12 Affordable Friend Date Ideas To Try This Fall



No one told us that growing up meant we'd have less time than ever to see our friends, and that we actually have to add quality time with them into our schedule. That's a bummer. But when the clock strikes five on Friday and we're free to spend the next 60 hours doing all kinds of fun activities, you better believe we're calling up all our girlfriends!

If you're finally catching up with your childhood gal pals this weekend or you want to get to know some new friends on a deeper level, then these ideas are the perfect answer to "What should we do?" Each of them can be tweaked to be completely free or as fancy as you want. Whichever activity you pick, you're sure to have a great time.



walking through town with leaves on the ground

Be Tourists in Your Hometown

Go exploring in your city or town in a way that you don't usually get to. You can walk around free museums, or grab fancy coffee and finally try out that restaurant or tourist experience that you've never had time to check out. This is a really fun way to get to know your home better and spend time with your friend, all in one.

Take pictures in front of murals or iconic locations, and you can even bring snacks with you to have your own DIY picnic! If you end up wearing a cute outfit and stopping into a restaurant for brunch, eggs Benedict or chicken and waffles are always a good idea.


Go on a Walk

This is a great friend date for multiple reasons. Not only are you carving out time to catch up, but you also get some exercise. Plus, going on a walk is completely free! We consider this a win-win-win. If you're walking around a city or downtown area, make sure you take note of parking fees.


Have a Board Game Night

Whether you are an expert at chess or you have the fastest time on Dutch Blitz out of all your friends, a board game night is a super-fun way to spend your evening. It's quality time without a screen, and you can have everyone bring their favorite games for a tournament. Don't forget some fall treats and cocktails or mocktails!


Spend Time With Your "Nothing" Friends

The people that we call "nothing" friends (the ones that you can do nothing with) are some of our favorites. You don't have to say or do anything to entertain each other — you can just be in each other's presence. It can range from hanging out with a friend who's a new mom and folding laundry while she feeds the baby or going to the library and sitting together while you read.


Watch a Movie

Bring out your inner child by making a blanket fort with twinkly lights, blankets, and pillows, and turning on your favorite movie (or movie series — we're looking at you Harry Potter!). We recommend stocking up on popcorn and pizza rolls, and it's even more fun if you make the blanket fort comfortable enough to sleep in over night. It's like one big sleepover! The only difference between sleepovers now and sleepovers from when you were little is that now you can have margaritas.


having dinner together with pomegranate cocktails

Share a Meal

We love the way that food brings different people together. Have everyone in your friend group bring one of their family's meals so you get to try a bunch of different cuisines. It'll be like an early Friendsgiving! You can make it a picnic dinner or decorate the dining room for a dinner party.

If you're looking to splurge on your friend date night, dress up in your favorite outfit and pick a restaurant that features your favorite food. When we go out to eat, one of our favorite things to do is have everyone at the table order something different. That way, you can all try bites of each other's dishes and maybe even find a new favorite food.


Visit Your Favorite TV Show Location

It's easier than you might think to figure out where your favorite TV show is filmed. And whether you're kicking it around The Vampire Diaries' Mystic Falls (Covington, Georgia) or you're eating Cracker Jack at Nathan and Haley's bench in One Tree Hill's Tree Hill (Wilmington, North Carolina), you and your friends will love seeing where your favorite shows came to life.


Watch the Sunrise (or Sunset)

You don't have to be a morning person to appreciate how beautiful the sunrise can be. Well, after you've had some coffee. If you live by water, you can sit on the sand with a book or some music, or if you're in the mountains, you can do a sunrise hike. Not a fan of early mornings? Watch the sunset instead!


Cook a Delicious Meal Together

Regardless of whether your friends like to cook extravagant meals or they prefer to stick some mac and cheese in the microwave, making dinner together lets you spend time together, use your hands, *and* you get a delicious meal at the end. You can try one of these vegan recipes for fall or check out some other ideas on our Food + Recipes Pinterest board.


Go on a Drive

Make a huge playlist full of all your favorite songs, stock up on snacks and drinks, and just drive. Late-night rides can be relaxing and the perfect way to unwind after a long day. Plus, there's nothing like singing "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus at the top of your lungs with the windows rolled down.


sitting on the couch talking with mugs

Sit and Talk

If you haven't caught up with a friend in a long time, block off your evening for a coffee and chat session. You can make a pot at home and just sit on the couch or linger in a cozy cafe. We can (and do) spend hours just catching up on each others' lives!


Go Fall Shopping Together

Let's face it: We're already going to be stocking up for fall, so we might as well do it with our friends. Grab an Apple Crisp Macchiato and go crazy at stores like Target, TJ Maxx, and HomeGoods. This year, we're on the lookout for cute ghost figurines, colorful throw blankets, and all things pumpkin.

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