Original ideas for autumn dates

Autumn calls for a little extra creativity. The days are getting shorter, terrace life is over for a while, but that doesn’t mean you have to cocoon till spring. Now’s the time for warm, original dates that are just a bit different from the standard doing drinks, dinner or a Netflix night. Here are ideas for indoors and outdoors to get you started.

1. Go to the sauna together

Autumn is the time to seek warmth together. Visiting a sauna is relaxing, intimate and a little more exciting than your standard dinner date. Many saunas offer reduced evening rates or special late-night packages: and it’s less crowded, with atmospheric lighting and enough time to relax together.

Want to go for a little more exclusive? Check out a private sauna. Options to book these for a few hours are available throughout the country, with your own sauna, bath, and shower, sometimes even including a garden or Jacuzzi. You pay a bit more, but for exclusive use of the sauna, without any other visitors.

2. Drive-in cinema

Watching a movie in the car may sound a bit retro, but that’s what makes it fun. You’re in a cozy bubble together with blankets and snacks. In the fall, there are several drive-in cinemas in the Netherlands you can go to, from romantic classics to Halloween specials.

For example, check CinéAir: they organize open-air and drive-in movies at several locations throughout the country. The drive-in cinemas in Den Bosch and Schiedam are also popular options. Bring a thermos with hot chocolate or mulled wine, recline the seats a little and enjoy the movie in your own relaxing car seat.

3. City date with public transport bike

Fancy an active date without it getting too sporty? Rent a public transport bike together and explore a city you haven’t frequented much. Think Utrecht, Haarlem, Nijmegen or Maastricht. Schedule a nice route in advance with a few stops: a coffee bar, a lunch spot, vista spot, or market. You could even ask Chat GPT to plan a route that takes you past the best local restaurants and cafes. The great thing about this way of dating is that you’re moving around, there’s plenty to talk about, and you don’t have to sit across from each other the whole time.

4. An evening of golf games at Chi Chi Club in Utrecht

If you’re looking for something original, go to Chi Chi – The Golf Venue in Utrecht. You can rent a bay here, a sitting area with golf tee and a screen on which you can play all kinds of golf games. You don’t need any experience; it’s more like bowling than golf.

You order drinks, choose a game and try to beat each other’s score. Afterwards, you can stay for cocktails or snacks, because the bar is at least as cozy as the golf course itself.

5. Cooking together 

A classic but still great, with the right twist. Divide the dishes beforehand and make sure you both come up with something for the other with a reason. Think of a dish that reminds you of a particular memory, like a holiday. Then together work on preparing all the dishes. There’s little that goes together better than love and food, especially when shared.

6. Home tasting

Let’s stay with food & drinks here. Organize a mini tasting. With wine, cheese, chocolate or even whisky or cocktails. You can order ready-made tasting boxes, but creating your own selection is just as much fun. Go to the liquor store or deli, pick a few surprises each and have the other guess what’s in the glass or on the plate.

Cozy it up with small snacks, a score sheet, and some soft music playing in the background. It’s low-key, yet feels surprisingly intimate. 

7. Massage night

A bottle of oil, some soft music and no rush. Start with shoulders or back and just see where things end. If this isn’t a hot starter, we don’t know what is.

Tip: watch a few short massage videos online in preparation, to learn basic techniques for releasing tension and get things right. 

8. Autumn picnic in bed

Set up the bed like a picnic table, with snacks, hot drinks, and treats to share. Think spicy nuts, chocolate, figs, and honey. Put on a playlist and keep your TV turned off. 

Want to do something extra? Play one of those couples’ games where you ask each other questions about fantasies, memories, or about the things you’ve secretly always wanted to know. You can buy a ready-made game, or make up or look up the questions yourself. The idea might make you feel a bit uneasy, But in reality, it can give conversations a slightly different twist. 

Autumn is the season of warmth, comfort and time for each other. You don’t have to go far to experience something special. Whether you’re outside cycling through fallen leaves or sharing a bath indoors, it’s all about the same thing: attention, fun and a bit of play between two people who are having a good time.