Fall nights are the perfect time to cozy up with your partner or get to know someone new with a fun activity. We've put together a list of some of our favorite fall date night (or fall day date) ideas in Columbus! Endless ways to celebrate the season? #yesColumbus.
German Village in the fall. Source: Experience Columbus.
Shop and Explore in German Village
There's really no place like German Village in the fall, recently named among the 14 Small Towns that Feel like Stars Hollow. Get lost together in the 32 rooms full of your favorite stories at The Book Loft or shop for locally made treasures at The Red Stable. Pick up the perfect fall candle at 3rd & Sycamore or simply walk through the brick-paved streets to spy the spooky decorations sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Read our dining guide for our picks for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the neighborhood.
Apple picking at Lynd Fruit Farm. Source: @bear2ohio on Instagram.
Taste of Fall Flavors
Food and drinks are central to the dating experience, and no matter what kind of date you're having, you can infuse it with fall flavor in Columbus. Columbus coffee shops have plenty of options for flavorful drinks, while local breweries have shifted to the season's sweet, malty and refreshing flavors. Download the Columbus Coffee Trail pass to check in and earn prizes together along the way.
Farm-to-table restaurants throughout the city highlight autumn harvest from central Ohio farms, so be sure to check out seasonal menu items at places like The Guild House and Third & Hollywood. You can also take the season's bounty home with you by visiting an area apple orchard or pumpkin patch.
German Village's Schiller Park. Source: @NoteToSarah on Instagram.
Get Outdoors in Columbus Metro and City Parks
One of the best things about fall in central Ohio is the scenery; red, orange and yellow leaves create the picture-perfect scene. Get active and take a fall hike to watch the leaves change. We recommend Blendon Woods if you're into birding or Batelle Darby Creek to see the resident herd of Bison. Schiller Park, (pictured) is stunning in the fall with several historical monikers, ponds and public art to explore. For more, read our beginners guide to leaf peeping in Columbus.
Source: NightLight 614 Facebook.
Catch an Outdoor Movie
Land-Grant's Beer Garden Movie Series takes place every Tuesday in their outdoor beer garden. Don your fall apparel, grab your blankets and prepare for a movie night under the stars paired with delicious Land-Grant beers like their seasonal Skull Session, a tribute to the Ohio State University Marching Band. Learn more here.
NightLight 614 is offering a full lineup of screenings in September and October. Enjoy your favorite films like Beetlejuice, Project Hail Mary and Obsession from Genoa Park with a fantastic view of the Columbus skyline. Get tickets.
Field of Corn (with Osage Oranges). Source: Robb McCormick for Visit Dublin Ohio.
Experience Public Art Together
Columbus has an impressive collection of public art sprinkled throughout its unique neighborhoods. Go mural hunting in the Short North Arts District and find The Journey by Ryan "Yanoe" Sarfati and Eric "Zoueh" Skotnes, a massive, 11,000 ft. augmented reality painting on the side of The Moxy Hotel. Feel the love in front of Heartscape, a new steel sculpture at Columbus Commons celebrating the connection between nature and city life. Wander through the iconic Field of Corn, where 109 human-sized cement corn cobs stand as a nod to the city’s agricultural heritage. Wherever you are in Columbus, public art is close by.
Prototype. Courtesy of Roto.
Find Playful Indoor Experiences
For weather-proof date night ideas, look no further than Columbus' museums and interactive experiences. Prototype, Columbus' newest attraction, is an experimental museum creating genuine human connections for curious adults through super-sensory and interactive design. Another immersive art experience is Bar Room at The Pizzuti, a permanent installation by artist Tavares Strachan, inviting visitors to step through an unmarked door into a fully realized reggae bar—complete with handcrafted cocktails, locally roasted coffee, and light bites.
Pumpkins Aglow. Source: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
Attend a Signature Fall Event
Events can be some of the most fun date nights and there's no shortage of fall happenings to enjoy in Columbus this season. Walk through spooky displays at Pumpkins Algow or sip on top notch brews at Columbus Coffee Festival. Experience the seasonal sights, sounds, sips and more. View a list of can't-miss fall events here.
Share your fall memories with us using #yesColumbus and find more seasonal fun here.
