The weather is cooler and the nights grow longer this time of year but the sparks of date night do not need to fizzle out. Go inside and get cozy! Try these fabulous fall date night ideas in Skagit County and the surrounding area to warm up any evening.
Go for a Drive and Lose Yourself in the Autumn Colors
Some roads are better traversed by driving to soak in all their autumn splendor. The trees lining Chuckanut Drive between Bow and Bellingham are too pretty to miss as the leaves turn. Or take a drive out Highway 20 towards the North Cascades while listening to your curated fall Spotify playlist.
U-Pick and Bake Fall Fruit
It’s harvest time here in the valley with a cornucopia of crisp apple varieties available at farmstands such as Schuh Farms, off State Rt 536 in Mount Vernon, or Jones Creek farms in Sedro Woolley.
Gather up a bushel, sip on some hot cider, then head home to bake up the beautiful bounty together. The best part – eating your delicious dessert!
Enjoy a Hay Ride
The perfect excuse to snuggle under a fleece blanket and enjoy the scenery at a slower pace is a hay ride. Celebrate the abundance of the harvest at Tulip Town with this ultra-romantic ride.
Take Movie Night Outdoors
Sitting under the stars is about as romantic as it gets, so why not create the perfect movie date under the night sky. Pick a theme and select several movie options to choose from. Then hunker down on your deck, back lawn, or rooftop patio for an evening of fun entertainment. Don’t forget the big bowl of popcorn and maybe some Junior mints as those favorite theater snacks.
Enjoy a Picnic and Some Fall Color
Pack up that picnic basket with warm soups, crusty bread, and a thermos of hot cocoa and head to your nearest favorite spot for fall color. Maybe this is your neighborhood park or perhaps you combine an autumn picnic with a hike or bicycle ride. Washington Park in Anacortes offers beautiful scenery, walks, wooded trails, picnic areas and of course an array of fall colors.
Hiking into the Sunset
As the evenings grow cooler hiking to chase the sunset is a lovely way to spend time together and get some steps for the day in too. Pull on those boots, wrap up in some warm layers and hit the trails. Don’t forget a thermos of warm cider or cocoa to enjoy while watching the sun ebb over the horizon.
Cuddle Around a Bonfire
After the sun has set, cuddle up around a cozy bonfire at Bayview State Park or Washington Park, or even in your own backyard if you own a firepit. Stargazing while roasting marshmallows for s’mores is as much of a must as storytelling around a bonfire.
Sample An Autumn Flight of Cider or Brew
Every fall bucket list includes warm ciders of the season. A local cidery or brewery can be just the ticket to spend a stormy afternoon sipping a new cocktail. At Terramar Brewstillery in Edison sit down to a game of cribbage while imbibing their latest seasonal spirit. You will not be sorry.
DIY Caramel Apples
To satisfy a sweet tooth look no further than homemade caramel apples. Bring on the nostalgia of this childhood favorite, which is even more fun to eat. All you need are some basic ingredients such as the caramel and the apples, then add any embellishment of your choosing. Try crushed nuts or M&M’s. Lastly, have a blast making, eating, and sharing this tasty treat.
Wine-And-Paint Night
Many wineries including Eagle Haven in Sedro-Woolley offer wine-and-paint nights for an evening of fun creativity while sipping your favorite Pinot Noir. Or unleash your artsy at home! Plan a cozy night in with a box full of acrylics or watercolors, some canvas, brushes, and each other! Sip and sketch and by the end of the night you will have masterpieces to share, maybe even to hang on your wall.
A Bookshop Date on a Blustery Fall Day
If the wind begins to howl outside, duck into a local bookshop, like Pelican Books in Anacortes, for a cozy and ever-so-romantic afternoon. Find a quiet corner in a bookstore cafe, preferably one with overstuffed couches and love seats, then snuggle up together for a stimulating conversation over your favorite caffeinated beverage. The ultimate fall date awaits.
