26 Fall Date Ideas to Celebrate the Season Together in Central Ohio

Fall is undeniably the most romantic season of all—the leaves changing colors, the crispness in the air, and the comforting smells of pumpkin and apple cider everywhere you go. There’s just something magical about this time of year, and it’s perfect for creating special moments with your partner. Here are 26 fall date ideas to help you celebrate the season together!

1. Apple Picking & Baking: Head to a local orchard for a day of apple picking, then cozy up at home and bake The Beard and The Bakers Snickerdoodle Apple Crumble.
2. Pumpkin Trail Walk: Take a scenic walk through a wooded trail lit by thousands of carved pumpkins at The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow.
3. Hitchcock Movie Night: Enjoy classic thrillers at the Hitchcocktober Film Series at Gateway Film Center, featuring Alfred Hitchcock’s rarest films.
4. Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory: Stroll through glowing pumpkin displays and sip on fall-inspired cocktails during their themed nights.
5. Corn Maze Adventure: Try not to get lost navigating the corn maze at Lynd Fruit Farm.—it’s a fun challenge!
6. Fall Camping/Glamping: Spend a weekend at Jellystone Park, where you can camp or glamp during one of their fall-themed weekends.
7. Pumpkin Patch Visit: Visit a pumpkin patch, pick your favorite pumpkins, and carve them together.
8. Stargazing at Perkins Observatory: On most Friday nights, explore the night sky at Perkins Observatory. The program varies, so expect a mix of planetarium shows, tours, and telescope viewings.
9. Columbus Ghost Tours: Delve into over 200 years of haunted history with a night tour of Columbus, hearing tales of ghosts, ghouls, and more.
10. Thrift Store Costume Challenge: Hit up local thrift stores to DIY your Halloween costumes, or try the viral “blind date outfit challenge” where you pick out outfits with your eyes closed.
11. Sweater Weather Picnic: Pack a cozy picnic and enjoy the fall foliage at Schiller Park. Grab lunch at Brown Bag Deli and coffee at Winans beforehand.
12. Explore Otherworld: Get lost in a 32,000-square-foot immersive art installation at Otherworld, featuring over 40 scenes of large-scale art and secret passageways.
13. Metro Park Hike: Take in the fall colors with a hike at one of the many beautiful metro parks in the area.
14. Zipline Night Fright: Get your adrenaline pumping with a “Night Fright” Zip Tour at ZipZone in Worthington, where you can soar through the trees under the stars.
15. OSU Tailgate & Skull Session: Tailgate before an Ohio State University game and be sure to catch the famous Skull Session beforehand.
16. Circleville Pumpkin Show: Indulge in all things pumpkin at Ohio’s oldest and largest free festival—the Circleville Pumpkin Show.
17. Gallery Hop in the Short North: Celebrate art with new gallery exhibitions, street performers, special events, food, and drinks on the first Saturday of each month.
18. Sunset at Hoover Dam Park: Watch the sunset at Hoover Dam Park, surrounded by stunning fall foliage as the sun dips below the horizon.
19. Columbus Coffee Trail: Explore the fall-flavored coffee drinks on the Columbus Coffee Trail and earn prizes together as you check off stops.
20. Wine Tasting at Aardvark: Sip on a variety of wines during Aardvark’s weekly wine tastings, held every Friday and Saturday for just $15.
21. Scioto Mile Evening Stroll: Take a leisurely evening walk along the Scioto Mile, with a stop for Happy Hour at Milestone 229. The fall foliage along the river provides a romantic backdrop.
22. The Ohio State Reformatory Tour: Visit The Ohio State Reformatory, where history, Hollywood, and the paranormal come together in an unforgettable experience.
23. Delaware County Fair: Experience the last county fair of the season at the Delaware Fair (September 14-21, 2024), and enjoy all the classic fair food.
24. Curling Clinic: Learn something new together with a Learn to Curl clinic at The Columbus Curling Club.
25. Learn to cook Italian: Take a cooking class at Carfagna’s. Check out the calendar here.
26. Brave the Night: If you’re into spooky fun, a trip to a haunted house can be a thrilling way to spend an evening together. Check out Carnage Haunted House or Fear Columbus.