Fall is just about here and it’s time to get cozy. Whether you’re looking to impress a summer love for another season, or you’re planning out some date nights to look forward to with a significant other, these unique date ideas in the city can help keep the romance alive and moving forward this fall. Because it’s way too early in the year to get into Netflix and chill mode just yet! 

Here are our top unique fall date ideas in Toronto. 

Take a fall hike and stop for a picnic

You do not need to travel far from downtown to get a taste of the outdoors, along with some stunning fall colours. Plan a hike and a picnic around Rouge National Urban Park where you can choose from over 15 trails ranging from 15 minutes – 2 hours, or Don Valley Brickworks, where audio tours are on offer if you want to learn about the geological history of the area as you walk, or High Park, which is also home to a zoo, greenhouses, and the Grenadier Café. 

Hit up the Canzine Festival of Zines and Indie Print Culture 

This zine festival has been running for over 25 years, uniting a community of passionate writers, crafters, and artists from across the country. Plan a date for Saturday, October 1st and head to the Toronto Reference Library to join in the celebration of print culture and all things handmade. You’ll surely leave with plenty to talk about. 

Forest bathe at the Royal Botanical Gardens  

Engage your senses at the Toronto Botanical Garden’s September 24th guided forest bathing experience event led by a certified forest therapy guide. Unplug for a Saturday with your partner and immerse yourself in the colours and scents of the season. Leave feeling renewed, and a little more deeply connected to your wildness. 

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Stroll around the Word on the Street’s Pop-Up Festival  

Couples that share a love of books can make a day of this community pop-up festival/celebration of reading at Evergreen Brick Works on Sunday, September 25th. Explore over 30 exhibitors, hear author talks, and take author-led forest walks around this picturesque, ravine-lined abandoned brick-making factory. 

Get spooked at the After Dark Film Fest  

The spooky season is almost here. Cozy up in front of the big screen after hours at Scotiabank Theatre and take in one of the new horror, sci-fi, action, and cult short and feature films that will be playing between October 19 – 23rd. 

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Get creative at a freestyle painting night 

Let your creative juices flow at one of the in-studio freestyle painting nights at this Danforth art studio, shop, and cafe. Enjoy some snacks and banter over freestyle painting, or, check out one of the weekly guided painting workshops on offer for a more structured experience. 

Watch a movie under the stars as the Oakville Drive-In 

For privacy and novelty factor, a drive-in movie experience is a truly unique and inviting date night. The 5 Drive-in Theatre in Oakville has been around since the early ’60s and now serves patrons with 3 screens, showing the Hollywood films you’d see at any chain theatre. It’s just 30 minutes from downtown. Pack up the car with blankets, and pillows, and prepare to unwind.

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Valentine’s Day is coming up soon and as we all know it can get quite pricey going out. Restaurants create pre-fixed menus with ridiculous fees and doing activities always cost a lot of extra cash. We’ve rounded up some ways you can prevent spending a fortune.

Plan An Evening of Fondue Fun: OK, so you do have to purchase a fondue set but you can manage to find very affordable ones at our SD Shop. Next step, is getting a fresh baguette, Swiss cheese, Gruyere. and maybe throw in some mozzarella. Grab a bottle of red wine and you’re set to go! Or you can even decide to go sweet and have chocolate fondue with strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and any other fruit of your choosing. Light some candles and voilà, romantic times.

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Go On a Foodie Adventure To St Lawrence: This one is for all those foodie couples out there – it’s the spot to be for anyone that appreciates GOOD, quality food. For all types of palates; there are addictive desserts, incredible Chinese food, a large assortment of fresh fish and meat, variety of cheese, olives, and so much more. They also have the best BLT sandwiches in Toronto. I can’t forget about Buster’s Sea Cove which is a must-try if you are a seafood enthusiast.

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Make a Blanket Fortress in You Living-Room: Use all your furniture and blankets to create a living-room fort with your comforter and pillows as your base. Play cards, order-in dinner and have a Japanese style dining experience; followed by the lights off and a scary movie to cuddle up with your s/o. Homemade s’mores are also an option – make the blanket fort experience as special as possible!

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Get Competitive With Games: Choose between going to one of the many board game cafes in the city like Snakes & Lagers/Lattes or an arcade, like Tilt – or try your hand at Spin! Grab a few drinks and make a score tally to see who wins at the end. A little competitive fun never hurt anyone! It might cost a bit more but it’s still going to be on the cheaper side.

If you’re looking to spend less, play trivia online or have a video game night in the comfort of your own home.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ben4KBNBG0Z/?hl=en&taken-by=snakesandlattes

DIY Night: Have a creative night at home. There are so many fun things you can create together for your shared apartment or as a present for each other. You’ll have to get your own supplies but if you go to the right places, you shouldn’t end up spending too much. Make sure you cover your floors in plastic and get working. Whether you want to get clay and try and make a planter; create your own terrarium, make bath balms or paint a portrait – there are so many fun and special experiences you can do on a budget.

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Create a Three Course Meal (Fancy Cocktails Included): Choose the theme of your meal and create a menu ahead of time. Make sure you do a grocery haul ahead of time to ensure you have the right ingredients. Turn on some music and have a dance party while you cook. It’s a really fun activity to do together and you’ll be proud when you finally get to enjoy the results. 

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Go Tobogganing Or Sledding at Riverdale Park: Looking for a thrill? This is the perfect activity for you and your partner to have together. You don’t have to go very far to have some fun and it costs absolutely nothing! You’ll even get major views of the CN tower. Make sure to be extra careful though – It can get dangerous sometimes. 

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(8) Explore The Beauty of Allan Gardens: Take a romantic stroll through Toronto’s year-round conservatory and feel like you’ve been transported to a different country. Check out the five conservatory areas to experience the indoor garden featuring tropical plants, palm trees, and orchids to cacti. Admission is free and it’s not a bad place to take cute v-day photos! 

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What are other budget-friendly activities you can do this Valentine’s Day?