10 cliché fall dates you should go on near Charlotte

This story is proudly presented by Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery. Husband and wife team, Dr. Bryan and Kara Criswell, go together like a crisp fall day and a trip to a pumpkin patch – perfectly. Here’s to a season filled with even more perfect pairings.

Need ideas for the perfect fall date? Here’s a quick list of 10 festive dates that are as fun as they are cliché, plus they’re safe to enjoy this year, Covid and all.

Put on your favorite flannel, grab your pumpkin spice latte, and let’s go dating (in a safe, socially distant way, of course).

(1) Cozy up by the fire.

Perfect for: The couple who loves cuddling

Depending on how fancy you want to get, there’s an outdoor dining option for you. Grab a pint of beer and a flatbread at Craft Tasting Room and sit at a picnic table outside by the fire. Or if you’re after views, try Nuvole or Fahrenheit. Both have fireplaces, craft cocktails, and food menus.

Drink deal: Craft has a special every day except Friday and Saturday. On Monday, try a $8.50 flight of five beer pours. On Tuesday, local pints are marked down to $3. On Wednesday, it’s cheese and charcuterie board night for $6. Thursday and Sunday means 15 percent off bottles.

[Related Agenda guide: The 18 best patios in Charlotte, right now]

(2) Hike Crowders Mountain and then relax with some wine at Veronét Vineyards & Winery.

Perfect for: Couples that prefer more leisurely adventures (and might want to bring their dog along)

Spend your morning hiking Crowders Mountain, which has 11 different trails ranging from easy to difficult — we recommend the 2.1-mile easy Lake Trail. Then head to Veronét Vineyards & Winery to sip wine and snack on charcuterie while taking in views of the vineyard and Crowders. Both are pet-friendly, so if you have a pup, you can treat him or her to a day out, too.

What to know: The winery is now outdoor-seating only, and reservations are required. Click here to grab one. Wine tastings are canceled right now, but you can still purchase wine by the glass, bottle, or flight. There is limited food service, and they’re not accepting cash right now.

Cost: Free admission for Crowders and Veronét Vineyards & Winery. Wine by the glass at Veronét is $8; wine flight with three small glasses is $12; guided tasting with souvenir glass is $15; wine tasting with four pours is $5; and bottles are $20-$32.

[Related Agenda guide: Definitive hiking guide: The 16 best hikes around Charlotte]

(3) Go glamping in and around Asheville.

Perfect for: Outdoorsy-ish couples looking for a “honeymoon suite” under the stars

If you’re not *quite* into sleeping directly on the dirt, but you don’t need a full-on King-sized bed situation, glamping may be the ideal compromise. With Asheville Glamping, you can sleep in a geodesic dome, which makes for amazing stargazing opportunities.

Advice: Weekends book up quickly, so if you want to go, commit ASAP. Prices start at $140 per night. If you’re a true camp-lover, here are the six best spots for first-time backpackers. Before you book, read up on their cancellation policies, especially as things fluctuate with the Covid-19 situation.

[Related Agenda guides: Sleep under the stars in a geodesic dome 2.5 hours from Charlotte, Asheville getaway: 35 things to do in N.C.’s coolest mountain city]

(4) Sip cider and pick apples at a local orchard.

Perfect for: Couples who own their basic-ness and aren’t afraid to let it shine.

About an hour drive from Charlotte, Windy Hill Orchard and Cidery is one of the closest apple orchards so it often fills up its reservations fast. The family-owned apple orchard also has a hard cider bar (open on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays), apple cider donuts, and pick-your-own apples.

Other orchards within a couple hours of Charlotte include Apple Hill and Sky Top.

[Related Agenda guide: Apple season is upon us: 7 pick-your-own orchards within 2 hours of Charlotte]

(5) Try your luck in a corn maze.

Perfect for: Couples looking for a fall-themed challenge

Rural Hill in Huntersville is home to a seven-acre corn maze. It’s the perfect way to enjoy some fresh air and engage in some friendly competition. For a spooky twist, hit the maze at night.

What to know: You’ll need to buy tickets in advance. Click here to get yours.

Cost: Tickets are $15.

(6) See a scary movie at a drive-in movie theater.

Perfect for: Movie buffs looking for a date that feels a little bit retro.

The classic dinner and a movie date looks different during a pandemic, but it’s still salvageable. Badin Road Drive-In, in Albemarle, is about an hour from Uptown Charlotte. They’ve put some Covid-19 parking restrictions in place, so get there early if you want a spot. The grill will be working if you want to grab food, or you can bring BYO.

Hound’s Drive-In in Kings Mountain, which is less than an hour from Uptown, is also open for business. Keep in mind that they don’t allow outside food or drink.

Upcoming scary movies:

• Hocus Pocus & Beetlejuice – double feature on October 2 and 3 at both Hound’s and Badin Road

Cost: Badin Road is $7 per person 12 and up, $5 per child, and kids ages five and under are free. Hound’s Drive-In charges $20 per carload

(7) Check out a concert at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Perfect for: Music buffs

Miss live music? You’ll want to grab tickets to the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Speedway Drive-In Concert Series. Up-and-coming artists will perform live on the speedway backstretch, with the show projected onto a 16,000-square-foot screen. The audio will be carried over the radio, so attendees can enjoy the music without leaving their cars. Pro tip: Bring a battery operated radio so you don’t kill your car battery.

Line-up: Next up is Justin Moore on Thursday, October 22. Tickets.

Cost: Tickets start at $130 per vehicle.

(8) Go pumpkin picking and have a photoshoot in sunflower fields at Carrigan Farms.

Perfect for: Couples (or families) looking to capture some memories from the weirdest fall ever

Carrigan Farms is about 45 minutes from Uptown and has a plethora of fall-focused activities available, like apple and pumpkin picking. Don’t forget to make a reservation.

If you’re looking for the perfect photoshoot backdrop, their sunflower fields are it. You can bring your own photographer or purchase a package and use theirs. Here’s a link to reservations for shoots.

Cost: Hayrides are $12 per person. DIY sunflower photo shoots are $15 for the first person, then $12 for each additional person. Kids under two are free.

[Related Agenda guide: Quick guide to 9 must-visit pumpkin patches near Charlotte]

(9) Visit the pumpkin wall in Elizabeth.

Perfect for: Couples looking for a low-key date night with a neighborhood feel

The neighborhood favorite will be back this year, creating a perfectly festive wall of pumpkins that look like a modern art installation. The sixty-foot wall is assembled by community volunteers. Check the Elizabeth Community website for details on how they’ll handle the safety protocol for this year’s wall coming soon.

Cost: Free.

(10) Grab one of these cute AirBnbs.

Perfect for: Couples looking for a romantic getaway, without having to get on a plane.

When you need a change of scenery but want to keep social distancing in mind, snag one of these adorable AirBnBs. They’re all less than two hours from Charlotte, so you don’t need to worry about how to handle food stops or bathroom breaks on the way.

Cost: Prices start at $84 a night.

Looking for a complete list of things to do? Check out our fall bucket list.