We all know money can be tight, especially when you're in school. The term "budget" is a regular part of your vocabulary, and your diet basically consists of Ramen noodles. But that's no reason not to enjoy an afternoon out with someone special! The Fall season offers plenty of inexpensive potential date ideas--some may even be free.
1. Go to a Pumpkin Patch or Apple Orchard
What a fun way to say “Hello, Fall!” Go pick out the perfect pumpkins together. Go home and have a carving contest! Or get out and go apple picking. Who can pass up a honeycrisp apple?
2. Cook Together
Use what’s left of those carved pumpkins to make pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, caramel apples, apple pie, or apple cider. Your place will smell incredible!
3. Make Halloween Costumes
Get creative! Help your date make a Halloween costume. Look to Pinterest for inspiration. Hit up local thrift shops to find cheap material, and see what you have lying around the house to create the perfect costume.
4. Have a Bonfire
This is a perfect way to spend romantic night for two in your own backyard, or if you’re close enough, to a nearby beach. Bring some grahams and marshmallows to see who can make the best s’mores.
5. Scary Movie Marathon
The start of fall is every horror lover’s dream. With the start of shows like American Horror Story and Salem, and AMC’s Fear Fest in October, this is the perfect opportunity to cuddle up on the couch with a cup of hot cider and binge watch Halloween and Nightmare on Elmstreet. Just make sure your date is okay with certain horror flicks.
6. Attend a Football Game
Go tailgating at your city or college’s football game. Food, fun, and friends is a great and laid-back way to gather your friends together and have a good time.
7. Go to a County Fair or Fall Festival
When September hits, it seems like every weekend there is a festival or fair going on. Take your date to an event in town or a nearby neighborhood with games, fall food, local vendors, and hay rides.
8. Oktoberfest
Food and beer is always a good combination. Oktoberfest is celebrated in a number of cities in the United States, so even if your town doesn’t have one going on, there is bound to be one going on nearby!
9. Haunted Houses
Up for a thrill? There are bound to be dozens of haunted houses to go to in your area that are very inexpensive, with most ranging from $10-25. Make sure you check with your date, to see just how much scare they are comfortable with.
10. Go to the Park
Or two or three. Fall is a beautiful time of year, what with the leaves changing, and the weather is still beautiful and just a little cooler. Spend the day exploring local parks and enjoying the beauty with your partner!
11. Horseback Riding
Some stables will let you rent a horse for an hour, or for the day to ride on nearby trails. Check with stable on pricing. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful day with your date!
12. Go Stargazing
Take a couple of blankets in your backyard, or to a clearing where there aren’t a lot of city lights, so you can get the most of a clear night sky. There are two meteor showers that typically occur every fall that you won’t want to miss, the Orionids around October 21, and the Leonids around November 16.
