Cliché dates are boring—so boring, in fact, that we came up with a list of new and creative date ideas for autumn. Take your date somewhere they’ve never been before, embrace the season’s sweater weather, and take a picture or two for Snapchat or Instagram while enjoying the date suggestions below.
By Grace Ann Brew, Mia Finley, Cameron Mellin and Rachel Sandler

Instead of: Apple Picking
Visit a local cidery such as Wild Hare Hard Cider in BluEmont OR Corcoran Hard Cider in Waterford.

Instead of: Watching A Movie
See one of Signature Theatre’s live shows. “Cake Off,” an original battle-of-the-sexes musical about baking, and “Girlstar,” a rock musical fairytale described as “‘American Idol’ meets ‘Maleficent,’” are both showing in November.

Instead of: Making s’mores over the grill
Snuggle around a bonfire at Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly as a part of their Fall Pumpkin Festival.

Instead of: Dining at a restaurant with fall-flavored food
Stay in and make something of your own. Take a peek in local author Domenica Marchetti’s latest cookbook, “Ciao Biscotti,” or “Tupelo Honey Cafe” by Elizabeth Sims for fun fall recipes. Not a great cook? Hire chef Tim Ma to come to your house and make a four-course dinner for you and your date.

Instead of: Pumpkin picking
Smash your used pumpkins during Cox Farms’ fall festival Pumpkin Madness on Nov. 7-8.

Instead of: Going on a hayride
Ditch the itchy hay and embark on Dream Shire and Carriage Company’s luxurious Cinderella carriage ride available for rent throughout NoVA.
(November 2015)