10 Best Fall Date Ideas In NYC To Plan This Year
With fall on the doorstep and the leaves soon to be changin’…it’s becoming the best time to fall in love here in NYC! The city’s breezy winds and hues of orange and red set the perfect backdrop for the beloved “cuffing season.” Although the the temperatures are dropping, the heat is rising…and we’ve put together a list of the best fall date ideas in NYC that you can plan! From strolls in Central Park on the first date to day trips Upstate, we’ve got the most romantic recs for autumn!
1. Take a fall foliage cruise to Bear Mountain
Fall foliage cruises are one of our favorite fall activities, and Circle Line’s awesome Bear Mountain Cruise is back this year, and makes for a great date adventure. Happening September 28 – November 10, you can your partner can embark on an incredible 8-hour sightseeing cruise to Bear Mountain State Park and back for a fun-filled Oktoberfest-themed day.
The ultimate fall day trip will be filled with German and fall inspired eats, beer specials, and live music on board, as well as views of breathtaking foliage and landmarks all along the Hudson. Once you get to Beat Mountain, you can explore the romantic area to your heart’s desire…checking off trailside museums, beautiful hiking trails, and more to your heart’s content.
Tickets start at just $69 and you can book them via Circle Line’s website.
2. Watch a movie on an NYC rooftop
No date night beats a movie, but what about…on a rooftop?! Yes, Rooftop Cinema Club is one of the best outdoor movie theaters where you can watch a flick and see some skyline views all in one! The fall weather will be perfectly cool for one last outdoor movie, and their lineup of films is perfect!
Over the course of the coming months they’ll be introducing program categories “Cuffing Season” and “Spooky Szn” with appopriately themed movies like When Harry Met Sally, Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, and more! See the full lineup of movies at Rooftop Cinema Club on their website calendar.
3. Head upstate to go apple picking
Experience the quintessential fall activity of apple picking at some of the best orchards near NYC. From pick-your-own apples to enjoying farmstand treats like apple cider doughnuts, these spots offer a delightful autumn escape and is great way to spend some quality time. Some of these spots like Fishkill Farms and Hanks Pumpkintown offer romantic wagon rides, apple cider slushies, and much more.
4. Take a day trip to Decker Farm
Celebrate fall at Decker Farm with your partner by partaking in pumpkin picking and tons of spooky activities on NYC’s oldest working farm. You and your date can enjoy hayrides, fall photo-ops, and indulge in fall food favorites like fall-flavored donuts, pumpkin pie, cider and pumpkin spice coffee at the Staten Island farm.
The farm is open for festivities on October weekends (weekends Oct 5-27 & Mon Oct 14) with tickets starting at $12. Learn more about Decker Farm’s fall festivities via their website.
5. Stroll through the Seaport in fall
The waterfront of Seaport makes fall in NYC a dream, and the crisp breeze and fall programming makes it a perfect spot for a romantic date. Imagine proposing under a dazzling pumpkin arch (open September 28 – November 3) with the Brooklyn Bridge as your backdrop while sipping on warm cider from Tin Building…it’s so festive.
Plus, they’re hosting a tasty food festival, Taste of the Seaport, where you and your date can feast on participating restaurants like the legendary Delmonico’s, Andrew Carmellini’s Carne Mare, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s The Fulton and Tin Building, and the late, great James Kent’s, Crown Shy. Learn more about all of the romantic fall happenings at Seaport here!
6. Admire fall foliage on a hike
Take your fall date to new heights with a scenic hike near NYC! The crisp autumn air and vibrant foliage of places like Breakneck Ridge and Storm King State Park make it a great activity to challenge a couple while also taking in breathtaking views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains.
The best part of autumnal hikes too is there’s differently difficulties based on the vibe you’re going for…from a heart-pounding climb or a gentle stroll, you can totally choose how rigorous you want the date to go!
See our list of our favorite fall hikes near NYC with our complete guide.
7. Go ice skating at Bryant Park
Believe it or not, NYC’s super romantic Bryant Park Winter Village returns this fall, starting October 25! This ultimate winter wonderland is everything you could want in a date spot— from the 17,000-square-foot free-admission ice rink to the cozy igloos and curling cafe! Sure this could be categorized as a winter date idea, but there’s nothing wrong with checking it out during the fall. Learn more about the Bryant Park Winter Village with our complete guide.
8. Grab tickets to the New York Comedy Festival
Get ready to laugh together this fall when the New York Comedy Festival rolls through the city, bringing some of comedy’s most hilarious names to the Big Apple. If you and your partner love to giggle, be sure to snag tickets to the festival which is happening November 8 – 17! This year’s lineup features comedy juggernauts like Bill Maher, Matt Mccusker, Tracy Morgan, and so many more…so if you and your partner have a favorite jokester, they may be coming to an NYC venue! Check out the full NYCF schedule of events and how to book tickets via their website.
9. Spend a day in Central Park
You can spend an entire day here on a date, especially during the fall when Central Park is full of fall foliage. Start with leaf peeping at iconic spots like The Mall and Bow Bridge for a few hours before either having your own picnic or having a meal at the Central Park Boathouse! Then rent row boats and set sail along the park’s water to capture some intimate and romantic moments amongst the golden hues of the park. End your date by viewing the Conservatory Garden and Belvedere Castle, two romantic landmarks that add to the unbelievable scenary!
10. Explore the Bronx Zoo after hours at Pumpkin Nights
Stroll through the Bronx Zoo this fall as their annual Pumpkin Nights returns for its second annual iteration! You and your date can walk through a half-mile trail in the zoo that features more than 5,000 animal-themed jack o’lanterns and enjoy all sorts of local food trucks, refreshments, outdoor games, photo ops, live pumpkin carvings, and more! It’s a cute way to explore the zoo during spooky hours and also endulging in some festive fall activities!
The event runs Thursdays through Sundays from September 26 to October 13 from 7-10pm and October 17 to October 27 from 6:30 – 10pm, and tickets start at $34.95! Learn more about Pumpkin Nights with our complete guide.
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