Colder weather, turning leaves, light jackets, fall festivals, pumpkins can only mean one thing: Fall is here.

So break out the cider because with it will return everyone’s favorite fall dates.

Here are some of the best ones.

(1) Visit a festival

Good for: First date

The weather cools and the fairs and festivals, filled to the brim with great food, Halloween celebrations, and the cutest animals. A few you can’t miss:

• Goat Kid Festival- Halloween on the Farm (October 21, 1-5 p.m.) Just a short drive away in Rougemont, you can tour the 95-acre Prodigal Farm and milking parlor, play with the wee goats, meet the milking does, and taste nationally award-winning cheeses.
  
• Barktoberfest (October 28, Noon-4 pm, Durham Central Park) Local celebrity judges will determine the winner of the costume contests, and you can enjoy treats from local food trucks and brewers while watching canine attendees show off their wooftastic tricks.
  
• Festival of Nations (October 13, Duke Homestead) Celebrate Durham’s vibrant and diverse global community. There will be music, performances, international foods, and exhibitors. Cost is $5 person. 
  

Want more? See all the fall festivals here.

(2) Sip your way through a flight of hard cider at Bull City Ciderworks

Good for: Pairs that want to hang out outside without getting dirty

Split of flight of 5 ciders, grab a board-game, and hang by the fire-pit. It’s the perfect evening. Or when temperates start to cool, warm up with their hot mulled cider on the weekends.

(3) Get the daylights scared out of you at SPLATTERFLIX

Good for: The thrill-seekers

The 1970s and 80s were a phenomenal era for horror films, with some of the greatest, scariest, and in some cases, campiest films ever made. This series which showcases 16 of the creepiest horror films. It’s the perfect excuse to hold on to each other.

(4) Spend the day at a Pumpkin Patch or Farm

Good for: Anyone that wants to knock out their fall bucket list in one fell swoop. 

Once it cools off, pick out a pumpkin to carve together or find your way out of a corn maze. For your complete fall bucket list, we recommend Hill Ridge Farm. Want more? Check out our guides to local pumpkin patches.

(5) Enjoy a pint of locally brewed, fall-inspired beer on the patio

Good for: The laid-back, go-with-the-flow couple

Work your way through Durham’s local fall seasonal craft beers. See all Durham’s breweries here and keep an eye out for their seasonal releases.

(6) Go on a walk in Duke Gardens

Good for: Easy-going couples

Duke Gardens is beautiful any time of the year, but we especially love the changing leaves in Fall. Take a scroll around the lake

(7) Head up to the Little Shop of Horror

Good for: The couple that loves Halloween

Stock up just in time for Halloween. A local favorite, Little Shop of Horror has an awesome selection of movies, gifts, and oddities. You can actually visit all year around!

(8) Go on a bike ride on the American Tobacco Trail

Good for: That outdoorsy couple

Hop on American Tobacco Trail for 22+ uninterrupted miles. It was once a railroad track that was converted into a beautiful trail for biking, walking, and running. You can even ride horses on the trail! Pro tip: No bike? No problem. You’re likely to find bike shares (Lime, Ofo, Spin and Mobike) along the trail.

(9) Go Patio Hopping

Good for: The laid-back date night

This time of year, there’s nothing better than enjoying dinner and drinks on an open-air patio. A few of our favorites include Guglhupf, Namu, The Durham Hotel, Gonza Tacos, Foster’s, Parts & Labor, and Fullsteam. Want More? See our list of essential patios here.

Be sure to download our free Best of the Bull app for your local guide to Durham plus discover the rewards you can enjoy with our Shop Durham program.