Pittsburgh wasn't named one of the most liveable cities in the nation for nothing. From the summer festivals to the Christmas market, there is so much to do here every season of the year — meaning you have plenty of opportunities to go on a romantic date with your significant other. Since autumn is upon us, here are the best romantic date ideas to take advantage of this fall.
@lezcrafthoarderHarvest fruit together at Soergel Orchards
Where: 2573 Brandt School Rd, Wexford
@laurkuciSoergel Orchards is an over-all great place to spend a day together. Harvest apples in the orchard, get a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, grab a bite to eat or a soft serve cone, sample their hard cider, browse the marketplace full of fresh produce, and explore the greenhouse. Side note, their fresh apples make the best desserts!
@soergelsgardenSpend an evening at the Pittsburgh LGBT Film Festival
Where: Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave
@mfinitysquaredFor over 30 years the ReelQ LGBT Festival has been taking place in Pittsburgh to celebrate equality and love. This year it will be running from October 11-14 and will feature an array of LGBT-friendly films.
Cruise the Three Rivers on the Gateway Clipper
Where: 350 W Station Square Dr
@gatewayclipperWhether you choose to do the usual sightseeing or dinner cruise, or something more exotic like an evening dance or Halloween WhoDunIt, the Gateway Clipper will surely make for a fantastic date.
Craft an autumn scented item together at The Candle Lab
Where: 4409 Butler St
@thecandlelabForget buying everyone else's creations, it's time to make your own! The Candle Lab in Pittsburgh offers visitors the opportunity to create custom scents for candles, body lotion, or room spray — and their autumn scents have just arrived! Think about it, every time you get a whiff of that scent you will remember all the fun you had making it together. Awwwww.
Schedule a tour and tasting at Threadbare Cider and Mead
Where: 1291 Spring Garden Ave
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'Tis the season for cider! Threadbare, which makes their ciders from scratch with regionally sourced apples, leads you through their step by step process and ends an amazing tour with several delicious samplings. Of course, you don't have to stop there. Head up to their restaurant and order a full glass of your favorite flavor to go with your meal.
@ssamspencerDo some horsing around at Rolling Hills Ranch
Where: 677 Hickory Grade Rd, Bridgeville
@mitchriehleThis extremely fun and reasonably priced to-do is a great way to enjoy nature and the surrounding fall foliage together. This ranch also hosts extremely popular "Moonlight Rides," an authentic western horseback experience that will not only take you on a long trail ride, it also features a BBQ dinner, hayride, and, of course, a campfire!
@hali713Check out Pittsburgh's crafty pop-up market, I Made It!
Where: Squirrel Hill
@imadeitmarketCalling all homemade item lovers! There's no better place to get a gift than at the quaint I Made It! pop-up marketplace, featuring artists and crafters from around the city. There are different dates scheduled throughout the year — the next one is scheduled for September 22 and the theme is nomadic. If you do end up going, you can feel good supporting small local business and knowing the items have been made with love.
Spend an evening at Kennywood
Where: 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin
@stevi_aThe same ol' Kennywood you know and love, just with a haunted twilight twist. Kennywood hosts their annual Phantom Fright Nights starting September 28, running through Halloween night. The park will be decorating the attractions and scenery accordingly and staying open as late as 12 p.m., making it a truly thrilling evening experience. Costumes encouraged!
@chainsaw_pghTake advantage of Customer Appreciation Month at the Melting Pot
Where: 125 W Station Square Dr
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Honestly, the Melting Pot is great year-round, but they offer a dining deal for two during September that you cannot pass up! September is Customer Appreciation Month, meaning a three-course fondue dinner is only $59.00 per couple! That's an amazing price.
Be amazed by Phipp's Fall Flower Show display
Where: One Schenley Park
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For 125 years Phipp's has been amazing the public with their gardens — their Fall Flower Show display just adds to the excitement. This year the display will be starting on October 13 and will feature an array of fall plants and decor, including pumpkins, gourds, mums, and more!
View the fall foliage from above
Where: Multiple locations
@kendal_quickeTaking a walk in the park is great and all, but a hot air balloon ride is better, especially when it comes to seeing all the colors of the trees.
Book a couple's massage
Where: Multiple locations
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Need a relaxing day out? There are tons of spas in and around Pittsburgh, meaning plenty of opportunities to get a couple's massage this fall. I won't recommend a specific place because if I were you, I'd be looking on Groupon for a deal — but maybe I'm just cheap. Either way, this is a great thing to do on one of those dreary and cold autumn days.
Join the festivities at Penn's Colony Festival and Folk Art Market
Where: 365 Saxonburg Blvd, Saxonburg
@sdl927If you are a couple who enjoys an entertaining festival and American history, this event must be on your to-do list! For two weekends at the end of this month, you will have the chance to experience unique historical reenactments, live entertainment, browse the merchant tables, eat good food, and just hang out together at the annual Penn's Colony Festival.
View the city skyline from the top of the incline
Where: 1197 W Carson St
@jed_underscoreThere is perhaps not a more romantic way to appreciate our beautiful city than by riding the Duquesne Incline to the top of Mt. Washington. When you get to the top, remember to pose for some photos together because those views are practically begging for a #citylifeselfie.
@jfrootExplore Pittsburgh's South Side
Where: Southside
@hotmetalflatsWhile you are visiting the incline, be sure to pop over to the South Side. If you or bae (or both) are unfamiliar with this lively area of Pittsburgh full of restaurants, lounges, bars, clubs, and shops, then you will want to make it a point to check it out.
Grab a cup of coffee at one of the local cafes, shop one of the alternative clothing stores, grab a beer, then treat yourselves to a fancy dinner before finishing off the night dancing in a club. And who knows, maybe you will get matching tattoos at one of the many tattoo parlors while you're there. Either way, you should go now while the weather is still warm!
@besketti_ohhhPick each other out a weird outfit from a thrift store, then wear it to dinner
Where: Multiple locations
@blairosaurus_rexComedy can be romantic, right? No need to wait for the ugly sweater parties, head to the local thrift store and pick each other out a hideous outfit for under $20 that you must wear out to dinner. I promise it will be one of the funniest and unique things you have ever done together. Worth. It.
@dandy_whoreholeGet lost in a corn maze
Where: Multiple locations
@claudine_lemieuxRely on each other's sense of direction — or lack thereof — while trudging through a corn maze. Don't forget to playfully argue about who took the first wrong turn!
Feed some birds at the aviary
Where: 700 Arch Street
@jamie.ayersAnother great option for those less-than-ideal chilly afternoons. I mean, seriously, who doesn't want to hold and feed some adorable birds at Pittsburgh's National Aviary? Either schedule a feeding with some of the more exotic birds like the toucans or do a spur of the moment feeding with the rainbow lorikeets — or be completely hands-off (for those germaphobes out there) and watch the handlers during their scheduled feedings. Oh, and there are sloths!
@national_aviaryWatch a movie under the stars
Where: 549 Moon Clinton Rd, Moon
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The Dependable Drive-In is open for a good portion of the fall season, so if there is a new movie coming out that you want to see make it a point to watch it at the drive-in!
Spend the night by a fireplace
Where: Multiple locations
@karens_pace_23Whether it's on your own, with some friends, or in a rented room, there's nothing more romantic than spending the night cuddling by a nice and toasty fireplace. Let the sounds of the crackling wood lull you to sleep while your worries melt away.
Plan a picnic at one of Pittsburgh's remote locations
Where: Multiple locations
@anastasia7asjaPicnics are great as a spur of the moment date. You can't always plan the weather or every detail of your life — so when you are together and need something spontaneous to do on a nice day this fall, consider packing some of your favorite foods and head out to one of the many peaceful parks around the city.
Listen to the Pittsburgh Symphony play The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack
Where: Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue
@eatpghCelebrate the 25-year anniversary of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas by watching it on the Heinz Hall big screen while The Pittsburgh Symphony plays the movie's award-winning scores. As usual for these events, it will likely sell out soon, so get your tickets ASAP!
