Fall Date Ideas in Dallas
Fall is here, bringing cooler weather and the perfect backdrop of warm-hued leaves for romantic outings.
Updated October 2024
Whether you’re looking to explore the season’s beauty or try something new with your significant other, Dallas offers plenty of seasonal activities to match any interest.
FOR THE FALL FOODIES
Fall is all about cozy flavors. If pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, and maple are your go-to, Dallas has you covered. For a first date where you're not sure what they like, take them to Ascension Coffee. It’s the perfect spot to sample a bit of everything, letting you both enjoy the best tastes of the season without the pressure. Ascension serves a Seasonal Fall Coffee Flight, featuring their Pumpkin Spice Latte, Butterscotch Latte, and Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew. It’s the perfect way to sample the best of fall flavors in one sitting.Cooking together is the ultimate date night activity! For a fun, beginner-friendly experience, book a class at The Cookery, where you can learn to make pasta from scratch, roll sushi, explore global cuisines, or even try a vegan cooking class.
For soup lovers, try the famous tortilla soup from The Mansion Restaurant at The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. For a truly extraordinary date, indulge in the the seven-course Discovery Tasting Menu and Wine Pairing and try all the seasonal favorites! (If the soup isn't on the menu you can still ask for it) Enjoy the stunning restaurant interiors or sit on the patio and enjoy the peaceful view of Uptown Dallas.
Finish off the night with an innovative, photo-worthy cocktail from The Woolworth. Try the old-fashioned vanilla served with a cinnamon stick to add a hint of spice or the purple rain, a gin-based drink with notes of violet, pomegranate, lemon and rosemary.
Stop into Scardello, a popular shop in Oak Lawn that features more than 150 handmade American, Texas and European cheeses, to grab a slice of brie for a romantic picnic at the Fall Concert series at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
FOR THE KIDS AT HEART
If you want to impress your date with pinball skills, head to the Cidercade, an arcade bar in West Dallas. With over 140 retro and modern games, this spot is perfect for a fun date night filled with friendly competition. Challenge your date to a multiplayer showdown, then grab a drink from their 26 taps, offering hard ciders, seltzers, and kombucha. Feeling hungry? Check out the rotating food trucks parked outside. While it's family-friendly during the day, the vibe shifts to 21+ after 8 p.m., with late-night hours for maximum fun.
Get inspired together at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. With six floors of exhibits and attractions, there is plenty to explore. View massive dinosaurs on the fourth floor or visit the Sports Hall on the lower level to face your partner in athletic skill competitions like racing an NFL running back or shooting a hockey puck and compare your reaction time.
The State Fair of Texas is the ultimate fall date spot, blending nostalgia and fun in one vibrant package. From the thrill of the Ferris wheel to indulging in over-the-top fair foods, there’s no shortage of ways to have a blast together.
Whether you’re sharing a funnel cake or getting competitive at the midway games, the festive vibe and crisp autumn air make for a date that’s as exciting as it is memorable.
FOR THE ELEVATED TRADITIONALISTS
You can't go wrong with a classic dinner and movie date, and Dallas offers the perfect way to upgrade the traditional date. First, make a reservation at Yardbird, a James Beard-nominated, award-winning restaurant located just steps from the Dallas Arts District. Try innovative versions of southern classics like deviled eggs with smoked trout roe, chicken and waffles with honey hot sauce, or sweet tea braised short ribs.
If you’re looking for a memorable fall date, the Chefs for Farmers Food and Wine Festival is the perfect choice. Running from November 1-3, this festival offers a unique opportunity to be dazzled by the culinary talents of Texas's finest chefs and food artisans. This annual food and wine spectacle will sweep you off your feet at the iconic Old City Park, where history meets gastronomy in a breathtaking fusion.
Stroll down the street and around the corner to find yourself in Klyde Warren Park. This oasis of green space among the towering buildings of the city is the perfect place to take a romantic, after-dinner walk together.
To finish off the night, head to Highland Park Village to stroll around the shopping district when the lights go up in the trees around mid-November. Grab dinner at Honor Bar by fireplaces on the front porch and cheers drinks at the top of Mi Cocina at their Monkey Bar.
FOR THE HALLOWEEN LOVERS
Is there anything more perfect for adult Halloween fun than a Spirit Halloween Store themed pop-up bar? We don’t think so. From throughout October the Whippersnapper bar on Knox Henderson will debut its newest pop up bar complete with Halloween themed cocktails, food menu and themed bar. Costumes are encouraged!
For a night to remember, consider attending a Candlelight Concert in Dallas. These magical events blend live music with a multi-sensory experience. This season, you can enjoy the eerie and enchanting sounds of the best horror movie soundtracks at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, all under the warm, flickering glow of candlelight. It’s a perfect way to embrace the spooky season while enjoying a memorable evening together.
If you are looking for the perfect day date with your fellow fall lover, start your day at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The sprawling grounds now feature over 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash for their annual Autumn at the Arboretum exhibit. All autumn the Dallas Arboretum is hosting fun, seasonal events like Pumpkins and Pints Nights, Halloween Spooktacular Nights and a Fall Vendor Market.
Stop by the the Dallas Farmer's Market Pumpkin Patch with your sweetie for a chance to pick your perfect locally-grown Texas pumpkin. With more than 25 pumpkin varieties, you’re sure to find the right one (or five) that’s just right for you. The pumpkin patch at The Shed at the Dallas Farmers Market is open every day until October 31, giving you plenty of time to pick the perfect pumpkin. And because these pumpkins are grown close to home, they stay fresher longer than those shipped from far away.
Hungry after all that pumpkin picking? City Hall Bistro is the perfect dining option for those looking to add a little spookiness to an autumn day. Located within the historic Adolphus Hotel, the luxurious lodging has welcomed esteemed guests including presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush and British royalty, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The hotel is also known for having more long-term guests that haunt the halls and rooms of the residence, but don't let the ghosts distract you from the indulgent southern European offerings like fried cauliflower popcorn, braised pork belly and butternut squash mezzaluna.
Looking for something even more haunting? Check out Nightly Spirit's ghost tour pub crawl. This 21+ experience will have you exploring haunted bars and buildings while hearing chilling tales of the ghosts that reside in those very places. You and your boo will enjoy spirits served at local bars and pubs as you learn about the spirits that haunt downtown Dallas.