a pumpkin to decorate your front porch anyway, so why not? In the Bryan/College Station area, check out Aggie Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Patch at Lake Walk, or the Faith in Action Pumpkin Patch.
Paint or carve a pumpkin: After snagging your unblemished pumpkin, why not make a whole day out of the festivity? It gives you and your date time for good conversation, which is great if you’re just getting to know each other. Even if you’re already familiar with your date, it’s still nice to do something creative together. Plus, this particular date could end in a paint war, and what’s cuter than that?
Bake fall foods: Another activity-based date, you won’t have to worry about awkwardness because you‘ll have a task at hand. In the end, you’ll even be rewarded with a delicious treat! Some potential concoctions include pecan pies, pumpkin cinnamon rolls, and pumpkin bread (we recommend our tasty gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe).
Boast your Aggie spirit at a football game: It’s fall in Aggieland, which can only mean one thing—football season! Every weekend offers a bounty of tailgates or an at-home game to cheer at, so there are no excuses. Sporting events are the perfect date if you want to gauge your partner in a group setting first. Pull tickets with some friends or invite your date to a tailgate with a group. You’ll get to know them, and they’ll get to know your friends, all while watching our good ol’ Ags bring home yet another win.
Watch Halloween movies: Whether you’d rather watch your childhood favorites or a scary thriller, a movie night is the coziest date there is! Buy some snacks, pick out a movie line-up, set up a comfortable spot to host your marathon, and you’re good to go. Bonus tip: assemble a make-shift drive-in by filling the back of your car with blankets and pillows.
Set up a picnic: One of the best parts about fall is the weather…so take full advantage of it! Grab your favorite picnic blanket, toss your favorite foods in a basket, and head off to a park. It’s all of the practicality of a typical lunch or dinner date, but so much better. Pretty picnics are the epitome of romance, and there are plenty of parks and scenic spots in College Station/Bryan! Some of our favorites include Wolf Pen Creek Park, the Lake Walk at Lake Atlas, and Thomas Park.
Attend a First Friday: Ever heard of First Friday? We hadn’t until a couple of weeks ago, but now we’re obsessed. On the first Friday of every month, downtown Bryan hosts an entertaining, intimate festival with live music, delicious food, and booths hosted by local shops. This lively event gives you all of the small-town romance vibes, and we are here for it.
Stretch your muscles on a hike: Get active with your date! Being outside in nature and going on an adventure is such a fun way to get to know someone. Not to mention, you’ll definitely surpass your step goals. There are plenty of trails to explore here in College Station/Bryan, but if those don’t do it for you, there are great hikes like Enchanted Rock or McKinney Falls only a few hours away that make for the ideal day trip!
Go stargazing: This simple, sweet date is one that most girls would swoon over. There’s just something about laying in the back of a pickup truck or cuddling into a blanket in the countryside while staring at the sky —talking about anything and everything—that makes a girl fall head-over-heels. Yes, boys, it’s that simple (you didn’t hear it from us).
Visit a haunted house: This particular date may be more difficult this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but if you can find an in-person haunted house (and you and your date are thrill-seekers), this date might just be for you. After all, nothing brings two people closer together than being scared half to death. A local haunted house that is open this season is the Fright Nights Haunted House. All of the proceeds support local theater companies like StageCenter Community Theatre and Trinity Oaks StarKids.
Explore a farm: No, we don’t mean just any random farm. There are actually farms out there specifically dedicated to making the holidays more enjoyable. Frequently found attractions at these farms include pumpkin patches, corn mazes, flower fields, live music, rides, and more! Two farms near College Station include P-6 Farms located in Montgomery, Texas, and Dewberry Farm in Brookshire, Texas.
Shop at a farmers’ market: Last but not least, take your date to a farmer’s market. For whatever reason, farmers’ markets just scream fall and cheesy, Hallmark-type romances. Attempt to rise early one day (with your boo) and head off to visit your local farmers’ market. You’ll get the opportunity to support local businesses while having a splendid time with your date. Afterward, you can even come home and make a scrumptious brunch with the fresh ingredients you gathered.
Now, get out there and get swiping so you can put this list to good use! And, if you’re not into dating this cuffing season, there’s no reason you can’t still partake in all of the fun. Grab your best friend, sibling, parents, or pets and treat them to dates this fall!