Fall Date Ideas

It’s undeniable that fall has arrived in Grande Prairie. The crisp morning air, and the changing leaves throughout Muskoseepi Park. Fall in GP is truly magical – and with the cozy atmosphere comes new possibilities for romantic autumn date nights. We get it: sometimes it’s a challenge coming up with date ideas when the weather starts cooling off. If you’re looking for suggestions that are a bit more creative than dinner and a movie, you’ve come to the right place.

Settle in. Grab your favourite pumpkin spice drink (and your partner’s hand), and get ready for your next Fall date in Peace Country.

Photographer – Mike Seehagel

Get a bird’s eye view

Exploring the beauty of Grande Prairie on foot is fun – from the charm of downtown to the winding trails of our many parks – but have you ever thought about exploring our skies? Fall in love with a new view of Peace Country with Gemini Heli, who offers custom flyovers and tours so that you and your date can soak in a new view of all the fall colours. Whether you’ve lived in Grande Prairie for years or have visited many times, there is nothing like a fresh vantage point – not to mention the one-of-a-kind date night photo to elevate your Instagram feed.

Have an un-fore-gettable time

Just because the weather outside is cooling down doesn’t mean your golf skills need to cool down too. The season is never-ending at Fore Seasons Indoor Golf – the first indoor golf centre in the region. Head here to test your swing no matter what time of year or time of day. You won’t need to worry about wind, snow, or rain ruining your game or your date! If you’re up for it, challenge your date to a full round – the loser buys drinks from the bar. If you aren’t feeling competitive, there are fun golf games to play and enjoy.

Rates to play are per hour.

Picnic at the park

This date may seem relatively easy to plan and simple to execute, but that’s what makes it so great. There are endless picnic and view possibilities, and we’ve got a few recommendations to help you make sure that your honey has a good time.

Photographer – Katie Goldie, Travel Alberta

For example, speaking of honey… we recommend packing your picnic basket with some local Paradis Valley Honey – perfect for breads and even cheeses. Pair it with Latitude 55 Distillery’s premium Moonshine. With hints of nutmeg and clove for a spicy overtone and caramel finish, this spirit is perfect for this time of year. Can you say cozy vibes?!

In terms of which parks and peaks to explore, you can stick to your tried-and-true locations but we recommend checking out the hidden beauty of Grande Cache’s Willmore Wilderness Park. It’s complete with ancient glaciers, mountain peaks, and raging rivers. Rock Lake Provincial Park, Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area, and Big Berland Provincial Recreation Area are the main access points into the park.

If you’re looking to stay a bit closer to town, you can also enjoy the changing leaves at Muskoseepi Park in the heart of the city. Set up by the Ernie Radbourne pavilion to soak in the fall colours and to watch the leaves dance in the reflection of the pond.

Lastly, Nitehawk to Pam’s Point is only a 10-minute drive from Grande Prairie. The nearly 5.0-km out and back trail is a stunning hike. You’ll want to get there early to bask in the morning glow as the sun peeks through the trees and illuminates the river.

Park information:

Willmore Wilderness Park
Muskoseepi Park
Nitehawk to Pam’s Point

Play in the sand

We understand if you’re not ready to say goodbye to summer yet, but you can head to the local Sand Zone for a beach-inspired getaway. This family-friendly indoor park offers air hockey, ping pong, foosball, a café, beach volleyball, and a large sand area. It’s a great place for you and your sweetie but if you can’t find a sitter for date night, why not bring the family? Watch your kids play while you pretend you’re on a beach.

No need to book ahead – drop in when it’s convenient for you! Admission prices vary based on the day.

Laugh in style

So maybe the mountains aren’t for you (or things are feeling a bit chilly for a picnic). That doesn’t mean you can’t put an exciting twist on your date night.

Head to Edward’s Factory Outlet or Fashionista – both of which have classy and casual menswear and stylish trends for women. This is where the fun (and hopefully, laughter) begins. Give each other a budget and pick out an outfit… for each other. Don’t let the other person see until it’s time to hit the change rooms. Pick your favourite pieces, and then take to the streets of Grande Prairie’s downtown. We promise you’ll look fabulous as you do so (send us the pictures and tag us on social to prove it using #GPTourism).

Not big on fall style? Here are some other options for Exploring Grande Prairie After Dark.

Although we do love a good dinner and movie date, we hope you enjoy discovering that fall magic Grande Prairie brings before the winter. If we missed one of your favourite ideas, let us know by tagging us on social.

And, if none of the fall dates we mentioned catch your attention, be sure to check out our other Date Night in Grande Prairie blog for year-round date ideas.