The 100-degree days of the gruelling Texas summer are over, and the fall is officially underway. With cooler weather comes more options for outdoor activities for those of us who would prefer not to sweat in our fancy date clothes. As fall is upon us, we thought we would provide residents and visitors with some fun fall date ideas in Dallas. Whether you go with your significant other or a group of friends, encompassing 383 square miles, Dallas is sure to have something for everyone.
Pumpkin Patches in Dallas
Let’s start this list off with a classic fall activity. Nothing says fall is here quite like seeing a field full of pumpkins in your neighbourhood. Although you may struggle a bit to find a field of squash within Dallas city limits, the Dallas Farmer’s Market has an excellent option for those who want to stay within the city. Inside The Shed, the open-air pavilion at the Dallas Farmer’s Market, you will find more than 25 pumpkin varieties that were grown here in Texas.
The pumpkin patch is open
Weekdays (M-F) 10 am – 6 pm
Saturdays 9am – 5pm
Sundays 10am – 5pm
The Shed also features a multitude of other activities for couples and friends to enjoy, such as food tasting, chef demos, and live entertainment. You can find more information on events happening on the day you plan to visit here.
For those who want a more traditional pumpkin patch experience, there are plenty of options to choose from around the area.
The Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch is only about a 30-minute drive from Dallas and features mazes, playgrounds and lots of photo ops. This patch is open until October 31st.
Find out more about the amenities, prices, and hours here.
Grapevine’s Hall’s Pumpkin Patch is also a good option if you don’t mind driving outside the city. This pumpkin patch features two-acres of corn maze, hayrides, and pumpkins of every size. Admission for kids three and under is free, so it’s perfect to take your little ones!
Find out more about this pumpkin patch here.
Lastly, another option for those who would like to stay within the city limits is St. James Pumpkin Patch. This pumpkin patch is located at St. James Episcopal Church in Dallas’s Lake Highlands neighborhood and admission is free for all. It is open seven days a week and closes at 7pm, offering a wide range of times for you and your loved ones to visit. Visit the St James website for more details.
Embrace the fall by visiting a pumpkin patch, taking some pictures and maybe even bringing one home and making a pie or jack-o-lantern. Hurry, as many pumpkin patches only last through the last day of October.
Drive-in Theater
Drive-in theaters have been making a comeback in recent years. Rooftop Cinema Club in Dallas is open for business and has put out a schedule of movies available this October. Located in Dallas’s Heritage Village, you can rent out love seats or lawn chairs to enjoy some of your favorite movies. From Halloween classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street to new hits like Cruella, this drive-in has something for any couple or crew.
State Fair of Texas
It’s the best time of year again, Texans. The State Fair of Texas is open now through October 17 with all your favorite treats, plus some new ones. The best food at the State Fair this year is the new deep fried seafood gumbo balls (yum), winning best savory taste and most creative in the 2021 Bix Tex Choice Awards. Daily admission to the State Fair of Texas costs only $10-$15, making it the perfect way to spend a day with loved ones or new friends.
Concerts
Looking for a fun fall date idea in Dallas? Live music is back in a big way! Dos Equis Pavilion and Toyota Music Factory both offer an open-air experience to enjoy the fall weather, and if you’re feeling glitzy, American Airlines Center will make any show feel luxurious. For a more intimate evening, venues like Trees, The Factory in Deep Ellum, and House of Blues bring the same electricity at a smaller scale.
Haunted Houses
Feeling spooky? A haunted house is the best way to get into the Halloween spirit. The best haunted house in DFW this fall is Cutting Edge, open weekends in October. Cutting Edge costs $45 per guest, but if you’re looking more something more within your budget, The Parker House in Denton is sure to scare at only $15 per guest.
Oak Lawn Halloween Block Party
The Oak Lawn Halloween Block Party is October 23rd, so pop in your fangs and get ready to boogie! Admission is free, so you can bring all your best guys and ghouls. There will be food and drinks, a live DJ, drag performances, and costume spotlights, with the event open to ages 12 and up. The party starts at 7pm and is located at Cedar Springs and Throckmorton in Dallas.
Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
Is this a date? The 54th annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is Thanksgiving Day at 8am, making it the perfect way to prep for mashed potatoes and gravy. There is a 5k race as well as an 8-mile route and you can choose to be timed or run for fun. Either way, it’s a great way to support a Dallas organization and get moving with your boo.
