26 dating ideas for inexpensive fall

As leaves start to turn autumnal colors, couples who are watching their expenses need to adjust their approach to spending their spare time. Warm weather makes frugality easy, but not every weekend day can be spent at the beach, and not every night is ideal for a cookout. The season brings its possibilities, though some of which are good for first dates as well as longer-term couples building or nurturing a relationship. Here are 25 things you can do with a sweetie that cost barely anything.

Take a trip to a pumpkin patch.

It's a wee bit corny, but a trip to a pumpkin patch is, well, kind of sweet. What's not to like about crisp fall air, crackling autumn leaves, and an arm-in-arm walk through nature's bounty?

Share some sweet treats.

Spend an evening whipping up a batch of favorite treats, suggested Pamela Layton McMurtry, author of "A Harvest and Halloween Handbook". They can be just for you, meant for gifts, or shared with friends, or even delivered to shut-ins or older people.

Have a Halloween movie marathon.

Netflix and similar services consistently offer a vast selection of scary movies to stream, and libraries now stock numerous DVDs. Add popcorn, drinks, and theater candy for a cheap and fun evening.

Attend a fall festival.

Fall is a favored time for small-town festivals. Starting at the end of August, small towns across America start kicking annual festivals into gear, said Paul Moyer of Saving Freak. While you may have to spend some money on food or activities, they are usually very affordable. Experience the uniqueness of American small towns and discover traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Try restaurant menu favorites at home.

Sure, it's nice to get dressed up and go out for dinner. But sometimes it's even nicer to stay in and attempt restaurant menu favorites at home. Restaurants such as Olive Garden and Panera Bread have recipes for menu items online, so it's possible to stock the refrigerator for the price of just one meal out, said Taylor Gordon, a freelance blogger at TrendyCheapo. By whipping up meals at home, you can also make them healthier and substitute more affordable ingredients.

Take a train ride.

A train ride through the mountains or woods, available in many states, can be a good date if it's kept to a one- to three-hour range round trip, said Rosalind Sedacca, author of "99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Dating After 40, 50 and Yes, 60!". Daytime travel showcases fall landscapes and vistas, offering comfortable seats for uninterrupted conversation, and often features dining cars for drinks, snacks, or meals. Travelers should be able to get in a short stroll through their destination's shops and sights.

Build a bonfire.

At the beach or in your backyard, a bonfire can take the chill off a crisp fall night. Gather around a fire with the fixings for s'mores and settle in for an evening of storytelling.

Go tailgating.

Sports tickets can be expensive. Opt for the next best thing: Attend a tailgating party. Bring an inexpensive snack and a six-pack of your favorite beer or beverage, and enjoy game-day festivities without spending a fortune.

Go on a haunted hayride.

Get your date's heart thumping on a haunted hayride. Cuddle up close, and when you get scared, hold each other tight. It's the perfect excuse to steal a kiss.

Go apple picking.

Tap your inner kid with a trip to the local apple orchard. Gather a basket of apples, then bake a pie together. Go later in the day, closer to sundown, to avoid peak family time.

Pick and carve pumpkins.

Take your date pumpkin picking. It's tons of fun to search for the perfect pumpkin, then take it home and carve it.

Visit a local brewery for seasonal brews.

There's a slew of seasonal fall and winter beers arriving — think pumpkin, ginger, and cardamom-flavored. Visit a local brewery and sample their offerings.

Visit a winery.

Fall is a good time to visit a winery. Crush, the time of year for harvesting and processing grapes, is wrapping up, and summer crowds have waned. Take a walk in a vineyard, then sip and sample wine to serve over the holidays.

Plan Halloween costumes.

Put your creative minds together and brainstorm Halloween costumes. Even if you aren't opting for a couples-themed ensemble, it's fun (and cheap!) to hit up secondhand stores in search of spooky inspiration.

Go car or tent camping.

Before it gets too cold, go camping one last time. Either pack a tent or kit out your car for a cozy night's sleep in nature and under the stars.

YinYang Couple biking

Plan a scenic bike ride. Pack a picnic and hit the road to take in the fall foliage while temperatures are cooling but not chill-inducing.

Go stargazing.

Pack blankets and a thermos of hot cocoa and head for the nearest spot with the least amount of light pollution. Bring a map of the stars or download an app to help decipher the night sky for a date that won't cost a dime.

Find an Oktoberfest event.

Many towns celebrate Oktoberfest, but if there isn't a community event, find a bar hosting a themed event of beer-drinking and merrymaking. Prost!

Make a new soup.

You don't have to be super-skilled in the kitchen to whip up a hearty soup. Select a recipe that appeals to you and prepare the ingredients together. Bring the soup to a simmer and slurp away.

Have a cookout.

Some people fire up the grill every day of the year. Others indulge seasonally. Celebrate the last gasps of summer weather with a final cookout on the deck.

Host a chili cook-off.

Who doesn't like a little friendly competition? Have couples bring a pot of their favorite homemade chili and hold a blind tasting (with chilis labeled by numbers instead of names) so people can pick their favorite.

Stock up on board games.

Pick up some secondhand board games for cheap at Goodwill or a neighborhood thrift store. Build a fire, pop some popcorn, and put on your favorite tunes to have the makings for a fun, intimate night in.

Local bingo hall.

Some local organizations, such as Elks Lodges, host monthly bingo tournaments. It's cheap to play, and a whole lot of fun.

Team up for trivia night.

Put your noodle to good use over a night of trivia at your local bar. It's usually cheap or free for a group to participate, and many bars offer food and drink specials during the Battle of the Brains. Prizes are generally awarded to the highest-scoring teams, so it pays to put your minds together.

Visit a haunted house.

Most communities host some kind of haunted house. Cozy up to your date and scream in